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Factors That Could Affect Your Auto Accident Settlement

Auto Accident AttorneyIn the United States, auto accidents are one of the leading causes of death, accounting for 37,000 casualties each year, as per road crash statistics. These incidents may happen due to various reasons; some of them are caused due to unavoidable circumstances such as vehicle malfunction or harsh weather conditions while others take place due to negligence of drivers such as careless driving, distracted driving or DUI.

If you happen to be a victim of an auto accident due to the negligence of someone else, it can be highly advantageous for your case to procure services of an experienced auto accident lawyer. However, it is important to understand certain factors that could affect your settlement amount before you file a lawsuit against the negligent party.

Severity of Your Injuries

The sternness of the injuries that you sustained due to an auto accident can have a significant impact on the amount of your settlement. The court may look into the pain and sufferings that you had to endure and nature of your injury i.e. whether the impact is short-term, long-term, or – perish the thought – permanent.

People who suffer a long-term or permanent injury may require medical care and assistance to perform their regular routines. Moreover, the injuries may render them unable to work, so the court may also take the loss of income into consideration, thus they receive a higher amount of compensation.

Your Prior Medical History

Medical records serve as critical evidence in supporting your claim. The stronger your medical records, the higher your chances to obtain a favorable value for your settlement. However, if you do not have adequate medical records, the insurance company may argue that your injuries were not related to the accident.

It is equally important to seek medical treatment immediately after an accident as leaving them unattended may also provide grounds to the insurance company to reduce the amount of settlement asserting that your injuries are not as severe as you have stated.

The Causation of Accident

The raw facts, circumstances, and evidence pertaining to the case play a pivotal role while determining the settlement value. Some examples of strong evidence are an accident report, pictures of the scene of the incident, surveillance footage, and testimonies of witnesses, if any.

Having a skillful auto accident lawyer on your side can be beneficial as they can assist you in establishing facts and gathering evidence, enabling you to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for your pain and sufferings.

Similarly, if you were also negligent and played a role in the auto accident, the settlement amount will be reduced to a certain extent as per cooperative negligence doctrine. You may still be able to recover the damages to recoup your losses but expect a cut in your compensation as per percentage of your fault in the accident.

Your Version of Events

It is important that your statement to the insurance company is consistent with the statements that you provide to police officers, medical personnel, and the testimony you submit in the court. Any irregularities in the events can cast doubt on your argument and weaken its credibility. Thus, it is essential that you state the facts as per your best understanding.

Acquiring the services of a seasoned auto accident lawyer can be in your best interests as they may prepare you to provide a factual statement that will greatly help you to obtain the rightful compensation for the injuries that you sustained due to the accident.

If you wish to find out more about this topic or schedule a free consultation, contact the offices of Robert Edens at (847) 395-2200.

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School Playground Injuries Due to Extreme Weather

Playground Injury AttorneySchool playgrounds provide an excellent opportunity for kids to enjoy themselves, especially during the winter season. Children indulge in several activities, for instance, making snow angels, playing tag, and throwing snowballs at each other. Moreover, they may also enjoy swings, slides and other outdoor playing equipment at their disposal. However, schools should take special precaution during extreme weather before permitting children to play outdoors in order to ensure their safety.

As per statistics provided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emergency departments treat more than 200,000 kids ranging from 14-year-olds and younger for playground-related injuries in the United States. Furthermore, these injuries cause severe medical problems which may not always be treatable. Around 45% of conditions pertaining to playground-related injuries cause severe fractures, concussions, internal injuries, and dislocations. In some unfortunate incidents, children may suffer permanent injury to their spine or brain.

Why School Playground Injuries Happen in Extreme Weather

There are several reasons which may result in playground injuries due to extreme weather in winters. For instance, equipment can be extremely wet and slippery due to ice, sleet, or freezing rain, making it extremely difficult for children to hold their grip or maintain their balance. Ground covers may also pose threat to children especially if temperature gets very low or below freezing. In addition to that, snow can prove to be deadly and dangerous for children in some cases. For example, if a kid gets piled under snow and it gets too heavy for him or her to make an escape, it may suffocate the child and cause death.

