Chicago personal injury lawyersA serious auto accident can leave a person with painful injuries and mounting debts. If you or a loved one were injured in a car crash, motorcycle accident, or truck accident, you know firsthand the financial devastation that an accident can bring to a person’s life. Fortunately, a personal injury lawsuit may allow you to recover financial compensation for the damages you suffered. Compensation for monetary losses as well as the non-monetary harm caused in the accident may be available. The amount of financial compensation that you could recover depends on several different factors.

The Severity of Your Injuries and Your Prognosis

Medical expenses and lost income from missed work are often two of the largest expenses a car accident victim suffers. Typically, the worse your injuries, the greater your medical costs. Injuries that lead to long-term or permanent impairment often lead to greater personal injury payouts. If your injuries reduce your ability to work, you may be entitled to compensation for the harm to your earning potential.

The amount of compensation you could receive for your pain and suffering is also directly linked to the severity of your injuries. In many personal injury cases, the compensation an injured person receives for non-economic damages is determined by multiplying financial damages by a factor of 1.5 to 5. For example, if your medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage totaled $30,000, you may recover $45,000 – 150,000 for non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

Whether You Are Considered Partially at Fault

In many car accident cases, the crash is caused by a combination of factors. Sometimes, the injured person’s own actions worsen his or her injuries. For example, suppose you were speeding at the time of the accident or not wearing a seatbelt or motorcycle helmet. In that case, the defense may argue that these factors aggravated your injuries. In a “comparative negligence” state like Illinois, the amount of compensation you could recover for your damages is reduced by your share of fault. For example, if you are considered 10 percent at fault, the compensation you could recover is reduced by 10 percent.

Settlement Negotiations with the Insurance Company

The vast majority of personal injury cases are settled before trial through negotiations. This is why it is crucial to work with a personal injury lawyer who is also a skilled negotiator. Your lawyer’s job is to determine the extent of your economic and non-economic damages and then negotiate a settlement that adequately compensates you for those damages. An experienced lawyer will understand how to overcome the tricks that insurance companies use to try to get injured claimants to settle for less than they need and deserve.

Contact a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one were hurt in a car accident, a personal injury lawsuit may allow you to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage, pain and suffering, and more. Contact an Illinois car accident injury attorney at Livas Law Group to learn more. Call 312-804-6102 to learn more.

 

Source:

http://illinoiscourts.gov/CircuitCourt/CivilJuryInstructions/default.asp

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