Head injuries are unlike other types of personal injury in that even a seemingly minor accident can have life-altering consequences. When a victim’s head is struck or moved in a violent or sudden manner, the brain may bump against the skull, causing severe injury. Brain injuries are often caused by car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, but they can also be caused by falls, workplace accidents, and more.

Regardless of how a brain injury occurs, the effects can be dramatic. Some who suffer brain injuries are unable to work or enjoy their lives in the way they did before the injury. In many cases, brain injuries incur substantial medical costs, including emergency room visits and ongoing doctor visits and tests. If you were injured as a result of another party’s negligence or carelessness, you might be able to receive compensation for your damages.

Brain Injuries Caused by Motor Vehicle Accidents

Many victims suffer brain injuries when they are involved in car accidents. If an accident was caused by a party who was driving recklessly or negligently, it is very likely that he or she will be liable for the accident. Distracted driving, including texting while driving, is often considered a negligent act, but proving that the other party was distracted can be challenging.

The sudden passing of a loved one leaves those left behind grieving and searching for answers. If the intentional or negligent behavior of another individual caused death, it is only right that the at-fault party is held accountable. The unexpected medical, funeral, and other associated costs can take a financial toll on even the most economically stable families. One possible option is to file a wrongful death claim against the person or persons responsible for the death. It is imperative to take action as soon as possible to better the chances of a strong case.

Statute of Limitations

Personal injury claims, including wrongful death suits, have a set limit within the state of Illinois during which you can file against a defendant. After the allotted time passes without a claim, no new litigation is applicable. Each state determines its statutes, and in Illinois, the statute of limitation for most wrongful death actions is two years from the date of the person’s death. If the death was caused by “violent intentional conduct,” the statute of limitations is five years from the date of the death. If the legal process begins before the limit passes, the suit may continue.

Integrity of Evidence

It is no secret that time changes everything. Waiting for two years until the end of the statute of limitations is ill-advised if it is preventable as a broken railing is replaceable, or a cell phone exchanged for a newer model. Many of the important factors necessary to win such a case become increasingly difficult to secure with each passing day. Unlike a homicide case, a wrongful death claim is not thoroughly investigated by local law enforcement, as it is not a criminal issue but a civil matter.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents are the second leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) hospitalizations, accounting for about 20 percent of these serious injuries. The force of a collision makes concussions and other brain injuries unfortunately common, and the effects can be long-lasting or even permanent. If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI in a car crash, an attorney can help you make the case for all possible compensation.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A TBI is an injury to the brain that results from a forceful blow to the head. The best-known example of a traumatic brain injury is a concussion, but depending on the force of the impact, TBIs can be much more serious. For a brain injury to be considered traumatic, it must affect regular brain functions in the short or long term, or both.

It is not always obvious that you have suffered a traumatic brain injury, but you should look out for a wide range of symptoms, some of which might not become apparent for several hours or even days after the accident. Common symptoms of TBIs include but are not limited to:

Our nation’s roads have often proven dangerous for bicyclists in recent years. Each year, more than 900 bike riders are killed in tragic accidents, and with gas prices on the rise, bicycle traffic is only expected to increase this summer.

Bicyclists typically have fewer physical protections than motor vehicle occupants, and accidents involving a high-speed collision with a car or truck can have especially severe consequences. However, bicyclists do have legal rights in Illinois, including the right to pursue compensation if they are injured due to another person’s negligence.

Driver Negligence in Bicycle Accidents

In many serious bike crashes, fault lies primarily or entirely with the driver of a motor vehicle that collided with the bicyclist. Some driver behaviors that can constitute negligence include:

Accidents caused by drunk drivers injure and kill thousands of people every year. In many cases, the injuries from these accidents take months or even years to recover from, and some people will never fully recover. Under Illinois law, when you are injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may have a right to be compensated for your injuries, economic losses, and pain and suffering.

Blood Alcohol Level and Negligence

Anyone found to have a blood-alcohol level (BAC) of .08 or higher is legally intoxicated in Illinois. This means that a driver cannot defend against claims for damages by claiming he or she was not impaired. But, even if someone has a BAC of less than .08 they may still have been driving impaired and legally responsible for the accident.

Personal injury law requires that a person making a claim for damages be able to prove four things: