North Chicago Car Accident Attorneys
Car accidents have the power to cause devastating injuries. When they occur due to the carelessness of another driver, you have legal recourse to recover damages. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is dedicated to helping clients pursue compensation after getting injured in a car accident. As a family-owned and family-operated law firm, we understand the toll that a crash can take on you and your loved ones. Our North Chicago car accident attorneys are confident we can get you the compensation you deserve.
What Causes North Chicago Car Accidents?
There are many reasons car accidents occur, ranging from icy roads to running red lights. While road defects or weather may be to blame for some crashes, many car accidents occur due to driver negligence behind the wheel. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, the majority of North Chicago crashes in 2021 occurred during clear weather, accounting for 346 out of 414 total collisions.
Common causes of North Chicago car accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Speeding
- Sideswipes
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end collisions
Negligent drivers can cause car accidents that result in devastating injuries for the parties involved. In 2021, speeding was a factor in nearly 32 percent of crashes in Illinois. Almost 4 percent of total traffic accidents in the state in 2020 involved distracted driving.
When a careless driver is responsible for your injuries, you have the right to hold them accountable for their actions. In some cases, it may be possible to take legal action against other liable parties. For example, if you were struck by a delivery driver, you may also be able to name their employer as a defendant in your case.
Illinois is a Comparative Fault State
When pursuing compensation for your injuries, determining what caused your car accident is vital. Illinois uses a comparative fault system to allocate damages.
According to state law, a car accident victim is only allowed to recover compensation if they are 50 percent or less at fault for the crash. This means you can still get damages even if you are partially responsible for causing your car accident. However, your share of the settlement may be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
The other party may try to shift the blame for the car accident onto you. However, police reports, video footage, witness statements, and expert testimony can help show that another person was mainly at fault for causing the crash instead of you.
At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we know how to fight back against tactics that are commonly used to minimize payouts. An experienced North Chicago car accident lawyer will gather evidence to strengthen your claim and ensure you receive maximum compensation.
Types of Injuries
In 2021, nearly 21 percent of Illinois crashes resulted in injuries. North Chicago is located in Lake County, which had 11,174 crashes that year. Of those, 2,764 were injury collisions and 308 resulted in severe injuries.
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, many of which may require surgery or long-term medical treatment to heal. Collisions can also result in emotional distress and psychological trauma that can be difficult to recover from. Physical injuries that may arise from North Chicago crashes include:
- Concussions or traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries like whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Organ damage
- Burn injuries
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Paralysis
Recovering from crash injuries is likely to be a long process. The compensation you receive in a car accident claim should cover all your medical expenses, both past, and future. The amount should factor in everything from hospital stays to prescription medications.
Damages in a Car Accident Claim
Filing a North Chicago car accident lawsuit allows you to recover economic and non-economic damages for all your crash-related losses. These can include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income because of time off work to recover from injuries
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Economic damages are simpler to quantify and include things like your medical bills and lost earnings. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, refer to intangible losses that cannot be assigned a monetary value as easily.
A knowledgeable car accident attorney can figure out the extent of the losses you have suffered because of the crash. Any settlement offer you receive from the other party should provide full and fair compensation.
Deadline for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit
The statute of limitations refers to the amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. In Illinois, a car accident claim must typically be brought two years from the date of the crash. There are some exceptions, however.
Discussing your case with a car accident lawyer as soon as possible ensures you do not miss any deadlines for taking legal action. Otherwise, you may lose your right to recover damages for your injuries.
The Role of a Car Accident Lawyer
A skilled North Chicago car accident attorney can help you determine whether you have a case. You may have grounds for a car accident lawsuit if:
- A negligent driver was involved in the crash
- The driver’s negligence resulted in an injury
- The injury caused you harm
One of the most challenging aspects of filing a car accident claim is dealing with insurance companies. When you hire a reputable lawyer, you can rest assured they will handle all negotiations with insurance companies and always act in your best interests. As insurance companies are for-profit businesses, most aim to downplay the severity of injuries to pay car accident victims as little as possible.
At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we are willing to take your case to trial if there is no adequate settlement offer that covers all your losses. Your North Chicago car accident lawyer will keep you updated on developments throughout the legal process, never accepting an offer unless you are satisfied with it.
We will investigate the crash to find out who was responsible and gather all the evidence necessary to build a strong claim. Your lawyer will handle all aspects of your case while you focus on recovering from your car accident injuries.
Four Steps to Take After a Car Accident
A collision is likely to leave you shaken up at the very least. While it can be difficult to think straight in the aftermath of a car accident, there are several things you can do to protect yourself as well as your right to recover compensation.
Of utmost importance is to make sure you are safe and receive proper medical treatment for your injuries. If another driver was partially or fully at fault for your crash, you may decide to take legal action in the future. As a result, it is important to document the car accident and the injuries you sustained.
- Get medical attention for your injuries. When a crash results in severe injuries, first responders may transport you to a North Chicago hospital for prompt treatment. You should still see a doctor even if your injuries do not seem serious. Sometimes injuries do not become apparent until long after a collision. Additionally, getting medical attention will help establish the extent and nature of your injuries.
- Document the car accident. Processing a collision when you are in the middle of it can be difficult. However, taking photos of your surroundings and jotting down notes can preserve evidence from the scene even when the stress of the moment obscures your memories in the future. Be sure to obtain the contact details and insurance information of other parties involved in the crash. You should also collect the names and phone numbers of any witnesses who saw the collision.
- Notify your insurance company about the crash. Depending on the terms of your policy, you may be required to inform your insurance company about the car accident. While you should be honest and straightforward, avoid sharing anything besides the facts of when and where the crash took place. If the other driver’s insurer contacts you, do not sign any paperwork or provide a statement before contacting a car accident lawyer. Any mistakes, even offhand comments, can be used to weaken your case.
- Contact a North Chicago car accident lawyer: An experienced attorney can advise you about the possibility of filing a lawsuit to recover compensation. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg offers a free initial consultation in which you can ask questions and seek legal advice. Because there are important time limits involved, it is best not to wait too long before reaching out to a car accident lawyer.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one was injured in a North Chicago car accident due to the negligence of another driver, you may be wondering about your next steps. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we can help you understand your options for pursuing maximum compensation for your injuries.
There is no cost to speak to a car accident lawyer about your case. Do not delay in taking advantage of your free legal consultation.