Car Accident
Buffalo Grove Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you’re entitled to damages for your injuries, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you get full compensation for your injuries.
The Law Office of Jack M. Shapiro, P.C. works on behalf of Buffalo Grove, IL car accident victims on a contingency basis, which means that he doesn’t get paid until he’s finished the case. There are no out-of-pocket costs for his professional legal services, and all consultations are free. Contact us to speak to a Buffalo Grove car accident lawyer immediately.
Common Injuries in Buffalo Grove, IL Car Accident Cases
All types of injuries are possible in a car accident. Here are some of the most common types of car accident injuries we see from Buffalo Grove, IL motor vehicle accidents.
Whiplash
This is extremely common in rear-end collisions, particularly with the occupants of the front vehicle, who may not be aware that a crash is imminent. Whiplash occurs when the head snaps in one direction and then the other, causing a strain on the muscles and tendons in the neck.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, can range from mild concussions to penetrating wounds to the skull and brain. This occurs in all categories of accidents but is particularly common when the vehicle stops suddenly on impact, and the head strikes the steering wheel, airbag, dashboard, or interior windshield. It’s also common in motorcycle accidents.
Bruising
Bruising is common in all types of accidents. Many people dismiss bruising as a minor injury, but the truth is that bruising can not only be quite severe, but it could mask deeper, more serious injuries.
Broken Bones
Fractures are also common in all types of car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, but particularly in higher-speed collisions.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries aren’t always apparent on the scene of an auto accident. You may feel fine, but have internal hemorrhaging or other damage, which is why you should always follow up with your doctor after an accident.
Wrongful Death
42,915 people died in car accidents in 2021. Car accident victims don’t always die on the scene of an accident, which means that they may face a period of pain and suffering prior to passing.
Regardless of the nature of your injuries, if you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another, you deserve compensation. A Buffalo Grove car accident lawyer can help.
What to Do After a Car Crash
The moments after an auto accident are critical. What you do immediately after a collision can affect your physical, mental, and financial recovery. While nothing in this text should be considered legal advice, these tips may help you in the event of a car accident.
Make Sure You Are in a Safe Location
Every accident is different. In some cases, the inside of your car is the safest place. In others, you may have to move yourself and/or your vehicle to a safer location — particularly if there’s a fire or a hazardous chemical spill. Always put your safety first.
Contact 911
Get first responders to the scene as quickly as possible. Response times in Buffalo Grove, IL are good, but every second counts. Call 911 and provide the dispatcher with your exact location, the direction of travel, vehicle descriptions, the number of injured, the nature of injuries, and anything else that they ask for.
Get Witness Information
It’s a common occurrence for passersby to stop and make a cursory check on people involved in a car accident, only to leave once they know that first responders are en route. It’s always a good idea to ask witnesses to remain at the scene of a crash. If they have to leave, try to get their contact information. Even if they aren’t from around Buffalo Grove, your attorney can follow up with them remotely.
Take Pictures for Documentation
The accident scene will start to change as soon as first responders arrive, so if you are able to take pictures or a video from a safe location, try to capture the vehicle damage, visible injuries, debris on the roadway, and any geographic indicators that will show your location in Buffalo Grove.
Seek Medical Attention
When the EMTs arrive, allow them to examine you, even if you feel fine. Follow their advice and follow up with your own doctor.
Don’t Accept a Settlement Offer Until You Talk to a Buffalo Grove Car Accident Lawyer
One thing that might surprise you is that the insurance company could contact you before you file an auto accident claim. The at-fault driver may have contacted their insurance, which will allow the insurance adjuster to locate you through the police report. Their objective is to try to get you to settle before speaking to an experienced car accident lawyer. They know that, statistically, personal injury claims that go through attorneys settle for much higher amounts.
If you accept their settlement, you’ll have to sign a waiver of liability that will prevent you from seeking further damages for your injuries. Wait to speak to an attorney like Buffalo Grove attorney Jack M. Shapiro before considering a settlement.
The Benefits of Working With an Experienced Attorney
Buffalo Grove, IL attorney Jack Shapiro represents clients on a contingency basis, which means that his legal services are free until the end of the case: Here are some of the steps that attorney Shapiro will take in pursuit of your settlement.
- Gather all documentation, including police reports, medical records, etc.
- Subpoena the medical records of the other parties involved.
- Subpoena and depose all witnesses to the crash. If they are not located in Buffalo Grove, IL, he can schedule a remote deposition.
- Examine all discovery evidence.
- Consult with expert witnesses and traffic reconstruction investigators to determine the cause of the accident.
- Tabulate all damages for the crash.
- File a demand letter with the insurance company.
- Issue letters of protection to doctors to ensure you are able to get the healthcare you need.
- File a lawsuit with the court of appropriate jurisdiction. (Buffalo Grove is in both Cook and Lake counties.)
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a full and fair settlement.
When you hire the Buffalo Grove, IL Law Office of Jack M. Shapiro, P.C, you can rest assured that our legal team is diligently pursuing your case.
Types of Compensation for a Car Crash Victim
The state of Illinois recognizes three types of compensation for car accidents:
- Economic Damages – This includes all financial costs: hospital bills, follow-up appointments, lost wages from work, car damage, etc.
- Non-economic Damages – This is also referred to as pain and suffering. These damages are for the intangible costs of an accident: physical pain, emotional suffering, inconvenience, reduced capacity, etc.
- Punitive Damages – These are non-compensatory damages that are meant to penalize an at-fault party for egregious or intentional behavior. For example, a drunk driver who engages in reckless driving.
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident in Buffalo Grove, IL, attorney Shapiro can calculate your damages and present a demand letter to the insurance company for the full amount.
FAQ Buffalo Grove Car Accident Questions
These are some of the most commonly asked questions that Buffalo Grove, IL personal injury attorney Jack M. Shapiro hears from clients. For a free, no-obligation consultation, contact our office to be connected to Mr. Shapiro.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim?
Illinois allows two years from the date of the accident for injury claims. For wrongful death claims, plaintiffs have two years from the date of death. These periods may seem ample, but it’s important to get things started as soon as possible. Once the statute of limitations expires, you will not be able to pursue damages.
Are there damage caps in Illinois?
Unlike many states, Illinois does not have damage caps. For non-economic damages, the amount is usually based on past cases and settlements. For instance, if you sustained a TBI in a car accident, the amount you could receive is based on past cases involving similar injuries.
Can I recover damages for the death of a loved one in a car crash?
If you’re the immediate family member of the deceased, you may have standing under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act. Immediate family members include the spouse, children, and sometimes the parents of the deceased. The decedent’s estate can also pursue damages in wrongful death cases.
Will my case go to trial?
Most personal injury cases in Buffalo Grove, IL are settled before they reach the trial phase. While Mr. Shapiro may file a lawsuit on your behalf, the insurance companies tend to prefer avoiding the uncertainty of a civil trial. However, if they will not settle for a fair amount, our law office is prepared to litigate.
What if I am partially at fault for the accident?
As long as you can prove that you were less than 50% at fault for the car crash, you can pursue damages under the Illinois comparative negligence law.
Attorneys for Car Accident Victims in Buffalo Grove, IL
If you’ve been injured in an accident, Buffalo Grove personal injury lawyer Jack M. Shapiro will handle your case on a contingency basis. Call today to speak to Mr. Shapiro in a free one-on-one consultation.