Recent Blog Posts
The Emotional and Financial Toll of Wrongful Death in Illinois
Losing a loved one in a wrongful death in Illinois can have devastating emotional and financial consequences for the surviving family members. Not only do they have to cope with the profound grief and trauma of losing a loved one, but they also often face significant financial challenges as a result of the loss.
If you and your family are reeling in the aftermath of your loved one’s wrongful death, you may have legal options at your disposal. You and your family are encouraged to contact an experienced attorney to see whether filing a wrongful death claim is something you can pursue.
Weighing the Emotional Toll of Wrongful Death
One of the reasons why the emotional impact of wrongful death is so profound and long-lasting is because of the nature of the death. The death was not supposed to happen or expected to happen. But because of the negligence or reckless actions of another person, your loved one is no longer alive. As a result, families are left to pick up the pieces and try to figure out what they can do. It goes without saying that a wrongful death can be one of the most life-shattering events a family can ever have to face.
Handling the Insurance Company After a Car Crash in Illinois
Suffering an injury in Illinois can be a stressful experience, especially when dealing with insurance companies. It is important to understand your rights so you can make sure you get fair compensation for your injuries. Fortunately, you do not have to become a lawyer overnight if you want to bring a case against an insurance company. If you are hurt in a car accident and require legal assistance, the experienced, trained attorneys at Schwartz Injury Law can ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
The Power of Legal Representation
When it comes to communicating with insurance companies after an injury, let us make one thing clear: the only person who should be talking to the insurance company is your lawyer. Remember that insurance companies are businesses, meaning they will do whatever they can to make money - this usually means paying people like you as little as possible. A trained lawyer will be well-versed in negotiating with insurance adjusters and will ensure your rights are never in jeopardy as you navigate this delicate process. By letting your lawyer take the lead in conversations with the insurance company, you can avoid potential pitfalls and instead focus on your full recovery.
Maximizing Compensation After a Catastrophic Injury in Illinois
Suffering a catastrophic injury can have a devastating impact on a person’s life, impacting their physical and emotional well-being, financial security, and overall quality of life. In Illinois, people who have sustained catastrophic injuries due to the negligence of another party may be entitled to compensation related to their injury.
If you or someone you love has suffered a catastrophic injury, taking swift legal action can turn a tragic situation into one of hope and optimism toward building a successful future. To pursue a positive resolution to this tragic situation, contact a lawyer to learn what legal steps you or your loved one can take to obtain possible compensation related to the injury.
Get Immediate Medical Attention
The first and most important step after sustaining a catastrophic injury is to get immediate medical attention. Not only does prompt medical treatment ensure the best possible outcome for your recovery, but it also creates a record of your injuries and the treatment you have received for those injuries. This medical documentation will be essential in proving the extent of your injuries, including the care required for your long-term recovery, when seeking compensation.
Are Cars Always to Blame in Motorcycle Crashes in Illinois?
As a motorcyclist navigating the roads of Illinois, it is a common misconception that cars are always to blame in motorcycle crashes. While it is true that car and motorcycle collisions can result in severe injuries and fatalities for motorcyclists, the assumption that cars are solely at fault overlooks the complexities of these accidents. Regardless of whether you were in a motorcycle or car accident, it is certainly worth contacting an experienced attorney trained in Illinois personal injury law to ensure you have the legal guidance you need to seek a positive outcome in your legal situation.
The Often-Unfair Stigmatization of Motorcyclists
Motorcyclists are often unfairly stigmatized as reckless or aggressive drivers, contributing to the misconception that they are always to blame in crashes. However, the reality is that motorcyclists are vulnerable road users who face unique challenges and risks on the road. Factors such as limited visibility, road hazards, and the lack of protective barriers make motorcyclists more susceptible to accidents.
Three Ways to Build a Strong Wrongful Death Case
Wrongful death cases occur when a person's negligent or intentional actions result in the death of another person. These cases require careful preparation and a strong legal strategy to ensure justice for the deceased and their surviving family members. If you are currently facing a wrongful death case and want to ensure your case is as strong as possible, discuss with your personal injury attorney in Illinois what steps you can take to pursue a favorable case outcome and compensation.
