Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Chicago

16 December 2021

Have you been injured in a car accident in Chicago? If so, it is important to know what your legal rights are. This blog post will go over the steps that need to be taken when filing a personal injury claim in Chicago.

Seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accident

Immediately after the accident, it is important to seek medical attention. This will ensure that you receive the necessary treatment for your injuries and have documentation of your injuries if you need to file a personal injury claim. Keep in mind that minor injuries can translate into serious problems if not treated properly.

Gather evidence at the scene of the accident

If you can, gather evidence at the scene of the accident. This includes taking pictures of the scene and collecting witness statements. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be. Having evidence will also help speed up the process of settling your claim.

Contact a personal injury lawyer

If you have been injured in an accident, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Chicago as soon as possible. A personal injury lawyer will advise you on what steps need to be taken next and will represent you during the legal process.

Here are other reasons for including an attorney;

Fight for fair compensation–

You deserve to be compensated for your injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney will help you fight to get what you deserve in compensation, whether it is through negotiation or litigation if necessary.

Be protected–

Skilled lawyers are committed to protecting our clients’ rights under Illinois law. Go for attorneys who take pride in their work ethic and performance standards when representing accident victims throughout Chicago and surrounding areas

Protect your interests–

You should not have to deal with insurance companies on your own after an automobile accident. This can lead to confusion regarding information that needs to be submitted along with claims which could ultimately slow down the process of settling your claim. It’s important that someone knowledgeable about dealing with car accidents step in and ensure that everything is done in a timely fashion so that your life can get back to normalcy as soon as possible.

File a police report

It is also important to file a police report after an accident. This will provide documentation of the accident and can help when filing a personal injury claim.

Wait for the insurance company’s offer

The insurance company will likely reach out to you after the accident in order to get your side of the story and try to settle the claim quickly. However, it is best to wait until you have spoken with a personal injury lawyer before accepting any offers from the insurance company.

Filing a personal injury claim in Chicago can be confusing and overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced lawyer on your side who will guide you through the process and fight for your rights. The lawyers will review your case and advise you on what steps to take next. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, and they’ll work hard to get you the money that you deserve.

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Different Types of Lawsuits you should know about

