Chicago, Illinois Auto Accident Attorneys
Advising Illinois Clients in Motor Vehicle Accident Lawsuits
Motor vehicle accidents, including auto accidents, trucking accidents and motorcycle accidents, often involve negligence on the part of another person. If you are the victim of another driver’s negligence, you may be able to recover for your injuries and/or damages in a personal injury lawsuit, which is covered by an area of the law called “tort law,” which includes complex legal issues such as negligence, strict liability, product liability, and premises liability. Tort laws vary from state to state so it is important to hire an attorney that understands the laws of the state in which the lawsuit will be filed.
Step 1: Hiring an Attorney
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you may want to consult with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney in order to determine your legal rights and remedies. At Ankin Law, our knowledgeable Chicago auto accident attorneys understand the various laws and legal issues that come into play with respect to personal injury lawsuits involving auto accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, and mass transit accidents.
Step 2: Filing a Complaint
A motor vehicle lawsuit begins when you file a complaint in the appropriate court, which will typically the court located where the accident took place. The complaint identifies the parties involved in the lawsuit, explains the basis for jurisdiction, lists the legal claims of the plaintiff, describes the facts giving rise to the lawsuit, and specifies amount of damages the plaintiff is seeking.
Personal injury lawsuits are subject to statutes of limitations, or time limitations during which a plaintiff can file a personal injury lawsuit, so it is important to file a timely complaint. The applicable statute of limitations varies depending on the specifics of the lawsuit and a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help to ensure that your lawsuit is filed in a timely manner.
Step 3: Defendant’s Answer
After the complaint has been filed, the defendant must file an answer within a specified time period. The answer is the defendant’s opportunity to respond to each of the personal injury claims set forth in the complaint, as well as the opportunity to include counterclaims against the plaintiff or affirmative defenses.
Step 4: Discovery
During the discovery phase of a motor vehicle accident lawsuit, both sides will have an opportunity to investigate the facts of the case by reviewing documents (such as police reports, medical documents, and photographs) and deposing parties and witnesses.
Step 5: Settlement or Trial
After the discovery phase has concluded, the case will proceed to trial if the parties haven’t yet reached a settlement. A motor vehicle accident trial is a complex legal proceeding, and Chicago, Illinois auto accident attorneys Ankin Law have considerable experience obtaining favorable settlements on behalf of clients, as well as vigorously advocating on clients’ behalf at trial.
Get the Legal Advice You Need
As with any personal injury accident, you must act quickly to protect your legal rights following a motor vehicle accident. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact us at (800) 442-6546 to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled Chicago, Illinois car accident attorneys so that we can begin working on your car accident case immediately.