Laurence Van Der Horst Lawyer Reviews & Ratings - Northbrook

Personal injury involves injury to an individual. The injury can be temporary or permanent. This area of law allows the injured person to sue in a private action called a civil action, known in the legal community as a tort action. A "tort" is a wrong against a person. Any accident or injury against a person can constitute a tort -- whether it be in a car accident, the use of a product, or the negligence of a professional. In a personal injury suit, the injured party is seeking compensation for all of the losses they have experienced and will continue to experience as a result of that injury. These elements of damage may include medical expenses, loss of wages, pain and suffering, disability and disfigurement.. My law firm isready to assist you in evaluating your case and pursue justice.. Different degrees of fault exist and several elements are necessary to prove in court in order to be successful against the wrongdoer or negligent party in a tort action. Also, more than one person or party may be at fault, and responsibility may be apportioned among all of the wrongdoers. In some instances, the victim may even be partly at fault for the tragedy but that does not necessarily mean the person does not have a right to bring a lawsuit.. If you are successful, the person who is injured can recover money damages. These damages can be for a number of reasons: medical bills, lost income, future medical bills and care, and other economic damages that you incur. In addition, you may recover what is termed non-economic damages. These are damages that may be difficult to quantify, but nevertheless, are very real: pain and suffering, disfigurement and loss of consortium.. If you are the victim of a personal injury, there are several things you can do to help yourself.. Always call the police and make a police report regardless ofwhether or not you think you are injured as you may not feel pain until hours or even days after the accident. You should be cooperative with the police.. Obtain the full names, addresses and phone numbers of everyone involved, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and any witnesses.. Obtain information about the other vehicles involved, such as license plate numbers, make, and model.. Find out the insurance status, names of insurance companies and policy numbers of all vehicles and persons involved. If any drivers were not the registered owners, get the registered owner's name, address, and phone number(s).. If you have a camera, take as many photos as possible of the accident site, the vehicles and people involved, and anything else that might have bearing on how and why the accident occurred.. Make sure that you seek proper medical attention as soon as possible.. Call your own insurance company as soon as possible and report the accident.. Do not contact, make any statements or answer any questions from the other driver's insurance company until you have consulted an attorney. Be polite, but decline to discuss any aspects of the accident until you have obtained legal advice.. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as a result of an accident, please call my law firm for a free case evaluation. The initial consultation is FREE of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds.. Most personal injury cases are governed by a expiration deadline to file a case known as a Statute of Limitations. This means that you only have a certain period of time in which you can file a lawsuit. These statutes vary and it takes an experienced personal injury law firm to examine the facts and the law to determine the limitations period that applies in each case. Therefore, please call my law firm  right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.