If you are in an accident and were injured, it is important to know your legal rights and options. In Illinois, you have the right to pursue various legal remedies following an accident. Below, you will find more information on the different types of damages you may be able to recover if you are injured in a car accident in Illinois.
Compensation for Medical Bills and Other Expenses
In most car accident cases, a victim will be able to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident. This compensation is known as “economic damages.” Economic damages are intended to compensate the victim for any financial losses they sustained due to the accident.
For instance, if you were injured in a crash and you incurred $10,000 in medical expenses, you could recover this money from the defendant. Additionally, if the accident caused you to miss work for several weeks while you recovered, you could also seek compensation for these lost wages. In some cases, victims may be able to recover additional economic damages related to pain and suffering. However, this is relatively rare.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are a form of damages that are meant to punish a defendant for their actions. These damages are not meant to compensate the plaintiff for their losses; they are designed to punish the defendant for their reckless or negligent behavior. For this reason, punitive damages are usually only available in severe injuries or death cases.
In general, a plaintiff is only allowed to seek punitive damages if their injuries were caused by the defendant’s willful misconduct or gross negligence. For example, suppose the defendant intentionally ran a red light and caused a crash that killed multiple people. In that case, the court may allow the victim to file a punitive damages claim against the defendant.
It is important to note that punitive damages cannot be awarded unless the plaintiff is also entitled to compensatory damages. In most cases, this means that an attorney must represent the plaintiff. In some states, plaintiffs may also recover punitive damages even if their case does not involve a physical injury. For instance, if the defendant was cited for a traffic violation at the time of the accident, they may be ordered to pay the victim the monetary equivalent of their personal injury damages.
Wrongful Death
Your loved one was tragically killed in an accident caused by a negligent driver. Now you are wondering how you will be able to cope with the devastating loss of your loved one and how you are going to pay your medical bills and other expenses associated with your loss. Luckily, you may be eligible for wrongful death compensation from the at-fault party.
When an injury results from another party’s negligence, the injured party has a right to sue the party responsible for recovering damages for his or her injuries. In some cases, the law provides a right of recovery to surviving family members who file an action on behalf of the deceased victim.
The law requires that a personal representative be appointed to represent the interests of the estate and any beneficiaries whose rights may be affected by a pending action. The law also entitles those beneficiaries to their share of the estate’s assets after the personal representative distributes the estate’s remaining assets according to the decedent’s last will and testament or the state’s intestacy laws where the decedent lived.
Hiring A Personal Lawyer Is Essential For Success In A Personal Injury Lawsuit in Illinois
It is sometimes necessary to contact an experienced personal injury attorney after suffering an injury due to another person’s negligence. An experienced Chicago attorney can assist you with all aspects of the legal process and help you obtain the full amount of compensation to which you are entitled.
Taking legal action can be difficult if you have never filed a lawsuit before, especially if you have no experience with the legal system. An experienced attorney can guide you through every step of the process and ensure that your rights are protected and that you obtain the maximum amount possible to which you are entitled.
Conclusion
Suppose you believe you or a loved one have sustained an injury due to a car accident or another accident caused by the negligence of another individual or company. In that case, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case. An experienced lawyer can advise you of your legal rights and represent your interests in any litigation process after filing a lawsuit.