Safety Precautions to Prevent Playground Injuries

  • Assess weather conditions before permitting children to go to school playground
  • Ensure proper maintenance and check playground swings, equipment, and area
  • Make sure that children are wearing proper clothing before they go to the school playground
  • Never leave children unsupervised or unattended on the playground
  • Devise a formal plan for providing first aid in case children become injured

If your child has suffered a playground injury due to negligence of the school, you are entitled to sue them for damages. It can be highly beneficial for your case to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to obtain rightful compensation for their injuries. Your attorney will ensure that your right remains protected throughout that litigation process.

A skillful personal injury lawyer will find evidence and devise a strong case against the liable party and seek maximum amount of compensation for your child’s sufferings. This amount may include payment for present and future medical expenses, pain and emotional distress, and rehabilitation, amongst other expenses. Moreover, your personal injury lawyer may help you to recoup any losses that are directly caused by the playground injury.

Personal Injury Attorney

If you wish to find out more about this topic or schedule a free consultation, contact the offices of Robert Edens at (847) 395-2200 to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

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How to Avoid an Injury on Black Friday

Personal Injury AttorneyBlack Friday is amongst the busiest shopping days in the United States. It is a commercial holiday that is celebrated the day after Thanksgiving Day and the Friday right before Cyber Monday. Though it provides an excellent opportunity to grab excellent deals and get great discounts, it also accompanies risks of becoming injured.

Stats provided by blackfridaydeathcount.com state that 111 people have sustained non-fatal injuries while 10 individuals have actually lost their lives during Black Friday shopping. Therefore, it is imperative that you remain alert and protect yourself while shopping to prevent personal injuries. Here are a few tips that you must keep in mind.

Tips to Avoid Injury on Black Friday

  • Due to an excessive amount of people, roads are usually congested and sidewalks are packed. Thus, you must exercise great caution while crossing roads, walking on sidewalks, and while driving.
  • Try to park your vehicle in a well-lit and safe space, even if it is a bit far away. Parking in an area which is dark or potentially dangerous which can make you prone to a slip and fall incident, perhaps theft as well.
  • Never stand near a door where large number of people are queuing up as they may try to rush in when the store’s door opens. Relatively minor shoving and pushing may cause you to fall and get a serious injury.
  • People can get extremely aggressive during Black Friday if they miss out the chance to grab a deal. There are many instances where people got injured and fatally shot fighting over products or for cutting in line. It is always wise to refrain from such occurrences and seek management’s help if you feel things are escalating into violence.
  • Some places may have dangerous areas or equipment lying around, which may potentially cause you to trip, slip, or fall. Thus, always remain aware of your surroundings.
  • If you have kids, do not let them run around the aisles and checkout counter as they may hurt themselves by colliding with a shelf or people who are hurdling around in frenzy. Make sure they remain with you and always keep an eye on them.

If you believe that you have sustained an injury due to negligence of someone else, be it the store management or another customer, you can file a claim against them by acquiring legal services of an experienced personal injury lawyer. Your attorney will establish liability against defendants by devising a strong case, allowing you to seek maximum compensation for pain and sufferings.

A skillful personal injury lawyer will also find additional facts and evidence related to your case to increase the likelihood of a successful claim. Using their vast experience and negotiation skills, your personal injury lawyer will help you to obtain rightful compensation via settlement. Even if your case goes to trial, they will ensure that your rights remain protected throughout the litigation process.

Personal Injury Attorney

If you wish to find out more about this topic or schedule a free consultation, contact the offices of Robert Edens at (847) 395-2200 to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

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What Should I Bring in for a Consultation of My Auto Accident Case?

Auto Accident AttorneyStatistics available on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website reveal that more than 2 million are injured and 32,000 people lose their lives each year from auto vehicle crashes. If you or your loved one suffered an accident and want to file a lawsuit, it can be highly advantageous for you to obtain services of an experienced and skillful auto accident lawyer. During your first consultation, it is important that you go in prepared, provide them with plenty of information regarding your case, and answer their questions with honesty. This will allow your attorney to understand your case and determine whether you should pursue your case or not. These are some necessary documents which can be valuable during your first visit to an attorney’s office:

Police Report – A police report will provide basic information pertaining to your case, the parties involved, and about insurance carriers that are involved in this case. If you do not have this document, give your attorney a police report number or any piece of document provided by the police. If you do not have anything, do not get anxious as you can still file a lawsuit.