The legal sector is jam-packed with countless lawsuits. Some lawsuits are common but the general public is not aware of them. Most of the time, people do not know about their legal rights, and they let go of a situation. Many of these lawsuits might require going to courts, while others can be handled by an experienced lawyer. Mentioned-below is lawsuits you should know about: Different types of lawsuits you should know about: 1. Medical Negligence Medical negligence occurs when a patient is harmed or becomes sick due to carelessness concerning clinical faculty. In this claim, your attorney will decide whether there was a breach in standard care, the danger of injury because of the actions of staff, and gather proof. These claims can be complicated, and it is important to have a clinical malpractice lawyer on your side. 2. Product Liability Lawsuits Damaged items, for example, toys, machines, vehicle seats, brakes, air sacks, etc., can cause injuries that may qualify as a case for product liability damages. Regardless of whether the imperfection happened in the design, assembling, maintenance, or during repair, you could recover money-related remuneration to help take care of your medical bills. Like different kinds of injuries, a product liability attorney can make the cycle a lot simpler. Paraquat Lawsuit is similar in the sense that paraquat is a harmful chemical that can cause Parkinson’s disease. You can file a lawsuit if you have ever been in contact with such products containing this chemical. 3. Accident lawsuits Car crash lawsuits are one of the most famous personal injury claims. Regardless of whether it is a minor accident, or include drivers, travelers, and pedestrians, a car accident lawsuit can be filed. Managing the insurance agency can add to the pressure so it might be ideal to hire an accomplished Atlanta Car Accident Attorney who can assist you with getting a proper settlement. 4. Workers' Compensation Laborers' compensation benefits are given when workers are hurt at work. Managers are lawfully answerable for keeping a safe workplace for their workers, and even though you can't record a claim against an employer, recruiting a lawyer can assist you with getting the benefits. This may incorporate pay, time off work, and guaranteeing your position doesn’t end because of your physical injury. 5. Discrimination Discrimination claims may not only be documented by workers of an organization, but also by clients, providers, patients, sellers, and others who have an association with the business on the off chance that they were dealt with unreasonably because of race, color, religion, age, handicap, and different factors. 6. Dog Bite Lawsuits Around 5 million dog bite accidents happen each year in the U.S., and around 800,000 of those occurrences require clinical care. While laws with respect to dog bite differ from state to state, most of the time the proprietor of the dog is liable for any wounds caused by the dog. As a rule, dog bite victims are reluctant to look for a lawyer in light of the fact that the dog was a pet of a friend, relative, or neighbor. In any case, an accomplished lawyer can help moderate the pressure and continue with a claim in a manner that fulfills all parties involved. More About Your Lawsuits Here are some of the common queries every law student will have before they can jump into getting a specialization. 1. What Kinds of Lawsuits Offer the Biggest Payouts? Personal injury suits, medical malpractice cases, and product liability claims get any client the highest rewards. Often, these involve catastrophic injuries or deaths that substantial settlements or verdicts match that. For law students looking for a practice area that offers the most opportunities while presenting challenges, any form of personal injury, which includes other big businesses or health sectors, is the way to go. 2. What Are the 2 Most Popular Types of Civil Cases? The two most popular types of civil cases are personal injury and contract disputes. Personal injury lawsuits involve one party being injured or suffering harm due to the actions of another party. Contract disputes occur when one party fails to fulfill the obligations outlined in a legally binding contract. Especially when there has been an official signing of contracts between the two parties. 3. What Are the Different Types of “Sue”? Some of the more typical types of lawsuits are civil lawsuits, criminal lawsuits, and small claims suits. Civil lawsuits are disputes between people or organizations. Criminal lawsuits are when the government prosecutes someone for committing a crime. Small claims courts are for cases with a small amount of money on the line and are often available for cases other than specific family law-related ones. 4. What Personal Injury Lawsuits Can Pay the Most? Personal injury lawsuits where a catastrophic injury or death occurs tend to be the personal injury lawsuits that pay the highest compensation. In fact, you can expect multi-million-dollar settlements. These verdicts are not uncommon in cases involving wrongful death due to negligent product design or manufacture, severe burns, or brain damage. It often causes defective products or other personal injuries that cause life-altering damages. 5. How Much Do Personal Injury Lawyers Take? Personal injury lawyers usually work on a “no win, no fee” contingency basis and take 25% to 40% of your settlement as their fee. This arrangement allows you to make a claim without having to pay upfront fees. Plus, it gives your lawyer an incentive to aim for the maximum compensation the law allows. 6. How Much of the Settlement Does the Attorney Take if They Win a Personal Injury Trauma Lawsuit? For personal injury trauma lawsuits, most lawyers charge a contingency fee ranging from 33% to 45% of your settlement (depending on where you are located and how much experience your lawyer has). These percentages increase if the case goes to trial and he or she wins. Read Also: What Do Criminal Defense Attorneys Do? Here’s What You Do After Being Involved in an Accident at Work How To Settle Claims In Case Of A Personal Injury Incident?

What Are the Penalties for Drug Possession in Arizona?

With the opioid epidemic at an all-time high, law enforcement agencies are cracking down on drug possession offenses all over the country. Arizona is no different. In Arizona, if you are caught with drugs on your person or in your car, you can expect to face some serious legal repercussions. This also applies to anyone caught with drug paraphernalia in their possession. Depending on the type and amount drug, you could be facing some serious fines and jail time. Arizona takes drug possession very seriously. The bottom line is if you are caught under the influence of drugs or with drugs in your possession, you will probably be charged with a felony. In order to be found guilty of drug possession in Arizona, the state must prove the following: You knowingly possess the drugs or paraphernalia- It's not enough that you are found in a house where drugs are found. There has to be some connection between you and the drugs in order for you to be found guilty. The substance was, in fact, an illegal or illicit drug – Just because you think something is a drug, doesn’t mean you’ll be convicted of the crime of possession. If you have a bag of oregano, you can’t get charged with possession of marijuana – even if you bought it thinking it was marijuana. Arizona also breaks drugs down into different categories. Drugs can be defined as any of the following: Marijuana – This category includes synthetic marijuana, edibles, or regular marijuana. Peyote Prescription drugs – This would include anti-anxiety drugs and other drugs that are legally prescribed. To be charged with drug possession, you would have to be found with drugs that you personally don’t have a prescription for. Dangerous drugs –this would include methamphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy, etc. Narcotics – Pain medication and other opiates. Vapors – This would include inhalants. What are the Different Penalties for Drug Possession? If you are busted with drugs in Arizona, you are going to face some serious consequences. The severity of the penalty will depend on how much of the drug you have in your possession. If you have just enough for personal use, it will more than likely qualify as simple possession. If, however, you have more than you could be expect to use yourself, you’ll be charged with possession and intent to distribute. In Arizona, you will not be sent to prison for your first or second offense of drug possession. You will be sent to mandatory treatment and will be handed some pretty stiff fines. Additionally, you may be given a suspended sentence or probation for your first or second offense. Arizona will not impose a prison sentence until your third offense. Defenses to Drug Possession: As with most crimes, there are defenses to drug possession in Arizona. Your criminal defense attorney will raise any and all of the applicable defenses in your trial. He will also use these defenses as a bargaining tool when he tries to negotiate a reduced charge or sentence with the prosecutor. The available defenses to drug possession in Arizona include: Lack of Knowledge – If you truly had no idea the drugs were in your possession, you may be found not guilty. Examples of this are when third parties placed drugs in your car or purse. It is very difficult to prove lack of knowledge. Illegal Search – If the police had no reasonable basis for conducting the search in the first place, the charges will have to be dismissed. Religious Use – This defense is rarely successful. In order to use this defense, you have to prove that you were using the drugs as part of a religious (not merely a cultural) ritual. Medical Marijuana Card – If you are caught with less than 2.5 ounces of marijuana and are a legitimate marijuana patient, you may raise this defense. You will still have to prove that the drugs came from a genuine and legal dispensary. Read Also: Is Outpatient Treatment For Drug And Alcohol Addiction Effective? Polydrug Use: What Happens When You Mix Cocaine With Heroin?

