Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer

A brief moment of inattention behind the wheel can lead to devastating consequences. Many drivers in Illinois fail to yield at intersections, text behind the wheel, or drive while intoxicated or excessively fatigued. Victims of these careless actions can bring a claim to hold the driver accountable for their injuries. They may be able to recover compensation for their medical bills, lost income, costs of future treatment, lost earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, and other damages. A personal injury attorney in the Skokie area can help you prove the elements of a car accident claim. These essentially consist of showing that the defendant driver failed to use reasonable care behind the wheel and that their unsafe driving caused your injuries. In some cases, such as many rollover accidents, a party other than a driver may have caused an accident. We can help you investigate the potential liability of vehicle manufacturers, property owners, repair shops, and other parties that may have contributed to your injuries.

When a massive tractor-trailer crashes into a passenger car, the impact for the people in the smaller vehicle can be life-changing. They may suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord , and burns, among other injuries. Most truck accidents result from the carelessness of the truck driver, but often you can hold the trucking company that employed the driver responsible as well. State and federal regulations govern the trucking industry, and an investigation may reveal that the driver, the company, or both violated a regulation. This would be strong evidence of negligence. Even if the company did not act negligently, moreover, it may be held liable under a theory of vicarious liability if our attorneys can show that the crash happened while the driver was acting in the course and scope of their job duties. We are familiar with the technicalities of trucking regulations and will act promptly to collect the complex types of evidence that may be vital in proving liability in these cases.

While people in cars at least have some protection from external forces, motorcyclists and their passengers have none. This leaves them especially vulnerable to being hit by a car or truck. Our Skokie personal injury attorney can help riders pursue the compensation that they need to recover following a motorcycle accident from defendants and their insurers. In an effort to avoid liability, an insurer may argue that the motorcyclist handled their vehicle carelessly or recklessly in the moments leading up to the accident. This strategy is meant to trigger the modified comparative negligence rule in Illinois, which can reduce or eliminate a victim’s compensation award. Retaining an experienced attorney can make a huge difference in your ability to defeat this argument or minimize its impact.

Many drivers fail to notice pedestrians in their vicinity, especially if they are distracted by a cell phone or another device or if they are speeding to reach their destination. Pedestrian accidents around crosswalks or in residential areas happen all too often, causing serious injuries or even death. Victims should take legal action promptly in these situations. As with other personal injury cases, they must bring a claim against a careless driver or another defendant within two years from the date of the accident. Otherwise, the Illinois statute of limitations probably will preclude their ability to recover damages. We are knowledgeable about the procedural requirements governing these claims and can make sure that you meet all of the deadlines that apply in your case.

Both children and adults frequently ride bicycles in the areas around Chicago. Unfortunately, our Skokie personal injury lawyer has seen many situations in which a driver strikes a bicyclist, often throwing them onto the pavement or against another object. Even if you are wearing a helmet, you may still suffer serious injuries. In some situations, a bicycle accident may result in part from the negligence of a government agency in designing a bike lane or intersection or in failing to properly maintain a road. We can determine all of the parties that may be responsible and make sure to bring them into your case. After these traumatic events, we also will compile evidence to demonstrate the full physical and psychological impact of the accident on the victim so that they are appropriately compensated.

A 2017 survey of 7,000 people revealed that more than half—53 percent—had used a rideshare service, up from 38 percent the year before. This trend toward using services such as Uber and Lyft is projected to continue and bring with it an increasing number of accidents involving rideshare users. Earlier this year, Illinois added the Ridesharing Arrangement Act to the Illinois Vehicle Code. The new law requires rideshare drivers to undergo more extensive background checks. That is a good first step, however the law regarding insurance coverages is less clear. That is why, if you are injured in a rideshare accident, it is imperative that you speak with a Skokie personal injury lawyer who understands the nuances of insurance liability in such cases.

Hands-free cellphone use, eating and drinking, tuning the radio, quieting the kids… all distractions with disastrous consequences when they occur while someone is behind the wheel of a car or truck. Distracted driving is among the top three causes of fatal accidents in Illinois and nationwide, according to the National Safety Council, and kills people every day. Many states have banned the use of cellphones while driving, but many drivers persist in their use, thinking that hands-free is a safer option. It is not. When Injury Lawyers of Illinois clients are injured in accidents where distracted driving is suspected, we use highly skilled accident reconstructionists and all available technology to identify all the factors that contributed to the crash—even multitasking behind the wheel.

Some of the most severe accidents result in a premature loss of life. Families who have lost a loved one too soon have legal recourse under Illinois law. They can bring a wrongful death action against the responsible parties, which can give them a sense of justice as well as the compensation that they need to withstand the financial impact of the fatal accident. Family members may be able to recover compensation for expenses related to the victim’s medical treatment and funeral, as well as for their intangible contributions to the lives of their relatives. We are ready to provide the compassionate yet vigorous advocacy that people need in these tragic situations.

Construction accidents and other work-related incidents can permanently affect a worker’s ability to provide for their family. We understand the challenges that this situation can create, and we are ready to advocate for the full scope of benefits to which you may be entitled. The workers’ compensation system operates on a no-fault basis, which means that you do not need to prove fault by your employer or someone else at your job. Instead, you will be eligible for benefits as long as you can show that you were injured while performing your job duties. While you cannot sue your employer, you may be able to bring a personal injury claim against a third party if it contributed to your accident. This may help you recover additional damages beyond the benefits provided by workers’ compensation.

The team at Injury Lawyers of Illinois understands the physical, emotional, and financial devastation that a serious accident can inflict. Let us take the complexities of the legal process off your mind so that you can recover with the peace of mind that you deserve. We represent people in Lincolnwood, Skokie, Evanston, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, and Jefferson Park, as well as other areas of Cook County. Call us at (847) 982-9516 or contact us online to set up a free appointment to find out more about what we can do for you.