If you were recently injured in an accident, you might be dealing with enormous costs, painful injuries, and significant emotional distress. You have been wronged and deserve justice and fair compensation. Speak to our legal team about how to begin a personal injury lawsuit against those responsible for the accident. Even if their actions are not considered criminal, you can still get justice.
The best time to talk to a lawyer about a possible personal injury case is now. The longer you wait, the more evidence might disappear and the harder it is to prove your claims. Our team can assist you in finding the evidence necessary to meet our burden of proof so you can get fair compensation. To make sure your compensation is truly fair, we need to take an accurate accounting of your damages, which may include economic costs, non-economic injuries, and possibly punitive damages. There may be a lot of compensation on the line, and you need a skilled lawyer to help you.
Receive a free, confidential review of your claims by calling our Chicago personal injury lawyers at the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502.
When is the Best Time to Talk to a Lawyer About Your Personal Injury Claims in Buffalo Grove, IL?
It is hard to say exactly when you should speak to an attorney about your potential lawsuit, but it is generally better to get started sooner rather than later. Certain cases come with time limits, and plaintiffs cannot file claims after the time limit expires. The statute of limitation which imposes this law can be found under 735 I.L.C.S. § 5/13-202 and imposes a strict 2-year time limit. This limitation period begins on the day you are injured, which means the clock starts ticking immediately.
Hiring a lawyer and initiating a personal injury lawsuit can be daunting tasks, and it is understandable to hesitate. However, the sooner you get started, the more likely your odds of success might be. Our personal injury lawyers might obtain evidence before it is lost and speak to witnesses before they can move away or forget important details. Finally, starting now gives your lawyer ample time to effectively prepare your case before it is filed in court. Remember, 2 years is a much shorter time limit than many people realize, as it often takes months or more to get a case ready.
How Our Lawyers Can Help You Prove Your Personal Injury Case in Buffalo Grove, IL
Proving your claims in court will be so small task. Plaintiffs have the burden of proof, meaning they are responsible for proving their claims. The defendant does not have to prove anything. In order to meet the burden of proof, we need as much evidence as possible.
Burden of Proof
As said, the plaintiff in a civil case has the burden of proof, meaning they are responsible for proving their claims. The defendant does not need to prove anything or even introduce evidence, although they can. More specifically, we must prove your claims by “a preponderance of the evidence.” This is defined as proving that it is more likely than not that the defendant is liable for your damages. This is not the highest burden of proof in the legal system, but it might still be very difficult to meet. The more evidence we have, the better.
Evidence
Evidence is sometimes the most difficult part of preparing a personal injury case. It might instead be the easiest part. For some, evidence is abundant and readily available. For others, it is hard to come by. Your lawyer can help you determine where you should look for evidence and how to use it to your advantage.
Witnesses are often the backbone of a personal injury case. Depending on where and how your accident occurred, numerous other people might have seen everything. A witness must have first-hand knowledge of the accident. The more witnesses who back up your claims in court, the better.
We should also see if videos and photos from the accident are available. For example, it is common for people to take pictures of a car accident to send to insurance companies. If these pictures contain important details about the accident, they might make for powerful evidence in court. Similarly, we can check the area for security cameras. It is possible the entire accident was recorded on video.
We should also consider gathering your medical records to prove your injuries and related damages. For example, your medical records might help us prove exactly how your injuries affected your physical health, the pain you endured, and the costs of treatment. Our legal team can help you gather the records relevant to your injuries.
Recoverable Damages in Buffalo Grove, IL Personal Injury Cases
Damages in personal injury cases can be numerous and substantial. It is best to speak to an experienced lawyer about your injuries and losses so they can identify and assess all your damages. Damages may account for financial costs, painful experiences, and more.
Economic Damages
Your economic damages should account for the financial toll of the accident and your injuries. Many plaintiffs find that medical costs are the biggest contributors to their economic damages. Even minor injuries might require expensive medical care. Plaintiffs with more severe injuries might encounter astronomical medical costs.
You should also consider how the accident has affected your ability to work. Many plaintiffs have to take time off work after a bad accident. Many others cannot return to work for the foreseeable future. You may claim the income and wages you lose because of your injuries. For some, these damages represent a lot of lost earnings they need to pay for things like medical care.
Non-Economic Damages
Your non-economic damages represent intangible injuries and personal experiences. Typically, these are very negative experiences that take a toll on your life and overall well-being. For example, you may claim damage for the intense pain of your injuries, deep psychological distress or turmoil, and the overall loss of enjoyment of your life. Discuss with your lawyer how the accident has impacted your life, even if economic costs are not involved.
Get Help From Our Buffalo Grove, IL Personal Injury Lawyers
Receive a free, confidential review of your claims by calling our personal injury lawyers at the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502.
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