Harwood Heights is a village located in Cook County with a population of about 8,000 residents. The village is less than a square mile in size and is surrounded by Chicago and Norridge. Harwood Heights’ motto is “a small town of big opportunities.” Residents and visitors may enjoy attractions such as the Harwood Heights City Center, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, and Ridgemoor Country Club. Each year, unfortunately, a number of people in Harwood Heights are injured in car crashes and other accidents. If this has happened to you or someone close to you, it is important to reach out to a Harwood Heights injury attorney at the Therman Law Offices. We can assess the merits of your case and help you seek the compensation that you deserve for your harm.

Asserting Your Rights Following an Accident

Personal injury claims arise when individuals suffer harm due to the carelessness or intentional actions of someone else. Personal injury law encompasses a variety of cases, including car accidents, motorcycle crashes, truck accidents, construction and work-related accidents, medical malpractice, slip and falls, defective product mishaps, and pedestrian accidents.

These cases are typically rooted in the legal doctrine of negligence. In most everyday situations, negligence takes place when someone causes an injury or death by failing to take reasonable care in their actions or omissions. Reasonable care refers to each individual’s duty to act as a prudent or sensible person would act under the same or similar circumstances. This is usually decided according to an analysis of the specific situation rather than by referring to a statute. In order to establish negligence, the plaintiff must demonstrate the following elements:

• The defendant owed the plaintiff a certain duty of care;
• The defendant breached the duty of care owed to the plaintiff;
• The defendant’s breach was a direct cause of the plaintiff’s injuries and damages; and
• The damages are sufficiently quantifiable so that they may be compensated.

For example, a driver might ignore a stop sign and strike a pedestrian on a crosswalk. The driver likely would be liable for the pedestrian’s resulting injuries and damages. This is because a prudent or sensible driver would understand the risks associated with disregarding a stop sign and would carefully obey traffic rules.

If a plaintiff has successfully established negligence, they may be able to recover damages for their harm. A plaintiff may recover economic damages, which are intended to compensate an accident victim for losses such as medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, property damage, and any other costs arising from the accident. A plaintiff may also be able to recover non-economic damages, which are typically awarded for non-pecuniary harms, such as disfigurement, disability, pain and suffering, or emotional distress. Each case is different, and the exact amount of compensation that will be appropriate in a given case will depend on the specific circumstances of that case.

Time is of the essence in Illinois personal injury cases. The statute of limitations for most claims involving bodily harm is two years from the date of the accident. A lawsuit for property damage, on the other hand, must be filed within five years from the date of the accident. Failing to file within the statute of limitations could mean losing your right to take legal action altogether.

Contact a Knowledgeable Injury Lawyer in Harwood Heights

The team at the Therman Law Offices has represented Illinois residents in many types of personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. Our Harwood Heights injury attorneys can investigate the circumstances of your case and come up with a legal strategy accordingly. We also represent people in Norwood Park, Edison Park, Norridge, Elmwood Park, Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Rosemont, Elk Grove Village, and Mt. Prospect, among other cities in Cook County and beyond. To learn more about your legal rights and options, call us at 312-588-1900 or contact us online for a free consultation with a car accident lawyer or assistance with another type of personal injury claim.