personal injury lawyer jolietIf you are hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, one of the most important things you can do is to speak with a personal injury lawyer. Accidents can leave people with serious injuries, and without the help of an attorney, you may not get the compensation you deserve.

That’s why the Illinois personal injury lawyers at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates are dedicated to providing the best service possible for accident victims. If you have been injured, call today for a free consultation.

Our Practice Areas

Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates is a diverse practice focused on accident victims. We provide skilled legal representation in the following areas in Joliet: 

Contact us today to discuss your case with our experienced attorneys.

Determining Fault in a Joliet Personal Injury Accident

When someone is injured in an accident, it’s important to determine where the fault lies. Accidents can occur in many ways and for various reasons.

For example, if you were driving down the street and someone crashed into your car, whether or not that person was following road rules could be considered when trying to determine who is at fault.

If you have been injured in an accident, contact a personal injury attorney who can help make sure that the negligent party is held responsible for the damage they caused to you and your family.

The Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims

The statute of limitations is a law that requires you to file your personal injury claim within a certain time frame.

Every state has different regulations about the amount of time you have to file a case. In Illinois, the statute of limitations can vary depending on who or what entity was involved in your injury. The circumstances are as follows, 

  1. The statute of limitations against the government is 1 year. 
  2. The statute of limitations against private citizens and corporations (most cases) is 2 years. 
  3. The statute of limitations against construction companies is 4 years. 

In some situations, the statute of limitations does not start until you’ve been injured and have a reasonable idea that your injury was caused by something or someone else. IN those cases, the “discovery rule” may allow you to file a case even after the limitations period. 

If you have questions about your injuries or the length of time it has been since an accident has happened, always call a personal injury lawyer in Joliet, even if it has been a while. 

Get Effective Representation From a Personal Injury Lawyer in Joliet

If you’ve been injured in an accident, contact a personal injury lawyer at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates. We have more than 350 years of combined experience helping victims get the money they deserve for their injuries.

An experienced lawyer will be able to guide you through the complicated legal process and fight for your rights so that you can focus on your recovery. Don’t settle for less when it comes to your legal options. Call today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Joliet, Illinois.

Why Choose Horwitz, Horwitz, & Associates as Your Personal Injury Attorneys

No Payment Up Front

Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates is a contingency-fee personal injury firm. 

A contingency fee structure means you do not have to pay us anything unless we recover money for you. This can provide some peace of mind, knowing that you will not be responsible for any legal fees unless we are able to help you recover damages.

We have a team of experienced attorneys who are dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured victims. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Part of the Family

When you work with our personal injury attorneys, you are not just another case number. You are a part of our family, and we will do everything in our power to help you get the money you deserve for your injuries.

Our team provides personal attention to each and every case that comes into our office. We make sure that our clients are taken care of every step along the way, from the initial consultation through the final settlement or verdict.

Trust and communication help ensure that our clients receive the maximum amount of compensation for their injuries.

Every Case Is Prepared for Trial

Getting a settlement or verdict in your personal injury claim is not as simple as going to court and telling your story. In fact, many personal injury claims don’t make it to court and are settled in negotiation. 

But what happens when the other side won’t negotiate a fair settlement? Other firms might urge you to take less than you deserve, but we are ready to go to court. 

Over the years, our firm has successfully tried hundreds of cases and we will be prepared to try yours. It’s more work, but it’s worth it. 

Maximum Compensation for Your Injuries

It is our goal to get you the maximum amount of money possible for your injuries.

We work tirelessly on every case, investigating who was responsible for your accident, gathering medical records and other documentation, and proving that your injuries were caused by the negligence of another party.

After we prove this case should be settled in your favor, it is our responsibility to work with the insurance company to get you the most money we can.

Remember, we don’t stop until you get what you deserve for your injuries and suffering.

Common Types of Personal Injury Claims

Car Accidents

A car accident is a collision between two or more cars. Car accidents can result in a variety of injuries, including:

  • Head injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Broken bones

If you have been injured in a car accident, you need the help of a personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer can help you file a claim against the other driver and get the money you need for your injuries, not just what the insurance company offers you at first.

If you were involved in a car accident in Joliet, call us today for your free consultation.

Truck Accidents

The sheer size of trucks requires special training and licenses to drive.  When a semi tractor-trailer, box truck, dump truck, concrete delivery truck or other vehicle over 10,000 pounds is involved in a crash, that is not a car accident and cannot be handled like a car accident.

Companies that operate commercial motor vehicles are required to register with the state, or most often federal government, carry at least $750,000 in insurance coverage, maintain detailed background check and health information of their drivers, driver log books of hours of service and other documents and information not required or created by the everyday car driver.  The reason for this is clear:  Commercial trucks typically cause more damage and more severe injuries than seen from the average car accident. 

