Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers

Getting injured complicates everything in your life. But there’s a simple solution. Speak with one of our experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers to learn more about filing a personal injury case in Chicago. Our expert Chicago personal injury attorneys are dedicated to your case from start to finish and will get you the compensation that you deserve.

On your way to work. In your workplace. At your neighbor’s home. In the grocery store. On a road trip. In your own home. Almost anywhere, you could be injured because of someone else’s actions. When that happens, you may need to file a personal injury claim in Chicago. This lets you seek compensation for the hardships you’re being forced to face.

However, filing a personal injury claim is only one step in a long process. You’re bound to deal with guilty parties that try to dodge the blame, reluctant insurance companies, piles of paperwork, and lots of stress. Meanwhile, you’re in pain.

Why deal with all that yourself? Instead, enlist the help of a Chicago personal injury lawyer at Lane Brown, LLC. Our team has more than 130 years of combined experience with personal injury claims. We’re ready to put that to work for you and protect your rights.

Personal Injury Types in Chicago Claims

Any personal injury that was someone else’s fault shouldn’t be your financial responsibility. But the need to get compensation from the at-fault party becomes more urgent when serious injuries are involved.

That’s because these injuries have profound effects on your life and money. They can make you unable to work or, in some cases, even take care of yourself. By starting on your claim right away, you can prevent as much damage to your financial well-being as possible.

Below are a few of the common types of serious injuries cited in Chicago personal injury claims:

  • Brain Injuries – Injuries to the brain can have long-lasting effects on your ability to work or care for yourself.
  • Spine Injuries – These can leave you paralyzed, which can forever alter your life.
  • Broken Bones – Fractures and broken bones can cause debilitating pain and even sever arteries and veins. This can lead to life-threatening effects like internal bleeding.
  • Severe Burns – Burns can permanently scar or disfigure you, causing emotional trauma and destroying your self-image.

Common Chicago Personal Injury Claims

Personal injury claim types vary widely, but a handful tend to pop up frequently in Chicago because of factors like our heavy traffic, surplus of medical facilities, and various forms of public transportation.

The following are some common types of Chicago personal injury claims:

  • Car Accidents – Auto wrecks are a common sight on Chicago area roads. Many of them are the result of negligent drivers. If you were injured because of another driver’s negligence, you can file an injury claim.
  • Motorcycle Crashes – A common cause of serious injuries, motorcycle accidents in Chicago are often the result of drivers who don’t check their mirrors for bikers.
  • Commercial Truck Collisions – Truckers are often tired or distracted. When they enter the crowded Chicago area, those kinds of negligent driving practices often don’t end well. Depending on the circumstances of your semi-truck or 18-wheeler accident, you might be able to name the trucker, trucking company, cargo loader, or truck manufacturer in your claim.
  • Public Transit Accidents – We have plenty of public transportation in Chicago. And while this form of transportation is generally safe, accidents do happen. Whether your accident happened on a rail or on a bus, you might name the transit company or agency, the driver, or even a mechanic in your claim.
  • Pedestrian and Bicycle Crashes – Bicycle crashes are all too common in our city. That’s partly because motorists often forget that cyclists have the same right to the road that they have. When a pedestrian or cyclist is hit by a car, the damage is likely to be unimaginable. Luckily, victims can take legal action against the negligent driver.
  • Premises Liability Claims – Chicago property owners are responsible for keeping visitors safe from hazards like wet floors, unrestrained dogs, and faulty construction. When they fail to do that, injuries often result. Fortunately, you can sue the property owner if you were hurt because of their negligence.
  • Defective Product Injuries – Defective medications, faulty brakes, fire-starting electronics, and tainted produce are some common examples of products that injure people in Chicago. Manufacturers are liable for any injuries they cause if they sell unsafe or defective products.
  • Medical Malpractice – When healthcare professionals fail to maintain the standards of care tied to the medical profession, they can and should be held accountable for the injuries they cause. Examples of medical malpractice include improper prescriptions, unnecessary surgery, and missed or incorrect diagnoses.
  • Nursing Home Abuse – Nursing homes are meant to take care of the elderly, but they often fail in that obligation, and some take it further by abusing residents. They can and should be held accountable in civil court.
  • Workplace Injuries – In Chicago, the construction industry sees a disproportionate number of workplace injuries. But all industries pose hazards to employees. Workers compensation benefits kick in for most workplace injury victims. In some cases, though, you may be able to sue. Filing an injury claim will usually lead to greater payout than what workers comp can provide.

Accounting for the Impact of Your Personal Injury

The primary point of any personal injury claim is to win money for your injuries and other damages. That’s why most Chicago injury victims are first and foremost concerned with how much they stand to receive if their claim is successful.

