Southern Illinois Personal Injury Lawyers You Can Count On

If you're involved in an accident in Southern Illinois, whether it's a car accident, motorcycle accident, bicycle accident, or any other type of incident, it's crucial to follow certain steps to ensure your safety, protect your legal rights, and obtain any necessary medical attention. Here's a general guide on what to do after an accident in Southern Illinois:

• Check for Injuries: First and foremost, assess yourself and others involved in the accident for injuries. If there are injuries, call 911 immediately to request medical assistance.
• Move to a Safe Location: If possible and safe to do so, move yourself and your vehicle out of the flow of traffic to avoid further accidents or injuries.
• Contact Law Enforcement: Report the accident to the local police or appropriate law enforcement agency. They will document the incident and create an official accident report, which may be essential for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
• Exchange Information: Exchange contact and insurance information with all parties involved in the accident. Obtain the following details: - Names, addresses, and phone numbers of drivers, passengers, and witnesses. - Driver's license numbers and license plate numbers. - Insurance information, including the name of the insurer and policy numbers.
• Document the Scene: Take photos and notes of the accident scene, including the position of vehicles, property damage, road conditions, and any relevant signage or traffic signals. Visual documentation can be valuable for insurance claims and legal purposes.
• Seek Medical Attention: Even if you don't believe your injuries are severe, it's essential to see a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation. Some injuries may not manifest symptoms immediately.
• Report to Your Insurance Company: Notify your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. Provide accurate and detailed information about the incident. Be cautious about making statements that could be used against you later.
• Notify Your Employer: If your injuries require time off work, inform your employer as soon as possible. Keep them updated on your recovery status and provide any required documentation. If your injuries are work-related, inform your employer immediately to begin the workers' compensation process and contact an experienced workers' compensation attorney for assistance.
• Preserve Evidence: Keep copies of all documents related to the accident, including medical bills, repair estimates, and correspondence with insurance companies. This will be essential if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.
• Follow Medical Advice: Attend all necessary medical appointments and follow your healthcare provider's recommendations for treatment and rehabilitation.

Consult with an Attorney

One of the most important steps you can take if you suffered significant injuries or believe the accident was caused by someone else's negligence is to consult a personal injury attorney with experience in Illinois law. An attorney can help protect your rights, negotiate with insurance companies, and pursue legal action if necessary.

Determining whether you have a valid personal injury claim in Southern Illinois involves assessing several key factors. To have a valid claim, you need an attorney to help you establish the following elements:

• Duty of Care: Your lawyer must show that the party you're holding responsible (the defendant) owed you a duty of care. This duty varies depending on the specific circumstances. For example, drivers have a duty of care to follow traffic laws and drive safely. Property owners have a duty to maintain a safe environment for visitors.
• Breach of Duty: Your attorney must demonstrate that the defendant breached their duty of care. This means they failed to act in a reasonable or safe manner, leading to the accident or injury. This breach can take various forms, such as reckless driving, failure to maintain property, or medical malpractice.
• Causation: Your attorney needs to establish a direct link between the defendant's breach of duty and your injuries. In other words, they must show that the defendant's actions (or inactions) were the proximate cause of your injuries.
• Damages: To pursue a personal injury claim, you must have suffered actual damages, which can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and other losses. If you haven't incurred any measurable damages, it's unlikely you have a valid claim. Your lawyer can help you assess and calculate the types and amounts of compensation you need.

You must also ensure that the statute of limitations for your personal injury claim has not passed. Illinois places a time limit on how long injured parties have to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court, and if the statute of limitations has expired, the court will likely dismiss your case. Be sure to speak with a Southern Illinois personal injury attorney as soon as you can after receiving treatment for your injuries so that you don't forfeit your rights to pursue compensation.

Keep in mind that personal injury claims can be complex, and the specific circumstances of each case can vary greatly. Consulting with an experienced attorney is the best way to determine the validity of your claim and to pursue compensation for your injuries and damages if you have a strong case.

In Southern Illinois, as in the rest of the state, the time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit is governed by the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations sets a strict deadline for initiating legal action after an injury or accident. The specific statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Southern Illinois is generally two years from the date of the injury or the date when the injury was discovered or should have been discovered with reasonable diligence.

