Recent Blog Posts
The Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Illinois
A very serious issue that deserves attention in the state of Illinois is pedestrian accidents. In 2021, there were over 10,000 pedestrian accidents, resulting in over 200 fatalities. It is important to understand the factors that cause these accidents. This helps increase safety and prevent more accidents from happening in the future.
Many factors can contribute to pedestrian accidents. If you are injured in a pedestrian accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Illinois. A good lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options, and can represent you in a compensation claim.
Being Distracted Behind the Wheel
Drivers who are distracted by their phones, eating, or other activities are more likely to hit pedestrians. Distracted driving is a major cause of pedestrian accidents and continues to be a growing problem in Illinois. Even after Illinois’ anti-texting laws passed in 2012, nearly seven percent of all drivers are still found to use electronic devices while driving.
5 Types of Negligence in a Personal Injury Claim
Personal injury claims arise when individuals suffer harm or injuries due to the negligence of other people or parties. Negligence is a cornerstone concept in personal injury law, referring to the failure of a person or entity to act with reasonable care, leading to harm or injury to another party. There are five types of negligence commonly encountered in personal injury claims. It's crucial to contact a skilled Park Ridge personal injury lawyer if you believe you have suffered due to another person's negligence.
Ordinary Negligence
Ordinary negligence is the most common type of negligence in personal injury cases. It occurs when a person or entity fails to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm or injury to another person. This form of negligence can arise in various situations, such as slip and fall, car, or pedestrian accidents. To establish a claim of ordinary negligence, the injured party must demonstrate the following elements:
Can You Sue Uninsured Motorists After a Car Accident in Illinois?
Nearly 12% of drivers in Illinois are uninsured. If an uninsured motorist hits you, you can sue the at-fault driver for compensation. You could also pursue a settlement or take the case to the court, depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident. This article covers the basics of a car accident lawsuit and the options available to start a legal procedure.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
After the imminent danger passes, you must call 911 for emergency support after a collision.
Upon arrival, the first responders will note the names, license numbers, and other personally identifiable information like insurance policy numbers. The officers will also interrogate you and bystanders to help them create an official police report. This document becomes valuable evidence for your personal injury claim.
What to Avoid When Filing a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Illinois
When filing a pedestrian accident lawsuit in Illinois, proceed with caution and ensure you have the relevant evidence to support your claim. Seeking an attorney for car accident lawsuits can help you complete the paperwork correctly. You should also know that even small mistakes can weaken your case. Here are a few things to consider before filing a personal injury claim.
Do Not Delay Medical Attention
Many pedestrians ignore minor injuries sustained during an accident and choose not to seek treatment. Due to this, they may find it difficult to create a medical paper trail that links their injuries to the incident. Visiting an ER or medical care facility right after the accident allows you to create an official medical record of the injuries as soon as possible.
A doctor’s evaluation and treatment can be used in court to establish credibility and prove that your poor health condition and physical injuries are a direct outcome of the accident.
4 Steps to Take After You Are Involved in a Truck Accident in Illinois
Commercial trucking is a vital part of the economy of the state of Illinois. However, with the large number of commercial trucks on the roads, truck accidents occur frequently, and the consequences of these accidents can be devastating for victims. The injuries that may occur in a truck accident can lead to a great deal of pain and suffering, as well as financial problems related to medical expenses, lost income, and other factors. Those who have been injured in truck crashes will need to understand what they can do to protect their financial interests as they seek compensation from those who were responsible.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
Here are some crucial steps ways that you can protect your rights after you are involved in a truck accident:
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Seek immediate medical care - Whether you need emergency medical attention for devastating injuries, or you do not believe you were seriously injured, it is important to get medical attention right after an accident. Even if you do not receive emergency treatment, you can visit a general practitioner or a physician to evaluate your injuries and determine the appropriate forms of treatment. This will provide documentation of your condition, which will play a role in determining the types of compensation that may be available.
Can I Get Monetary Damages For My Slip and Fall Injuries?
Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries, lengthy recuperation periods, and exorbitant medical expenses. As per Illinois law, slip and fall victims can acquire compensation for their injuries if they can prove another party's negligence led to their condition.
Premises Liability Cases in Illinois
Slip and fall injury claims fall under the umbrella of premises liability. As per Illinois law, a valid premises liability claim has to meet specific criteria. This includes the following:
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The individual was injured because of an unsafe condition on the defendant’s property
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The injury was caused by the defendant’s failure to mantain a reasonable safe premises
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The injuries led to damages such as medical expenses or lost inome
Commercial Truck Accident Laws and Regulations You Should be Aware of
In Illinois, truck accidents involving large commercial trucks and 18-wheelers can cause devastating accidents. Occupants of smaller vehicles in their path stand little to no chance of survival. The difference in size means that they face serious injuries or fatalities. Knowing your legal options is vital if you are involved in an accident with these behemoths.
Tractor Trailer Laws and Regulations in Illinois
As per Illinois law, all tractor-trailers must follow strict state and federal regulations to protect the public. Failure to follow these is considered illegal and immoral since violations place other motorists at risk of serious injuries.
For example, all tractor-trailer drivers must log a specific number of hours of sleep each day on the road. Since this law affects transport times, most companies and drivers don't follow it to make timely shipments. This information is critical for anyone who wishes to file a lawsuit against a trucking company for negligence.
4 Steps to Take Right after a Slip and Fall Accident
When you go out to dinner, shopping, or anywhere else, you expect the facilities to be hazard-free. Property owners must ensure the people entering their facility remain safe from avoidable injuries. As such, they must ensure that surfaces aren't slippery and the property is free of debris that may otherwise cause a slip-and-fall accident.
If you slip and fall in a commercial space in Illinois, you have the right to ask for compensation from the property owner whose negligence caused the accident. Here are a few crucial steps you should take to protect your claim:
Seek Medical Aid
Call an ambulance or have someone else call one for you if you cannot. Do not decline medical aid even if your injuries seem minor or you think you are unhurt. Some injuries take days and even weeks to manifest after an accident and usually do so intensely.
Inform the Business Owner
Commercial Truck Accidents Caused by Distracted Driving
Commercial truck crashes in Illinois are not as uncommon as you may think and many are caused by distracted driving. Unfortunately, many truck drivers engage in distracting activities behind the wheel, such as using their cell phones or eating while driving.Such actions can cause serious truck accidents that result in severe damages, injuries or even fatalities.
Truck accident victims should consider pursuing compensation through a personal injury claim against the trucking company.
Investigation
The first step in pursuing compensation is to investigate and collect evidence to determine the cause of the accident. In many cases, distracted driving is a key factor, which means that the truck driver or the trucking company may be held liable for your injuries and losses.
Your lawyer will investigate the accident to collect evidence, such as witness statements, police reports, camera footage, electronic data, and photographic evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.
Pursuing Compensation After a Hit and Run Crash
Hit-and-run accidents occur when a driver collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, or property and leaves the accident scene without identifying themselves or assisting the injured parties.
Insurance data suggests that Illinois ranks fourth among the U.S. states with the most hit-and-runs. Such accidents often leave victims with significant physical injuries and property damage, leaving them to wonder how they can recover financial compensation for their losses.
Uninsured Motorists Coverage
If the hit and run driver is never caught, there may still be a way to recover compensation. In Illinois, victims of hit-and-run accidents may pursue financial compensation through their own insurance company's uninsured motorists coverage.
This is a type of coverage that is mandatory in Illinois and it is designed to provide protection to drivers who are injured in accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers.