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Important Tips on How to Gather Evidence After a Rear-End Collision Accident
Being involved in a rear-end collision accident can be overwhelming and, unfortunately, quite common. In this situation, it is important to know how to gather evidence. This will help you make sure that any potential legal action is successful. Read on for some tips on what evidence you should collect after you experience an automobile accident.
Document the Scene Before You Leave
Gathering evidence starts at the scene of the accident itself. After the accident, take photos of the scene from multiple angles as soon as possible. Take pictures of your car and any other vehicles involved in the crash and any property damage that may have occurred. Make sure also to include close-ups of both cars’ license plates so that you have an official record of each vehicle involved in the accident.
Collect Witness Statements
If there were witnesses present at the time of your rear-end collision, it is essential to collect their statements right away before they leave the scene of the accident or forget critical details. Ask witnesses if they feel comfortable providing written statements about what they saw during the incident. Get their contact information so you can follow up with them if needed later in your case.
Can I Sue If I Got Injured By a Defective Product?
The legal theory behind suing for injuries caused by a defective product is called "product liability." Under this theory, the manufacturer, designer, or distributor of a product can be held responsible for any injuries caused by the use of its product. If the party was aware of a defect or should have been aware but failed to warn consumers, they can be held accountable for any harm caused.
Examples of a Defective Product Case
Examples of product liability cases include defective medical devices, dangerous children’s toys, and other consumer items. Injured plaintiffs can take several courses of action to seek compensation for their injuries, including filing a lawsuit against the manufacturer or other at-falt party. A successful product liability claim will typically result in monetary damages covering pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
How to Prove The Cause of Your Rear-End Collision Was Another Party's Drunk Driving
Getting into a vehicle collision is a traumatic experience. It can be even more devastating if you suspect that the other driver may have been drinking at the time of the accident. If you or a loved one were hurt in a car crash caused by a drunk driver, you may be able to take legal action again the driver and recover financial compensation for medical bills, vehicle damage, and other expenses.
Drunk Driving Accidents Resulting in Injuries
If you are trying to prove that a rear-end collision was caused by another party’s drunk driving, there are several steps you can take:
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Gather as much information at the accident scene as possible. Take pictures of the damage, get contact information from any witnesses, and take notes of the details you remember.
What Are Your Legal Options After a Personal Injury in Illinois?
Being injured due to someone else's negligence can be a frightening experience, and you may feel overwhelmed by the process of seeking compensation. While it is understandable that you may not know where to begin, understanding your legal options after a personal injury is an important step in taking control of your recovery.
The process is much easier when you have a personal injury lawyer on your side helping you navigate the legal system. Your attorney will be able to provide you with advice on the best course of action for your specific situation.
Compensation for Injury
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to seek compensation for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. In some cases, punitive damages may also apply if the person or entity responsible for your injury acted in an especially reckless or intentional way. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to assess your situation and determine which type of legal action is right for your situation.
Can I Sue a Dog Owner if I Was Bitten by Their Dog?
Dog bite laws can be complicated in certain states, but Illinois is considered a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. This means that dog owners or custodians can be liable for damages regardless of whether a dog has acted aggressively in the past. People may have claims for other injuries caused by a dog besides bites in some cases.
People who have been bitten or attacked by dogs need to understand that insurance companies do not willingly pay these claims without trying to reduce payouts or avoid them completely. Anybody who is dealing with a dog bite or attack injury in Illinois will want to retain legal counsel for assistance in recovering as much financial compensation as possible.
Illinois Dog Bite Laws
The Animal Control Act in Illinois provides that the owner or custodian of a dog becomes liable for civil damages to any person who is attacked or injured by a dog. Dog bite injuries may include severe lacerations, infections, and scarring. People may be able to recover many kinds of economic and non-economic damages in these cases, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What Damages are Available in an Illinois Wrongful Death Claim?
The Wrongful Death Act is established under 740 Illinois Consolidated Statute 180 and provides that wrongful death actions must be filed by the personal representative of a deceased person and damages are paid to a deceased person’s spouse and next of kin. Wrongful death lawsuits can be very complicated, and any family dealing with a potential wrongful death claim should be certain to hire qualified legal counsel.
