When you are impacted by a personal injury it can take a serious financial toll. Lost wages, medical bills and other injury-related expenses can quickly add up. Because of this you need to make sure you protect your rights when you are injured due to the actions or negligence of another party. The information below will help you understand the personal injury laws in Illinois and how those laws can help you protect your rights and recover your losses.
A "Fault" State
The State of Illinois is an “at fault” state. This means that the party at fault is responsible for paying the damages incurred by an individual who is injured due to the at-fault party’s negligence or actions. Even if you are partially responsible for your injury, as long as you are no more than 49 percent responsible for the loss you can recoup damages that you have incurred due to the injury.
Types of Personal Injury Cases
Automobile accidents make up the majority of personal injury cases in the State of Illinois. There are, however, other situations in which a personal injury case might arise. These cases include injuries such as product injuries, medical malpractice, slips and falls, wrongful deaths, aviation accidents, workplace accidents and other accidents that result in serious injury and financial loss.
Statute of Limitations
There is a statute of limitations on all personal injury cases. In the State of Illinois the statute of limitations is two years. This means that you must file suit within two years of the injury if you wish to protect your right to recover financial loss from the injury you have suffered. If you do not file your personal injury lawsuit within two years of the injury, you cannot be compensated for any of the losses that you incurred as a result of the injury.
Working with an Illinois Personal Injury Attorney
It can be hard to prove a personal injury case. Determining who is at fault and to what degree they are at fault can prove to be a challenging endeavor. Because of this it is in your best interest to hire an Illinois personal injury attorney if you have suffered an injury due to the actions or negligence of another party. An Illinois personal injury lawyer can help you gather the information that will be necessary to prove your case and will ensure that you receive all of the compensation that you are entitled to.
See our “Free Case Evaluation” page if you would like to receive a free consultation regarding your personal injury case in Illinois and to see if you may be eligible to receive compensation for any losses and/or pain and suffering that you have endured.