Naperville Personal Injury Lawyer

A personal injury can leave you feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. Medical bills can quickly pile up, and recovering from your injury can mean that you have to miss time at work. When your situation seems dire, you can rely on the help of a Naperville personal injury lawyer to fight for the compensation you need to pay for your financial losses.

Connolly Injury Law: A Trusted Personal Injury Firm in Illinois

At Connolly Injury Law, our skilled legal team has spent years passionately advocating for victims of personal injuries in Illinois. We share a comprehensive understanding of personal injury law, in addition to extensive experience in the field, which allows us to help our clients maximize their claims and give them a stronger chance at receiving the compensation they’re rightfully owed. Don’t hesitate to ask what our team can do for you.

Common Causes of Personal Injuries in Naperville

A personal injury can occur almost anywhere, at any time. The following are just a few of the most common causes of personal injuries in Naperville:

Car Accidents. Given the amount of time people spend in their cars, it may come as no surprise that car accidents are a common cause of serious injuries that can require the legal services of a car accident attorney.Illinois is an at-fault state when it comes to car accidents. When someone causes an accident, they are responsible for the financial harm they cause. Establishing fault is an important first step in any car crash claim. A police report can be a key piece of evidence when establishing fault.
Slip-and-Falls. A slip-and-fall accident can also lead to the need to take legal action against a property owner. Anyone who owns or manages property has a responsibility to keep their premises safe for visitors. Wet or uneven floors can cause tumbles that lead to serious bodily injuries.
Dog Bites. There are an average of 43 deaths per year due to dog bites. A dog attack can lead to serious bodily injury. People of all ages, especially children, can suffer emotional scars from animal attacks. Dog owners can be held financially liable for any injuries caused by their dogs.
Nursing Home Neglect. Seniors are often vulnerable victims of abuse and neglect. Older adults are also less likely to report abuse. When a senior shows signs of neglect or physical abuse, the at-fault employees or the nursing home owners can be held responsible for the harm they caused or allowed to happen.

How Are You Compensated for Injuries After a Personal Injury?

If you file a successful personal injury claim in Naperville, you may be compensated in multiple ways, such as through:

The At-Fault Party’s Insurance Carrier. Oftentimes, the first source of compensation is the at-fault party’s insurance carrier. In cases that involve premises liability, such as slip-and-falls or dog bites, your attorney can work with the property owner’s insurance company to negotiate a fair settlement.For example, vehicle accidents similarly often start with negotiations between your attorney and the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. Drivers in Illinois are required to maintain liability insurance policies that provide minimum coverage for anyone injured in an accident. If someone was at fault for your injury and has insurance, their carrier will be responsible for paying you.
Civil Court Claim. In cases where someone is underinsured or if a satisfactory agreement cannot be made, your lawyer can explore the possibility of filing a personal injury claim in civil court. Having a skilled personal injury attorney by your side ensures that your rights are protected and increases your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

What Can You Be Compensated for After a Naperville Personal Injury?

Personal injury claims are designed to compensate victims for the variety of debts and damages they incur due to someone else’s negligence. The following are different damages that you may receive if you file a successful claim:

Financial Losses. A personal injury claim can compensate you for the financial losses you suffered due to a negligent party’s actions. Whether by negotiating with insurance carriers or taking a defendant to court, one of your attorney’s top priorities is to fight for the compensation you are rightfully and legally owed.
Medical Bills. A fair settlement can also compensate you for your medical bills, ongoing treatments, and future medical costs. Personal injury laws in Illinois also allow you to be compensated for lost wages. A serious fall, dog bite, or car accident can lead your doctor to recommend bed rest while you recover from your injuries.
Property Damage. Property damage is another area that can be included in your settlement. If your car needs to be repaired or replaced, that can be factored into your settlement. Your attorney will help you document and prove these losses to ensure you receive fair compensation for all damaged property.
Emotional and Mental Anguish. Any serious injury can be traumatic. The pain you experience, along with any lasting mental anguish, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, can be calculated through a form of compensation known as pain and suffering. There are different methods for coming up with these estimates, including the multiplier method.The multiplier method involves multiplying your actual damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages, by a certain number (usually between 1.5 and 5) based on the severity of your pain and suffering.
Loss of Earning Capacity. Some people are disabled or partly disabled due to their injuries. Any loss of earning capacity can be included in the final settlement.

Can You File a Personal Injury Claim If You Are Partially Responsible for the Accident?

Plaintiffs who are partly to blame for their injury can still hire a personal injury attorney to take legal action. Illinois works under the legal framework of comparative negligence when it comes to personal injury cases. As long as the injured party was not more than 50% to blame for the injury, they can pursue a personal injury claim through the courts.