Here are a few key points to keep in mind regarding the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Southern Illinois:

• Two-Year Timeframe: In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This includes injuries from car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and other types of personal injury cases.
• Discovery Rule: In situations where the injury was not immediately evident or discoverable, the statute of limitations may start running from the date when the injury was discovered or should have been discovered with reasonable diligence. This rule applies to cases where the injury's full extent or nature was not immediately apparent.
• Minors: If the injured party is a minor (under 18 years old) at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations may be extended. In Illinois, minors typically have two years from the date of their 18th birthday to file a personal injury lawsuit.
• Government Liability: If the personal injury claim involves a government entity, such as a city or county, there may be shorter notice requirements and stricter timeframes for filing claims. It's essential to act promptly in such cases.
• Tolling (Suspension) of the Statute: In certain situations, the statute of limitations may be temporarily "tolled" or suspended. For example, if the injured party is mentally incapacitated or legally disabled, the statute may be tolled until they regain capacity.

It's crucial to be aware of and adhere to the applicable statute of limitations deadlines. Failing to file a lawsuit within the specified time limit can result in your claim being barred, and you may lose the opportunity to seek compensation for your injuries and damages.

If you believe you have a valid personal injury claim in Southern Illinois, it's advisable to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An attorney from the Lawler Brown Law Firm can assess the specific circumstances of your case, determine the applicable statute of limitations, and guide you through the legal process to ensure your rights are protected and you file your lawsuit within the required timeframe.

The amount of compensation you can receive from your personal injury case depends on several factors, including the severity of your injury, the amount of medical bills you have incurred, the amount of lost wages and income you have suffered, and the long-term effects of your injury. It is also important to consider the circumstances surrounding the incident and who may be held responsible.

It is impossible to determine the exact worth of your case without a thorough review of accident and the liable parties. That's why we want to meet with you in a FREE consultation. A personal injury lawyer from Lawler Brown Law Firm will review your case and give you a better idea of how much your injury case is worth.

A Southern Illinois personal injury lawyer from our firm will seek to collect maximum compensation for you. This includes:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages and income
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Long-term disability
• Loss of future earnings
• Emotional damages and distress

If you suffered serious injuries, you are trying to recover while worrying about your finances at the same time. If a family member died in an accident, you are probably wondering how you will deal with the bills and the needs of your children. Our Southern Illinois personal injury lawyers can provide you with hands-on representation for all personal injury matters. We advise you about your options, keep you informed about developments in your case, and appear on your behalf at any legal proceeding, whether mediation or trial. We will also negotiate with the insurance company for you, so you can focus on what truly matters - rebuilding your life after a serious accident and injury.

As mentioned above, the Southern Illinois personal injury lawyers at the Lawler Brown Law Firm work on a contingency fee basis. We won't charge you a retainer upfront or bill you monthly for our services. Instead, we will handle all aspects of your personal injury claim and work to help you recover compensation without it costing you a cent out of pocket. We will only accept a fee if we obtain compensation for you through an insurance settlement or court award. If we don't recover damages on your behalf, you owe us nothing.

Considering the complexity of most personal injury cases and the fact that a lawyer can typically help you get more compensation that you would on your own, you cannot afford NOT to have an attorney represent you throughout the process. Since our law firm also offers free consultations, you can get answers to your questions and learn whether you have a valid personal injury claim at no cost. Contact the Lawler Brown Law Firm today for a no-cost evaluation of your Southern Illinois personal injury claim.

