Car accidents are unfortunately common throughout the state of Illinois, leading to severe injury and death each year. Illinois is a fault-based state, and drivers who cause collisions must pay for the injuries that the victims of the crash endure — but unfortunately, seeking this compensation can be a difficult battle.
If you recently suffered injuries in a car accident someone else caused, you have legal options available to you. The attorneys at Duncan Law Group can help you navigate these processes. With over 15 years of experience in personal injury law, we have helped numerous Illinois residents with their car accident claims, recovering tens of millions of dollars in the process.
Illinois follows a traditional fault-based system, and all drivers must carry minimum amounts of insurance to uphold the required financial responsibility if they cause a car accident. Under Illinois law, you must purchase the following amounts of coverage:
You purchase higher amounts of coverage if you wish, along with additional policies to cover your losses in case you are in an accident with a driver who has insufficient insurance. Under the fault system, you have three main options to collect compensation after a car accident:
While most cases begin in the insurance stage and progress to the courtroom, a different pathway may be right for you. Some car accidents result in serious damages that exceed the policy limits of the insurance company, and filing a lawsuit immediately is your optimal route to maximum possible compensation.
Contact the attorneys at Duncan Law Group to discuss your case and determine your best path forward.
Depending on the severity of the crash, car accidents can lead to serious, life-altering injuries. Many of these injuries require lengthy and ongoing treatment, leading to expensive medical bills and reduced quality of life.
Some of the most common injuries in car accidents include the following:
Under Illinois law, you can collect two main types of damages: economic and non-economic. In certain cases, the court may also award you punitive damages.
Economic damages refer to your monetary losses due to the accident, and you can usually prove these damages with receipts, bills, and invoices. Common types of economic damages include past and future medical expenses, surgeries, disability accommodations, property damage and vehicle repairs, and lost wages due to your recovery time. If your accident prevents you from returning to work, you may also claim loss of future earnings.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, refer to the physical and mental pain and suffering you endure during the crash. These damages can be very difficult to quantify, but your attorney will have a calculation method to help you determine the estimated worth of your emotional losses. Common types of non-economic damages include loss of quality of life, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, and emotional distress.
Punitive damages are intended to punish the at-fault party for extremely negligent behavior, rather than compensate you for your specific losses. Courts only award punitive damages in cases where the at-fault party demonstrates negligent conduct that is willful and wanton, intentional, or fraudulent.
The moments after a car accident are crucial — and one of the most important steps you can take after seeking medical treatment is to contact a personal injury attorney. Duncan Law Group has over 15 years of experience in personal injury litigation and recovered tens of millions of dollars in compensation, ensuring we have the resources and the skills necessary to build a strong claim in your favor.
Contact Duncan Law Group today to schedule your free consultation with one of our Wheaton car accident attorneys.