Accidents happen all the time, and sometimes people are badly hurt. It can be hard to determine who is to blame for a bad accident, but it is often someone behaving negligently. They should be held responsible for what they have done, and our lawyers can help you do that. You deserve fair compensation for what happened to you.
You should speak to a lawyer as soon as possible and have them assess the extent of your damages. They can also help you gather evidence to file the case and additional evidence to present in court. The case must be filed within 2 years of the accident. If we file it late, you might be unable to take the case to court. Evidence we need might include medical records, photos, videos, witness testimony, and anything relevant to your claims. We need as much evidence as we can get to prove your claims for damages, which may include economic losses and non-economic injuries. In the end, much financial compensation might be on the line.
Receive a private, free case evaluation by calling our personal injury attorneys at the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502.
How to File a Personal Injury Case in Calumet City
Speak to an attorney about your accident and injuries to begin a personal injury case. Our personal injury attorneys can assess your injuries, losses, and damages to determine what your claims might be worth. See a doctor if you have not done so already so we have a good idea of your physical injuries.
Next, your attorney can help you gather evidence to support your claims. When we file the case, we do not have to have enough evidence to fully prove your claims. We must only include enough evidence to show the court that you have a valid cause of action. This often means that we only need a few strong pieces of evidence to start the case, and other evidence can be gathered later.
When we have the necessary information and evidence to begin, we must draft the formal legal complaint to file with the court. The complaint is the document that kickstarts your case, and it must contain lengthy and specific details about how you were hurt and why the defendant should be held liable. When we file the case, we must notify the defendant according to established legal rules and procedures. Without proper notice, the case cannot proceed.
Evidence We Can Use to Support Your Personal Injury Claims in Calumet City
Medical records may be important when proving the extent of your injuries. If your injuries have partially healed or fully recovered by the time we get to court, jurors might see for themselves how badly you were hurt. Your medical records may shed light on the severity of your injuries.
We should also look for available photos and videos from the accident. People often take pictures when disaster strikes and security cameras are everywhere nowadays. There is a strong chance that photos and videos of the accident exist somewhere, and we can help you find them.
Another great source of evidence is witnesses. Did the accident happen where others could see? Maybe you know of other people who were directly involved in the accident. These people may testify about what they saw and shed light on how the accident occurred. Witness testimony can be very persuasive, especially when witnesses have clear recollections of the accident.
Recoverable Damages in Personal Injury Cases in Calumet City
Your damages form the basis of your potential financial compensation. Damages may be awarded to make up for things you have lost and painful experiences you have endured. In less common cases, courts may award punitive damages to punish defendants for especially egregious behavior.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages are designed to make up for what you have lost. Economic damages are comprised of the losses and injuries that cost you money. Non-economic damages represent injuries that might not cost money but still negatively affect your overall life and well-being.
Economic damages may include hospital bills, the cost of property damage, and even lost income if you cannot work because of your injuries. Remember, accidents are often expensive, and you might have other smaller costs and expenses that add up to significant damages.
Non-economic are typically not based on money but on the toll they take on your life. Your immense physical pain, emotional anguish, psychological injuries, scarring, disfigurement, and other painful experiences may be claimed.
Punitive Damages
According to 735 I.L.C.S. § 5/2-1115.05(b), punitive damages may be awarded in very specific circumstances to punish defendants. Generally, defendants must exhibit behavior that somehow shocks the conscience. We must prove by “clear and convincing evidence” that the defendant acted with an evil motive or outrageous and reckless disregard to highly unreasonable risks of harm with a conscious indifference to the safety and rights of others.
While there is no longer a statutory limit on punitive damages awards, they generally must be proportionate to the case. Punitive damages awards that are considered excessive may be reduced by the court.
How Long a Personal Injury Case in Calumet City Might Take
Personal injury lawsuits have a somewhat unfair reputation for being extremely long and time-consuming. While some cases do take a long time to finish, others are surprisingly fast. Ultimately, the time it takes for your case to finish depends on the unique circumstances surrounding it.
According to the statute of limitations under 735 I.L.C.S. § 5/13-202, you have only 2 years from the accident to file a case, so you must contact a lawyer and prepare your claims within that time. Strong evidence and quick action on your part might speed the case up. When plaintiffs have strong evidence backing them up, defendants might be more inclined to settle.
Waiting too long to speak to a lawyer might slow things down. You might have to spend more time finding evidence and assessing your damages. On top of that, much evidence might disappear in the time it takes you to call a lawyer for help.
We should also consider the willingness of the defendant to cooperate. Some defendants understand they are responsible and would rather work out a private settlement than endure an embarrassing court battle. However, this is not always the case. Other defendants might dig their heels and refuse to acknowledge their own fault or wrongdoing, and your case might drag on longer.
Speak to Our Calumet City Personal Injury Lawyers
Receive a private, free case evaluation by calling our personal injury attorneys at the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502.
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