Understanding Illinois Wrongful Death Claims

Waukegan Personal Injury Lawyers

When an individual is involved in a serious accident, he or she can be injured or killed. This is the tragic reality faced by thousands of families in the United States every year. A victim's death can cause his or her loved ones to suffer a substantial financial loss, including the loss of the victim's income and intangible contributions to the household, the loss of the victim's projected earnings and eventual mature assets, along with the loss of the companionship and guidance the victim provided. For these surviving loved ones, a wrongful death claim can be the way to recover compensation for these damages.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death claim must be filed by a representative of the deceased's estate. This can include the following individuals:

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National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Waukegan Car Accident Attorneys

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness month. During this month, we turn our attention to one of the deadliest forms of driver negligence that occurs on American roads every day – distracted driving. Most people are aware of the dangers of drunk driving, drowsy driving, and driving without regard for the posted traffic signals. But we are only beginning to truly see how dangerous distracted driving can be. Distracted driving is nothing new – as long as people have been driving cars, people have been driving while eating, drinking, grooming, and having animated conversations. But with the rise of cell phones, distracted driving has become a much greater problem on our roadways. Now, most drivers have constant access to their contacts and the internet, and driving down the road with a constant ringing or buzzing from one's phone can be incredibly distracting.

Hands-free devices can make it easier for drivers to multitask, but text messaging, speaking on the phone without a hands-free device, and inputting GPS data still occur every day. These behaviors put drivers at risk of being involved in collisions with others, which can result in serious, even deadly, injuries for all parties involved. If you are involved in a car accident because of a distracted driver, you could be entitled to receive monetary compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim.

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Sharing the Illinois Roads with Motorcycles

Waukegan Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. As the weather warms and more motorcyclists take their bikes out of the garage and hit the Illinois highways, there is no better time to direct our focus toward sharing the road with these unique vehicles and discussing ways to prevent accidents. Because a motorcycle's physical structure is so different from that of a car, motorcyclists are more susceptible to serious injuries in the event of a collision. They can also be much more difficult for drivers to see, especially at night. By understanding the hazards that motorcycle riders face, drivers of all vehicle types can take steps to make the road safer for them and others. If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you could find yourself facing a significant financial burden. This burden can include your medical bills, your lost wages as a result of having to take time off work, and miscellaneous expenses like your need for pain medication or a mobility aid after the accident. All of these expenses can possibly be compensated through a successful personal injury claim.

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National Brain Injury Awareness Month

Waukegan Personal Injury Attorney

March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month. During this month, we focus on the impact that brain injuries can have in their victims and educate ourselves and others about ways we can reduce the number of these injuries that occur. Although there is no way to completely eliminate the risk of brain injuries, there are many ways to take precautions to reduce them. Even when brain injuries do occur, knowing how to recognize and treat them in a timely manner can improve victims' chances of making full recoveries.

Brain injuries can result from any type of accident. Car accidents, sports accidents, falls, and even assaults can result in brain injuries for victims. Any time the head suffers an impact with another object, the brain can suffer an injury. This is true even when there are no apparent cuts, bruises, or other physical signs of impact on the victim's head.

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