A car accident can be a devastating experience. The result of a crash in Rockford, IL could be life-altering injuries or even death for the victim. Fortunately, with the help of a personal injury lawyer, you can file a claim to recover damages after the accident if you were hurt or you lost a loved one in the aftermath.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers serves clients in Rockford and the northern Illinois area. We help clients navigate the claims process and recover compensation. Whether you are dealing with underinsured motorists, a third-party claim, or a case against a government agency, our team has the experience you need to build a strong case.
Types of Cases That Our Rockford Car Accident Attorneys Handle
Car accidents in Rockford, IL, are all too common and usually involve injuries. Some types of collisions tend to be more severe than others. Common auto accidents in Rockford our car accident attorneys handle include head-on collisions, rear-end accidents, hit-and-runs, sideswipes, rollover accidents, T-bone crashes, and blown tire crashes.
The Most Common Causes of Auto Accidents in Rockford, IL
A personal injury claim can be filed in many circumstances after automobile accidents. If there were negligent parties whose actions caused the collision, then you might have a case against them if you can collect enough evidence. The most common causes of motor vehicle accidents are:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Reckless driving
- Hands slipping on the steering wheel
- Driver fatigue
- Failing to follow traffic laws and signals
- Poor road conditions
- Adverse weather
- Defective car parts
Legal Liability in Car Accident Cases
A car accident is not always the other driver’s fault. There could also be a third-party claim if someone other than a driver is responsible for the incident. Your Rockford car accident lawyers can help you determine who is liable for your claim. Potential parties who may be at fault include:
- Distracted drivers who behaved negligently;
- A parts manufacturer for poor design or installation practices;
- Government agencies that failed to maintain safe roads;
- Trucking or shipping companies that employ the at-fault driver;
- Pedestrians not following crossing laws and causing a single-car accident
Proving Fault for a Rockford Car Crash
Proving fault is the primary objective in an automobile accident case. The burden of proof is on the claimant to demonstrate negligence was involved on the part of someone else, leading to the collision. Our car accident attorneys will help you build a strong case by gathering evidence and determining who is at fault.
In Illinois, comparative fault applies, which means personal injury victims must be less than 50% responsible for the incident to obtain compensation. If you have questions about proving fault after an auto accident, ask a Rockford personal injury lawyer from our team during your free consultation.
What to Do After a Motor Vehicle Collision in Rockford
Even after the moment of the accident, you can take steps to improve your chances of winning fair compensation in a personal injury claim. However, it is also important to prioritize your health and safety. Take the following steps after your auto accident to protect yourself and your legal options:
- Check for injuries – Your health is the priority after an accident, so evaluate yourself for serious injuries;
- Contact emergency responders – You may require immediate medical treatment for injuries, and having the police on the scene can protect everyone involved and initiate the formal investigation process;
- Exchange information – You should exchange license and insurance company information with all other drivers involved in the auto accident;
- Gather evidence – You can start building your case right away by taking photos of the accident aftermath, collecting eyewitness statements, and asking for a copy of the police report;
- Contact an attorney – To initiate your car accident claim, contact a legal professional from our team for an initial case evaluation and to determine your legal options.
Do You Have a Car Accident Case?
In the Illinois legal system, the burden of proof lies with the victim in car accident claims. It is your responsibility to show that negligence by another party caused your severe injuries and the ensuing damages. You must be able to prove the following elements are present in your case to win a settlement:
- Duty of care – The defendant has a level of responsibility for preventing serious injury to others in this scenario;
- Breach of duty – The defendant failed to uphold this duty through action or inaction;
- Causation – The defendant’s behavior caused the incident resulting in your injuries;
- Damages – If you suffered injuries, there were legal damages such as medical bills or lost wages.
Your window of opportunity to file a claim and prove these elements is not unlimited, so it is important to act quickly for insurance claims.
You Have a Limited Time to File Auto Accident Lawsuits in Rockford, IL
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years. This statute applies in car accidents, wrongful death suits, product liability cases, and many other personal injury lawsuits. The two-year limit starts on the day of the accident.
Some exceptions may apply to your situation. For example, if you did not discover injuries until a later date, then the discovery rule could move the start date to the day you discovered the damage. Similarly, if the defendant cannot be located or leaves the state, the timeline could be pushed back.
Whether you need a Rockford wrongful death lawyer for a loved one’s passing or a personal injury attorney for your injuries, filing your claim as soon as possible will give you the best chance of success. Any questions you have can be addressed during your free consultation.