These serious injuries include:

  • Head injuries
  • Neck injury
  • Back injury
  • Broken bones
  • Whiplash
  • Paralysis
  • Death
  • Coma

Truck accident claims can be a complicated process, especially when a trucking company and their team of lawyers get involved.  We have experience fighting trucking companies, owner- operators, construction companies operating commercial vehicles, loading dock warehouse operators and others for injuries involving their trucks, commercial vehicles and facilities that serve the freight industry.   

Contact us today for a free consultation if you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident in Joliet, Illinois.

Medical Malpractice

The health and safety of you and your family is the most important thing to us. We will not settle for anything less than 100% compensation if we believe that a doctor or hospital’s negligence has hurt you or your family.

Our team of personal injury lawyers can help you get money for:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost income due to missed work
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of your normal life

If you or someone you love has been injured due to medical malpractice, call us today for your free consultation.

Wrongful Death and Survival Damages

If your loved one has died because of the defendant’s negligent actions, you or a designated representative may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation for “pecuniary damages”. The term “pecuniary injuries” includes money, goods, and services received by the next of kin of the deceased.

When there are surviving children, it also includes the instruction, moral training, and superintendence of education that the children would have received from the deceased parent. “Pecuniary injuries” has also been held to include the loss of consortium by the surviving spouse, the loss of a minor child’s society by the parents, the loss of an unmarried adult child’s society by the parents, the loss of a parent’s society by an adult child, and the proven loss of a sibling’s society.

The Survival Act of Illinois allows an appointed representative of decedent’s estate to recover compensation for damages incurred while the plaintiff was alive after an injury for things like medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering.

For more information on how to determine if you or a loved one’s estate is owed compensation after a car accident, call our office for advice from experienced car accident lawyers in Joliet.

Workplace Accident

If you have been injured at work because of someone else’s negligence, the resulting medical bills and lost income can be overwhelming. We will help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Common types of workplace accidents include:

  • Slip and falls on another’s property
  • Crane accidents
  • Electrical shocks or electrocution
  • Back injuries from moving heavy objects

If you’ve been injured at work, call us today. We can help file a claim and get the money you deserve for your injuries.

Premises Liability

If you have been injured on someone else’s property, a premises liability personal injury lawyer can help you get compensation for your injuries.

Common types of accidents include:

  • Broken bones from stairs or curbs
  • Slip-and-falls on wet floors, icy sidewalks, broken sidewalks, etc.
  • Dog bites 

If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, call us today. We can help you file a claim and get the money you deserve for your injuries.

Premises liability cases are complicated, and require the help of a personal injury lawyer. We will work to get you compensation from the responsible party for your injuries and suffering.

Product Liability

When a product causes injury or death, the company that manufactured or supplied it to an end-user may be held responsible for any resulting damages. This is called product liability. If you have been injured because of a faulty product, call us today for your free consultation.

  • Defective or mislabeled medications
  • Inadequate warning, inadequate instructions
  • Defectively designed products 

If you or someone you love has been injured due to a defective product, call us today for your free consultation.

No one should fear that the products they buy from trusted retailers are faulty. That’s why we hold them accountable for their defective or poorly labeled or inherently defective products.

Dog Bites

Every day, innocent people are attacked by dogs. Dog attacks can cause serious injuries, and in many cases, the dog’s owner is responsible for the damage they cause.

If you or someone you love has been injured due to a dog bite in Joliet, call us today for your free consultation.

Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is an unfortunate form of personal injury that can be suffered at the hands of family members or other caregivers. If you or someone you love has suffered neglect or abuse, call us today for your free consultation.

Elder abuse isn’t just physical, it can also be emotional and financial. However, these forms of abuse can have physical consequences resulting in personal injuries, such as the elder not having the funds to appropriately feed themselves or being driven to self-harm by emotional abuse.

If you believe your aging loved one is being abused, call our Joliet nursing home abuse attorneys today for your free consultation.

Potential Damages in a Joliet Personal Injury Lawsuit

The injuries and losses associated with your accident will determine what kind of compensation you can obtain from a personal injury lawsuit. These damages can be economic or non-economic. Economic damages are easier to calculate based on the cost of your medical bills, lost income, and other expenses associated with your accident.

Non-economic damages, such as emotional distress or pain and suffering, can be more difficult to quantify. Some of these losses may not have an immediate dollar amount associated with them, but they are important factors in a personal injury lawsuit.

  • Compensation for the pain you have been through and the suffering you have endured
  • Compensation for the loss of your normal life and the enjoyment of your normal life
  • Compensation for your emotional distress
  • Compensation for you grief and sorrow from loss of a loved one 

Call us today to speak with a passionate Joliet personal injury lawyer who can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

How do you choose the best personal injury lawyer for your needs?

When you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident, you want to make sure that your legal rights are protected.

