Law
The Different People You Can Rely on During a Chicago Personal Injury Case
Chicago is the most populous city in Illinois and the third most populous in the US. The city is home to over 2.7 million US citizens. Attractions like Millennium Park and the Chicago Riverwalk draw a lot of crowds to the city.
It is becoming increasingly difficult for the government to make the city safe for residents and tourists. Accidents continue to rise, and people suffer a lot due to unintentional injuries.
Chicago personal injury attorneys are trying their best to make the city safe for everyone by taking action against the at-fault party. Many victims come forward and file a personal injury claim in order to hold the negligent party accountable and secure fair compensation.
Why Do Accidents Happen in Chicago?
Everyone knows lots of accidents happen in Chicago, but why do these accidents happen?
Negligence.
Everyone owes a duty of care to each other. Duty of care refers to the person’s legal obligation to follow the standard of care.
When a person breaches this duty of care, that is, when they act carelessly, accidents happen.
For instance, let’s say Aaron drives his car when he is drunk. Now, Aaron is breaching the duty of care he owes to other drivers on the road. By breaching this duty, he puts not only himself but also others in danger.
What are the Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Chicago?
The following are some common types of accidents that happen in Chicago:
- Auto accidents
- Slip and fall accident
- Dog bites
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
- Premises liability
Personal injury lawyers will handle all the above types of cases. They can help you regardless of the type of case you are dealing with.
Who Should You Trust During a Personal Injury Case?
Your Doctor
Your doctor can be a useful asset to your case. First, they will treat your injuries and help you heal as fast as possible.
The treatment you take can be submitted as evidence. A doctor treating your injuries proves that you have suffered injuries.
Also, the medical bills are enough to prove that you have suffered financial losses due to the accident. This evidence proves the most important element out of the four elements of personal injury law—damages.
The Police Officer
Even a minor accident must be reported to the police. It is illegal to leave the accident scene before the police arrive.
The police will document the accident scene and make a report. They will include the following in their report:
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Photos and videos of the accident scene
- Statements of the involved parties
- Statements of witnesses
All of the above data is crucial evidence to prove your case.
Your Lawyer
The most important person you need to trust in a personal injury case is your lawyer. Your lawyer will want to secure the highest possible compensation for you.
The lawyer works on a contingency fee arrangement. It means that they will get paid only if they win the case. They will take a portion of your settlement as their fee.
So obviously, they wouldn’t want to lose the case. Also, losing a case could hurt their reputation. So trust them to secure fair compensation for you while you focus on recovering.
Expert Witnesses
Expert witnesses are people who are specialists in their field and can provide insights into the case.
They don’t have to be present at the accident scene to be witnesses. Even without witnessing the accident, they can provide great insights.
For example, a doctor can help the jury understand the severity of the victim’s injuries and how long it would take for them to heal fully.
Who Should You Not Trust?
Never trust them. They may look friendly, but they are not your friends. They will try their best to either reduce or reject your claim. Sometimes, they will even follow unethical practices to do that.
If you have been injured in an accident, hire a lawyer and trust them to get you compensation.