Your Risk of Personal Injury in Wicker Park

Getting into an accident can happen in an instant. When you least expect it, you can sustain an injury because of the negligence of another individual or party. While you may not go about your day avoiding accidents, and the threat is not constant, there are some situations in which you may be at higher risk of involvement in an accident as you live your life. Roadways, medical procedures, even a visit to a store or restaurant can end with you suffering an injury through no fault of your own.

Common locations where a personal injury can happen:

• At work
• At a business or retail location
• In a church or educational institution
• At a hospital or medical care facility
• On the roadways
• At a public, private or commercial property or building

Common Injuries in Wicker Park Personal Injury Accidents

Personal injuries will vary from person to person in severity and type of injury. Not every accident or mishap will injure someone, and not all victims will sustain the same injuries in a similar accident.

Each person has vulnerabilities, making them more susceptible to serious injuries or exacerbating their injuries in an accident. Whether your injuries are one or many, minor or severe, the law allows for you to seek compensation for the damages that arise when an accident occurs because of someone’s negligence.

Injuries that can occur in a personal injury case include:

• Head, neck, or back injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Injury to the spinal cord
• Nerve injuries
• Burns
• Scarring or Disfigurement
• Broken bones or fractures
• Injuries to joints, ligaments, tendons, or muscles
• Loss of vision or hearing
• Amputation
• Internal bleeding or injury

The Most Common Causes of Personal Injuries

There are many reasons a victim can suffer a personal injury at the hands of another. As you go through your day-to-day activities, you encounter many different people and situations that could result in injuries if someone fails to act responsibly and within their duties of care to you and others.

While no single event or action leads to all personal injury cases, there is a common theme: negligence. The negligence of another party is the cause of personal injury accidents and, in turn, what allows a victim the right to seek compensation for their losses under the law.

Personal injury cases due to negligence in Wicker Park can include:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian or Bicycle accidents
• Aviation, boating, or other recreational vehicle accidents
• Dog attacks
• Defective or dangerous consumer products
• Medical malpractice
• Slip and fall accidents

The Role of an Attorney in a Wicker Park Personal Injury Case

A personal injury matter may not resolve in the days following an accident. It can take time to build a case to the point that you can negotiate a successful settlement that will compensate you for many, if not all, your losses.

Without the proper knowledge of the law or the inner workings of the insurance industry, it is an impossible task to seek recovery in a personal injury accident. Developing and proving your losses take time, resources, and energy.

Fortunately, personal injury lawyers work, day in and day out, to represent victims such as yourself in cases where another party’s negligence causes harm and damages that affect your life. To understand the benefit of having a personal injury lawyer after an accident or injury, it helps to understand the resources an attorney brings to the table and their role in your case.

During an Insurance Claim

Your first move after an accident is not likely to file an immediate lawsuit in court but rather to look for the opportunity of recovery through any valid insurance coverage and policies. A common mistake of personal injury victims is to try to tackle the insurance claims process themselves.

In fact, having a personal injury lawyer at this stage is your best option and can save you time, headaches, and frustration while also protecting your rights and increasing your chance of a successful monetary recovery.

When you hire an attorney immediately after a personal injury accident, they will be able to take aggressive and swift action to preserve evidence and protect your rights. Your attorney will manage all communications coming in and out, including the insurance companies, the party at fault, and other competing interests. You will not have to worry about saying the wrong thing or getting misled or taken advantage of by a savvy insurance rep. All matters and communications regarding your case will go through your lawyer’s office.

Your lawyer will work for you throughout the process of the insurance claim and provide any necessary documentation to support your claim for damages to negotiate a settlement on your behalf. In many cases, an attorney can reach a successful resolution with the insurer and present offers of settlement to you. If you decide to accept a settlement offer, your case will resolve at this stage.

In a Lawsuit

Not all personal injury cases will settle successfully. An insurance company can question whether they are liable to you, the coverage may not cover your overall losses, or the settlement offers do not come close to what is reasonable in light of your injuries and other damages. When this occurs, your attorney will advise you as to the next steps, but it is likely to require you to file a lawsuit in court against the insurer, the at-fault party, or multiple defendants.

If a lawsuit is necessary, your attorney will not only represent you in all court proceedings but will also work to build your case. A personal injury attorney will gather the evidence you will need in court to prove fault for your injuries as well as the evidence to prove your damages after a personal injury accident.

What Should You Do if You Are in a Personal Injury Accident?

If you find yourself suffering an injury in an accident or due to the actions of another party knowing what to do in the moments following your injury can help you stay safe and protect your legal rights for the insurance claim or lawsuit that is likely to follow.

1. Get Medical Help

A personal injury can emerge suddenly, or can develop slowly, such as in an overuse work injury or the development of complications following a medical procedure. Regardless of your timeline for how your injuries reveal themselves, you must get help as soon as you become aware that something may be amiss.

If you suffer a sudden injury, you should call 911 immediately for medical assistance. Request EMS to come to the scene so that you prevent further damage. EMS will stabilize you and then likely transport you to a nearby hospital for further care and a thorough evaluation of your injuries.

If you do not sustain a sudden injury but develop warning signs or symptoms, you should visit a medical provider or nearby emergency room for evaluation and care. Do not ignore the signs of an injury, as this can prolong your recovery or cause complications to your health that may be avoidable with treatment.

Emergency rooms in or near Wicker Park include:

• Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center Emergency Room
• Humboldt Park Health Emergency room
• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Emergency Room
• John H. Stronger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County Emergency Room
• Thorek Memorial Hospital
• University of Illinois Hospital

2. Call the Police if Necessary

Calling the police is not always appropriate for certain personal injury cases, but in some instances, it is necessary. In situations such as a workplace injury, medical malpractice, or a product liability situation, calling the police for a suspected injury is not likely to help you or benefit your case.

However, in situations such as an injury on the property of another, a motor vehicle accident, an intentional attack by another party, or an attack by a dog you must call law enforcement to the scene to assist you immediately after an injury happens.

The police coming to the scene of a personal injury can ensure you and any others in harm’s way receive assistance and the threat to public safety is secure. In addition, a police officer will collect the information of all parties in the accident or who may have caused your injuries.

When you call the police to the scene of an injury, they will also file a report detailing what they have seen and, in some instances, they may also include who they believe to be at fault or in violation of laws that can serve as evidence in your civil case.

3. Document Your Experience

Once you are in an accident or realize that you have sustained an injury, you must begin to document your case and your damages.

Do not share this information with anyone other than your attorney:

• If you can do so at the accident scene, take photos of the scene, the environment, and what you believe is the cause of your injuries.
• Begin to take note of everything related to your injuries, including photographs or videos of your injury immediately after the accident and throughout the various stages of recovery.
• Write down or record your personal experience of your injuries, how you believe it happened, your level of pain and discomfort, the effects your injuries have on your daily routine, and your ability to work if you are currently employed.
• Collect all evidence you have, including medical records, police reports, and any other information you believe is relevant to proving fault for your injuries or as proof of your injuries.

Wicker Park Personal Injury FAQs