The time it takes to resolve a personal injury case in Southern Illinois can vary widely depending on several factors. While some cases may be settled relatively quickly, others may take several months or even years to reach a resolution. Here are some of the key factors that can influence the timeline of your personal injury case:

• Complexity of the Case: Complex cases involving multiple parties, significant injuries, or disputes over liability can take longer to resolve. These cases often require more extensive investigations, legal research, and negotiations.
• Severity of Injuries: The extent and severity of your injuries can impact the timeline. Cases involving severe injuries or long-term disabilities may require more time to assess and document the full extent of your damages.
• Medical Treatment and Recovery: Your medical treatment and recovery can affect the timeline. It's essential to reach a point of maximum medical improvement (MMI) before settling your case to ensure that all medical expenses and future medical needs are considered in the settlement.
• Insurance Company Response: The responsiveness and cooperation of the insurance company involved can impact the timeline. Some insurance companies may be more willing to negotiate and settle quickly, while others may engage in protracted negotiations.
• Court Dockets and Scheduling: If your case goes to court, the court's docket and scheduling can affect how long it takes to reach a resolution. Courts may have busy calendars, leading to delays in trial dates.
• Negotiations and Settlement Attempts: The negotiation process can vary in length. It may take time to reach a fair settlement agreement through negotiations with the at-fault party's insurance company. If initial settlement offers are inadequate, negotiations can be extended.
• Discovery Process: If your case proceeds to litigation, the discovery process can be time-consuming. This phase involves gathering evidence, taking depositions, and conducting interrogatories, all of which can add to the timeline.
• Legal Strategy: Your attorney's legal strategy can also influence the timeline. Your lawyer may opt for a quicker settlement or may pursue a more extended legal process, such as a trial, depending on the circumstances of your case.

Given the numerous variables involved, it's challenging to predict the exact duration of your personal injury case. Even unforeseen circumstances can arise that can add time to the case. However, it's important to work closely with an experienced personal injury attorney who can provide guidance, manage your case efficiently, and advocate for your best interests throughout the process.

Your attorney can also provide you with regular updates on the progress of your case, inform you of any potential delays or obstacles, and help you make informed decisions about settlement offers and legal strategies. Ultimately, the goal is to secure a fair and just outcome for your personal injury claim, even if it requires some patience and persistence.

Yes, you can still recover compensation for your injuries in Southern Illinois even if you are partially at fault for the accident. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence system, specifically the "51% Bar Rule," which allows injured parties to seek compensation as long as their degree of fault is not greater than the defendant's. Here's how it works:

• 51% Bar Rule: In Illinois, you can recover compensation as long as you are found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident. If you are determined to be 51% or more at fault, you may be barred from recovering any compensation from the other at-fault parties.
• Reduced Compensation: If you are partially at fault, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for an accident and your total damages are $100,000, your compensation would be reduced by 20%, resulting in a recovery of $80,000.
• Multiple Defendants: In cases involving multiple defendants, each defendant's liability is determined based on their percentage of fault. Your compensation is then apportioned accordingly.
• Proving Negligence: To recover compensation, you still need to prove the negligence of the other parties involved. This involves demonstrating that they breached their duty of care and that their negligence was a contributing factor to the accident and your injuries.

Keep in mind that insurance companies and defense attorneys often try to shift as much blame as possible onto the injured party to minimize their liability. Therefore, having strong evidence and a skilled attorney is crucial in cases involving shared fault.

If you believe you share some degree of fault for an accident in Southern Illinois, it's essential to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can assess the specific circumstances of your case, help you gather evidence to establish liability, and negotiate with insurance companies to ensure that your degree of fault is accurately assessed. They will work to maximize your compensation while taking into account the comparative negligence rules in Illinois.

The personal injury process in Southern Illinois begins with your receiving treatment for your injuries someone else caused and contacting an attorney for help. As mentioned previously, your attorney will have to gather evidence to support your claim and establish liability on the at-fault party. Following that, they will submit your claim to the at-fault party's insurance company and outline your damages and the compensation you seek.

The insurance company may respond with a lower settlement offer that does not fully cover you injuries and losses. Your attorney can negotiate to get a higher amount, but if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement or denies your valid claim outright, you may have no other options but to take your case to trial. The trial process can be long and complex and is usually a last resort to get you the compensation you need.

Once you accept a settlement, the insurance company will initiate the process of cutting a check and sending it to your attorney. Your lawyer will place the funds in a trust account and take out a percentage for their fees and services as stated in the contingency fee agreement. The same process applies if you receive a court award at trial. Once you receive compensation, you cannot pursue additional compensation for your injuries in the future, so you and your attorney need to make sure to fully document all of your injuries and losses so you don't lose out on important compensation you may need.