Personal injury lawsuits require meticulousness to ensure a successful result. Plaintiffs, sometimes not knowing the intricacies of personal injury law, can make costly errors that can be terribly detrimental to their case. If you have suffered a personal injury, it is essential to be aware of what mistakes you must avoid making as you move through the process of your personal injury lawsuit. Remember, hiring a personal injury attorney is an excellent first step to ensure all protocols are followed and that no mistakes are made with your claim.

Avoid Making These Mistakes

Here are the mistakes that can derail your injury claim, including:

• Failing to seek medical treatment – If you have been injured in an accident, seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Delaying treatment or failing to adhere to prescribed treatment may result in a denial of your claim since the insurance company may try to claim that your failure to adhere to prescribed treatments or failure to seek treatment at all is indicative of an injury that is not serious.
• Admitting fault – While conveying the seriousness of events leading to an injury is important, admitting fault may be detrimental to your case. Some plaintiffs may try to de-escalate the situation by accepting responsibility. But by, admitting part or total fault, this may result in an unfavorable case outcome.
• Posting on social media – Be very careful when posting on social media. If you are claiming that your leg injury has kept you out of work but then go and post a picture of you running a marathon, this could be very damaging to your claim. It is not unusual for insurance companies to look at your social media accounts when going through the claim process.
• Failing to supply information – Make sure to provide all relevant information to your attorney.
• Delaying legal action – In Illinois, personal injury lawsuits have a statute of limitations of two years. If you fail to file a valid claim within this timeframe, your claim will likely be denied outright.
• Failing to communicate with your attorney – Personal injury sufferers must maintain open communication channels with their attorney. This is essential to ensure your attorney has all the necessary information they need to advocate for you and your rights to the best of their ability.

Contact a Cook County Personal Injury Attorney

Contact the skilled Mount Prospect personal injury lawyer with Adler Law Offices, LTD for more information. Call 312-236-2700 for a free consultation.

If you suffered an injury in an accident, you might wonder whether you have a personal injury claim worth pursuing. Personal injury cases can help you recover compensation for your injuries and damages. However, only some accidents lead to a viable claim. Let us discuss the elements of a solid personal injury case and how to determine if you have a strong claim. Remember, if you have suffered a personal injury, consider contacting a personal injury attorney to learn more about whether you have a worthwhile claim.

Elements of a Strong Personal Injury Claim

There are various elements to a successful personal injury claim, including:

• Establishing liability – The first and most crucial element in a personal injury case is proving liability. In other words, you must establish that the defendant is responsible for the accident that caused your injuries. This typically involves demonstrating that the defendant was negligent or acted recklessly. For example, suppose you are injured in a car accident. In that case, you may need to prove that the other driver was distracted, intoxicated, or failed to exercise reasonable care while behind the wheel.
• Demonstrating damages – Once you have established liability, you must prove that you suffered damages due to the defendant’s actions. Damages may include medical expenditures, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. To effectively demonstrate damages, gather documentation to help support your claims. Such documentation may include medical records, repair estimates, and other documentation supporting your claim.
• Proving collectability – The final element of a successful personal injury claim is collectability, meaning that the defendant has the financial means to pay for the damages they caused. If the defendant is uninsured or has limited assets, recovering the compensation you seek may be challenging. In such cases, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you explore alternative avenues for recovery, such as pursuing compensation from your insurance policy or other responsible parties.
• Statute of limitations – Another critical factor in determining whether you have a personal injury case is the statute of limitations. This refers to the legal time limit within which you must file your claim. In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years. Failing to file your claim within two years will likely mean your claim will be denied.

Contact a Chicago Personal Injury Attorney

If you are wondering whether you have a viable personal injury claim, contact the experienced Cook County personal injury lawyer with Adler Law Offices, LTD. Call 312-236-2700 for a free consultation.

Suppose you have been injured in an accident and want to obtain the compensation you believe you may be entitled to. One of your most important decisions is choosing a personal injury attorney to represent you. With so many lawyers to choose from, it can be difficult to figure out where to start. However, there are certain “red flags” to be aware of when selecting a personal injury attorney. 

Red Flags to Be Aware of

Here are some of the most important issues that could indicate that an attorney is not the right person to help with your personal injury case:

• Lack of experience – It is essential to choose legal counsel with experience handling personal injury cases. If an attorney has never dealt with a case like yours before, they may not be familiar with the intricacies of your situation or the nuances of the law that could affect your case.

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Dogs are considered man's best friend. Unfortunately, not all dogs live up to this reputation. While many are lovable companions, dogs are also animals with sharp teeth and claws. Dog attacks can lead to severe injuries, both physically and emotionally. Nerve damage, lacerations, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and long-term disfigurement may all result from a serious dog attack.

Sadly, over half of the people bitten by dogs are children. If your child was bitten by a dog or otherwise injured by a dog, it is important to understand your legal rights and options.

Illinois Law Specifically Describes Liability for Dog Bites

State laws describing liability for dog-related injuries vary. Some states are called "one-bite rule" states because a dog owner is not liable for injuries the first time their dog injures someone. However, Illinois is a strict liability state. This means that, regardless of whether the dog had previously bitten or attacked someone, an owner is responsible for any injuries caused by their dog. There are a few notable exceptions to this rule: If the injured person was trespassing at the time of the attack or the dog was provoked, the dog owner is not liable for the person's injuries.

The number of pedestrian accidents that occur each year in the United States is alarming. According to a report released by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GSA), almost 7,500 people were killed in pedestrian accidents last year, an increase of almost 12 percent from the year before. This is the largest number of pedestrian accident fatalities recorded in 40 years. There are thousands more people hit by vehicles who do survive but suffer serious injuries that leave them with long-term or permanent disabilities.

Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

The most common cause of pedestrian fatalities is speeding, increasing by almost 10 percent in just one year. Per the GSA’s report, speeding is also becoming a significant factor in fatal pedestrian accidents involving children, with percentages doubling as the cause of the accident in a two-year period.

Distracted driving is also a major problem on roads, responsible for killing more than 3,000 people each year – many of those killed pedestrians. However, another issue that safety advocates and researchers have discovered that is becoming a more common factor in pedestrian accidents is distracted walking.