For example, if the injured party is found to be 20% to blame for causing a car accident, they can still take the driver who is 80% to blame to court. If the case settles for $10,000, the plaintiff receives 80% ($8,000) of the award.

States that allow comparative negligence are generally seen as favorable to plaintiffs. Not every injury case is so clear-cut that one party is found to be 100% at fault for an injury. A personal injury attorney can gather evidence to make a strong case that you are minimally at fault, if at all, for causing an accident as a means of maximizing your settlement.

Benefits of Having Legal Representation Following an Injury

Hiring a personal injury attorney can greatly improve the chances that you receive fair compensation for your injuries. A personal injury attorney brings first-hand experience representing clients who were injured due to someone else’s negligent acts. Personal injury lawyers also understand the true value of your claim. If you are trying to estimate what you are owed, you could leave our critical factors that you should consider in your settlement.

Lawyers are more than litigators. They are also legal counselors who can provide advice and insight. They have seen clients go through similar hardships, and they can provide referrals for professionals who can help you navigate a difficult chapter in your life. If you have questions about how you will be able to work while living with a disability, your lawyer can help you understand what your new reality may look like.

By taking some of the uncertainty of the future away, your lawyer can provide the guidance and support needed to navigate your new circumstances. They can help you explore options such as disability benefits, workplace accommodations, and legal protections to ensure you can continue working and maintain your quality of life.

Having legal representation also sends a clear message that you take your rights seriously and you have every intention of holding the at-fault party responsible for their actions. If the at-fault party or their representative tries to pressure you into signing something, you can refer them to your attorney.

Tips for Finding a Quality Personal Injury Attorney in Naperville

If you suffered a personal injury, the quality and experience of your legal counsel can make the difference between an unfavorable or favorable outcome to your case. Keep the following tips in mind if you’re trying to find a strong personal injury lawyer:

Ask Your Family and Friends. Friends, family, and colleagues can be a good source for referrals. If they have an attorney they trust, they can give you a good start to your search.
Check Online Reviews. If you do not know someone who can provide a referral or have already found someone you like, you can search online for client reviews. You’ll want to choose an attorney who has recent reviews from satisfied clients.
Check for Experience. You should always look for an attorney who has experience representing the type of case you’re involved in. For example, you don’t want to go to a criminal lawyer when you need help filing a personal injury claim after a dog bite.
Schedule a Consultation. During the consultation, notice how closely they pay attention to your story. You want to work with an attorney who is attentive to your needs and concerns. They should be able to articulate the strengths of your case and their strategy for finding you compensation for your injuries.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations on Personal Injury Claims in Illinois?

A: The deadline for filing most personal injury cases in Illinois is two years. If you do not hire an attorney and file in time, you may lose the option of using the courts to find compensation for your injuries. Hiring an attorney soon after an injury comes with advantages. You’ll be less likely to miss the state’s statute of limitations, and you can benefit by being able to gather important evidence while it is still easy to recover.

Q: How Do You Know When to Accept a Personal Injury Settlement?

A: Your strongest source for advice and counsel when deciding whether to accept a settlement is your personal injury attorney. Your lawyer can estimate the total cost of your injury by taking into consideration your past, present, and future expenses related to the accident. You do not have to accept a settlement that does not fairly pay you for your financial losses and emotional harm.

Q: What Is Another Name for a Personal Injury Lawyer?

A: Another name for a personal injury lawyer is a plaintiff lawyer or trial lawyer. Depending on the type of accident that you experienced, you may also hear your legal counsel referred to as a car accident or slip-and-fall attorney. No matter what title is used, your lawyer’s main job is finding compensation for you following a personal injury.

Q: What Are Contingency Fees in Illinois?

A: Contingency fees are paid when the plaintiff receives a settlement. Personal injury attorneys generally work on what is known as a contingency basis. Early on in a case, the attorney and client agree to a percentage (the contingency fee) that will be paid to the lawyer when the case is settled. Clients can benefit from this type of payment because they do not have to pay up-front for legal representation.

Q: When Might a Personal Injury Case Go to Trial?

A: Civil cases rarely go to trial. The vast majority of cases are resolved when the plaintiff accepts a settlement offer from the defendant. When both parties agree to the settlement, the case is effectively closed. However, defendants do not always admit guilt or liability when making settlement offers. When both parties cannot come to agreement over a settlement amount, the case can go before a judge or jury as part of a trial.

Naperville Personal Injury Lawyer Consultation Today

If you suffered a personal injury in Naperville, you should consult with an attorney who can review your case and find the strongest means for pursuing compensation for your injury.

The attorneys at Connolly Injury Law have helped many clients receive fair compensation following a personal injury. Our lawyers are easy to work with and keep their clients fully updated on the process of the client’s cases. To schedule your consultation, contact our office today.