Personal injuries can cause devastating damage to Peoria residents. Someone else’s negligence can easily lead to thousands of dollars in medical expenses, irreparable pain and suffering, and a loss of quality of life. The impact of a personal injury can affect a victim for the rest of his or her life.
If you are the victim of an act of negligence in Peoria, you may have legal options available to you. You could file a personal injury lawsuit against the person or entity responsible for your injuries, allowing you to recover from your damages.
Trust Duncan Law Group to represent your personal injury claim. We will use the full extent of our resources and power to advocate for your best interests each step of the way.
You can suffer a personal injury in many types of accidents, including car crashes, slip and falls, bicycle collisions, defective and dangerous products, and workplace injuries. The common thread between all personal injury claims is the presence of negligence.
To establish negligence, you and your lawyer will need to gather evidence to prove the following statements:
The way you will prove these elements will depend on the type of accident you were in, and the specific facts of your case. For example, say you were riding on your bicycle in a bike lane and a car turned right in front of you, leading to a sudden collision. You suffer facial injuries and a broken leg.
You can prove duty of care due to the fact that drivers owe cyclists to drive carefully and obey all traffic laws, including looking for cyclists before turning. You can prove the breach of care occurred with traffic footage showing how the driver behaved during the accident, and your medical records and accident report can help establish the cause of your injuries.
The purpose of damages in a personal injury case is to compensate you for the losses you endured due to the accident. You can collect economic damages, or the tangible monetary losses you experienced, and non-economic damages, which involve your physical and mental pain and suffering.
Economic damages may include compensation for the medical treatment for your injuries, such as doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, medications, and surgeries. If your injuries result in disability, you may receive damages for disability accommodations and physical therapy. You may also claim economic damages for lost wages, loss of future earnings, and property damage.
Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify than economic losses, but they are an important component of your personal injury settlement. You can claim pain and suffering damages for the development of mental illnesses due to the accident, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. You may also collect compensation for a loss of quality of life, chronic pain, emotional distress, disfigurement, and mental anguish.
In certain cases, you may receive punitive damages as well. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, the intention of punitive damages is to punish the at-fault party for egregious behavior. In particular, Illinois awards punitive damages in cases where the at-fault party demonstrates conduct that is fraudulent, intentional, or willful and wanton.
It may be tempting to represent your own personal injury claim. However, an attorney is an investment in your future — and hiring a lawyer can provide a number of valuable benefits for your case.
Do you believe you are the victim of a personal injury in Peoria? You may be eligible for financial compensation, and Duncan Law Group can help. Our attorneys have the resources and skills you need to fully investigate your claim and build the strongest case possible.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with one of our attorneys. During your meeting, you will discuss your legal options and begin strategizing your next steps.