Car accidents are one of the most common types of personal injury accidents. While many people have experienced a car crash at some point in their lives, it is still a stressful situation.
Most of our clients ask similar questions after a car crash in Northbrook, IL. While many car accident cases are similar, no two cases are the same. A Northbrook car accident lawyer at Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers can help answer your questions during a free initial consultation. Reach out to our law office in Northbrook, Illinois, to speak with an experienced Northbrook car accident attorney. Call us at 847-513-9582.
How Can Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers Help After a Car Accident In Northbrook?
Many people wonder how a Northbrook personal injury lawyer can help after a car accident, especially if the accident is not fatal or catastrophic. Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers have 64 years of combined experience. During this time, we have helped our clients recover more than $125 million for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional harm.
Our work includes:
- Explaining the law
- Investigating the case
- Calculating your damages
- Handling car insurance claims
- Negotiating for a settlement
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
- Representing you during the trial
While many car accident cases are routine, we also recognize that many are not. We tailor our work to fit our client’s needs and help them recover full damages. Call us to schedule a free consultation with a Northbrook car accident lawyer today.
Who Handles the Car Insurance Claim?
Illinois is a fault-based insurance state. This means that you will file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
If you have hired a personal injury lawyer, they will usually handle the claim on your behalf. This includes filing the claim, talking to insurance adjusters, and negotiating for a full payout.
It is helpful to have an attorney handle the claim because they are familiar with common insurance adjusters’ tactics to get out of paying the claim.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Car Accident In Northbrook?
Car accident victims in Northbrook can recover the same damages as any other personal injury plaintiff. This includes compensatory damages and sometimes punitive damages.
Compensatory damages pay a victim for their actual or future losses.
This includes both economic losses and non-economic losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost future earnings
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Property damage
- Increased transportation costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Mental illness
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of quality of life
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
Punitive damages are different from compensatory damages. The purpose is to punish a defendant and deter bad behavior, rather than to compensate a victim. A car accident victim can recover punitive damages if they show that the defendant acted fraudulently, intentionally, or wilfully.
How Long Do I Have To File a Car Accident Lawsuit In Illinois?
There is a two-year statute of limitations in Illinois. This means you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
Two years may seem like a long time, but it will go by quickly. In many car accident cases, you will need to pursue an insurance claim and negotiate with the insurance company before filing the lawsuit. On top of this, you could have extensive medical treatment and other stressors.
A Northbrook car accident lawyer can help you keep track of this deadline. If you miss it and try to file after it has passed, the court will dismiss your case. You will lose all rights to compensation. That is why it is arguably the most important deadline in your case.
What Happens if I Am Being Blamed For My Car Accident In Northbrook, IL?
Illinois applies a modified comparative fault rule with a 51% bar. This means that you can recover compensation if you are being blamed for the accident, as long as you are less than 51% responsible. If you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything.
If you are less than 51% at fault, then you will recover proportionate damages. This means that your damages are proportionate to your share of responsibility. For example, if you are 10% at fault, you can recover 90% of your damages.
Unfortunately, many people are unfairly blamed after a car accident. It is the easiest way for a defendant to get out of paying or minimize the amount that they owe. A Northbrook car accident attorney can help you avoid unfair blame and maximize your recovery after a car accident.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Northbrook Car Accident Lawyers
If you have gotten into a car accident in Northbrook, IL, you should call Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers for help. We will schedule a free consultation to learn more about your case. Our Northbrook car accident attorneys can help you in the aftermath of a car accident and answer any questions you may have.
