Our Lawyers
Evanston Personal Injury Lawyers
If you live or work near Evanston, you know how busy life can get. From the lakefront paths along Lake Michigan to the congested stretch of Ridge Avenue, accidents happen every day in this community. Whether you were hurt in a car crash near Northwestern University, slipped and fell at a business on Central Street, or suffered an injury on the Purple Line platform, you deserve answers and fair compensation. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we help injured people in Evanston and throughout the Chicago area fight for the money they need to move forward.
Table of Contents
- What Personal Injury Cases Do We Handle in Evanston?
- Illinois Laws That Protect Injured People in Evanston
- Why the Filing Deadline Matters More Than You Think
- What Compensation Can You Recover After an Evanston Injury?
- How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Helps Evanston Injury Victims
- FAQs About Evanston Personal Injury Cases
What Personal Injury Cases Do We Handle in Evanston?
Evanston sits just north of Chicago along the lakefront, and it sees a wide range of personal injury cases. The city is home to Northwestern University, a busy Metra rail line, and major roads like Dempster Street and Green Bay Road. All of that activity creates real risks for residents, students, workers, and visitors alike.
At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we handle many types of personal injury claims in the Evanston area. These include car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian collisions. We also handle slip and fall cases, dog bites, premises liability claims, and wrongful death cases. If someone else’s careless or reckless behavior caused your injury, you may have a legal claim.
Think about a common scenario. You are walking across the intersection at Ridge Avenue and Lake Street, a notoriously busy spot in Evanston. A driver runs a red light and strikes you in the crosswalk. You end up in the hospital with broken bones and a head injury. Who pays your medical bills? Who compensates you for the time you miss from work? That is where a personal injury lawyer steps in.
We also handle cases that happen on public property, like the lakefront trail near Clark Street Beach or the sidewalks maintained by the City of Evanston. Premises liability claims under Illinois law (740 ILCS 130) hold property owners responsible for keeping their spaces reasonably safe. If a dangerous condition caused your fall, the owner may be liable for your injuries.
If you were hurt anywhere in or around Evanston, call Briskman Briskman & Greenberg today. We offer free consultations and can help you understand your options right away. We also serve clients throughout the greater Chicago area. If you need a Gurnee personal injury lawyer, we can help there too.
Illinois Laws That Protect Injured People in Evanston
Illinois has strong laws in place to protect people who get hurt because of someone else’s negligence. Understanding these laws can help you know what to expect from your case.
First, Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. This means that even if you were partly at fault for an accident, you can still recover damages, as long as your share of fault is 50% or less. However, your compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. Say you were in a rear-end crash on Dodge Avenue and the jury finds you were 20% at fault. Your total damages would be reduced by 20%. This is an important protection because insurance companies often try to blame injured people to reduce what they owe.
Second, Illinois law under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117 addresses joint and several liability. When multiple defendants are found liable, each defendant whose fault is 25% or greater is jointly and severally liable for all damages. This matters in complex accident cases involving multiple parties, like a multi-vehicle crash on the Edens Expressway near the Evanston exits.
Third, if a loved one was killed due to someone else’s negligence, the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180) allows the family to pursue compensation. Under this law, the personal representatives of the deceased can bring a claim, and the recovery goes to the surviving spouse and next of kin. Compensation can include damages for grief, sorrow, mental suffering, and financial losses caused by the death.
These laws are designed to make sure injured people are treated fairly. A Chicago personal injury lawyer at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can explain exactly how these rules apply to your case.
Why the Filing Deadline Matters More Than You Think
One of the most important things to know after a personal injury in Evanston is that you have a limited time to file a lawsuit. Under Illinois law, specifically 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury claim in court. Miss that deadline, and you lose your right to recover any compensation, no matter how strong your case is.
Two years may sound like plenty of time. But consider how quickly things move after a serious accident. You spend weeks in the hospital. You go through physical therapy. You deal with insurance adjusters calling you. Before you know it, months have passed. Then you are scrambling to find a lawyer and gather evidence. Do not let that happen to you.
There are some situations where the two-year clock may be adjusted. If the injured person is a minor, the clock does not start until they turn 18. If the defendant leaves Illinois after the accident, the time they were absent may not count toward the deadline. In wrongful death cases, the two-year period runs from the date of death, not the date of the original injury, under 740 ILCS 180.
