Personal Injury Lawyer Chicago

Accidents and injuries happen every day. Many of them are genuine accidents and are a part of life. However, some are preventable and can be attributed to the negligence of someone else. It’s these types of injuries that call for the expertise of a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer in Chicago. An attorney can evaluate the circumstances surrounding your injury and advise you on your next best steps. They can also explain your legal rights and options. 

What is a Personal Injury?

Personal injuries can arise from numerous situations and incidents. As opposed to property damage, a personal injury is an injury to the body, emotions, or mind arising from the negligence or intentions of another person or party. Examples of personal injury cases include:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Injuries caused by defective products
• Nursing home abuse or neglect
• Dog bites
• Dangerous drugs
• Intentional acts of violence

Personal injury attorneys in Chicago represent injured individuals as they seek to receive compensation for their injuries. 

The Elements of Negligence

Personal injury cases must involve the four elements of negligence. First, you or your personal injury lawyer in Chicago must be able to establish that the other person or party owed you a duty of care. For example, motorists must stop at red lights. Next, you must prove that they failed to exercise that duty of care. In this example, they didn’t stop at a red light. These two elements establish liability. 

Next, you need to show that you have damages. You must prove that the other party’s actions or inactions caused your accident or incident. Finally, you must establish that your injuries are the direct result of that accident or incident. 

Typically, the first two elements aren’t hard to prove. The last two can be tricky, which is why many injured individuals turn to an experienced personal injury attorney in Chicago for help.

Damages in a Personal Injury Claim

Damages are the financial translation of the losses you have suffered. The compensation someone receives in a personal injury claim is based on their damages. Damages can be economic or non-economic. 

Economic damages are your financial losses, including past and future:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Legal expenses

Non-economic damages represent intangible losses, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Humiliation
• Mental anguish
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Economic damages are easier to prove as they usually have tangible evidence such as receipts, bills, and income statements. Since non-economic damages are intangible, they can be challenging to prove. It often takes a skilled personal injury attorney in Chicago to establish these types of damages. 

Reach Out to a Skilled Personal Injury Lawyer Chicago Today

Personal injuries can leave victims with a lifetime of pain and suffering as well as other burdens. Though no one can turn back the clock to prevent what happened to you, we can do the next best thing. We can help you seek full and fair compensation for your damages. The skilled Chicago personal injury attorneys at Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg know how to establish the elements of negligence and work hard to obtain the best possible outcome in your case. Get your case started today. Contact us for a free personal injury case consultation.