Personal Injury FAQ
Visit the links below to get answers to commonly asked personal injury questions.
- When can I recover for a dog bite in Illinois?
- When is a dog owner not liable for dog bite injuries in Illinois?
- How much can I recover if my work injuries prevent me from returning to work?
- Do I really need an attorney to help with my Illinois workers’ compensation claim?
- Illinois is not a no-fault auto insurance state. What does this mean?
- What happens if the at-fault driver in Illinois doesn’t have auto insurance to cover my injuries?
Dog Bites
When can I recover for a dog bite in Illinois?
Illinois has a strict liability law for all dog bites. This means that a dog bite owner is automatically responsible for all damages associated with the injury as long as the dog was not provoked or the injured party was not trespassing.
When is a dog owner not liable for dog bite injuries in Illinois?
A victim of a dog bite may not be able to recover for their injuries if the victim provoked the dog or if the bite occurred while the victim was trespassing on the owner’s private property
Workers’ Compensation
How much can I recover if my work injuries prevent me from returning to work?
If your injury occurred during the scope of your employment and you are temporarily unable to work, you can recover 2/3 of your weekly average. This is known as “temporary total disability.”
If your injury prevents you from permanently doing parts of your job due to the loss of the use of a hand or body part after “maximum medical improvement,” you are entitled to receive permanent partial disability benefits. Various factors will determine how much you will get paid for PPD.
If you are unable to return to work in any capacity, you are considered permanently disabled. Known as permanent total disability, you can recover weekly permanent disability benefits for the remainder of your life which includes two-thirds of your average weekly wage.
Do I really need an attorney to help with my Illinois workers’ compensation claim?
Technically, you don’t. However, given the complex procedures, timeframes to file a claim and other steps involved, consulting with a workers’ comp lawyer can make sure nothing is missed and your claim is on track for approval.
Auto Accident Injuries
Illinois is not a no-fault auto insurance state. What does this mean?
A state with “no-fault” auto insurance laws means that those injured in a car accident typically turn to their own auto insurance carrier for coverage regardless of who was at-fault in an auto accident. However, Illinois is not a no-fault state, which means that an injured party would need to file a claim against the other driver’s auto policy if an accident occurred. However, the injured party must prove the other driver was at fault.
What happens if the at-fault driver in Illinois doesn’t have auto insurance to cover my injuries?
Illinois law mandates that all drivers purchase and maintain a certain amount of auto insurance coverage for all vehicles they own and drive. However, many individuals skirt these laws. When an accident happens and the other driver does not have adequate insurance coverage, the underinsured/uninsured coverage on your own policy will cover your expenses.
Additional Assistance
For more questions as they pertain to your circumstance, reach out to Roger Rudich in Chicago. With over 30 years of experience handling auto accident claims, he can offer guidance on the next steps.
Call 312-815-7911 or email today.