Claims against government entities are even more time-sensitive. If your accident happened on a city-owned sidewalk or involved a municipal vehicle, you may need to file a formal notice within one year. Missing that shorter deadline can end your case entirely.
Property damage claims have a longer window. Under 735 ILCS 5/13-205, you have five years to file a claim for damage to property. But for bodily injuries, two years is the rule, and courts enforce it strictly. Do not wait. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg as soon as possible after your injury. We work with clients in Evanston, and we also serve people who need a Joliet personal injury lawyer or representation elsewhere in Illinois.
What Compensation Can You Recover After an Evanston Injury?
After a serious accident, your life can change overnight. Medical bills pile up. You may not be able to work. You might deal with pain every day. Illinois law allows injured people to seek compensation for all of these losses, and a skilled attorney can help you build the strongest case possible.
In a personal injury case, you can seek economic damages. These are the measurable financial losses you have suffered. They include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and the cost of ongoing care or rehabilitation. If you had surgery after a car crash near the Evanston Hospital campus on Ridge Avenue, those costs are part of your claim.
You can also seek non-economic damages. These cover the human side of your injury, things like pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship. These damages are harder to put a number on, but they are very real, and Illinois law allows you to recover them.
In wrongful death cases under 740 ILCS 180, the family of the deceased can recover damages for pecuniary losses, grief, sorrow, and mental suffering. In some cases, punitive damages may also be available when the defendant’s conduct was particularly reckless or egregious.
Illinois law under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117 ensures that defendants who are 25% or more at fault are jointly and severally liable for medical and related expenses. This means that if one defendant cannot pay, another may be required to cover the full amount of those costs. This protection can be critical when you have significant medical bills.
Every case is different. The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, how fault is divided, and what evidence is available. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we review every detail of your case to pursue the full compensation you deserve. We also help clients who need a Indianapolis personal injury lawyer or representation in other areas beyond Illinois.
How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Helps Evanston Injury Victims
Dealing with a personal injury claim on your own is tough. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers working to minimize what they pay you. You deserve someone in your corner who knows Illinois law and is ready to fight for you.
At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we take a hands-on approach with every client. We start by listening to your story. We want to understand exactly what happened, where it happened, and how it has affected your life. Whether your accident took place on the Purple Line, at a storefront on Davis Street, or on the lakefront path near Lighthouse Landing, we dig into the facts.
We gather evidence, including police reports, medical records, surveillance footage, and witness statements. We work with medical professionals and accident reconstruction experts when needed. We handle all communications with the insurance company so you do not have to. And if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to take your case to court.
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. There is no upfront cost and no financial risk to you for getting legal help. This is especially important when you are already dealing with medical bills and lost income.
Our firm serves clients not just in Evanston and Chicago, but throughout the region. If you or someone you know needs a Indianapolis dog bite attorney or help with another type of injury claim, we can assist. Reach out to Briskman Briskman & Greenberg today and let us review your case for free. You have rights, and we are here to help you protect them. If you need a Chicago personal injury attorney, our team is ready to hear from you.
FAQs About Evanston Personal Injury Cases
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois?
In Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is set by 735 ILCS 5/13-202. If you miss it, a court will almost certainly dismiss your case, even if your claim is strong. Some exceptions exist, such as for minor children or cases involving government entities, which may have even shorter deadlines. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg right away to make sure your rights are protected.
What if I was partly at fault for my accident in Evanston?
You can still recover damages even if you share some of the blame. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. As long as your share of fault is 50% or less, you can recover compensation. However, your total award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $70,000. An attorney can help make sure you are not assigned more blame than is fair.
What types of damages can I recover in an Evanston personal injury case?
You can recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, future medical costs, and rehabilitation expenses. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In wrongful death cases under 740 ILCS 180, families can also recover for grief, sorrow, and mental suffering. The exact amount depends on the facts of your case, including the severity of your injuries and the evidence available.
What should I do right after a personal injury accident in Evanston?
First, get medical attention right away, even if you feel okay. Some injuries, like concussions or internal injuries, may not show symptoms immediately. Call the police and get a report. Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and any property damage. Get the names and contact information of witnesses. Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Then contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for a free consultation as soon as possible.
Does Briskman Briskman & Greenberg charge upfront fees for personal injury cases?
No. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. There is no financial risk to you for getting legal help. This arrangement allows injured people in Evanston to access quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation. Call us today to schedule your free case review.
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