Personal Injury Attorney In Wheaton
The system of personal injury law in Illinois and across the nation is designed to help people who have been injured due to another person’s negligence. These people can recover compensation to help cover their medical bills and other expenses. In these situations, it’s important to have a thorough understanding of the local laws and regulations regarding personal injury. A local attorney can assist with this process and help people ensure they receive what they need out of a personal injury case.
At O'Reilly Law Offices, LLC, we can assist people seeking help with personal injury matters efficiently and effectively.
An Overview Of Personal Injury Law
The legal area of personal injury encompasses a large variety of cases. People can pursue a personal injury case for a number of accidents including:
- Bicycle Accidents
- Bus Accidents
- Car Accidents
- Dog Bite
- Hit and Run Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Nursing Home Negligence
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Product Liability and Defective Products
- Property and Premises Liability
- Rideshare Accidents
- Slip and Fall
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Truck Accidents
- Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist
- Wrongful Death
- Construction Accidents
- Electrical Accidents
- Explosion Accidents
- Railroad Accidents
- Machinery Accidents
- Scaffolding Accidents
These are just a few examples of the more common types of personal injury cases. An attorney can give people a better idea of what they are up against and how to figure out their case.
What To Do After An Accident
Many people may not instinctively know what to do after they’re a victim of an accident. People may be in shock and confused in the aftermath. However, taking a few simple steps can make a positive difference when filing a personal injury claim.
First, it’s important to contact the proper authorities. Many personal injury cases can benefit from evidence from a police report, and it’s crucial to seek the right medical attention after being injured, no matter how minor your wounds might seem. Then, gathering evidence can help your claim. take photos and videos of the scene, the damage and other relevant information (i.e. the at-fault party’s ID, insurance information and license). Finally, contacting a personal injury attorney is another crucial step. The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the sooner they can begin working on your case.
Understanding Personal Injury Claims
The process of filing a personal injury claim is unfamiliar to most and each case will vary slightly depending on the circumstances. However, most personal injury claims follow a similar process. This includes:
- First, as mentioned above, seek the appropriate medical care for your injury. Some injuries are not immediately apparent so it’s important to see a medical professional after an accident no matter what.
- Talk to a personal injury attorney. They can give you a better understanding of your case
- Gather evidence. If possible as aforementioned, take photos immediately following the accident. Gather photos and videos for evidence and provide documentation of medical records, police reports and other evidence. Your attorney can also assist with this part of the process by finding the right evidence and keeping track of your records.
- Build a case. Your attorney can help establish negligence through the evidence they find.
- Send a demand letter. Your personal injury lawyer can send a letter to the at-fault party that outlines the proof of negligence, the severity of your injuries and the amount you are requesting in compensation. This letter can go to both the at-fault party and their insurance company.
- Settlement/negotiations. The defendant’s attorney/insurance company may try to negotiate the settlement. Your personal injury attorney can advocate for you during this part of the process and help ensure you receive a fair settlement that covers all your expenses.
In some cases, you may also need to file a lawsuit for a personal injury case. Your attorney can provide more information about the process and what to expect based on your individual situation. For most cases there is a two year statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Illinois. You have two years from the date of your injury to file a claim or a lawsuit.
How Can Our Attorneys Help?
The personal injury process is not always straightforward and it helps to have someone on your side who fully understands what they’re doing. A personal injury attorney from our firm can walk you through this process, explain your options and provide legal advice for how to proceed. Then, we can advocate for you and your interests and help ensure an agreeable settlement is reached.
If you’re seeking more information about your case and wondering what to do next, contact our office. Our attorneys are here and ready to help with any type of personal injury case from car accidents to nursing home injuries. Call 630-665-4442 or use our online contact form to get more information about your case. Schedule an initial appointment today to start getting answers.