Springfield IL Personal Injury Lawyer

Springfield IL Personal Injury Attorney

Being injured in an accident can turn your entire life around. Not only are you affected by this, but your loved ones are likely also dealing with the effects it can have. A serious accident is a terrible thing to go through, but they’re extremely common and can happen to any of us. Unfortunately, most of us aren’t prepared for what happens after the accident. For a while after your accident, you might not be able to continue living the same lifestyle you had before, which for some can include being unable to earn an income. This can be even more difficult if you have others depending on you financially. When you’ve been involved in an accident caused by someone else’s actions, you and your loved ones shouldn’t be left to deal with the damages. This is when a Springfield, IL, personal injury lawyer can help guide you through the personal injury claim process.

Life after an accident can be incredibly difficult. As a part of your recovery, it’s important that you speak to a personal injury lawyer in Springfield, IL. At The Cagle Law Firm, we understand the negative effects that an accident can cause. Our team of experienced lawyers is here to help fight for you to give you the chance to get the compensation that you deserve.

Why Work With a Personal Injury Lawyer?

After you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, you often have a lot to deal with just to get through the day. The last thing you have on your mind might be dealing with legal matters. If you’re unfamiliar with the way personal injury lawsuits work or what exactly they entail, you might not even realize that you should have a personal injury lawyer or go through this process. Anyone who has suffered from a serious injury should contact an accident lawyer in Springfield, IL to see if they have a viable case and what the next steps to take are.

Getting your life back to how it was before your accident takes time and there are often many hurdles in the way. We know this isn’t an easy time for you and your loved ones, but our goal at The Cagle Law Firm is to help you get compensation for the damages you’ve faced due to your accident. For many people who have been injured after an accident, regardless of what type of accident occurred, a lawsuit may be the only chance they have of sustaining the quality of their lives.

If you’ve been injured and required medical treatment, you could be dealing with astronomically high medical bills, not to mention lost wages for some. On top of all this, your injury might be causing you a great deal of both physical and emotional pain. Our team of Springfield personal injury lawyers is here to give you the chance to win compensation to get through this difficult situation. Of course, no two cases are the same, and even small differences can have a huge impact on the results. Working with a personal injury lawyer who is experienced with and understands situations like yours is crucial for any who’ve been the victim of an accident.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Springfield, IL

At The Cagle Law Firm, we have experience in several areas of personal injury law. There are many types of personal injury claims, and each requires unique methods for investigating and filing claims. Finding an attorney who is experienced in the type of accident and injury you suffered can add many benefits to your claim, which is likely to make it more successful. The Cagle Law Firm works in some of the following types of personal injury claims:

• Bicycle Accidents. When accidents occur between bicycles and motor vehicles, bicyclists can suffer catastrophic, debilitating, and fatal injuries. If the motor vehicle driver is at fault for the accident, they can be held liable through their insurance carrier. The driver may be at fault for failing to yield the right-of-way, failing to give a cyclist enough space when passing, or turning without looking for cyclists.
• Car Accidents. Illinois is an at-fault state when filing insurance claims for a car accident. After you are in a collision with another motor vehicle, you file an insurance claim with the insurance provider of the driver who is at fault for the accident. You should have an attorney begin and negotiate your claim to pursue compensation for injuries sustained.  Drivers can be at fault for many reasons, such as being distracted, ignoring stoplights, or failing to yield to the right-of-way driver. It is much easier to get the compensation you are owed with a skilled attorney by your side.You should not wait for the defendant’s insurance company to deny or devalue your claim. A skilled car accident attorney seeks fair compensation, whether it is through a claim or a lawsuit.  We seek compensation through all available coverage options on your behalf. An attorney can also help in situations where another driver is not at fault and, instead, a company, agency, or other party is liable for your damages.
• Drunk Driving Accidents. A car accident caused by a driver who is under the influence is an especially frustrating situation. If you or a loved one have been injured or killed due to a drunk driver, you have options for compensation. Although the individual may face criminal charges, this will not always help you recover your losses. A skilled attorney can help you investigate the accident and determine if you have the basis for a claim.
• Motorcycle Accidents. Motorcycle accidents involving other motor vehicles frequently cause debilitating and disabling injuries to motorcyclists. Motorcyclist have few safety features but largely absorb the impact to their bodies. Riders are often thrown from the vehicle, worsening the effect of a collision. If another motor vehicle driver is at fault for the collision, they can be held liable for the costs of the injuries to the motorcyclist.
• Truck Accidents. Truck accidents can be more complicated than other types of collisions due to the severity of the injuries, the state and federal regulations involved and the possibility of several parties. The damages that result from these accidents are often extreme. The weight and size of commercial trucks can cause serious if not fatal injuries. Negotiating and getting fair compensation for serious injuries against large corporate insurance carriers is not always easy and requires and experienced attorney familiar with state and federal regulations and investigations.Additionally, these injury claims are most often against the insurance provider of a trucking company which has immensely more resources than the average passenger vehicle coverage.  To protect your rights and your financial well-being, it is important that you work with an attorney.
• Wrongful Death. A personal injury claim may become a wrongful death claim if the injured party is fatally injured due to the negligence of another party. A wrongful death claim can be filed by the individual’s surviving family members, which can allow them to recover the costs of any medical bills, property damage, lost financial support, and reasonable burial and funeral expenses. This claim cannot make up for the loss of a loved one, but it can provide some closure and allow families to hold the at-fault party accountable.