Photographic Evidence – Photographic evidence, which may include a picture of involved vehicle, scene of incident, or skid marks, will help an attorney to obtain an understanding about the accident. If you were unable to take a photo at the scene of incident, take pictures of your car at home or tow yard and present them to your lawyer. You may also take photos of your injuries to help them determine the severity of your injuries. The more evidence you have, the better the chances will be to prove your injury.

Tow Truck and Tow Yard Information – If your vehicle was towed after the accident, it is imperative for your attorney to know details about the tow yard where it is taken. Not only will it help your case, but a competent auto accident lawyer may be able to ensure that vehicle is no longer accruing fees sitting at the tow yard.

Car insurance – Car insurance can be vital for your auto accident claim. If you do not have car insurance, then you may not be eligible to obtain compensation for your pain and suffering caused by the negligent party. Therefore, you must bring documents related to car insurance to your attorney’s office. These documents may also include car insurance declaration as it will help to determine coverage applicable for your case and help them learn all avenues to devise a strong claim.

Personal documents – Personal documents include your car registration, driver’s license, and medical records which may include your prior medical history and details of injury caused by the accident. These documents are essential to your case, therefore, must be presented to your attorney.

Providing these documents and information will enable a seasoned auto accident lawyer to pursue your claim by constructing a solid argument which, consequently, will help you to obtain maximum compensation for your loss and sufferings. This may include medical bills, lost wages, and proof of emotional suffering.

If you wish to find out more about this topic or schedule a free consultation, contact the offices of Robert Edens right away at (847) 395-2200 to speak with an experienced auto accident attorney.

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Auto Accidents While Using Uber Rides

Auto Accident AttorneyRide-sharing service by Uber has revolutionized transportation in the past few years. Uber drivers pick up a customer from their pinned location and drop them to their desired destination just by a click on their smartphone. Low-cost and convenience of using mobile app to book a ride makes it an enticing alternate to taxis and other ridesharing services. Statistics provided by Uber’s official newsroom show that 4 billion trips using Uber were completed worldwide in 2017.

Uber rides are generally safe, however, there is always a risk of an accident present when a person is traveling in a vehicle. Uber drivers are expected to maintain a certain standard of reasonable care while they are providing their services. If they exhibit negligence while driving and it leads to an accident, you are entitled to compensation for your damages. You may also sue the other driver involved in an accident if the collision happened due to their negligence. Therefore, it can be advantageous to understand what course of action you should take in case you become a victim of an auto accident while traveling in an Uber ride.

Steps to Take After Auto Accident in an Uber

Firstly, it is imperative to seek immediate medical assistance after an accident. You should also call the police after a crash as they will create an official report which may include important details pertaining to the accident. You may also ask the officer about any procedure to obtain a copy of the police report. Like any other car accident, it is crucial to obtain full names, contact details, and addresses of both drivers and any witnesses nearby. Also, make sure to note their license plate and car registration numbers.

In many states, Uber maintains an automobile liability insurance on behalf of their drivers. Therefore, if your ride is in progress at the time when the accident occurred, you may be entitled to an additional liability coverage. If possible, you should capture close-up photos of the incident scene such as the vehicle, injuries, skid marks, and traffic indicators, as it may help your lawyer prove negligence and establish liability.

After completing these steps, it can be extremely beneficial for your case to seek legal counsel from an experienced auto accident lawyer to pursue a rightful compensation for your pain and suffering. Among a multitude of benefits, your attorney will help you in settlement negotiations and protect your rights. A seasoned auto accident lawyer will build a compelling case against parties at fault by collecting evidence, preparing a witness, and articulating facts pertaining to your case, which may allow you to secure maximum value against your claim.

Personal Injury Attorney

If you wish to find out more about this topic or schedule a free consultation, contact the offices of Robert Edens at (847) 395-2200 to speak with an experienced auto accident lawyer.