Financial Compensation We Can Secure for Rockford Car Accident Victims
It is nearly impossible to predict an average settlement after an auto accident. There are many factors impacting this number, so it is crucial to work with your attorney to assess damages and figure out what is fair. To get a glimpse into the possibilities, here are a few settlements our law firm has won for injured clients or families who lost loved ones in auto accidents:
- $7 million for a pedestrian who was hit by a national medical supplier employee while they were driving a company car;
- $2.5 million for a passenger who had severe facial injuries and vision loss after a rollover crash involving an underinsured motorist;
- $1 million as an insurance company policy limit for the family of a rear-seat passenger who died when the vehicle was rear-ended.
Factors That Affect Car Accident Settlement Amounts
In general, the more severe your injuries, the more likely you can receive a higher settlement, though there are plenty of other factors involved in determining fair compensation.
The total cost of losses like medical expenses and lost income, the policy coverage of the insurance company, the amount of evidence and witness accounts, and the negotiation skills of your Rockford car accident lawyer will all play a role in the amount of compensation.
The Most Common Car Crash Injuries in Rockford, Illinois
Damages from medical bills and the emotional impact of the accident can vary depending on the nature of your injuries. Some of the most common injuries in auto accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Soft tissue damage
- Nerve damage
- Scarring
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Amputations
- Death
Damages That Our Rockford Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover
The compensation an injured party can receive comes down to the amount of damages suffered. There are four categories of damages; economic, non-economic, punitive, and wrongful death.
Economic damages for personal injury include past and future medical bills, lost wages, and motor vehicle repairs or replacements.
Non-economic damages are physical pain and suffering, disability, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive damages are rarely pursued but are used when the defendant behaved with particular malice or intent.
If a wrongful death occurs, surviving family members can pursue damages like loss of financial support, funeral costs, and loss of companionship.
The Statistics of Car Accidents in Rockford
- In 2022, 3,710 auto accidents occurred in Rockford
- They resulted in 14 deaths and 1,137 injured parties
- 266 of these motor vehicle accidents occurred in rainy conditions
- 853 were front-to-rear end collisions
- 81 injuries were rated as incapacitating
- Snowy conditions caused 170 accidents that year [1]
The Time It Takes to Settle a Car Crash Personal Injury Case
Most auto accident lawsuits are settled within a year of being filed, but this is not always the case. Some claims could take as little as a few months while others may extend well beyond a year before they are resolved.
Several factors will impact the timeline, including the responsiveness of the defendant, the depth of the investigation, the availability of evidence, and whether or not the case goes to court.
You should hire a lawyer as quickly as possible because the longer you wait, the harder it will be to obtain evidence for your case. Your ability to obtain compensation could be diminished the longer you wait to file the claim.
The Cost of Hiring a Rockford Car Accident Attorney
Personal injury lawyers in our law office work on a contingency fee basis. We only receive payment if we win your case, and that payment is deducted from the settlement package.
This means you will not have to deal with upfront costs to find legal representation for your case. Since you do not need to pay a fee upfront, you can hire a lawyer quickly to pursue maximum compensation from the defendant’s insurance company.
How Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers Handle Auto Accident Cases
Since you are trusting us to defend your rights and win your case, you should understand our process. It has been developed over years of winning cases for injured clients, so you are in good hands with our team on your side.
- Free consultation – Before you decide to work with us, we will discuss your case with you to determine its merits and the best path forward
- Case investigation – We will thoroughly review your case to see if filing a claim is the right choice, guiding you through the legal process
- Gathering evidence – To strengthen your claim, we will gather evidence like medical documentation, the crash report, witness statements, footage of the incident, and other relevant data
- Consulting experts – We can work with accident reconstructionists to examine the details of the collision and provide expert analysis as evidence for your claim
- Negotiating with the insurance company – The defendant’s auto insurance company wants to avoid a high payout, so we will negotiate on your behalf for maximum compensation
- Representation in court – If the case cannot be settled, it will go to court where your auto accident attorney will prepare you and represent you
Contact a Rockford Auto Accident Attorney Today!
Whether multiple vehicles are involved in car accidents or it is a single-car crash, injury claims can get complicated. Approaching this process alone is a recipe for losing your case. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we can provide you with the expertise needed to strengthen your claim and win compensation to cover the damages you have suffered.
To get a free case evaluation, call us at 888-424-5757 or head to our contact form page. We will put you in touch with a legal professional who can discuss your options. With millions recovered for past clients and a contingency fee agreement, you can overcome the significant financial challenges after an auto accident by working with our team.
Resources: [1] IDOT City Crash Facts: Rockford