Elements Needed to Prove Liability

In Springfield, Illinois, to prove another individual liable for your damages in a civil personal injury claim, you must establish the following:

1. They had a reasonable duty of care to your safety.
2. They breached that duty of care, whether through negligence, recklessness, or misconduct.
3. This breach of care was the actual cause of the accident and your injuries.
4. You suffered a recognizable loss from the accident and its resulting injuries.

You must show through a preponderance of evidence that these facts are the case.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Illinois?

A: The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Illinois is two years from the date of the injury. In the vast majority of cases, the statute of limitations begins on the date of the incident and expires exactly two years after.  In some rare cases, the two-year countdown begins when an individual discovers that they were injured if they could not reasonably have known before then. The statute of limitations is the deadline by which you need to file a civil claim. If you miss the deadline, you are unable to hold the at-fault party liable for your damages or recover compensation regardless of the merits of your case.

Q: What Is the Success Fee for Personal Injury?

A: A success fee for a personal injury claim is also called a contingency fee, and it means that the attorney who is representing you in your claim will only recover attorney’s fees if they win the case. This helps injured individuals and their families recover compensation at a time when their financial ability to work with an attorney is limited. An attorney can secure you significantly more compensation than you could have obtained alone, and they typically charge a percentage of the final settlement.

Q: What Is a Good Settlement Figure for a Personal Injury Claim in Illinois?

A: A good settlement figure for a personal injury claim in Illinois is entirely reliant on the severity of your injuries and whether or not there is an insured party. Typically, our attorneys do not sue uninsured individuals. A more severe accident will typically result in higher medical costs, more recovery time in which you lose income, and an injury that causes more long-lasting damage. More serious injuries naturally result in more significant financial impact on an individual. An attorney is essential for determining what a good settlement is in your unique circumstances.

Q: Can You Sue for Pain and Suffering in Illinois?

A: Yes, you can sue for pain and suffering in Illinois in a personal injury claim. These are a form of noneconomic damages, which compensate you for an intangible loss or a loss that does not have a set monetary value. This may include disfigurement, loss of quality of life, disability, or emotional suffering. Pain and suffering tend to increase the more significant your physical injuries are whether or not those injuries are permanent in nature.

Qualified Personal Injury Lawyers in Springfield

Don’t let an accident take away more than it already has. Although this can sometimes feel like a hopeless situation, there are ways to get the help you need. With the help of a Springfield personal injury attorney, you get the opportunity to get back some of what has been taken from you due to your injury. Our lawyers have been fighting for those in the Springfield area who have been injured for years. We have the knowledge and experience that you need to get compensation after being injured.

At The Cagle Law Firm, we know how overwhelming it can be to consider taking legal action. Our personal injury attorneys in Springfield, IL, are here to give you legal assistance and guidance during this difficult time. Contact us to schedule a free consultation to learn more.