More importantly, of course, you want to get the care and treatment that you need for your injuries. But before anything can happen, it is vitally important for you to find a personal injury lawyer who can begin building a solid claim.

While there are many personal injury attorneys that you can choose from, not all of them will provide the level of service and advocacy that you need to win.

When choosing a personal injury attorney for your needs, consider these important factors:

  • What is the attorney’s experience in representing injured victims?
  • How effective has the attorney been at achieving successful outcomes for their clients?
  • Are you comfortable with this attorney and confident that they can help you to get your legal rights protected?
  • What is their plan for handling the insurance companies?
  • Who will be responsible for handling your case in the office?

How does a personal injury claim work?

When you suffer an injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury claim and obtain compensation for your injuries.

If the person responsible (or their insurance company) is willing to accept liability for your accident, then they will likely offer to settle with you out of court. If that person is unwilling to accept responsibility, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit and schedule a trial or mediation hearing.

If you have been injured as the result of someone else’s conduct, contact an experienced Joliet personal injury lawyer today for your free consultation.

We are here to help you navigate this difficult time.

How Personal Injury Cases Differ from Other Legal Cases

Personal injury claims are different from criminal cases in that they are based on negligence. They also involve compensation for injuries rather than criminal charges. No one will go to jail if they are found guilty. Instead, the punishment is financial.

Personal injury cases are different from other civil cases because they don’t require that someone breaches a contract or violates someone’s rights. If an individual just carelessly behaved in a way that harmed you, then they are liable for your injuries.

Get In Touch With a Joliet Personal Injury Attorney 

If you have been injured in Joliet, call us today to speak with a passionate lawyer who can help you get the compensation that you deserve for your injuries. We can help you understand your legal rights and assess your case.

Personal injury law covers a wide range of accidents and injuries that occur every day. You may be entitled to money for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other damages.

The attorneys at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates work on a contingency fee basis which means that we will never charge you for our services unless we win your case and recover money damages or an award for you. If we cannot get you any financial compensation, then you owe us nothing.

Personal Injury Questions and Answers

Why do I need a personal injury lawyer in Joliet?

A personal injury lawyer is a necessity if you have been harmed by someone else’s negligence. 

Many people think that they can handle the case alone, but then find themselves overburdened with insurance companies, proof of fault, and handling their medical conditions. They cave to the pressure of the other party and accept a settlement that is far too small to cover their losses.

Don’t let yourself suffer this way. Hire a personal injury lawyer who can take on the full-time job of handling your personal injury case so you can make your best recovery. We will handle the complicated process of getting expert testimony, analyzing the scene, and negotiating with the other parties so you don’t have to.

With our expert knowledge, you stand a significantly better chance of receiving maximum compensation.

What do I do when an insurance company calls me about my injury?

Whether it is your insurance company or the other party’s insurance company, be wary of what you say. Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance company without speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney in Joliet first. They will record everything you say and use it against you in the future if they deny your claim or try to low-ball your settlement amount.

If we feel that there is value in giving a recorded statement, we can advise you accordingly. That is why a personal injury lawyer is invaluable to your case.

Should I call the police at the scene of a personal injury?

Sometimes. Calling the police to the scene of an auto accident is legally required and is an important step in protecting your claim for certain types of personal injury. This includes any form of car accident, but also a major workplace accident, a serious slip-and-fall, or a dog bite.

The police can help contain the scene and prevent future accidents in the same way.

However, some personal injury cases don’t require police on the scene. For example, if you are injured in a slip-and-fall on a porch but are able to get yourself to a hospital and the owner immediately puts out a warning sign, the police are not needed.

What is a slip-and-fall in Illinois?

A slip-and-fall in Illinois is when a person trips, slips, and falls in a place that was not reasonably safe. The owner of the property has a duty to make their business or residence reasonably safe for visitors and must warn them when there are any hazards.

Examples include slipping in a puddle on the floor, tripping over a wobbly threshold or sidewalk, falling down an improperly maintained stairway, or stumbling and falling in a business that was poorly lit.

If you slip and fall in a public place such as a store, restaurant, grocery store parking lot, or any other area that has been made available for public use, you may have a premises liability claim against the company or individual responsible.

The same applies to private property that you have been invited onto by the property owner.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a personal injury?

In Illinois there are laws that limit the amount of time you have to seek money for your injuries. Usually you have two years from the date of an accident to file a claim. However, there are some instances, like where your claim is against the government, where you may have only 1 year to seek compensation.

In other cases, like construction accidents, you have 4 years to file a claim. And in some cases, you may have up to two years after you discover you were injured to bring a claim.  Similarly, minors who are injured may have until their 20th birthday to file a claim for injuries suffered before they turned 18.    

Once the time has passed, you will be unable to pursue compensation.  

It is very important to contact an attorney at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates as soon as possible after your accident. We can answer the specific questions you have based on the facts of your case. We are here for you.