Illinois Personal Injury Attorney

Making Your Case Checklist — How to Prepare for a Personal Injury Lawsuit

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If you were injured due to another individual’s or company’s direct harm or negligence, you could receive financial compensation for damages. However, the personal injury case process can be tricky to navigate. It is easier said than done to file a claim or lawsuit. When choosing to pursue a personal injury lawsuit, it is essential to understand how the legal process works and to make a checklist of the critical items needed. Here is a comprehensive case checklist of what to prepare for a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois.

Medical, Police, and Other Official Reports

The best place to begin when preparing for your injury lawsuit is to collect all of the official documented reports in your case. There are many different personal injury cases, from car accidentsdog bite injuries, construction site accidents, and product defects. You will want to include any official police reports in your case and the medical documentation that explicitly lists the injuries you sustained.

Collecting Case Evidence

The next step in your case checklist is to collect all relevant evidence that can help you in court. Typically, good evidence that will uphold in a case includes:

  • Photos depicting the incident site, company, or injuries
  • Video surveillance of the injury
  • Witness testimony
  • Documented pictures of the injury healing process
  • Pay stubs to indicate wage differences from the injury

A skilled personal injury attorney can help you find evidence, and even more importantly, preserve this evidence. When evidence is not preserved, it may be accidentally or intentionally lost or destroyed.

Have Skilled Legal Counsel

When beginning the process of a personal injury lawsuit, it is essential to hire an attorney you feel comfortable with and can trust. A good attorney will help guide you through the legal process, including testimony, litigation, and ensuring you act within the state’s statute of limitations. In Illinois, personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the incident. A lawyer can also assist with the financial aspects of your case. For example, if you suffered from a wage decrease due to your injuries, you may be entitled to repayment.

Contact a Will County Personal Injury Attorney

At Michael J. Lichner – Will County Personal Injury Lawyer, our Will County personal injury lawyer has years of experience representing individuals in numerous personal injury cases. We understand the unique nature of each case and will take the time to review the details of your situation. For a free consultation, please call 815-730-1977 to schedule with us.

Sources:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2375&ChapterID=67

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=073500050HArt%2E+XIII+Pt%2E+2&ActID=2017&ChapterID=56&SeqStart=102800000&SeqEnd=106200000

Have Any Questions?

We know that you have important questions when you’re looking for an attorney. We’re always here to answer questions. There’s no cost or obligation to talk to our legal team. Learn more about your case and our legal services. Please contact us!
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How do I know if I have a case?

The most basic grounds for a case are that you’re hurt and it’s someone else’s fault, legally. There are multiple legal standards that may apply.

Most cases are accidents. The party responsible doesn’t necessarily have to have hurt you on purpose. Simple negligence, which is just an unreasonable absence of care, can be enough for the victim to have the right to compensation. In other words, you might have a case, even if it was an accident.

Ask us for your personal consultation. We can learn about what happened in your case and explain how the law may apply.

How will the value of my case be determined?

The purpose of a personal injury case is to compensate you fairly for the losses that you have suffered. That includes financial losses, plus the physical and emotional suffering that goes along with injuries. The question to answer is – What has the personal injury cost you, financially and personally?

There are other factors that may impact the value of a case. Comparative negligence may apply, for example. Punitive damages may be awarded, subject to statutory limitations and requirements for pretrial motion and hearing to amend the complaint. The legal strength of the case may also impact its value.

At your consultation, we look at your specific case and explain how the value of your case may be determined.

Will I have to go to court for my personal injury case?

Most Personal Injury cases don’t go to court, but we’re always ready just in case. In fact, aggressively preparing your case can be exactly what’s needed to reach a fair settlement. We’re always ready to pursue your interests as long as necessary for you to get justice.

It’s normal to be nervous about court. Many people ask us if their case will go to court, hoping that the answer is no. Rest assured that you’re hiring us to represent you. We’ll speak for you to the court. If it’s your turn to testify, we’ll make sure that you’re fully prepared and that you know what to expect.

As your legal representative, Michael L. Lichner works to understand your goals for litigation. He’ll discuss the pros and cons of going to court and help you make the right decisions for your case.

What types of damages can I recover in a personal injury lawsuit?

In a personal injury lawsuit, you can recover damages for the losses you have – financially and personally. You’ll have direct financial losses which may include medical bills, physical therapy, lost wages, and damaged property. You can put in a claim for these expenses.

In addition, when you have a personal injury, you suffer in a lot of ways that can’t be measured directly. For example, you will have physical pain. Injuries may cause mental injury and emotional anguish. Your lifestyle may change. These are real losses, too.

How can I have attorney Michael J. Lichner represent me?

If you’re interested in hiring Michael J. Lichner, contact us. Call or message us, and we’ll take it from there. We offer free consultations and no fee unless we win.

We’ll start with a consultation, answer your questions, and explain how representation works. When you pick us as your representation we’ll get right to work!

Don’t wait, contact us today!

Call 815-258-7877

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