In 2016, 44.5 million injuries occurred in the United States, according to a National Safety Council report. Of those injuries, about half happened at home and about one-fourth occurred in auto accidents. Unfortunately, some of those injuries were severe enough to be classified as catastrophic. Typically affecting the brain or the spinal cord, these types of injuries are often permanent or last for an indefinite amount of time. As a result, they are usually life-altering and come with extremely high medical bills and financial stress.
If you or a family member has suffered a catastrophic injury at the hands of another party, it may be in your best interest to consult with a Wheaton catastrophic injury lawyer. An experienced injury attorney could help you file suit for your damages and pursue as positive a resolution as possible to your case. En Español.
Catastrophic Injury Causes
Catastrophic injuries can be caused by many different circumstances, many of which involve legal negligence by at least one involved party. Motor vehicle accidents, especially those involving motorcycles, are one of the most common causes of such injuries. These accidents can cause skull or spine fractures as well as spinal cord injuries.
Accidents involving bicycles and pedestrians are also common factors in catastrophic injury cases. This is because victims on a bike or on foot have little to no protection from vehicle impacts. Back, neck, and, head trauma from such a collision can all lead to catastrophic injuries.
Another common cause of severe injuries is poor property conditions. Property owners are responsible for ensuring the safety of those on their property by taking such actions as shoveling snow and clearing ice from walkways. If they fail to do so, falls on commercial and personal property can sometimes cause a life-changing catastrophic back or head injury. Finally, an often-overlooked cause of catastrophic injuries is contact sports such as football or hockey. Athletes are at a higher risk for concussions and other severe injuries that can lead to a catastrophic injury.
Deadline to File
After suffering a catastrophic injury, accident victims in Bolingbrook, Illinois are given a set amount of time in which to file a civil suit. This is known as the statute of limitations. As per 735 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/13-202, victims who have suffered a catastrophic injury have two years from the date of injury to file their case.
A Wheaton catastrophic injury lawyer could help potential plaintiffs file their case within the mandated deadline. In fact, the sooner someone hurt in an accident contacts an attorney, the better their chances usually are of obtaining beneficial and accurate evidence and information to use in their case. Catastrophic injury victims who wait past this deadline may forever give up their right to legal recourse for that injury.
Contacting a Wheaton Catastrophic Injury Attorney
The first step to seeking justice for a severe injury is contacting an attorney. A seasoned and compassionate Wheaton catastrophic injury lawyer could review the circumstances surrounding your injury to determine if another party may be legally responsible. If so, they could file a lawsuit and send a demand letter on your behalf.
While no amount of monetary compensation can completely undo the damages you have suffered, you may be able to pay your past and future medical bills and live the fullest life possible after your injury with a local attorney’s help. Call today to start exploring your legal options.