Do You Need Major Injuries to Have a Personal Injury Case?

 Posted on April 05, 2026 in Personal Injury

One of the most common reasons people talk themselves out of calling an attorney after an accident is that they don’t think their injuries are serious enough. They assume personal injury cases are only for big things, like compound fractures or traumatic brain injuries. That assumption costs a lot of people money they are legally entitled to recover.

If you’ve experienced a personal injury you believe someone else is liable for, even a minor one, a Schaumburg personal injury attorney can tell you whether you have a case. The answer might surprise you.

Does Illinois Have a Severity Threshold for Personal Injury Claims?

There is no minimum injury requirement to bring a personal injury claim in Illinois. There are no outlines about what kinds of injuries qualify or how much pain a person has to suffer. What matters is whether someone else's negligence caused your injury and whether your injury had a real impact on your life.

The basic elements of any Illinois personal injury case are the same regardless of how severe the injury is:

• The other party owed you a duty of care.

• The other party failed to meet that duty.

• Their failure caused your injury.

• You suffered damages as a result.

"Damages" is the legal term for the losses you experience because of the injury. These can be financial, like medical bills and missed work. They can also be non-financial, like pain and suffering, emotional distress, or not being able to do activities you used to enjoy. A soft tissue injury that causes weeks of pain and forces you to miss work is a real loss, even if it doesn’t look dramatic from the outside or show up on an X-ray.

What Common Injuries Can Support a Personal Injury Claim?

Many people with legitimate cases never pursue them because they think their injuries aren’t severe enough. Here are some types of injuries that are frequently underestimated but can still form the basis of a valid claim:

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries usually happen in one of two ways, according to the Cleveland Clinic: repetitive strain from overuse or sudden abrupt force (trauma). Sprains, strains, and whiplash are some of the most common injuries from car accidents or falls. They may not be easily visible, and they may not show up on standard imaging, but they can cause significant and lasting pain and dysfunction. Insurance companies routinely try to minimize these injuries, but that doesn’t mean you should.

Concussions

A mild traumatic brain injury (often called a concussion) can cause headaches, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and mood changes that linger for weeks or months. These symptoms can interfere with work and daily life in real, measurable ways.

Emotional and Psychological Injuries

In some cases, the most significant harm a person suffers is not physical at all. Anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and depression that follow an accident can all be compensable if they are connected to someone else's negligence.

Injuries That Worsen Over Time

Some injuries are not fully apparent right away. What feels minor in the days following an accident may develop into something more serious. This is one reason why it is important to see a doctor promptly after any accident. It’s not just for your health; doctor’s visits create a medical record that connects your symptoms to the incident.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Illinois?

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, most personal injury claims in Illinois must be filed within two years of the date of the injury. This deadline applies whether your injury is minor or catastrophic. Waiting to see how your injury resolves is understandable, but waiting too long to talk to an attorney is risky. Evidence from personal injury cases doesn’t generally last forever. The sooner you get advice, the better positioned you will be in your case.

Insurance companies have become increasingly aggressive about settling claims quickly and for as little as possible. A fast settlement offer after an accident is often less than what your case is actually worth. Getting legal guidance before you sign anything can make a significant difference in the outcome in 2026.

Call a Palatine, IL Personal Injury Attorney Today

If someone else's negligence injured you, your losses are real and worth taking seriously, regardless of how "minor" the damage is. Contact a Schaumburg personal injury lawyer at Newland & Newland, LLP for a free consultation. Newland & Newland, LLP is made up of local attorneys who value their communities and their clients, with many decades of combined experience and millions of dollars in successful verdicts. Call Newland & Newland, LLP at 847-797-8000 today.