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Halloween Safety Tips from a Personal Injury Attorney’s Viewpoint

Personal Injury AttorneyHalloween is the second most famous festival in the United States after Christmas with more than 179 million people celebrating All Saints’ Eve last year. Adults take part in activities by wearing different costumes, partying during the night, and preparing Halloween themes for celebrating this festival with their family and friends. This festival is delightful and fun especially for children as they scavenge in neighborhoods to fill their bags with candies. However, children’s safety should be of utmost importance for parents as they roam from one house to another to gather treats.

Halloween Safety Tips

There are certain safety practices that parents must adopt in order to keep their children safe during Halloween. Most important ones are listed below:

  • Kids’ costumes should be highly visible so they can be spotted easily during night time by motorists. If their clothes are not bright, a glow stick or reflective tape can be used to improve their visibility.

  • Their clothes should be comfortable and must not restrict their ability to walk and move freely. In addition to that, their masks should not cause visibility problems. These measures will save them from potential slip and fall accidents.

  • Kids should be taught to only approach homes that have a Halloween light on and never attempt to go inside the house even if they are invited by anyone. During trick-or-treating, they must only travel on acquainted and well-lighted areas and avoid dark and unfamiliar places.

  • Kids should be educated about the risks of trick-or-treating before they go out. Also, they should be asked to inform you beforehand about the neighborhood they are going to and when they will return. At least one of them should have a mobile phone to keep you posted.

  • Kids should be trained to stay on sidewalks and they must not roam around parked cars and jaywalk across the street without paying attention to their surroundings. In case there is no sidewalk, they must walk along the road facing traffic so they can keep an eye on motorists. Also, they must exercise precautions by staying at the curb and looking both ways when crossing a road.

Moreover, parents must ensure that their children are accompanied by at least 1 adult or a mature person during their trick or treat journey. However, if you take all safety measures yet your child suffers from a slip and fall accident due to someone else’s negligence or becomes a victim of a pedestrian accident, then you should file a personal injury case with a reputable attorney.

It can be highly beneficial to seek legal counsel from an experienced personal injury lawyer for your case. Your attorney will construct a strong case and establish liability, which will allow you to seek maximum compensation for damages. A skillful lawyer will also find additional facts and evidence pertaining to your case to increase the likelihood of a successful claim.

Personal Injury Attorney

If you wish to find out more about this topic or schedule a free consultation, contact the offices of Robert Edens at (847) 395-2200 to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

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Auto Collision with a Police Car

Auto Accident AttorneyIn many instances, police officers can face distractions while driving a car that may lead to an accident. A police car is equipped with many devices such as GPS, laptops and scanners. Moreover, they are required to constantly communicate and remain active with police dispatch. Therefore, it is possible that these activities and responsibilities could cause a distraction, leading to an accident.

Furthermore, high speed car chases exponentially increase the likelihood of a collision for a police car. An analysis by USA Today shows that more than 5,000 car passengers and bystanders have become a victim of an accident that was caused due to police car chases since 1979. Also, tens of thousands of people suffered injuries when officers pursued suspects and criminals in a high speed chase.

Can You Hold Police Drivers Liable for an Auto Accident?

In an event where a car accident happened due to negligence or carelessness of a police officer, they can be held liable for damages caused like any other citizen. Despite the fact that they are a federal employee, they are obliged to follow the same rules of the road that are expected to be followed by a civilian driver. Especially in a high speed car chase, police officers should consider public safety as their top priority.

It is recommended that if a person becomes injured in a collision with a police car, they should immediately seek legal counsel after assessing their injuries and obtaining adequate treatment as timing can be extremely crucial for their case. Moreover, police should also be called at the scene of incident so that a formal report filing process can be performed. Photographs of evidence surrounding the accident site should be captured to be presented in court.

That being said, determining fault and establishing liability can be extremely difficult and tricky in most cases. Police officers generally have strong legal representation and personal connections with government officials. Moreover, they may also have a resolute support from law enforcement agencies. Consequently, it can be overwhelming for an individual to fight against the system and institute a liability against a police officer.

