Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers

How Do I Know If I Can File a Personal Injury Case?

You may be entitled to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit if another person's negligence caused your accident. The at-fault party may be financially liable for damages sustained.

Damages include expenses and losses you suffered. These can be things that have an actual dollar amount attached to them, such as medical bills or lost wages. They can also include things that are not easily calculable, like pain and suffering or loss of consortium.

Personal injury claims can be filed under various circumstances, including:

• Car collisions
• Trucking collisions
• Bike collisions
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Medical malpractice

Allow our personal injury lawyers in Chicago to evaluate your case and discuss your legal options.

What Must Be Proven in a Personal Injury Case?

If you are seeking compensation following an accident, you have the burden of proving that the other party's negligence caused the collision. Negligence means that the individual or entity acted or failed to act how a reasonable person would have under similar circumstances.

Specifically, in a personal injury case, you must demonstrate that:

• The other party owed you a duty of care.
• The other party breached their duty.
• The other party's negligence resulted in an injury-causing accident.
• Because of the accident, you suffered losses and/or expenses.

Meeting your burden of proof requires submitting various pieces of evidence supporting your claim. Evidence can include photos of the accident scene and your injuries, police reports, and medical bills, among other things.

However, simply presenting the evidence is not enough. You must also develop a compelling strategy for your case. To persuasively craft your arguments, you must analyze the facts and use them to tell a story accurately reflecting what happened and showing how the other party is at fault.

Building a legal strategy is complicated, especially when you are experiencing the painful aftermath of your accident. That is why turning to one of our Chicago personal injury attorneys is beneficial. We have experience handling these cases, which means we know what steps to take. We also know what pushback we might receive from the other party's insurance company. Being able to anticipate counterarguments enables us to proactively prepare.

Our team thoroughly examines personal injury cases, visiting the accident scene, reviewing relevant reports and records, listening to our clients' sides of the story, and consulting with experts. Reach out to us to learn more about how we can help through every stage of your case.

How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take in IL?

Personal injury cases are complex, and each is unique. Because of this, it isn't easy to estimate how long it will take to settle your matter.

Generally, personal injury cases start with a claim filed with the at-fault party's insurance company. Because these companies typically try to minimize or avoid paying out settlements, this part of the process can be lengthy and contentious. You and your lawyer may need to do quite a bit of back and forth with the insurance carrier as you try to negotiate a fair resolution.

If negotiations do not result in a just settlement, you might need to take your case to trial and have a judge or jury decide the outcome. Going to court can extend the amount of time needed to resolve your case because a jury may need to be empaneled, both sides must present their arguments, and then the triers of fact must determine whether you are owed compensation and what amount.

The entire personal injury process can be challenging to navigate. Still, with our team on your side, you can be sure you will have an advocate guiding you every step of the way. We are skilled negotiators prepared to go up against big insurance companies. We are also eloquent speakers who can clearly convey arguments in court.

What's the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases in IL?

You have two years to bring a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois. Generally, the clock starts ticking on the date of your accident.

If you try to bring your case to court after the two-year time limit has passed, the defendant can move to have the matter dismissed. That means you could lose out on being awarded compensation.

Two years might seem like a long time, but considering all the factors associated with a personal injury case, that deadline can come up quickly. That's why it's imperative that you reach out to Pissetzky Law LLC as soon as possible. We'll get started on your case right away.

Schedule a Consultation with a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one suffered serious, catastrophic, or life-threatening injuries in an accident where someone else was at fault, you might be entitled to pursue financial recovery for damages. Our attorneys are here to protect your rights and help you seek justice.

For the legal representation you need, please call us at (844) 668-4258or submit an online contact form, and we'll respond promptly.