If you get into a car accident, you may expect the at-fault driver’s insurance company to pay for your damages. But what do you do if you get into an accident with someone who does not carry auto insurance? In Illinois, drivers are required by law to carry car insurance. Unfortunately, not all drivers abide by this law. In fact, in 2019, 12.6 percent of drivers in the state were uninsured. If you were recently involved in a car accident caused by an uninsured motorist, you may wonder what your legal options are. It is important to discuss your case with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer promptly.

Taking Advantage of Uninsured Motorist Coverage

In Illinois, auto insurance companies are required to give you the option of purchasing uninsured motorist coverage. The coverage is intended to pay for any expenses and losses caused by injuries, as well as property damage that occurs in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist. To receive compensation for your losses, you will need to file a claim with your own insurance company.

Many car accident victims who find themselves in this position are often surprised to find that their own insurance company is not always eager to pay the claim and reimburse them for their economic and noneconomic losses. The insurance company may try to settle the case for far less than what the victim is actually entitled to or they may attempt to deny the claim completely. Insurance companies are in the business to make money and any time they have to pay out a claim - even to their own clients - this cuts into that profit.

Whether it is due to liquid spills at grocery stores or icy sidewalks, many people suffer slip and fall accidents in Illinois every year. These accidents can result in various types of serious injuries, including sprains, head injuries, broken bones, and spine injuries. If you were recently hurt in a slip and fall accident because of someone else’s negligence, you should get in touch with a personal injury lawyer.

Slip and Fall Myths You Should Not Believe

Although slip and fall accidents often result in injuries, not everyone pursues lawsuits because of the misinformation they hear. Here are a few common myths about these accidents you should be aware of:

• You cannot sue if the property owner was not aware of the dangerous condition - Some slip and fall accident victims are reluctant to pursue compensation because the owner did not know about the hazardous condition that resulted in the accident. However, the property owner does not have to know about the dangerous condition. As long as the owner should have known about the condition, you have a right to pursue damages.
• You only recover damages for physical injuries - Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents do not just result in physical injuries. They can also lead to emotional distress and pain and suffering. In Illinois, you can recover compensation for these damages too.
• If the property owner cannot pay, you are out of luck - Sometimes property owners may tell slip and fall victims that they cannot afford to pay for their injuries out-of-pocket. However, most of these owners are required to carry insurance. If you suffer an injury on their property, their insurance company will pay for the damages.
• You should settle your slip and fall case quickly - After you suffer a slip and fall accident, the property owner’s insurance company may try to persuade you to settle your case immediately. While it may be tempting to accept an early settlement and get on with your life, you should wait. An experienced slip and fall accident lawyer should assess the true value of your injuries and negotiate a fair offer.

Contact a Park Ridge, IL Personal Injury Lawyer

If you are the victim of a slip and fall accident, the Glenview premises liability attorneys at Quinn Law Group, LLC can help. We know how devastating a slip and fall accident can be and want to help you pursue compensation. Call us at 847-232-7180 to schedule a free consultation.

Many people would agree that there is no such thing as a “victimless crime.” The most notorious crimes are those that are directly against another person, like murder, assault, battery, sexual assault, etc. Not only do these crimes often have a significant physical impact, but they can also have a large emotional and even financial impact on the victim and his or her family. For example, a person who is a victim of battery may have unexpected expenses stemming from medical costs, or a person who is a victim of driving while under the influence may experience costs pertaining to their vehicle, in addition to medical costs. Fortunately, you do have options for compensation if you have been injured as a victim of a crime.

Filing a Civil Lawsuit to Recover Compensation

In most cases, a victim of a crime has the right to file a lawsuit to recoup damages sustained in that crime, but there may be certain circumstances that may hinder your ability to collect. If the perpetrator of the crime does not have extensive assets, there may be nothing to sue for, however, in some cases, a person’s insurance may help pay expenses relating to a civil lawsuit. Discussing your case with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer will help you determine whether or not filing a lawsuit is advisable.

The Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Fund

The state of Illinois also has programs to help those who have been victims of violent crime. The Crime Victims Compensation Act states that victims of certain crimes can be eligible for up to $27,000 of financial assistance to help them and their families get back on their feet after the crime. To be eligible, a person must have been a victim of an eligible crime, such as sexual assault, sexual abuse, assault, battery, arson, murder, etc. The victim must also have reported the crime in a timely manner (usually within 72 hours, or seven days in cases of a sexual nature) and cooperate with any and all proceedings relating to criminal prosecution. The Crime Victims Compensation Act can provide funds to help with:

For the past decade, Uber has been the most popular ridesharing service in the United States and has actually been named the world’s most valuable start-up company. Uber paved the way for other ridesharing companies, like Lyft and various other ridesharing companies throughout the world. While ridesharing offers convenience for its passengers, it can have its downsides. If you are in an accident while you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft ride, you may have difficulty trying to determine how you can recover compensation for injuries you sustain. One of the biggest questions any person has after a car accident with a ridesharing company is, “Who can I hold responsible?”

Defining Ridesharing Companies

In the state of Illinois, ridesharing companies are referred to as “transportation network companies,” or TNCs. The Transportation Network Providers Act is the legislation that governs the legalities behind insurance and ridesharing companies in Illinois. According to the Act, a TNC is a company that uses a digital network or app to connect passengers with TNCs. For a service to be considered a TNC, the company itself must not own, operate, control, or manage vehicles that are used by its drivers.

Illinois Insurance Requirements

The Act states that any TNC operating in Illinois is responsible for providing insurance coverage for drivers during the time that they have logged into the app until they accept a request for transportation. The TNC must provide $50,000 for death or personal injury, $100,000 for death and personal injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Once the driver has accepted a passenger’s request, either they or the TNC is responsible for maintaining at least $1,000,000 for death, personal injury, and property damage. In addition, at least $50,000 is required for uninsured and underinsured motorists.

One of the most common types of car accidents that occur are rear-end collisions. Rear-end accidents occur when a driver fails to stop before the front of their vehicle collides with the back of the vehicle in front of them. In many cases, rear-end accidents occur because of a driver error, such as being distracted while driving or misjudging the amount of time they had to brake.

Even if the vehicle was not going very fast when it hit the vehicle in front of it, the impact can cause serious injuries and damages to the driver who was hit. Some of the most common injuries that result from rear-end accidents include:

• Concussions: Concussions are one of the most common injuries sustained by those who have been in a rear-end accident. A concussion occurs when the soft matter of your brain is jostled around and bumps into your skull. This can cause symptoms such as headaches, nausea, ringing in the ears, and even issues with concentration and memory.
• Whiplash: Another extremely common injury sustained from rear-end accidents is whiplash. This occurs when the head is forcefully thrown forward, then quickly snaps back, causing pain in the neck and shoulders. Most people recover from whiplash within a few weeks to a couple of months, but symptoms could become chronic and lasting in some people.
• Broken Bones: When you get into a rear-end accident, your hands are probably going to be on the wheel, meaning they are in the perfect position to get hurt during the collision. Broken bones in the wrist, hand and/or arm are common, but some people may also suffer from broken bones in the legs and feet.
• Spinal Cord or Back Injuries: Many people also experience back pain after a rear-end accident. This could be due to strain put on the back muscles during the collision or there may even be a more serious issue, like a slipped disc in the spine or spinal cord injury.

Our Park Ridge, IL Rear-End Accident Attorney Is Here to Help

Even though it may not seem like that serious of an accident, rear-end collisions can actually result in rather serious injuries that could affect your daily life. At the Quinn Law Group, LLC, we can help you determine who is liable for your accident so you can get the compensation that you deserve. To schedule a free consultation with our Glenview, IL rear-end accident lawyer, call our office at 847-232-7180.