Even car accidents that seem minor at first can have long-term consequences for everyone involved. Some types of injuries don’t produce symptoms until hours or even days after an accident. Some of these injuries may take weeks or months to heal, requiring victims to take a significant amount of time off of work.
Additionally, motor vehicle accidents may result in mental and emotional trauma that can last a lifetime. Recovering compensation after an accident can help relieve financial distress as you recover from your physical and emotional injuries.
Filing a negligence claim against another party
If you have been in an accident, the best thing to do may be to file a claim against the parties responsible for the collision. This can help you recover compensation for all that you have lost due to the injury, including your medical expenses, lost wages. It may also help you recover compensation for the non-economic damages you suffered, such as your pain and suffering.
In most cases, an at-fault party will be held liable for an accident under the theory of negligence. For example, a negligent driver may have breached the duty he or she owed to other people on the road by failing to follow traffic laws. Running a stop sign, driving under the influence, or following too closely are some examples of negligent driving.
Proving that a driver acted negligently is not enough to recover damages. You must also show that the driver’s negligence actually and proximately caused the collision and your resulting injuries and damages.
Illinois attorneys help clients build their negligence claims by reviewing evidence, talking to witnesses and consulting with experts.