Therefore, if you become a victim of a police car accident, it can be highly beneficial for your case to hire an experienced auto accident lawyer to seek justice and rightful compensation for your injuries and suffering. A competent attorney will have comprehensive knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to your jurisdiction, which will allow them to devise a strong and compelling case in your favor.

Moreover, a seasoned auto accident lawyer will be able to extract information, compile evidence, and prepare witnesses, which is crucial to establish a liability to seek rightful compensation for damages. Lastly, they will ensure that your legal rights and best interests are protected during the trial.

Personal Injury AttorneyIf you wish to find out more about this topic or schedule a free consultation, contact the offices of Robert Edens at (847) 395-2200 to speak with an experienced auto accident lawyer.

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Auto Accidents: Multiple Car Pile Up

Auto Accident AttorneyLast month, an accident happened near Illinois Route 143 exit, resulting in multiple car pileups. The Illinois State Police Department stated that three people sustained multiple serious injuries in this tragic event. Unfortunately, this is not a first serious car accident in this state. Illinois Department of Transportation statistics show that 541 crashes have taken place in Illinois since the start of 2018, which is an alarming figure.

Causes of Multi-Car Pile-Up

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that multi-car pileups contribute to around 40% of the total car accidents. There can be several reasons which can result in multiple collisions; however, most common causes include poor visibility due to bad weather condition and negligent driving such as driving recklessly, aggressively or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A driver who is not paying attention to the road is at a greater risk of being involved in multi-car pile-ups, particularly when there is a high density of traffic on road.

Who can be held liable?

It can be difficult to assign responsibility in a multi-car collision than a single-vehicle accident as multiple parties are involved in multi-car collision. There is a possibility that initial crash may clearly have been caused by one person, but collisions following this crash may have resulted due to other driver’s negligence.

In some cases, vehicle manufacturers may also share a liability if a faulty part of the car contributed to the accident. Moreover, government agencies can also be held accountable if collisions resulted due to poor maintenance of the road. It is very common for multiple parties to be held liable for multiple car pile-up accidents.

How can an auto accident lawyer help?

Multiple car pile-ups can result in severe consequences as it can be an extremely painful experience for a person who sustained injuries as well as their family. If you become a victim of a multi-vehicle collision, it can be highly beneficial for you to consult an experienced auto accident lawyer. A professional and skillful attorney will help you to establish liability against the party at fault. He may collect evidence by conducting a thorough investigation such as interviewing witnesses, calculating points of impact, and reconstructing the scene of the incident. Moreover, an auto accident lawyer will ensure that you obtain maximum amount of compensation for your pain and suffering caused by the accident.

Personal Injury Attorney

If you wish to find out more about this topic or schedule a free consultation, contact the offices of Robert Edens at (847) 395-2200 to speak with an experienced auto accident lawyer.

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Illinois Wrongful Death: A Brief Introduction

Wrongful Death AttorneyA wrongful death law protects the rights of a deceased person whose causation of death was a wrongful act of another person or entity. Reason of death may include, but not limited to, automobile accident, slip and fall accident, or medical malpractice. This law is devised to protect family members of a deceased person, providing compensation for financial and emotional damages.

The filing of a wrongful death claim can be performed by a personal representative of the victim, which may include a close family member of the deceased, such as their parents, spouse or children, among others. In case there is no personal representative of victim’s estate plan, the court will take responsibility of pursuing wrongful death claim by hiring their personal representative.

Molly’s law in Illinois

Previously, the Illinois statute of limitation stated that wrongful death cases must be brought within 2 years of the incident. However, Illinois has introduced Molly’s law in their statute, which increased this limit up to 5 years. This law is named after a 21-year old woman named Molly who lost her life from a gunshot wound to the head in 2012.

The perpetrator was her former boyfriend, Riche Minton, a Carbondale Police Dispatcher. Molly’s father, Larry Young, filed a wrongful death claim against Richie Minton in June 2014, however, the case was dismissed by Jackson County Circuit Judge W. Charles because he filed a lawsuit after 2 years and 3 months. In light of this incident, Governor Bruce Rauner and State Representative Terri Bryant signed two bills, which are collectively known as Molly’s Law.

