Personal injury victims can incur a range of financial losses stemming from medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Additionally, the emotional trauma caused by personal injuries can be severe.
Thankfully, if you were hurt as a result of another person’s negligence in Waukegan, IL, then you may be entitled to payment for both the economic and non-economic damages related to your injury. After reviewing the specifics of your case, the team at our law firm can explain the appropriate path to payment. Moreover, we can provide thorough guidance and support during each step of the legal process.
Get help from our Chicago personal injury attorneys at the Rhatigan Law Offices today by dialing (312) 578-8502.
Common Causes of Personal Injuries in Waukegan, IL
There are many different types of accidents that can result in personal injuries. If you were hurt as a result of any of the following, then our personal injury attorneys will review your potential claim for payment:
Car Accidents
Car accidents are frequent occurrences that can result in a range of injuries. In collisions, occupants may sustain injuries such as whiplash, fractures, and head trauma. The impact of the accident often determines the severity of these injuries, which can have long-term consequences for victims.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can lead to severe injuries due to the lack of protection for riders. In such incidents, bikers may suffer from road rash, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. The exposure and vulnerability of motorcyclists contribute to the potential severity of the injuries sustained.
Truck Accidents
Accidents involving large trucks can cause catastrophic injuries. Due to the size disparity between trucks and other vehicles, victims may experience injuries such as crush injuries, internal organ damage, and severe fractures. These accidents typically result in significant medical challenges for those involved.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are vulnerable in traffic, and accidents involving them can lead to serious injuries. Pedestrian accidents may cause fractures, head injuries, and internal injuries. The lack of protective measures for pedestrians often results in substantial physical harm.
Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents can cause a variety of injuries for riders. In these incidents, cyclists may suffer from broken bones, concussions, and injuries to the extremities. The limited protection offered by bicycles makes riders susceptible to significant harm in collisions.
Train Accidents
Train accidents, although less common, can result in severe injuries. Victims may experience injuries such as limb amputations, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. The sheer force involved in train accidents often leads to life-altering consequences for those involved.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can occur in various settings, leading to injuries such as fractures, sprains, and soft tissue injuries. Uneven surfaces, wet floors, or inadequate signage contribute to these accidents, causing harm to unsuspecting individuals.
Construction Site Accidents
Construction sites pose inherent risks, and accidents can result in serious injuries. Workers may suffer from falls, electrocutions, and crush injuries. The nature of construction work exposes individuals to diverse hazards, leading to a range of potential injuries.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice occurs when patients are injured because their physicians deviate from applicable standards of care. For example, medical malpractice cases may involve injuries that result from surgical errors, misdiagnoses, and medication errors.
Victims of medical malpractice may be able to sue the healthcare professionals responsible for their injuries. However, these claims can be highly complicated. Support from legal representation is often crucial to obtaining payment in medical malpractice cases.
Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse can lead to physical injuries and emotional distress among elderly residents. Common injuries include bruises, fractures, and malnutrition. The vulnerable nature of elderly individuals in nursing homes makes them susceptible to harm because of neglect or abuse by caregivers.
Common Pieces of Evidence Our Lawyers Use to Prove Personal Injury Claims in Waukegan, IL
When proving how someone was injured in an accident, various types of evidence come into play. Physical evidence is often utilized whenever feasible, while photographs and video footage step in when physical evidence cannot be presented. Accident reports can provide essential details necessary to establish the case’s elements. Eyewitness testimony can also be crucial, as their accounts of what they witnessed may prove pivotal. Additionally, medical and financial records help back up the economic and non-economic damages you have suffered. In more complicated cases, or when evidence is scarce, expert witnesses can step forward to share their professional insights with the court. Our team is here to gather this vital evidence for you while you concentrate on your recovery.
Accident Reports
Accident reports are often the starting point for our attorneys when investigating a case, provided they are available. This is why it is crucial to report your accident immediately while still at the scene.
For example, when a car accident occurs, police officers will arrive to create a report based on their observations and from speaking to the drivers and witnesses involved. These collision reports typically capture various elements, such as debris present at the scene, the extent of damage to the vehicles and victims’ injuries, and any witnesses who can provide statements. The reports may also reflect the officer’s conclusions regarding who was responsible for the crash.
Similarly, businesses typically file accident reports for incidents that occur on their premises. If someone slips and falls in a business, it is essential to notify a manager right away. Doing so ensures that the reasons for your fall and the timing of the incident are documented, which helps strengthen your claims since you are establishing a record from the outset. Our team can obtain these reports while you focus on your recovery, along with any internal communications the defendant might have had after reporting your accident to their superiors.
