While accidents are often considered an inevitable part of life, that does not mean that you must accept the consequences of another person’s careless behavior. If you were hurt in an accident, you can take legal action to make them pay for your injuries and damages. For some, accidents are so devastating that they need financial compensation to get their lives back to normal.
Accidents can be terrifying, and victims might not know what to do after a bad accident occurs. You should immediately call for help, exchange information with others at the accident scene, and call a lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney can review the accident and determine the extent of your damages, which will form the basis of your claims for financial compensation. The sooner you get started, the better. Evidence and witnesses might disappear over time, making it harder to prove your claims in court. Hiring a lawyer as soon as possible means you have a better shot at identifying defendants, collecting evidence, and accurately assessing damages.
Receive a private case assessment for free from our personal injury attorneys when you call (312) 578-8502 and speak to our team at the Rhatigan Law Offices.
What to Do if You Have Experienced a Personal Injury in Belleville, IL
If you were injured in an accident of some kind, your top priority should be getting emergency help. Call for an ambulance if you need emergency medical attention at the hospital. If you are unsure how bad your injuries are, call for an ambulance anyway. You should also call the police. Depending on the circumstances, they might investigate the accident to determine who is responsible.
You should also do what you can to preserve evidence. A great way to do this is to take pictures and record videos, if possible. Accident scenes are often quickly cleared away, and important evidence might be lost. By taking pictures and videos, you preserve important details we need to prove your claims in a lawsuit or insurance claim.
After receiving the necessary medical care, you should speak to our personal injury lawyers about how the accident occurred. Your attorney can advise you on whether you have a claim for damages and your legal options. Do not underestimate the value of your claims. You deserve fair compensation.
Recoverable Damages in Belleville, IL Personal Injury Cases
Your damages should reflect how you have been injured, your losses, and how the accident has impacted your life. In many cases, damages can be quite substantial, and plaintiffs might be entitled to significant financial compensation.
Economic damages are based on the financial costs of your injuries and the accident. A significant factor in many plaintiffs’ economic damages is medical costs. Going to the emergency room is usually a very expensive experience, even if injuries are minor and require minimal medical attention. If your injuries are more serious, your hospital bills might be completely unaffordable, and legal action might be necessary to pay for everything.
Additional economic damages may include the value of destroyed property, like your car, after a vehicle crash. You can also include the costs of replacing lost or damaged personal belongings. If you are so badly hurt that you cannot return to your job, talk to your lawyer about claiming the value of your lost earnings and wages.
Non-economic damages represent painful experiences rather than monetary costs. As such, these damages are hard to evaluate and subjective. You might claim physical pain, psychological turmoil, emotional distress, and other painful experiences among your damages. If your injuries come with permanent complications or leave you disabled, you can claim your diminished quality of life among your damages.
How Soon You Should Begin a Personal Injury Case in Belleville, IL
It is perfectly fine to take time to yourself after an accident to rest, recover, and think about your legal options. However, taking too much time might do more harm than good, as you have a strict time limit to file your case. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Illinois, under 735 I.L.C.S. § 13-202, gives plaintiffs a mere 2 years to file their cases. If this limitation period closes and you have not filed your case, you might be unable to do so.
While the statute of limitations imposes a strict time limit, a few exceptions allow plaintiffs more time. If one of these exceptions applies in your case, you may have the statute tolled. A couple of the most common examples of tolling are for minors and people with legal disabilities. According to § 5/13-211(a), if a plaintiff were under 18 when injured, the statute of limitations would not begin until they turn 18. If they were instead experiencing a legal disability that prevented them from understanding their rights or injuries, the statute would not begin until the disability is removed.
While tolling can be helpful, it is not super common. Simply forgetting about the limitation period or being unaware of a statute of limitations is not enough to have the statute tolled.
Determining Who is Responsible for Your Personal Injuries in Belleville, IL
One of the most important and sometimes difficult parts of a personal injury case is figuring out who is responsible and how to hold them liable in court. While some plaintiffs might know or at least have an idea of who caused the accident, many others are unsure. Perhaps you were knocked unconscious and never saw the person who injured you. Maybe they fled the scene before you could get their information. Your attorney can help you track them down and initiate legal action to hold them accountable.
In some cases, defendants try to evade liability by claiming that the plaintiff did something to cause the accident. In such instances, we might have to contend with issues of comparative negligence. According to 735 I.L.C.S. § 5/2-1116(c), if a plaintiff is deemed partially responsible for their injuries, their damages may be reduced in proportion to their share of the blame, usually expressed as a percentage. So, if you are found to be 20% responsible, your damages may be reduced by 20%. However, if a plaintiff is determined to be more than 50% responsible, they may be completely barred from recovery.
Get Legal Support Now From Our Belleville, IL Personal Injury Lawyers
Receive a confidential case evaluation for free from our personal injury lawyers when you call (312) 578-8502 and speak to our team at the Rhatigan Law Offices.
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