How to obtain compensation in Wrongful Death

In a wrongful death case in Illinois, damages are paid “for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse and next of kin of [the] deceased person”. Compensation may include reimbursements for sorrow, grief, and mental suffering. The amount may depend upon level of dependency of a family on a deceased person. Though certain damages, such as burial and funeral expenses, are directly paid to state if they contributed to these expenses.

However, there are four elements that must be proved in order to receive compensation for wrongful death: negligence, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Therefore, if you are seeking damages under wrongful death statute, it can be highly beneficial for your case to hire an experienced wrongful death lawyer. A competent attorney can help strengthen and establish liability by proving these four elements by collecting strong evidence and witnesses testimonies, allowing you to obtain maximum compensation for your loss and sufferings stemming from the death of your loved one.

Personal Injury Attorney

If you wish to find out more about this topic or schedule a free consultation, contact the offices of Robert Edens at (847) 395-2200 to speak with an experienced wrongful death lawyer.

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How to Hold an Anesthesiologist Liable for Medical Malpractice

Anesthesia MalpracticeAnesthesia is a critical part of operations, enabling a patient to tolerate surgical procedure without experiencing pain and distress. It is generally considered as a safe practice in the medical industry, as stats reveal that the risk of dying from a general anesthetic is 1 out of 100,000. However, using anesthesia requires a great amount of competency, comprehensive evaluation of medical history, and constant monitoring during the procedure to ensure the patient’s safety and wellbeing. It may cause bad reactions in some patients, which may potentially lead to health problems. Therefore, an anesthesiologist must be extremely careful in fulfilling their responsibility as their negligence can lead to severe injury, or potentially even death of a patient.

Role of Anesthesiologist during the procedure

There are many types of anesthesia. A general anesthesia renders the patient completely unconscious during the entire procedure. Regional anesthesia may be administered in a specific region of the body, which allows a patient to stay awake during the surgery. Local anesthesia shares similarities with regional anesthesia, however, it affects a smaller area of the body.

No matter which type of anesthesia is used during the operation, an anesthesiologist must constantly remain aware of the vitals of patients. They must administer the right quantity and timings of anesthesia provided to the patient and must take appropriate action if a patient is experiencing health issues. Anesthesiologists go through a rigorous and demanding training designed specifically to gain competency and proficiency in anesthesiology before starting their practice in this highly sensitive and complex field.

How can Anesthesia Malpractice take place?

It is imperative that doctors must inform their patients before administering them under anesthesia. Failure to notify a patient about the duration and risks associated with anesthesia or administering them without their consent qualifies for a medical malpractice. Ineffective inspection of equipment used for anesthetic purposes before the surgery or neglecting patient’s medical history to determine required amount of dosage of anesthesia may also constitute as medical malpractice.

Furthermore, an anesthesiologist may demonstrate carelessness during enubilating process, or perhaps in the administration of anesthesia such as inadequate monitoring of the vital signs. These type of negligence and poor practices can also contribute towards establishing grounds for medical malpractice.

The common injuries pertaining to anesthesia malpractice include vomit and nausea, difficulty in breathing, allergic reactions, or throat damage. However, in some unfortunate events, it can lead to life-threatening consequences such as nerve damage, stroke, brain damage, heart attack, which may prove to be fatal.

How can a lawyer help in Anesthesia Malpractice?

Undeniably, anesthesia is an integral part of most surgical procedures, allowing you to undergo an operation without suffering from pain and mental distress. Yet, losing consciousness without giving your consent can be detrimental for your health and presents a lot of risks, even when the procedure is performed in a highly regulated condition.

Medical professionals have a duty of care to their patients and aforementioned points pertaining to anesthesia malpractice can result in a breach of duty of care, resulting in a claim for medical malpractice. However, it can be difficult to prove that breach of duty is actually taken place without providing sufficient evidence in court. Therefore, hiring a professional and skillful medical malpractice lawyer can be advantageous for your case as they may help you to collect evidence and obtain maximum amount of compensation for the suffering and risks you borne due to the negligence of medical practitioner.

Personal Injury Attorney

If you wish to find out more about this topic or schedule a free consultation, contact the offices of Robert Edens at (847) 395-2200 to speak with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer.