Arlington Heights Personal Injury & Auto Accident Lawyers

Arlington Heights, a village in Illinois, is one of the most desirable places to live, particularly for young families with children, one of the reasons our Arlington Heights personal injury lawyers love it here. Only about 25 miles from Chicago, those who want to enjoy the quiet of the suburbs at night while having access to the economic and entertainment opportunities provided by city living love Arlington Heights.

Known best for the Arlington Heights racetrack and its major population increase during the ‘50s and ‘60s, Arlington Heights has a lot to offer in terms of housing, parks and recreation, family-friendly activities, and dining and entertainment. It even has its own Arlington Heights farmers’ market!

At SJ Injury Law, our Arlington Heights personal injury lawyers love Arlington Heights and its charm, and we’ve been working with clients throughout Arlington Heights for years. While we never want to have to take on a personal injury case, as this means that someone has been injured and needs legal representation, we are always happy to provide support and representation for those who need it most. To learn more about our Arlington Heights personal injury attorneys and what to do if you’ve been injured due to another’s fault, call our law office directly today.

What Is a Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury claim is a type of civil lawsuit that is brought forth by an injured party, known as the plaintiff. In the suit, the plaintiff alleges that the defendant breached the duty of care owed to them and that the breach of the duty of care was the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s accident and injuries. If the plaintiff can prove that their injuries would not have occurred but for the defendant’s negligence, they can hold the defendant liable–or legally responsible–for the full value of their losses.

A personal injury claim has no relationship to a criminal case. If a plaintiff is successful in a personal injury claim, they can recoup damages–or monetary compensation–for their losses.

Our Arlington Heights Personal Injury Practice Areas

At SJ Injury Law, our Arlington Heights personal injury lawyers are able to represent you if you’ve been injured and another party is to blame, regardless of the precise cause of your injuries. Types of personal injury claims that we work on include:

• Auto accidents. Auto accidents are a leading cause of injury and death in our state. We can represent you in a standard motor vehicle accident claim, commercial vehicle accident claim, pedestrian accident claim, motorcycle accident claim, or bicycle accident claim.
• Slip and falls. When a person slips and falls, they may be at risk of suffering severe injuries. If the fall was caused by a hazard on the property, the property owner could be held liable under the theory of premises liability.
• Dog bites. Dogs can be great pets, but they can also cause harm when scared or provoked. Like slip and fall accidents, dog bites sometimes fall under the umbrella of premises liability. In most cases, though, a dog owner can be held strictly liable for the harm their dog causes.
• Construction accidents. While most construction workers who are injured on the job will have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim for damages, in many cases, the right to pursue a third-party liability claim also exists.
• Wrongful death. Losing a loved one is a devastating experience, and is something that is only made harder by knowing that the death would never have occurred but for another’s wrongful act. If your loved one has died, we can help you to fight for a fair settlement.
• Nursing home abuse. Nursing home abuse is tragic, yet happens much more frequently than anyone would think. If your elderly loved one is being abused, there may be grounds for a nursing home abuse claim.
• More. Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident type that you don’t see listed above? Call our Arlington Heights personal injury lawyers. We are here to help.

Damages Recoverable in a Personal Injury Claim

As mentioned early, by filing a personal injury claim, a claimant can recover monetary damages for their harm. Types of damages that are recoverable in an Arlington Heights personal injury claim include:

• Economic damages. Damages are split into two categories: economic and noneconomic. Economic damages are damages that represent actual monetary losses, such as:
• Medical expenses. Injuries are expensive to treat, especially when injuries are severe. You deserve to be compensated in full for your medical expenses, including things like hospital stays, emergency medical services, prescription medications, surgeries, future care, and rehabilitation, etc.
• Lost wages. If you are severely injured, you may be unable to work and earn an income to support yourself; you may also lose your earning capacity and the benefits that come along with it. You can seek compensation for the full value of your lost wages and the value of your future lost wages.
• Property damage costs. If you are in an accident that results in damage to your personal property, such as a car accident, you can seek compensation for the value of this loss, too.
• Noneconomic damages. The other category of damages is non-economic damages, which are damages that are intangible and don’t have a concrete monetary value. Types of non-economic damages including compensation for the value of a person’s pain, suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, diminished quality of life, etc. There are multiple methods for calculating non-economic damages that your attorney can explain.

It’s important to note that while the above represents the types of damages that may be recoverable in your case, it’s impossible to know which damages apply to you or how much your case is worth before talking to an attorney. During your free consultation, your attorney may be able to provide you with a ballpark figure of what you can expect; however, how much you walk away with ultimately will depend on a number of factors, including the strength of your case, the severity of your injuries, the strength of your evidence, the amount of insurance coverage available, and more.

Illinois Personal Injury Statute of Limitations

Another thing to think about when you have been injured and are thinking about filing a personal injury claim is the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is the legal limit on how much time a person has to file a claim. In Illinois, the personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury. While there are some (very few) exceptions to this rule, generally if you wait more than two years from the date of your accident and injury to file your claim, you will be barred from recovery permanently. This is one of the key reasons why talking to an attorney as early on in the process as possible is such a good idea.

How Our Arlington Heights Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help

If you have been injured and are experiencing pain, suffering, and psychological and economic harm, our Arlington Heights personal injury lawyers want you to know that there is help available! We can support you by:

• Investigating your case. When it comes to winning a personal injury claim, knowing who should be responsible and having the evidence to prove it is key. We will thoroughly investigate your case to ensure it’s as strong as possible.
• Hiring experts. To aid us in the investigation and to speak to the level of damages you’ve suffered, we can bring in experts to testify. Types of experts we might hire include accident reconstruction experts, vehicle or product design experts, forensic experts, doctors, and financial experts.
• Handling all of your documents. We have the resources and staff to adeptly manage all documents. As a law firm with lawyers who have worked in Arlington Heights, we are also familiar with the judges, clerks, and the Rolling Meadows Courthouse, which houses the Cook County Civil Clerk.
• Representing you in conversations with the insurance adjuster. It can be intimidating to talk with an insurance adjuster, as well as time-consuming and emotional as you’re healing from your injuries. We can represent you throughout all stages of the process and in all conversations, always advocating for your best interests.
• Handling the negotiation process. Being offered a settlement can feel hopeful–until you see that it’s been lowballed, that is. If you are offered a settlement that’s less than you deserve, you have the right to reject the settlement and negotiate for a higher amount. Our lawyers will handle this process and fight hard to get you the settlement you deserve.

In addition to the above, our Arlington Heights personal injury lawyers have trial experience and can represent you in court if necessary. We’ll also remain available and accessible through the entire personal injury claims process.

Call SJ Injury Law Directly Today

When you start an injury claim, you’re usually not just going up against the person who injured you. More often than not, you’re facing a powerful insurance company with a team of well-paid attorneys, a highly structured bureaucracy, and a mountain of rules, regulations, and forms to delay, distract, and frustrate you. We’ve seen it all before. We know how to cut through the red tape with arguments and evidence the other side can respect and understand.

To learn more about the personal injury claims process and how our Arlington Heights personal injury lawyers can help, please call us directly today at 847-434-3555 or send us a message via the contact form on our website. We work on a contingency fee basis and always offer free consultations.

(6/21/24)