Belleville Personal Injury Attorney

Belleville personal injury attorneys represent victims who have been hurt, and help those victims to make the civil justice system work for them. This is the system that allows someone who has been harmed by negligence or a failure to fulfill a legal duty to pursue justice. 

At Drafahl Law Firm, we are passionate about fighting for the rights of those who suffered harm at the hands of others. Whether you were hurt by a careless driver, a property owner who maintained unsafe premises, or a product maker who released a defective product, we are ready to work to get you the maximum monetary compensation the law allows. 

Our firm does not charge legal fees until we’ve recovered compensation for you and we collect a percentage of the damages we recover for you so you can rest assured we are always committed to getting you the full payment you deserve. 

You can give us a call at (314) 300-6260 or contact us online today to talk with a Belleville personal injury lawyer who is serious about fighting for you. 

How Can A Personal Injury Lawyer Help You Get The Most Out of Your Personal Injury Claim?

After you’ve been hurt, you may be offered a settlement by the insurer of the responsible party. You may be tempted to take it, and may not be certain why you would need a lawyer in these circumstances.

In reality, though, a personal injury lawyer provides many important tasks for you in the aftermath of your accident and you should not settle a claim without getting legal help. Your attorney from our expert team can:

• Assist you in understanding what your case is worth as you should be compensated for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and wrongful death damages. 
• Work with you to identify all parties responsible for harming you (spinal cord injuries, head trauma, broken bones, etc…), which could include more defendants than you’d think as vicarious liability rules make employers responsible for on-the-job negligence of workers 
• Help you make a strong claim. The stronger your evidence, the better chance of getting a fair settlement offer or of prevailing in court. Your attorney can help you strengthen your case by gathering evidence such as eyewitness testimony, expert testimony, and police records
• Negotiate with the insurer for you. We will stand up to big insurance companies and make them pay what’s actually owed, not just what they can get away with
• Represent you in trial. Court proceedings are necessary when no fair settlement offer is reached, and you need a trial lawyer with litigation experience. 

These are just some of the many ways in which our legal team can offer personalized assistance throughout your case with the end goal of getting justice. 

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When Can You Pursue a Personal Injury Claim?

Many injuries are caused by negligence or wrongdoing, but that does not mean every single injury is. You should be able to make a personal injury claim:

• After a car accident if another driver was unreasonably careless based on how a hypothetical average driver would have behaved, or if the driver violated a safety rule and caused a crash as a result because this creates a presumption of negligence — speak to a Belleville car accident lawyer to learn about your legal options following an incident.
• After a slip and fall if a property owner fails to maintain their premises properly and puts you at risk through their negligence as outlined in Illinois statute 740 ILCS 130/2
• After a defective product caused you harm when used as intended, you do not have to prove negligence if you can show a manufacturer released a product that was inherently dangerous
• After a dog bites you, regardless of whether the animal has shown aggression before, dog owners are always liable for bites when you’re lawfully on public or private property

Drafahl Law Firm has regularly represented clients in personal injury claims arising out of these types of incidents and we have the experience necessary to make the right kinds of legal arguments in all of these types of cases. 

If an accident caused by negligence took the life of a loved one, contact a wrongful death attorney in Bellville today to fight for the justice they deserve.

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How Can You Make Sure You Find the Right Personal Injury Attorney?

Hiring an attorney is a big decision, so how can you make sure you find the right one? There are a few key features to look for when you hire a legal professional. You should look for a personal injury lawyer who:

• Is compassionate: You’ll be working closely with your attorney and you want them to care about you. Our past clients have praised the care we provide, indicating that we made them feel like family and went the extra mile. 
• Is knowledgeable: Our attorneys know the law very well, and our peers have recognized us for our legal knowledge, designating us as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
• Is a solid negotiator: Settling claims outside of court is often preferred, but it is likely only if you have good negotiation skills. We have those skills in spades, and we have successfully negotiated large settlements for clients. 
• Is a strong litigator: You can’t hire a lawyer without courtroom experience as they might not be able to represent you effectively if no fair settlement offer is reached and your case needs to go to trial. We are a trial law firm and have won numerous multi-million-dollar court verdicts in just the past few years alone. 

These are just some of the many reasons why there’s no firm you should turn to besides Drafahl Law Firm when you need a knowledgeable and caring advocate to fight for you. 

What Is The Statute Of Limitations For A Belleville Personal Injury?

Understanding the time limits for filing a personal injury claim in Belleville is crucial to protecting your legal rights. These deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, set the window during which you must take action to pursue compensation. Knowing how much time you have and any possible exceptions can help you avoid losing your chance to seek justice.

Standard Statute of Limitations

In Belleville, the general statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of the injury. This means you usually have two years from when the accident or injury occurred to file your claim. 

§ 13-202. Personal injury–Penalty. Actions for damages for an injury to the person, or for false imprisonment, or malicious prosecution, or for a statutory penalty, or for abduction, or for seduction, or for criminal conversation that may proceed pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 7.1 of the Criminal Conversation Abolition Act, except damages resulting from first degree murder or the commission of a Class X felony and the perpetrator thereof is convicted of such crime, shall be commenced within 2 years next after the cause of action accrued

Waiting beyond this period may result in the court dismissing your case, preventing you from recovering damages.

Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations

There are situations where the standard deadline may be extended or “tolled.” For example:

Discovery Rule: If the injury wasn’t immediately apparent, the clock may start when you actually discover the harm or when it should have reasonably been discovered.

Minors: If the injured person is under 18, the statute of limitations usually doesn’t begin until they turn 18, giving them extra time to file a claim.

Government Claims: When the claim involves a government entity, you need to file sooner and provide notice of your intention to file a claim. You’re generally required to file a notice of a claim within one year from the date of the injury. There can be other complicated requirements involved in a claim against the government. 

Why Timing Matters

Acting within the deadlines ensures evidence is preserved, witnesses are available, and legal procedures are followed correctly. If you don’t file before the statute of limitations passes, you won’t be able to recover any compensation at all. 

Common Personal Injuries In Belleville

Personal injuries can occur in many ways, often leading to serious consequences that require legal action. Examples include:

Whiplash and Neck Injuries

Whiplash is one of the most frequent injuries in vehicle collisions, caused by the sudden jerking motion of the head and neck. Even though it may seem minor at first, whiplash can cause chronic pain, headaches, and limited mobility, significantly impacting daily life. These injuries often lead to personal injury claims as victims seek compensation for medical treatment and pain endured.

Collisions with large vehicles, especially when occupying a smaller one such as a car or motorcycle, can result in terrible injuries — a Belleville truck accident lawyer will pursue compensation for you while you focus on recovery.

Broken Bones

Fractures from accidents, whether from car crashes, slip and falls, or other incidents, can range from simple breaks to complex fractures requiring surgery. Broken bones often result in prolonged recovery times and sometimes permanent damage or disability. Due to the high medical costs and altered quality of life associated with fractures, many injured parties file personal injury claims to cover their expenses and losses.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

TBIs occur when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain, often from impact during accidents or falls. These injuries can cause memory loss, cognitive difficulties, and personality changes, dramatically affecting the victim and their loved ones. Personal injury claims involving TBIs seek compensation not only for immediate medical care but also for the long-term treatment and support that is often necessary for these catastrophic injuries.

Slip and Fall Injuries

Slip and fall accidents occur on poorly maintained or hazardous property and often lead to soft tissue injuries, broken bones, or head traumas. When property owners fail to maintain safe conditions, they can be held liable for the victim’s injuries. Claims are used to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs related to the incident.

Burn Injuries

Burns from fires, scalding liquids, or chemicals in accidents can cause severe pain, loss of skin functionality, and require extensive treatment. These types of injuries not only carry physical effects but also emotional and psychological trauma. Burn injuries often result in claims seeking compensation for costly medical care and lasting disfigurement. 

Spinal Cord Injuries

Injuries to the spine can have devastating effects, ranging from partial paralysis to complete loss of mobility. These accidents often involve significant medical expenses and changes to a person’s lifestyle. Personal injury claims for spinal cord injuries are filed to help cover these extensive costs and provide support for lifetime care needs. 

Psychological Injuries

Serious accidents can also lead to emotional and psychological harm, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These injuries affect a person’s overall well-being and daily functioning, even once physical wounds heal. Legal claims can include compensation for emotional suffering alongside physical damages, recognizing the full impact of the injury. 

Recognizing the most common personal injuries in Belleville and how they connect to legal claims can help victims know when they should seek justice through a personal injury claim. 

What Compensation Can You Recover In A Personal Injury Claim? 

When you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, there are different types of compensation you might be eligible to receive to help with your recovery and losses.

Economic Damages

These damages cover the tangible financial costs related to the injury. They include hospital bills, rehabilitation expenses, medication costs, lost wages from missed work, and any future medical treatments or therapies you may require.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages address the emotional and physical pain that results from an injury. This can include chronic pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment in life, and mental health issues like anxiety or depression caused by the accident.

Punitive Damages

In cases where the responsible party acted with intentional harm or extreme negligence, you might be awarded punitive damages. 

510.261.  Punitive damages, restrictions on award of — proper award, when — civil actions, initial pleading not to contain claim for punitive damage award. — 1.  Except as otherwise provided by statute, punitive damages shall not be awarded unless the claimant proves by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant intentionally harmed the plaintiff without just cause or acted with a deliberate and flagrant disregard for the safety of others.

These are meant to punish the wrongdoer and discourage others from engaging in similar behavior.

Knowing the types of compensation available is an important step toward understanding what you could be entitled to after an injury.

Let Drafahl Law Firm Help You Seek Justice 

Drafahl Law Firm fights hard for accident victims who have suffered many different types of personal injuries. If you or someone you love was hurt and you want an experienced legal professional to help you identify defendants and use the legal system to make them pay full and fair compensation for your losses, give us a call at (314) 300-6260 or contact us online. 

You won’t be charged legal fees unless you win, and you can learn in your free consultation all about the personalized support and compassionate representation that we will offer you throughout your case. Reach out now to get started.