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Streamwood Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
A traumatic brain injury can change everything in an instant. One moment you’re driving down IL-19 through Streamwood, and the next, you’re in an ambulance heading to Advocate Sherman Hospital with a head injury that may affect you for the rest of your life. TBI is not just a medical crisis. It’s a legal one, and knowing your rights under Illinois law is the first step toward protecting your future.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury and How Serious Can It Be?
- Common Causes of TBI in Streamwood and the Surrounding Area
- Illinois Law and Your TBI Claim: What You Need to Know
- What Compensation Can a Streamwood TBI Victim Recover?
- Why Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Is the Right Call for Your Streamwood TBI Case
- FAQs About Streamwood Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury and How Serious Can It Be?
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is an injury that affects how the brain works. It can range from a concussion that clears up in weeks to a severe injury that causes permanent disability. Do not let the word “mild” fool you. The term “mild” relates to the injury’s intensity, not its consequences. These injuries are still serious and can lead to challenges in learning, memory, concentration, and problem-solving.
TBIs are far more common than most people realize. There were over 69,000 TBI-related deaths in the United States in 2021. That’s about 190 TBI-related deaths every day. Here in Illinois, the numbers are sobering. Among those injured in Illinois, 2,780 died where TBI was reported as a cause of death, another 7,806 were hospitalized with a TBI, and an additional 19,111 were treated and released from emergency departments with a TBI.
People most commonly get TBIs from a fall, firearm-related injury, motor vehicle crash, or an assault. For Streamwood residents, car accidents on busy corridors like Barrington Road or Lake Street are a real and recurring danger. A rear-end collision, a T-bone crash at an intersection, or a rollover on I-90 can all produce the kind of violent head movement that causes a TBI. Symptoms may include severe headaches, confusion, blurred vision, mood changes, and difficulty sleeping. Some symptoms don’t appear for hours or even days after the accident, which makes early medical evaluation critical.
If you or a family member suffered a head injury in an accident in or around Streamwood, do not wait to see a doctor. Get evaluated right away. Then call an attorney who handles serious injury claims in the Chicago area.
Common Causes of TBI in Streamwood and the Surrounding Area
Streamwood sits in Cook County, bordered by Elgin, Bartlett, and Hanover Park, with major roads like IL-19, IL-59, and the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) cutting through or near the area. These busy corridors see a high volume of commercial trucks, rideshare vehicles, and commuter traffic every day. That traffic volume creates real risk for serious accidents.
Motor vehicle crashes are among the leading causes of TBI in Illinois. A distracted driver running a red light at Streamwood’s Route 19 and Barrington Road intersection, a drunk driver swerving on I-90, or a delivery truck rear-ending a stopped vehicle can all produce catastrophic head trauma. Construction zones near the Elgin-O’Hare Expressway add another layer of danger for workers and drivers alike.
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents also cause TBIs. Streamwood has parks like Hoosier Grove Park and Besenham Park where residents walk, jog, and bike regularly. A vehicle striking a pedestrian or cyclist near these areas can result in a severe brain injury, especially when the victim’s head strikes the pavement.
Slip and fall accidents are another major cause. A wet floor in a Streamwood grocery store, a broken staircase in an apartment complex, or uneven pavement in a parking lot can send someone to the ground headfirst. Premises liability cases involving TBI often require careful investigation, including surveillance footage and witness statements, to establish that a property owner failed to maintain a safe environment.
Workplace accidents, particularly in construction or warehouse settings, are also a frequent source of TBI claims in the Chicago suburbs. Falling objects, forklift accidents, and falls from scaffolding can all produce head injuries serious enough to permanently alter a worker’s ability to earn a living.
Illinois Law and Your TBI Claim: What You Need to Know
Illinois law gives injured people the right to pursue compensation when someone else’s negligence causes a TBI. The legal framework that governs these claims is grounded in Illinois tort law, and understanding it matters when you’re building your case.
Under Chicago personal injury lawyer standards applied throughout Illinois, you must prove that another party was negligent, that their negligence caused your injury, and that you suffered real damages as a result. In TBI cases, this often means working with neurologists, neuropsychologists, and vocational experts who can document the full extent of your injury and its impact on your daily life and earning capacity.
Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. Under this law, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be 50% or less at fault, you can still recover damages, but the amount will be reduced proportionally. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you are barred from recovering anything. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto the injured person to reduce or eliminate what they owe. Having strong legal representation is essential to fighting back against those tactics.
Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117, all defendants found liable are jointly and severally liable for a plaintiff’s past and future medical and medically related expenses. This matters in TBI cases because brain injury treatment, including hospitalization, rehabilitation, and long-term care, can be extremely costly. If multiple parties share fault, such as a negligent driver and a defective vehicle manufacturer, both can be held responsible for your medical bills.
The filing deadline for most personal injury claims in Illinois is set by 735 ILCS 5/13-202, which gives you two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Missing that deadline almost always means losing your right to recover. Do not wait. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg at (312) 222-0010 to protect your claim before time runs out.
What Compensation Can a Streamwood TBI Victim Recover?
TBI victims in Illinois can pursue two broad categories of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are the measurable financial losses tied to your injury. Non-economic damages cover the human toll, the pain, the lost quality of life, and the emotional suffering that no spreadsheet can fully capture.
Economic damages in a TBI case typically include emergency room and hospital bills, costs of surgery, costs of ongoing neurological care, physical and cognitive therapy, prescription medications, assistive devices, home modifications, and lost wages. If your TBI prevents you from returning to your previous job or any job at all, you may also recover compensation for future lost earning capacity. For a serious TBI, these costs can reach into the millions of dollars over a lifetime.
Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium for a spouse or family member. Illinois does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, which means the jury has broad discretion to award compensation that reflects the real impact of your injury.
If your TBI resulted from a workplace accident, you may have both a workers’ compensation claim under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305) and a separate personal injury claim against a third party, such as a contractor or equipment manufacturer. These two paths are not mutually exclusive. An attorney can help you pursue both to maximize your total recovery.
In cases where a TBI leads to death, the victim’s family may have a wrongful death claim. These cases carry their own legal rules and deadlines, and the grief involved makes it all the more important to have a legal team handling the details while you focus on your family.
Why Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Is the Right Call for Your Streamwood TBI Case
Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has been representing seriously injured people in the Chicago area for decades. Our firm handles TBI cases with the same care and attention we bring to every catastrophic injury claim. We understand that a brain injury does not just affect the person who suffered it. It affects their spouse, their children, their ability to work, and their sense of self.
We work with medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, and economic experts to build cases that accurately reflect the full scope of your injury. We know how insurance companies operate, and we know how to counter their attempts to minimize your claim. Whether your injury happened in a car accident near Streamwood’s Ontarioville neighborhood, a construction site off Barrington Road, or a slip and fall at a local business, we treat every case with the seriousness it deserves.
Our firm handles TBI cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We also offer free consultations so you can learn about your legal options without any financial pressure or obligation. Every case is different, and past results in other cases do not guarantee a specific outcome in yours. What we can promise is that we will fight hard for you.
If you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury in Streamwood or anywhere in the Chicago metropolitan area, call Briskman Briskman & Greenberg at (312) 222-0010 today. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start protecting your rights. Our office is located in Chicago, and we serve clients throughout Cook County and the surrounding suburbs.
Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, 134 N. LaSalle St., Suite 1515, Chicago, IL 60602. This page is attorney advertising material.
FAQs About Streamwood Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers
How long do I have to file a TBI lawsuit in Illinois?
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, most personal injury claims in Illinois must be filed within two years from the date of injury. If you miss this deadline, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case regardless of how strong the evidence is. There are limited exceptions, such as for minors or cases where the injury was not immediately discoverable, but you should never count on those exceptions applying to your situation. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident that caused my TBI?
Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. If you are found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages. However, your total recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover. Insurance companies often argue that injured people share more blame than they actually do, which is one reason having an attorney on your side matters.
What types of damages can I recover in a TBI case?
TBI victims in Illinois can recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical bills, future medical care, lost wages, and lost earning capacity. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. If your TBI was caused by a workplace accident, you may also have a workers’ compensation claim under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305) in addition to a personal injury claim. An attorney can help you understand which claims apply to your situation.
Can I file a TBI claim if the at-fault driver had no insurance?
Yes, you may still have legal options. If you carry uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy, you can file a claim through your own insurer. If the at-fault driver had some insurance but not enough to cover your full damages, you may have an underinsured motorist claim. Illinois law requires insurers to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, though drivers can decline it in writing. An attorney can review your policy and advise you on the best path forward.
What should I do immediately after suffering a TBI in an accident in Streamwood?
Seek emergency medical care right away, even if your symptoms seem minor at first. TBI symptoms can worsen over hours or days, and a prompt medical evaluation creates a record that connects your injury to the accident. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Preserve any evidence you can, including photos of the accident scene, contact information for witnesses, and copies of all medical records. Then call Briskman Briskman & Greenberg at (312) 222-0010 for a free consultation.
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