Bridgeview Auto Accident Lawyer Pursues Compensation for Traffic-Related Injuries

Proven firm represents victims of serious car accidents in Illinois

Car accidents can be disastrous, causing serious and sometimes catastrophic injuries. Many crashes could have been prevented if a driver had exercised due care. If you were the victim of an accident caused by another person’s negligence, you are entitled to seek compensation for your medical expenses and other losses. Skinner Law Firm, P.C. in Bridgeview, Illinois has the skill, experience and tenacity you need to help you win money damages from the parties responsible.

Types of car accidents in Bridgeview 

In a busy community such as Bridgeview, there are opportunities for a wide range of vehicle collisions, such as:

• T-bone — Common in busy intersections, T-bone crashes occur when the front end of one vehicle impacts the side of another vehicle, forming a letter T.
• Side swipe — These collisions range in severity from glancing scrapes to impacts powerful enough to deflect a vehicle off course. Side swipes can occur when vehicles are moving in opposite directions or in the same direction.
• Head-on collisions — The deadliest type of crash involves vehicles moving in opposite directions striking head on. Forces are combined, increasing the chance of catastrophic injury and death.
• Rear-end collisions — Generally the result of aggressive driving and/or tailgating, rear-end crashes occur when a trailing car does not stop in time.
• Single car accidents — These crashes happen when a driver loses control of the vehicle. Although the cause is usually driver error, there can be other factors, such as poor road conditions and mechanical failures.
• Multi car accidents — When more than two vehicles are involved, liability in a crash case becomes difficult to prove. Often, attorneys will consult accident reconstruction experts to ascertain fault for each driver.

Our personal injury attorneys have extensive experience establishing fault in a variety of accident scenarios.

Proving fault in a Bridgeview Car Accident

To recover compensation for an auto accident, a plaintiff must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that another person was at fault. This requires satisfying all four of the following elements:

• Duty of care — Every driver has a duty to operate a vehicle with reasonable care. In some cases, the duty applies to others. For example, manufacturers who produce car parts are liable for defects that cause injury.
• Breach of duty — A driver might breach the duty of care in a number of ways: speeding, tailgating, failing to yield right of way, failing to stop at a red signal, making an abrupt maneuver without signaling, using a cellphone while driving, etc.
• Causation — The plaintiff must show that the defendant’s breach of duty directly caused the accident which inflicted injury. Attorneys use a “but for” standard in explaining causation. For example, “but for” the defendant running a red light, the collision would never have occurred.
• Damages — The plaintiff must show that the accident caused losses, which can be economic (e.g., medical bills) and noneconomic (e.g., pain and suffering).

The victim’s complaint filed with the court must state facts in support of each element for the case to proceed.

How much Is my Bridgeview car accident claim worth?

There are several factors that determine how much a plaintiff can recover in a personal injury case. These include:

• Severity of the injuries
• Cost of treatment 
• Prognosis for recovery
• Ongoing impact on ability to work 
• Disruption of daily life 
• Loss of quality of life

As a general rule, injuries that are severe and permanent garner a greater recovery than injuries from which a plaintiff is expected to fully recover. 

Common injuries from car accidents 

Auto accidents can inflict severe trauma on the human body. Serious injuries that can result include:

• Head injuries, concussions and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Whiplash, i.e., soft tissue injury resulting in chronic pain and loss of mobility
• Spinal cord injuries, sometimes causing paralysis
• Broken bones, including displaced fractures and crush injuries requiring surgery
• Burn injuries
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Internal injuries and loss of bodily functions
• Loss of limbs

Many of these injuries can be catastrophic, meaning that they permanently change the victim’s life.

Common causes of car accidents

The Chicago metropolitan area experiences constant heavy traffic and motor vehicle accidents happen every day. Recent reports indicate that Cook County alone has 150,000 to 200,000 accidents per year, resulting in hundreds of fatalities and tens of thousands of injuries. Many crashes occur on major highways, such as US-20 and I-294, while others occur on local roads. The most common causes of car accidents are:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Driver fatigue
• Driving under the influence
• Reckless driving
• Wet roadways
• Poor visibility

As your counsel, we promptly investigate the accident to determine its causes. Then we carefully build a case against all potentially responsible parties.

What to do after a car accident

The most important course of action after a crash is to get yourself and others out of harm’s way and then to call 911, asking for emergency medical services if someone has been injured. Do disturb the accident scene. If you are able, take photographs and videos. Exchange driver’s license and insurance information with other drivers but do not discuss the accident. Wait to give your account to the responding police officer. As soon as possible, seek medical attention.

When to hire an auto accident attorney

If you are hurt in a car crash, you can file a claim against the other parties’ insurance companies. However, you will benefit from first seeking legal representation. Insurance companies make money by settling for as little as they can. Usually, they won’t start dealing seriously until you have an attorney. Legal representation is especially important if you need to file a lawsuit, which requires knowledge and skill. A non-lawyer is likely to be overwhelmed by the process. Once you hire us, we take the burden off your shoulders, allowing you to focus on getting your life back in order.

Steps involved in filing a car accident lawsuit

Most auto accident cases eventually settle without going to trial. However, to get an appropriate settlement, a plaintiff usually must be prepared to go to trial if necessary. The process of preparing a lawsuit can be rather daunting. In brief, here is what you can expect:

• You file a complaint — This document lays out the details of your case, including the four elements of fault discussed above, and asks the court for monetary compensation for losses.
• The defendant answers the complaint — The answer attempts to disprove liability by casting doubt upon the four elements of fault.
• Discovery — Each side can demand information from the other to shed greater light on the facts of the case. 
• The lawsuit enters mediation phase — The court expects attorneys for either side to confer and try to reach a settlement. This includes negotiation and possibly mediation. 
• The trial — If settlement attempts fail, the case is entered on the court’s calendar and eventually goes to trial. 

Because so much is riding on your case, you should choose a law firm to support you every step of the way.

What to look for in a car accident attorney

Your choice of a personal injury attorney can be critical. You want an experienced lawyer with the resources to investigate your case, an understanding of your medical needs and the dedication to fight for the compensation you need and deserve. T Skinner Law Firm, P.C., we are fiercely committed to protecting our clients. We will speak honestly to you about your case, litigate aggressively in court and work to achieve the best outcome possible.

What type of compensation can you get for your injuries?

If you are injured in an auto accident case, you may be entitled to damages for you losses, including the following:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Loss of income and earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of the enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium (deprivation of spousal relations)

In all accident cases, we assemble evidence of your injuries and calculate the damages recoverable so that our firm can negotiate a fair settlement or, if necessary, litigate in court. In a commercial truck accident case, damages can be particularly high.

Contact a trustworthy auto accident attorney for a free initial consultation

If you have been injured in a car accident, turn to Skinner Law Firm, P.C. We have been providing trusted legal services throughout the Cook County area for nearly 20 years. Please call 312-635-6459 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation at our Bridgeview, Illinois office.