Posted on October 16, 2023 in Personal Injury

Losing a loved one due to another person’s negligence or wrongful actions is among the most devastating experiences someone can go through. In such cases, the surviving family members may wonder if they are entitled to automatic compensation through a wrongful death claim. Compensation in wrongful death cases is not automatic. If you need legal assistance in pursuing a wrongful death claim, contact an experienced lawyer to provide you guidance moving forward.

Establishing Liability

The first step in an Illinois wrongful death case is establishing liability. This involves proving that the negligence of someone else caused the death. It is crucial to gather as much relevant evidence as you can, like accident reports, witness statements, and professional opinions, to support the claim. Once liability is established, compensation may be pursued through a wrongful death lawsuit. 

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 Posted on October 05, 2023 in Personal Injury

Rollover car accidents are among the most dangerous types of crashes, often resulting in catastrophic injuries and death. For many people, rollover accidents are something that only happens in the movies and are thought to be no real threat in real life. However, this is not the case. 

If you were injured in a rollover accident, contact a qualified Illinois lawyer today to begin your pursuit of compensation. Legal professionals are ready to assist you and help you obtain compensation at this time when you need it most. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Illinois is two years. Do not wait to bring forth a claim, as missing the two-year deadline will likely result in losing your chance to pursue compensation. 

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 Posted on September 26, 2023 in Personal Injury

Pedestrian accidents are a significant concern worldwide, resulting in severe injuries and fatalities. Understanding the causes of these accidents is important for those who have been injured and are now seeking compensation. If you were a pedestrian involved in an accident and you suffered injuries, contact an attorney to learn more about your legal options. 

Five Reasons Why Pedestrian Accidents Occur

1. Negligent or distracted driving – Taking your eyes off the road is never a good idea, especially when driving near pedestrians. Drivers who engage in activities such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, or adjusting the radio are more likely to be involved in accidents. Failing to pay attention to the road and surrounding environment can result in collisions with pedestrians. 

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 Posted on September 13, 2023 in Personal Injury

Seatbelts are crucial safety devices designed to protect vehicle occupants in the event of a car accident. However, what happens if you are injured in an Illinois car accident while not wearing a seatbelt? If this has happened to you, understanding the legal implications now is important, as it may impact your ability to seek compensation for your injuries. Contact a lawyer today to pursue the compensation you may be entitled to as a result of your injury. 

Contributory Negligence and Comparative Fault

Illinois follows the principle of comparative fault, which means that the court assigns a percentage of fault to each party involved in an accident. If you were injured while not wearing a seatbelt, the court might determine that you were partially responsible for your injuries. This is because failing to wear a seatbelt is considered contributory negligence. The degree of fault assigned to you will reduce the amount of compensation you can recover from the other party involved in the accident. 

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 Posted on September 08, 2023 in Personal Injury

Trucks that are loaded improperly pose a significant risk on our roads, leading to devastating car accidents with potentially fatal consequences. If you were in an accident with an improperly loaded truck, contact an experienced attorney to ensure you understand the legal implications of the situation and can have a legal professional in your corner advocating for your rights and interests. 

Understanding the Risks

Properly loading a truck is crucial for maintaining stability, maneuverability, and safety. When a truck is improperly loaded, several risks arise, including:

1. Shifting cargo – Improperly secured cargo can shift during transport, affecting the truck’s balance and stability. This can lead to the driver losing control, causing accidents such as rollovers. 

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 Posted on August 24, 2023 in Car Accidents

More electric vehicles are hitting the road in Illinois and first responders want to be prepared. Firefighters are finding out that it can take three hours or longer to put out an electric car fire. By 2025 one in ten cars will be electric. Part of the problem is that thousands of gallons of water are needed when an electric car erupts into flames. If you or your loved one suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of an electric car fire, you should try to seek the help of an Illinois personal injury attorney.

Who Can Be Responsible for My Injuries?

