Many people are one bad accident away from financial ruin. You might be badly hurt and in need of expensive medical care. At the same time, you might be unable to work, and your savings may quickly dwindle. The person who caused the accident should be held responsible and made to cover your damages, and a lawyer can help you get justice.
Personal injury law is broad and encompasses various claims involving physical harm and accidents. Many accidents are mired in uncertainty, and plaintiffs might share some blame. In such cases, plaintiffs may still file their cases, but their damages could be reduced. Damages are often based on economic losses and non-economic injuries, including pain, suffering, and more. How long it takes to complete your case and get compensation for these damages will vary from case to case.
Contact the Rhatigan Law Offices by calling (312) 578-8502 to receive a free, private case assessment fro our personal injury attorneys.
How Do You Know if You Have a Personal Injury Case?
Not every injury or accident may be grounds for a legal claim, and determining whether you can file a personal injury case may be difficult without help from a lawyer.
Personal injury cases are defined by the nature of the plaintiff’s claims. In all personal injury cases, no matter how an accident might have happened, the plaintiffs claim physical injuries. Losing money or property is not enough to have a personal injury claim, and you must show that the defendant’s conduct physically harmed you.
Many personal injuries come from unintentional accidents. If you believe you were injured because of another’s negligent behavior, you may have a valid claim. Negligence is more than mere carelessness and involves four legal elements.
The defendant must have owed you a legal duty of care and done something to breach that duty. You must show that the breach of duty is the direct and proximate cause of real injuries and damages. If these elements are present in your case, you likely have a personal injury claim.
Can I File a Personal Injury Claim in Glendale Heights if I am Partially at Fault?
One of the most hotly debated elements of your claim will likely be fault. While our personal injury lawyers present evidence showing that the defendant is at fault for the accident, they might claim that you are also partially responsible.
If you are unsure about whether you are partially responsible for the accident, you can still file a case. However, if the trier of fact determines that you share responsibility with the defendant, your damages may be reduced in proportion to your share of blame, according to 735 I.L.C.S. § 5/2-1116.
For example, if you are 10% responsible, your damages can be reduced by 10%. However, if you are at least 50% responsible, you may be barred from recovering anything, and you might never receive compensation.
Compensation Available in a Personal Injury Case
Compensation is hard to predict in many cases, and the value of your claims will vary depending on your injuries and losses.
A big part of your potential compensation is based on how much money the accident and your injuries cost you. You might have high hospital bills, and if your injuries make returning to work difficult, you might lose valuable income. On top of that, you should consider the cost of property damage and any other expenses directly related to the accident.
The accident might have also affected you on a mental, emotional, and physical level that cannot be proven with evidence of cost. Physical pain, mental distress, psychological trauma, the loss of enjoyment of your life, and other painful experiences may warrant substantial damages.
Records You May Need Following an Injury in Glendale Heights
The key to a successful personal injury case is having the right records, documentation, and evidence to back up your claims. What you need and where to find it will depend on your situation, and your attorney should help you.
Some of the most important records we need are your medical records from when you were treated for your injuries. These records may shed light on the severity of your injuries and how they were inflicted. They may also help us prove the cost of your medical care for the purpose of assessing damages.
You may also need some documentation about the accident scene itself. Depending on how everything happened, you might have been able to record photos and videos of the accident scene that we can use to support your case. We might also find people who were present during the accident to offer witness testimony.
We must also obtain any records of financial costs you may have incurred. Of course, this includes medical bills, but may also include records of property damage and even pay stubs to prove how much income you have lost from being unable to work.
How Long it Takes to Recover Money in Personal Injury Cases
When it comes to recovering compensation in a personal injury case, time is of the essence. You might be able to wait only so long for compensation before you exhaust your own savings or run out of financial options. How long it takes to get the compensation you deserve may depend on various factors of the case.
Recovering compensation from a jury verdict tends to take longer, as trials take time and jurors may spend days or even weeks deliberating. Ultimately, this depends on how complex the case is, how long the trial takes, and how much time we need to prepare the case.
You are more likely to receive compensation faster if you accept a settlement offer from the defendant. However, this depends on how long it takes to negotiate. If the defendant is more willing to cooperate and wants to settle quickly, you may be able to speed your case along and get compensation sooner.
Get Help Today From Our Glendale Heights Personal Injury Attorneys
Contact the Rhatigan Law Offices by calling our personal injury lawyers at (312) 578-8502 and receive a free, private case review.
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