While the statute of limitations on a wrongful death claim is typically two years in Illinois, certain cases involving violent conduct or criminal actions could lead to additional time in some cases. Beyond the basic filing concerns, many people wonder exactly what kinds of damages they will be able to recover.
Common Types of Wrongful Death Damages
When it comes to damages in a wrongful death case, Illinois state law references “pecuniary injuries resulting from” death. Pecuniary injuries typically include compensatory damages that are often broken into economic damages and noneconomic damages.
The Importance of Motorcycle Maintenance
Lake County Chief Deputy Coroner recently identified a 39-year-old man and father who was killed after his motorcycle broke down and he was struck by a 2021 Chevrolet Trax SUV. The man’s street-legal 2018 Kawasaki Z125 Pro experienced some kind of mechanical issue that forced him to slow down or stop on Green Bay Road, where the fatal collision occurred.
This story should serve as an important reminder to all motorcyclists that a significant number of motorcycle accidents tend to involve bikes that end up failing their owners while they are being ridden. People who ride motorcycles regularly, especially during the winter, are going to need to make sure their bikes are in top of the line condition so they do not encounter any kinds of issues that can lead to a fatal accident.
Common Kinds of Motorcycle Issues
When it comes to maintaining your motorcycle, you need to be aware of a few important areas not to overlook. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation recommends riders follow the T-CLOCS inspection method, which stands for Tires and wheels, Controls, Lights and electrics, Oil and other fluids, Chassis, and Stands.
Rear-End Accidents Frequently Fatal
A WGN-TV story from Halloween day was a frightening reminder of how deadly rear-end collisions can become. Two people were killed and two more were seriously hurt when a Lexus SUV traveling eastbound on Empire Road struck the rear of a Lily Lake Elementary School bus between Burlington Road and Illinois Route 47. A 19-year-old male passenger and 20-year-old female passenger were both pronounced dead at the scene while the 18-year-old male driver and a 17-year-old female passenger were transported to Delnor Hospital before being airlifted to Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago with life-threatening injuries. Central Community Unit School District 301 said no students were harmed in the collision and all were released and reunited with their families.
Anybody who suffers injuries in a rear-end accident should quickly contact a Waukegan rear-end collision attorney for help investigating the accident. Compensation for medical bills, lost income, vehicle repairs, and other damages may be available.
Avoiding Car Crashes on Thanksgiving
The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that more than 500 people could die on American roads during the Thanksgiving holiday period because of the increased number of travelors on the road and the frequency of alcohol consumption at most family gatherings. Approximately 29 percent of motor vehicle accident fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver during Thanksgiving. Insurance research and analysis website ValuePenguin states that Texas is the 17th most dangerous state for people to drive in during Thanksgiving with a holiday motor vehicle fatality rate of 1.58 per 100,000 residents.
Being involved in a crash can lead to painful injuries and heavy financial burdens, including medical expenses and vehicle repair costs. Any person dealing with injuries after a car accident this November should quickly seek the help of a Waukegan car accident attorney.
Pedestrians Face Daily Dangers
You do not have to look too hard to see how frequently pedestrians are in the news for being involved in various motor vehicle accidents in the greater Lake County area. On October 19, 2022, the Lake & McHenry County Scanner reported that the McHenry County Coroner had identified a 47-year-old woman who was struck and killed while trying to cross Algonquin Road in Lake in the Hills.
If you or a loved one were involved in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to recover monetary compensation for your medical bills and other damages.
How Pedestrians Can Stay Safe
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) outlines eight safety tips for both drivers and pedestrians when it comes to pedestrian safety. This is good to understand because the truth of the matter is that both drivers and pedestrians have important roles to play in avoiding motor vehicle collisions.
Contact a Lake County Vehicle Accident Attorney Who is Ready to Help You
If you or a member of your family has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact our office. Call 847-662-3303 to set up a free initial consultation at one of our four convenient locations. There is no risk because we only collect fees if you collect compensation. With offices in Libertyville, Waukegan, Richmond, and Chicago, we represent clients in Lake County, Cook County, DuPage County, and McHenry County.
Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.