What you need to know to win your slip & fall case

First of all, we must define what is considered a slip & fall accident. Generally speaking, this is an accident where the individual is injured due to a fall on private or government property. The fall can be caused due to slippery, rough surfaces or other threatening conditions. If you’d like to pursue a slip and fall case, then it's best to talk with a professional personal injury attorney. Compensations: The injuries can be devastating for the human body and when the problem could have been solved by the responsible party, then you should be compensated for your troubles. The compensation that you can receive in cases like this include: Medical Bills Lost Wages Pain Suffering Accident Report: This is the official document that gives the description of the whole accident. One must always report their accident to the managing staff or the property’s owner. This way, you’re legally protected and eligible for compensation. If you were not able to speak to the managing staff at the moment, then we recommend contacting your personal injury lawyer before taking any other steps. You need to understand that this accident report will form part of the evidence when your case goes to trial. This is why you need a personal injury attorney that can help and influence the police to be as accurate as possible. The owner of the establishment will try his or her level best to keep damaging details out. If you wish to explore more on the topic, view website. Liability: In these cases, the liability solely rests on the property’s owner, because they must always ensure the safety of all passengers. To win a case like this, you have to prove that the accident could have been avoided if the owner wasn’t negligent with his property. Owners of a property aren’t private individuals only, but also government or commercial institutes. Slip and fall accidents fall under the Premises Liability category. It’s a legal theory, which states that the individual has the reasonable expectation that he won’t be injured upon entering another person’s property. Evidence required to win a slip and fall case: It all depends on the way that the accident has occurred. Some of the most important pieces of evidence that you must have included: Surveillance footage Pictures of injuries Medical record Accident Report Clothing Witnesses Photos of the dangerous conditions This information will allow your attorney to start a solid case, which would result in a financial agreement to cover all losses. What is Comparative Negligence? “This is the factor that determines whether the fault is split between the defendant and the property’s owner” Philadelphia slip & fall lawyers reveal to us. If the defendant has a percentage of fault, then the amount will be reduced from the compensation. In some states, if the court determines that he has over 50% fault, then they are not eligible for any incentives. What actions should I take after a slip & fall accident? Very often these accidents leave the victims with great damage, which often costs a considerable amount of money. When this occurs, there are certain steps you can take to ensure that the other party is held responsible for their negligence and that you recover fully. 1. Define the causation of the accident It is of great importance to inspect the surrounding area to determine the cause of the accident. The evidence found during the check can be used within the case, showing the negligence of the other party. 2. Seek medical help Your health is the most important thing, so you need to seek medical attention as early as possible. Moreover, the medical records are serious evidence that will determine the severity of the accident. 3. Follow the legal procedures This includes filing an accident report and notifying the property’s owner of the accident. You must be accurate with the given information and it is suggested to contact your attorney to ensure your legal rights. Read Also: Benefits Of Using Divorce Lawyers 6 Important Questions To Ask A Personal Injury Lawyer How To Choose A Personal Injury Lawyer

Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Chicago

Seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accident

Gather evidence at the scene of the accident