Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer

What Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do?

A personal injury lawyer has training and experience in representing injured clients in their insurance claims and lawsuits. An Illinois personal injury lawyer performs the following tasks:

• Analyzing your situation
• Advising you of your legal options so you can make informed decisions
• Investigating your case and assembling evidence
• Negotiating with the insurer to overcome claim denials and settle your case
• Filing a lawsuit against the other party if a suitable settlement cannot be reached

Your lawyer’s goal is to obtain the best possible outcome in your case based on the extent of your injuries and your financial losses.

What to Look For When Choosing Illinois Personal Injury Attorneys

You will use free consultations to gather the information you need to choose a lawyer. Some questions to ask when interviewing lawyers include:

• What are your fees?
• What can I expect if I win my case?
• What are my odds of winning?
• Who will I contact for case updates?
• What can I do to help my case?

Also, experience can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. Discuss the lawyer’s comfort with your case, including the lawyer’s experience handling similar cases in the past and the outcomes they obtained.

Common Types of Personal Injury Claims Filed in Illinois

Personal injury claims typically fall into several categories.

Car Accidents

Car accidents are a significant cause of injuries and deaths in Illinois, especially with major highways like I-80 and I-90 running through the state. According to the state’s crash statistics, 299,133 traffic accidents occurred in Illinois in 2023. Under Illinois law, a Chicago car accident lawyer can seek compensation for injuries caused by another driver’s negligence.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

Pedestrian and bicycle accidents can occur anywhere. Pedestrians and cyclists can suffer serious injuries like bone fractures and brain injuries when they are hit by vehicles. Fortunately, auto insurance policies cover non-motorized road users hit by an insured driver.

Truck Accidents

Major logistics hubs like Chicago mean more commercial traffic uses Illinois roadways. Trucking companies are often responsible for crashes. They are liable for employee negligence under a legal doctrine called “respondeat superior.” They are also responsible for the company's negligence in maintaining its trucks, loading cargo, and managing drivers.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can happen when drivers operate carelessly near riders. For example, inattentive drivers might run motorcyclists off the road when changing lanes.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Premises liability covers slip and fall accidents, trip and fall accidents, negligent security, and other incidents that occur on someone else’s property. Property managers, owners, and tenants are often covered by property insurance policies for injuries that result from their negligent acts.

Medical Malpractice

Doctors and other medical providers must be reasonably competent and skilled when treating patients. When they act negligently, injured patients may have a personal injury claim.

Dog Bites

Dog bites can cause disfiguring and disabling injuries. Illinois law imposes strict liability on dog owners for unprovoked dog attacks on victims who are not trespassing.

Workplace Accidents

Almost all employers in Illinois must carry workers’ compensation insurance policies. After a workplace accident, a workers compensation lawyer can help you pursue workers’ comp benefits. You may also have a third-party claim against entities or people other than your employer for their role in causing your injuries.

Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?

Personal injury laws cover all types of injuries and incidents. You may have a claim for intentional tort if you were deliberately injured. Similarly, if you were injured by a defective product, you might have a product liability claim against a manufacturer you have never met.

Consider consulting ConsumerShield or an Illinois personal injury lawyer when you suffer any injury caused, at least partially, by another person or business.

When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Law Firm?

Many injured people hire a personal injury law firm early in their cases. Specifically, many speak to a lawyer before they talk to any insurers or file insurance claims. This allows the lawyer to protect your rights and minimize the risk that the insurer will misconstrue anything you say.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Illinois?

Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. This deadline may be extended in some cases, such as injuries to children. Consider speaking to a lawyer promptly after you discover your injuries to understand the deadlines for your particular situation.

Common Damages in Personal Injury Cases

You can seek compensation from the other party for the impact of your injuries on your financial and quality of life.

Medical Bills

Your claim can include past and future expenses for surgical and non-surgical treatments, medications, and physical therapy.

Property Damage

You can seek compensation for your expenses to repair or replace property damaged by the other party.

Lost Income

You can seek past wage losses due to doctor appointments, disabilities, and activity restrictions.

Lost Earning Capacity

Your claim includes your diminished future earnings due to long-term or permanent disabilities.

Pain and Suffering

You can include claims for physical pain, mental suffering, and other non-financial impacts of your injuries.

Loss of Consortium

A loss of consortium happens when your injuries impact your companionship and sexual relations with your spouse.

Serving Personal Injury Clients Across Illinois

Injured people in Illinois have access to legal representation across the state, including the following cities:

• Chicago
• Rockford
• Schaumburg
• Joliet
• Naperville
• Peoria

Even people living in rural areas will likely have access to injury lawyers in a nearby town or city.

Connect With Experienced Illinois Personal Injury Lawyers

An Illinois personal injury lawyer knows state law and has experience dealing with insurers. ConsumerShield can help you find the right lawyer for your case. Contact us for a free case review and attorney referral.