Addressing Primary Concerns of Accident Victims

 Posted on June 12, 2014 in Personal Injury

Those who have been injured in a car accident in Illinois may be hesitant to seek the help of legal counsel. This may be true because they feel overwhelmed by the process, because they simply do not know whether the facts of their specific case would give rise to a claim at law, or because they are unsure of whether they would be entitled to any form of compensation.

No matter what the the circumstances surrounding the accident or the extent of the injury, it is always a good first step to meet with an attorney to determine whether there is basis for a lawsuit or other type of action. A personal injury attorney would be able to advise a potential client about what claims he or she has, if any, and what to expect if he or she decides to institute a claim. In addition, the attorney can explain how the laws in the state of Illinois affect the case and can immediately take steps to protect the client's rights.

Illinois Law

One of the primary concerns in evaluating a matter for a claim involves ensuring the statute of limitations has not run out on bringing the cause of action. The statute of limitations refers to the deadline for a plaintiff to file suit before being time-barred from doing so. In Illinois, a plaintiff has two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. There are some limited exceptions to this law, and an attorney can help a client understand whether any exception is applicable to the client's particular case.

Another set of laws that are relevant to car accident cases involve Illinois car insurance rules. Illinois is considered a "fault" state, which means that the person who was at fault for the accident is responsible for compensating anyone who was injured or who suffered property damage or loss as a result of the accident. Anyone injured in a car accident has options in obtaining damages by either filing an insurance claim or filing a lawsuit.

Illinois requires all drivers to maintain minimum car insurance coverage for injury or death and for property damage. In addition, the state of Illinois requires drivers to maintain car insurance policies that include uninsured motorist coverage with limits that are equal to the driver's injury liability coverage. An experienced personal injury attorney can discuss possible options with the client in light of the facts of the case.

Car Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in a car accident and are unsure of your legal rights, it is advisable to contact an attorney as soon as possible in order to protect any rights you may have. Contact Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices today to schedule a consultation about your accident matter. We have offices located in Chicago, Lombard, Bloomingdale and Naperville.