Step #1 – Establishing Liability
The first step in building a solid wrongful death case is to establish liability. This involves proving that the defendant's actions or omissions directly caused the death. To accomplish this:
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Gather evidence – Collecting evidence is a fundamental step toward establishing liability. This may include accident reports, witness statements, and medical records. Preserving and documenting evidence is essential to preserve any document evidence as soon as possible after the incident
Proving a Distracted Driver Caused Your Accident
In today’s technology-driven world, distracted driving has rapidly become a leading cause of car accidents. Proving that a distracted driver caused your accident is a crucial element in seeking compensation. If you believe distracted driving was to blame for your accident and subsequent injuries, contact a knowledgeable attorney in Illinois to give yourself the most favorable opportunity to pursue compensation related to your injuries.
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is a cause of many personal injury cases in Illinois, and is any activity that diverts a driver’s attention from the road. Common distractions include texting, talking on the phone, eating, grooming, or using in-car technologies like the radio or GPS. To prove that a distracted driver caused your accident, you must gather evidence demonstrating the driver’s negligence in engaging in such activities while driving.
Adapting To Life Following A Catastrophic Injury
Catastrophic injuries are life-altering and bring many challenges with them well into the future. Suffering a catastrophic injury not only affects not the victim, but also their family and friends. So how does one cope with such an extremely challenging experience? In all injuries of this magnitude, you should seek the best help you can. Though your life may never be the same, you will need to look to preserve your future interests. An aggressive personal injury attorney can fight on your behalf to ensure you receive the compensation necessary to carry on no matter the severity of the injury.
A Catastrophic Injury
A catastrophic injury is an injury so severe that its effects are long-lasting, possibly permanent, and can affect not only the victim but their family and friends as well. Disfigurement is a strong possibility in a catastrophic injury where the more severe injuries result in paraplegia, quadriplegia, or death. A catastrophic injury can impact every aspect of your life and bring with it many challenges that can feel like an uphill battle.
Understanding the Wrongful Death Act and Survival Act in Illinois
Losing a family member to the negligent act of another individual can send devastating ripples throughout your household. On top of the emotional turmoil, there is also the concern of financial matters. A wrongful death in Illinois can occur at any moment and understanding how to receive compensation for a loved one and for those left behind is critical during the healing process. An attorney with experience in wrongful death lawsuits can help you decipher the legalities and complexities that go into a wrongful death claim.
Illinois Survival Act
The Illinois Survival Act is meant to be a deceased person’s voice and actions after a wrongful death occurs. The act enables the surviving family of the deceased the option to file a claim and recover financial compensation through an estate on behalf of the deceased. It will cover the same damages as if the deceased individual had survived, which can include:
Who is At-Fault For a Multi-Car Pileup in Illinois?
A multi-vehicle collision accident can be a scary experience for anyone. Attempting to unravel who is at fault for injuries sustained in the accident can be downright stressful. Multi-vehicle accidents are a complicated mess but, in Illinois courts, sorting out liability is done using the standard of modified comparative negligence. You will want to understand what this is, how to prove fault, and how to take action following an accident which makes it all the more important to secure an experienced attorney.
Modified Comparative Fault
Illinois uses modified comparative fault in injury lawsuit decisions for how damages are split. Instead of requiring proof of 100 percent at-fault negligence as is the case for contributory negligence, comparative negligence is left up to the court to decide the at-fault percentage of each party. So, using modified comparative fault in a three-car pileup, the court will look at how much negligence each party was responsible for. To receive compensation, the defendant would need to be 51 percent or more responsible, or the plaintiff would need to be 50 percent or less responsible, for the accident taking place.
Can a Minor Pedestrian Accident Result in Severe Injuries?
Pedestrian accidents can be devastating, and while severe injuries are often associated with high-speed collisions, it is important to recognize that even seemingly minor pedestrian accidents can result in injuries that may be worse than they initially appear. If you were injured in a pedestrian accident and are suffering from injuries, hire a lawyer in Illinois and review your options.
Three Factors That Contribute to Severe Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
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Speed and impact – Although a minor pedestrian accident may involve a low-speed collision, the impact can still cause severe injuries. Factors such as the size and weight of the vehicle, the angle of impact, and the vulnerability of the pedestrian can all contribute to the severity of the injuries sustained. Even at low speeds, the force exerted on a pedestrian’s body can result in broken bones, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and internal organ damage.