If you have been injured in an auto collision, you are probably in pain and feeling overwhelmed by the increasing cost of your medical expenses. You are probably also feeling unsure of what steps you should take next.
If your injuries were the result of another driver’s negligent behavior, you have the right to hold them responsible. A Harvey car accident lawyer can help you navigate the claims process, filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance, or pursuing compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
According to the “Quick Facts” of Illinois Department of Transportation, in 2014, there were over 84,000 non-fatal injuries due to motor vehicle accidents in the state of Illinois. Many of these accidents were caused by:
Distracted driving
Fatigued driving
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Reckless driving
Speeding
Failing to heed stop signs or traffic signals
Tailgating
Rubbernecking
Failing to yield at a crosswalk
Failing to take proper precautions in a school zone
Common Injuries Reported in Auto Collisions
Car wrecks can cause a wide variety of injuries that can range from moderately inconvenient to life-altering or even life-threatening. The most common injuries include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Traumatic brain injuries are the result of a sudden blow or jolt to the head. They can also be caused if an object penetrates the brain tissue during a collision. The symptoms can be mild and include only a headache or nausea, or they can be moderate and severe, with symptoms like loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting, loss of coordination, slurred speech, inability to remain awake, or combative behavior. Some people with TBIs will develop seizures and may have trouble with executive functions like decision-making or problem-solving.
Whiplash
Whiplash is caused by a sudden forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck. It often occurs during car accidents when there is a rear-end collision. Symptoms that usually develop within 24 hours include neck pain, loss of range of motion, headaches, fatigue, and dizziness. Some people also have difficulty concentrating, memory problems, irritability, or blurred vision.
Broken Bones
Because of the immense force involved in a collision, breaks are extremely common. Fractures to the bones in the arms, legs, and ribs can be extremely painful. The area usually has to be immobilized temporarily, impacting your quality of life as you heal.
Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
Injuries to the back and spinal cord are common during car accidents. Spinal cord injuries can result in a loss of movement, altered sensation, or the inability to feel touch, heat, or cold, a loss of bowels or bladder control, changes in sexual function, or even difficulty breathing.
These are just a few of the possible types of injuries you could incur as a result of a car accident. Many victims also suffer from lacerations that range from mild to severe, burn injuries, or even internal bleeding.
If you have been hurt and are in pain because of injuries you obtained in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the team of seasoned Harvey car accident attorneys at Kryder Law Group, LLC today for a free, no-risk evaluation of your case.
Recoverable Damages After Being Injured in a Car Crash
Every case is different, so there is no way a lawyer can estimate the types of damages that you may recover as a result of your car accident in Harvey. However, there are some common types of damages that victims do recover in cases like yours. They include:
Medical expenses like ambulance rides, hospital stays, surgical procedures, doctor’s appointments, medication, and rehabilitation
Lost wages from time you have spent away from work
Future wages if you are unable to return to work or have a diminished work capacity
Pain and suffering, including emotional distress, disfigurement, dismemberment, or the physical pain you have experienced because of the accident
Wrongful Death
If your family member died as a result of a motor vehicle collision in Harvey, you may be able to recover damages through a wrongful death lawsuit. Some common damages that victims are able to recover after a wrongful death include:
Funeral and burial costs
Pain and suffering
Medical expenses associated with the accident
Out-of-pocket costs from providing care for the deceased before his or her death
Lost wages from time you spent away from work caring for the now deceased
How the Statute of Limitations Could Impact Your Case
There are a few laws that can impact your ability to recover damages related to your accident. One is the statute of limitations. According to the Illinois statute of limitations, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit pursuing compensation for your injuries. If the victim died in the accident or passed later because of the severity of his or her injuries, you have two years from the date of their passing to take legal action in Harvey.
How a Harvey Car Accident Attorney Can Help
A Harvey car accident lawyer can guide you through the complex legal process from start to finish, filing the claim, and pursuing compensation to the fullest extent of your injuries. Some specific ways we can help are by:
Explaining what your options are for recovering damages
Investigating the details of your accident to determine liability
Gathering evidence like video footage, police reports, and eyewitness statements
Obtaining medical records, bills, and receipts to calculate the value of your claim and build a strong case
Negotiating with the insurance company or at-fault party’s attorney to reach a fair settlement
Fighting for your rights in court if we cannot reach an agreeable settlement
But time is limited. The sooner we begin working on your case, the more time we will have to gather evidence and begin building a strong case. Contact us today for a free, no-risk evaluation of your case.
locations harvey il car accident lawyer
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Britt C.
Andrew Kryder went above and beyond to help me out with a case that I brought to him. He was prompt, attentive, and extremely thorough. It was a pleasure to work with him!
(312) 223-1700