Auto Accident Lawyer By Me

A car accident can leave you injured or in some cases, dead. Either of these scenarios comes with substantial economic expenses, either for you or for your loved ones. If you are killed in a car accident, your loved ones can seek compensation for the expenses associated with your death through a wrongful death claim. If you are injured in a car accident, you can seek compensation for the expenses associated with your injury through a personal injury claim.

What Causes Automobile Accidents?

Automobile accidents frequently, but not always, are the result of driver negligence. Other factors that can cause or contribute to car accidents include adverse weather conditions, poor roadway maintenance, and unexpected hazards in the roadway like wildlife. Sometimes, accidents occur because of vehicle malfunction, in which case the vehicle’s manufacturer, seller, or both may be deemed to be negligent.

Any party deemed to be negligent in a car accident is liable for the victim’s damages. When a driver fails to operate his or her vehicle in a safe manner, he or she is negligent. A few examples of driver negligence include:

• Distracted driving;
• Driving while under the influence of alcohol or another drug;
• Reckless or aggressive driving; and
• Driving while too tired to safely do so.

More than one party may be deemed to be negligent in a car accident. For example, one driver might be speeding and collide with a driver who was text messaging. In this case, the distracted driver might have been able to avoid the collision if they had been paying attention.

Injuries Suffered in Automobile Accidents

A car accident can result in many different types of injury. These include:

• Head trauma;
• Broken bones;
• Sprains;
• Soft tissue damage;
• Strains;
• Cuts;
• Burns; and
• Damage to the spinal cord or organs.

Seeking Compensation for your Damages After an Automobile Accident

In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. After your accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible to ensure that you receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate medical treatment. Then, speak to a personal injury lawyer about pursuing compensation through a car accident claim.

You can receive compensation for your injury even if you were partially at fault for the accident. This principle is known as comparative negligence. In Illinois, any driver who is deemed to be less than 50 percent at fault for his or her accident may recover compensation, but the amount he or she can receive is reduced accordingly. For example, if you were 20 percent at fault for your accident, your total recovery amount is reduced by 20 percent.

You will need to submit sufficient evidence to support your personal injury claim. Evidence you may use includes:

• The official police report;
• Your medical record;
• Documentation showing your lost wages and time out of work;
• Documentation showing your emotional trauma and related needs stemming from the accident;
• Photographs of the accident; and
• Eyewitness testimonies.

Work with an Experienced Crest Hill Automobile Accident Lawyer

If you are suffering from an injury after a car accident and as a result, you are facing steep expenses like high medical bills and a reduced earning capacity, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages through a car accident claim. To learn more about this process, contact our team at Sabuco, Beck, Hansen & Massino, P.C. today to set up your initial consultation with one of the automobile accident lawyers at our firm.