Under Illinois law, if things meant to keep you safe do not work, you and your family should get a lawyer to help you get compensation for what happened. Most cars use batteries called lithium-ion. They are different from the old batteries with lead. These new batteries are stronger and can be charged quickly. Inside the battery, there are a lot of tiny parts called cells. If these parts break, the battery can get very hot and start a fire. Firefighters usually cannot put out these fires easily, because they need a lot of water and special tools.

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 Posted on August 14, 2023 in Catastrophic Injuries

Sustaining a catastrophic injury is a life-altering event. You may never be able to return to the job you had and the lifestyle you enjoyed. You may need extensive medical follow-up care including a stay in a rehabilitation facility or long-term physical and occupational therapy. Your daily needs have changed. You may require help with things you used to do independently without a second thought, such as getting dressed or cooking dinner. A catastrophic injury is likely to lead to major changes in the way you live. The expenses associated with care for a catastrophic injury can be astronomical. Aside from the cost of healthcare and medical equipment, you are likely losing income due to an inability to work. You are likely worried about how you will afford to meet your needs while you are not working or have been forced to take a lower-paid position. You may be able to recover these costs and more by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible for your injuries. 

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 Posted on August 04, 2023 in Personal Injury

Minor car accidents happen all the time. In most cases, there is little damage to the cars and no serious bodily harm. Serious car accidents are slightly more unusual. Serious car accidents occur when someone has suffered a grave or catastrophic injury. In these cases, it is highly likely that the driver who caused the accident was doing something quite careless, if not reckless or illegal. When you have been involved in a serious car accident, you likely have a lot of expenses to worry about. You may be missing work while medical bills pile up. The medical bills involved in these major accidents can be very high because you are likely to need intensive medical interventions. Many who have suffered a catastrophic injury will continue to need medical care for the rest of their lives. If you were seriously injured in a car accident, it is important to speak to an attorney as soon as you are able to. You may be able to recover most or all of your expenses related to the accident.

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 Posted on July 28, 2023 in Truck Accidents

Driving a commercial truck takes skill and focus. Truck drivers must obtain a special license before they can begin performing the job. It is important for truck drivers to be sober while they are operating a massive vehicle capable of causing extreme harm to those around it. Making a single careless mistake while driving a commercial truck can cause devastation if the truck hits other vehicles or lands on a populated sidewalk. When a truck driver is under the influence of an illicit substance, they are far more likely to make a careless mistake. If you have recently been injured in a truck accident, drugs or alcohol could have been a factor in your crash. An attorney may be able to recover the results of the truck driver’s drug and alcohol screening in order to gain evidence that substances likely led to the accident. 

What You Should Know About Substance Use and Truck Drivers

One study showed that almost 30% of truck drivers use illicit substances. Among these drivers, amphetamines were the most commonly used substance. Amphetamines can come in many forms, from prescription pills used to treat ADHD to methamphetamine sold on the street. What is alarming about this fact is that these drugs are commonly used as a performance enhancing substance. People using these drugs may not feel tired even if they are in reality significantly sleep deprived. Cocaine is another commonly used drug among truck drivers. 

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 Posted on July 17, 2023 in Personal Injury

Fires can be incredibly dangerous. Fire can engulf a residential building in mere minutes, leaving the people inside precious little time to get out. When a fire alarm works properly, it can alert a building’s occupants very quickly after a fire breaks out, buying anyone inside more time to get to safety. Unfortunately, fire alarms do not always go off when they are meant to. There can be several reasons a fire alarm may fail. There is a possibility that the fire alarm itself was dangerously defective in some way. There are a number of types of defects caused by the manufacturer’s, seller’s, or installer’s negligence. If the fault in your detector originated with an error made by the manufacturer or seller, you likely have a claim in products liability. If the error was caused by improper maintenance, you may have a claim in premises liability.  If you or your children were injured or a close family member passed away because a smoke alarm failed to go off, you may be entitled to compensation and should contact an attorney promptly. 

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