Your attorney won’t be able to give you an accurate estimate until they have assessed all the evidence and details of your case. But we can give you an idea of all the damages for which you could be repaid, including:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost income
  • Property damage
  • Renovations to your home to accommodate your injuries
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Emotional trauma
  • Scarring or disfigurement
  • Loss of companionship
  • Wrongful death

Consult with an expert Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Today!

Getting what you’re owed is no easy feat. It takes a lot of time, resources, and legal knowledge. When you’re already dealing with the fallout of an injury, you probably don’t want to add all that to your plate.

Reduce your stress and boost your chance of winning the money you need to move forward with your life. Speak with Lane Brown, LLC. Schedule a free, no-pressure consultation with a Chicago personal injury lawyer. Call us at 312-332-1400 or fill out the contact form below.

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CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER FAQ

Understanding Negligence in Illinois Personal Injury Claims

Injured accident victims are able to file personal injury claims because of the laws regarding negligence in Illinois. When a person is negligent or careless, and that carelessness results in another person’s injury, the negligent party can be held financially responsible. This means that you can sue the person for damages in civil court. When you pursue a case against an at-fault party, you are doing so for two main reasons: compensation for your losses and justice for the harm that person has done to you. One other important note about negligence is that you don’t have to be 100 percent faultless in order to seek damages. Even if you are partially to blame for the accident that harmed you, you can still pursue a claim against the other party for the role he or she played in your accident—as long as that person’s fault is greater than yours. This is called contributory fault.

Illinois Personal Injury Statute of Limitations

Most states set a time limit on how long you have to file a personal injury claim after an accident. This time limit is called the “statute of limitations.” If you fail to file your claim within the allotted time, you won’t be able to file a claim at all—no matter how much evidence you have or how much you deserve compensation. The statute of limitations in Illinois is two years from the date of your injury accident. Don’t risk having your case rejected by waiting too long. Even if you still have plenty of time until the timeframe expires, you should file your case as soon as possible.

Most Common Types of Chicago Personal Injury Cases

There are a great many ways a person can suffer injury because of another’s negligence; however, there are some common injury types, and it is helpful to know them as the laws are different depending on which case you have. For instance, if you have a medical malpractice case, there are different rules and laws that govern how that type of case should be handled. It is much more difficult to prove medical negligence than it is to prove general negligence. Each case is unique, and some are much more complex than others. You can rest assured that your Chicago personal injury attorney will know how to address your case to get the compensation you deserve. Listed below are the most common types of personal injury cases and a little information about each case type.

  • Motor vehicle collisions
  • Product liability
  • Premises liability
  • Medical negligence
  • Sexual abuse
  • Elder abuse

Determining Fault for Your Injury Accident

When you file an injury claim, you are asserting that someone has harmed you and that he or she owes you damages for that harm. But how can you really be sure who was at fault for your accident? In some cases, the fault will be extremely obvious and easy to prove. For example, if you were sitting in a parked car and a driver came along and hit you, chances are that it was the other driver’s fault. Not all cases are this clear-cut and easy to prove, however. In fact, most cases aren’t. In order to determine who is liable for your accident, you will have to investigate. Your Chicago personal injury lawyer from Lane Brown, LLC will assist you with the entire investigation process, as well as with the entire personal injury process from start to finish. Below is a list of evidence types that might be needed to prove your personal injury claim:

  • Witness statements
  • Expert witness testimony, such as medical experts or accident scene investigators
  • Police reports
  • Video footage and photos of the accident scene and your injuries
  • Physical evidence pertaining to your claim
  • Medical evidence of your injuries, including doctor statements
  • Medical history

Have I missed the deadline to file a personal injury claim?

Every state sets a deadline for filing personal injury claims. In Illinois, this deadline, referred to as the statute of limitations, is two years from the date of your accident, in most cases.

 

 

Can I still be compensated for my personal injury if I hold some of the blame?

Yes, as long as you aren’t more than 50 percent responsible. Thanks to comparative negligence, you can file a claim for your injuries even if you hold some of the blame. However, keep in mind that any percentage of blame you hold will ultimately be subtracted from the amount you receive. If, for example, you’re deemed 30 percent responsible for your car accident, you’ll only receive 70 percent of the amount awarded to you.

Will I have to go to court for a personal injury claim in Chicago?

Not necessarily. But you might need to if the other side won’t make a fair settlement offer. The majority of Chicago personal injury claims settle before they ever see the inside of a courtroom. But when the other side won’t negotiate, your lawyer might need to take the at-fault parties to court to get you what you’re owed.

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