Eyewitness and Expert Witness Testimony
Having eyewitnesses share their accounts of the same event you are discussing can significantly bolster your claims and increase your claim’s credibility. They can provide details about the situation that you may not have witnessed firsthand, helping to fill in the gaps in the court’s understanding of your case.
For example, an eyewitness might describe how they saw the other driver disregard a red light, while you only know for certain that you had the green light. When their testimony is combined with yours, it creates a clearer picture of what actually happened.
Our team will gather and review accident reports and any notes you made after the incident to identify and reach out to eyewitnesses who can testify on your behalf. During the litigation process, we will interview these individuals and help them prepare for questioning from the defendant’s attorneys. If the claim results in a trial, we will arrange for them to take the stand and share their accounts of what they witnessed in the incident.
Expert witnesses also play a crucial role by clarifying intricate factors that contribute to an accident and offering scientific opinions about the defendant’s negligence.
For instance, if a product is alleged to be faulty, an expert in manufacturing processes can detail the specific ways in which the product was negligently designed or constructed, pinpointing flaws that caused your injuries. Similarly, an accident reconstruction specialist can analyze the details of your collision, such as vehicle speeds, angles of impact, and road conditions, to clearly demonstrate how the actions of a negligent driver led to the crash. Our team will collaborate with necessary experts, ensuring they are available to testify and provide reports when other types of evidence are lacking.
Photos and Videos
When it is not feasible to provide physical evidence in your case, photographs and videos can act as effective alternatives. For instance, a car involved in an accident often cannot be kept as evidence during the claim process and will likely be repaired before it can be shown. By taking photos of the damage, we can use those pictures as evidence instead of the actual vehicle. You should also take pictures if you suffer injuries on someone else’s property, as it allows you to document conditions like a spill that will most likely be cleaned right after the incident.
Our team will also investigate the scene to see if nearby surveillance cameras captured footage of the incident. Commercial security cameras positioned outside businesses, residential doorbell cameras, dashcams from the vehicles involved, ATM cameras from nearby banks, and even cell phone recordings from bystanders can be used as evidence. Our attorneys will reach out to the owners of these cameras to request access to any pertinent footage and to save it for litigation, even if the defendant holds it.
Medical Evidence
Medical records from your various healthcare providers are also essential to calculate your damages. They also offer a timeline that begins with the accident and details the treatment you received afterward. Medical reports can demonstrate that you sought treatment because of the accident, thereby establishing a causal link with the other party’s negligence. This will affect the current damages we aim to recover, as well as support the future expenses for which you should be compensated. Medical evidence will also serve as a basis for determining your non-economic damages, also known as pain and suffering.
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases in Waukegan, IL
The deadline to file personal injury lawsuits in Illinois is governed by 735 I.L.C.S. § 5/13-202. Usually, you will have two years from the date your injury occurred to file your case against the at-fault party. Failure to act in accordance with this deadline may cause you to miss out on important financial compensation.
Furthermore, even though you may have a maximum of two years to bring your claim to court, you should begin working on your case as quickly as possible. Over time, important evidence required to support your potential lawsuit may become hard to preserve and collect. As an example, a witness may forget pertinent details regarding your accident, or a piece of physical evidence may deteriorate. The more quickly you get in touch with our legal team, the more efficiently we may work towards gathering the evidence needed to win your case.
Considering Settlement Offers in Waukegan, IL Personal Injury Lawsuits
If you file a personal injury case, then you will likely be presented with a settlement offer at some point before going to trial. When you enter into a settlement agreement, you will be awarded a specific sum of damages in exchange for the voluntary dismissal of your case. There are potential benefits to settling early. For instance, by accepting a settlement offer, you may be awarded payment more quickly. Moreover, you may save on some of the expenses that can be incurred at trial, such as witness fees and administrative costs.
Still, defendants in personal injury cases are often reluctant to present acceptable settlement offers. They will typically attempt to entice cheap and quick settlement agreements that do not reflect the true value of plaintiffs’ claims.
Accordingly, support from our legal professionals can be extremely valuable when considering any settlement offers made in your case. Our team can help identify any insufficient offers and potentially negotiate for additional damages. If an acceptable offer is still not presented, then you may have to go to trial to obtain the compensation you deserve. At trial, our attorneys will help represent your interests and protect your rights.
Contact Our Attorneys for Assistance with Your Personal Injury Lawsuit in Waukegan, IL
Seek support from our Chicago personal injury lawyers today by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502.
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