When accidents happen, people often get hurt, sometimes pretty badly. Whether your injuries are minor or massive, you deserve fair compensation for everything you have had to endure. A lawyer can help you file a personal injury lawsuit against the people we believe are responsible for your injuries. While a lawsuit can be a difficult endeavor, it might be the best way for you to get your life back.
Damages in personal injury cases tend to vary but are sometimes quite significant. Serious injuries tend to come with significant costs, and plaintiffs may claim substantial damages and compensation. You should speak to an attorney now about your injuries and what they might be worth. Your lawyer can also help you find evidence and prepare the legal paperwork necessary to get your case into court. Our team has experience with a variety of cases and claims, and we are prepared to help you get justice.
Contact our Rockford, IL personal injury attorney at the Rhatigan Law Offices and ask for a confidential case assessment free of charge by calling (312) 578-8502.
Damages Available in a Moline, IL Personal Injury Case
In a personal injury case, your damages represent your injuries, things you have lost, costs, and even painful personal experiences. Our personal injury attorneys will help you maximize your compensation by accounting for all possible damages in your case, many of which might be easily overlooked by the untrained eye. In rare cases, courts might award punitive damages if the defendant is proven to have acted in a shocking or egregious manner.
Economic Damages
Your economic damages should reflect the money you spent as a direct result of the accident and your injuries. To begin, many plaintiffs account for their medical costs, which are often substantial. Even just one visit to the hospital after a bad accident might cost a person hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Those needing more extensive or long-term care will likely claim even greater costs.
You should also consider any property or personal belongings damaged in the accident. For example, if you were in a car accident, you can claim the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle. You may also claim the value of lost personal items, like your phone, laptop, or other items that were in your car.
It is not unusual for injured victims to take time away from their jobs to recover from their injuries. For some, this means an extended leave of absence. For others, it might mean leaving the workforce altogether. You may claim economic damages related to your lost income.
Non-Economic Damages
Many damages are based on personal, intangible experiences. While these experiences might not financially burden plaintiffs, they may still claim them and receive fair compensation.
Some accidents are very traumatic. A bad car accident might be perceived as a near-death experience by the driver, and they might live with some intense emotional distress for a while, possibly forever. On top of that, your injuries, regardless of cost, might be very painful. Intense pain can impose a heavy emotional and psychological burden on you, and it might prevent you from enjoying your day-to-day life. These painful experiences are significant and deserve fair compensation.
Since these damages are inherently subjective, their value is not up to us. Instead, the jury gets to decide how much non-economic damages are worth. As such, your testimony about these damages is paramount to the success of your claims.
How Long Should You Wait Before Filing a Personal Injury Case in Moline, IL
Plaintiffs have a specific amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit before they lose their right to file their claims. The statute of limitations, under 735 I.L.C.S. § 15/13-202, states that personal injury plaintiffs have 2 years from the date they are injured to file a case in court.
Generally, speaking to a lawyer as soon as possible is best. Getting started right away may help you and your lawyer find evidence that might be lost if you wait too long. It can also help your attorney get a jump on things so they can spend more time preparing your case and less time playing catch-up.
You should talk to a lawyer as soon as possible, but waiting to actually file the case might be beneficial. Doing so might give your injuries and losses more time to evolve and reveal themselves. Physical injuries might worsen, even with treatment, and the depth and cost of your losses might become clearer. This way, waiting might allow you to claim greater damages than if you filed the case almost immediately.
Even so, avoid waiting too long. The farther out from the accident we are when the trial starts, the harder it might be to prove your case.
Personal Injury Cases Handled by Our Legal Team in Moline, IL
Not all personal injury cases are the same. The field of personal injury law is arguably one of the broadest legal fields, and a broad spectrum of cases, claims, and accidents may constitute personal injuries. It is important that you work with a lawyer who has experience with your specific claim. Below are just a few examples of cases our legal team has handled.
Train and Aviation Accidents
Accidents involving trains and planes are not uncommon, and passengers can be seriously injured because of the train or airline company. While these kinds of cases may include catastrophic crashes, these are not the only kinds of accidents covered. For example, you might be hurt in an airport because of unsafe conditions or in an accident related to a poorly maintained train platform.
Nursing Home Injuries
People living in nursing homes tend to be vulnerable, and even minor accidents can lead to serious injuries and complications. If your loved one was injured while living in a nursing home, talk to our lawyers about it. Many accidents are related to negligently maintained premises, untrained staff, or even abuse and neglect from caregivers in the nursing home.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Most of us have probably slipped and fallen before. While many of us only experience a bruised ego, injuries can be quite severe for others. Do not underestimate your claims in a slip and fall accident. The person or people responsible for the property or premises where you fell should be held liable.
For Legal Support, Call Our Moline, IL Personal Injury Attorneys
Contact our personal injury attorney at the Rhatigan Law Offices and ask for a confidential case assessment free of charge by calling (312) 578-8502.
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