Posted on December 18, 2024 in Car Accidents

Illinois laws require all drivers to have auto insurance policies. Drivers must also remain at the scene of an accident until law enforcement and first responders arrive and release them. Unfortunately, many drivers violate both of these laws.

If you are injured in a car accident caused by another motorist, you deserve compensation, but your insurance claim will be complicated. A skilled Barrington, IL personal injury lawyer knows how to overcome the challenges.

What Auto Insurance Coverage Does Illinois Require?

Although you can purchase additional coverage, Illinois law requires all drivers to have auto liability insurance with these minimum limits:

• $25,000 injury or death per person

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 Posted on November 14, 2024 in Premises Liability

With the holiday season upon us, shoppers across Illinois will be out in force looking for gifts, decorations, and holiday meal preparation. Although accidents can happen in stores, malls, and parking areas throughout the year, the rate of accidents often increases from mid-November until early January. If you are injured while shopping, you could be eligible for compensation through a premises liability claim.

What kinds of accidents qualify? Are premises liability claims difficult? At Barrington Injury Attorneys, we hope you remain safe, but our Barrington, IL personal injury lawyers are here to help if you need us.

What Is Premises Liability?

Retail stores, in addition to other kinds of properties, are legally obligated to keep their premises safe for customers. If the person, company, or other responsible party in charge of a store or mall is negligent and fails to meet that obligation, they could be liable for your damages if you are injured on the property. For a premises liability claim, you will need evidence proving that:

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 Posted on October 14, 2024 in Car Accidents

Preliminary 2023 data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports 6,402 large truck accidents in Illinois that injured 3,205 people and killed 172. While many truck accident injuries result from direct impact, there is also a danger of indirect injuries caused by a truck’s cargo.

What kinds of accidents can result from cargo issues? Who is liable in these cases? If you sustained injuries in a truck accident, an experienced lawyer from Barrington Injury Attorneys can investigate your situation, establish liability, and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

How Can a Truck’s Cargo Cause Accidents and Injuries?

When fully loaded, a tractor-trailer can weigh 80,000 pounds. Much of that weight comes from the truck’s cargo. Whether a truck is hauling cases of canned goods stacked on pallets or large items secured by chains on flatbed trailers, the load must be balanced and secured correctly so the driver can control his truck.

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 Posted on September 17, 2024 in Car Accidents

You have probably seen various campaigns to prevent drunk driving, with slogans like, "You booze, you cruise, you lose." A similar campaign against driving while high uses the tagline, "If you feel different, you drive different." Illinois laws make driving under the influence illegal, but people still do it every day. Have you ever wondered why these behaviors are dangerous?

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol dramatically increases the chance of causing a car crash that may injure or kill someone. If you are injured in a car accident caused by someone who was driving under the influence, you deserve compensation. A skilled lawyer from Barrington Injury Attorneys can investigate your accident and help you hold the at-fault party accountable. Call now for your free consultation.

Why Is Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs Dangerous?

Using drugs or consuming alcohol can cause various impairments that make safe driving nearly impossible, as reflected in the current Illinois campaign slogan, "Drive safe, drive sober." These impairments include:

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 Posted on August 19, 2024 in Personal Injury

You have probably heard that you can obtain a settlement if you are injured by another party’s negligence. Some kinds of personal injury claims can get you that compensation for your accident-related losses. Common types of claims involve car accidents, truck accidents, premises liability, and wrongful death.

Obtaining the compensation you deserve is not as simple as blaming someone for your injury and waiting for a payout. You must establish several facts before you can file a claim. One of our experienced personal injury lawyers at Barrington Injury Attorneys can evaluate your circumstances, discuss the validity of your claim, and explain how we can help during your free consultation.

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 Posted on July 09, 2024 in Wrongful Death

The Highland Park, IL, July 4th Parade shooting in 2022 sent shockwaves throughout the state. Seven victims lost their lives when a 21-year-old opened fire. Another 48 people were injured in the shooting. The suspect was apprehended eight hours after the shooting and charged with seven counts of first-degree murder and 48 counts of attempted murder. While a wrongful death claim was the last thing on the minds of the family members, two years later, such a claim has been filed.

While justice can be elusive in the criminal arena, another type of justice may be possible for victims and their families. HB0218, the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act (FIRA), was signed into law by Governor Pritzker in August 2023. FIRA holds gun manufacturers accountable when they knowingly use unsafe marketing practices to cause harm.  

If your loved one died as the result of another’s negligence, you should contact a Barrington wrongful death attorney from Barrington Injury Attorneys, who can help you file a claim for damages. When you have a skilled lawyer who will advocate for you and your family, you can take the time you need to grieve your loss.

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 Posted on June 12, 2024 in Car Accidents

The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be daunting, especially when you believe you may share some fault in the incident. If you find yourself in this situation, it is helpful to understand your rights and the steps you should take to protect your interests. An Illinois lawyer can help you determine the necessary steps if you are partially at fault in a motorcycle accident.

What You Should Know About Illinois’ Comparative Fault Laws

Illinois follows a system of modified comparative fault, which means that you may still be able to recover damages, regardless of whether you hold partial fault for the accident. However, your percentage of fault must be less than 51% for you to be eligible for compensation. If your fault is determined to be 51% or more, you will be barred from recovering any damages.

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 Posted on May 17, 2024 in Premises Liability

After being attacked or bitten by a dog, you may want to pursue legal action against the owner. Dog bites are a matter of premises liability, and the owner or person responsible for the dog during the attack may be liable for your injuries.

As you pursue a dog bite claim, a few elements must be established in your case to give you a strong chance of success. An experienced Illinois dog bite injury lawyer can help investigate the details of your case and advocate for the compensation you may be entitled to.

Establishing Your Dog Bite Claim

Illinois utilizes strict liability in dog bite cases, which means that the dog's owner is responsible for any injuries that his or her dog causes. If the dog's owner is not present, the non-owner who has assumed responsibility for the dog may be liable instead.

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 Posted on April 16, 2024 in Premises Liability

Though most trips to restaurants around the Illinois area are fun and relaxing experiences, injuries and accidents do happen at restaurants, and they can have serious consequences. It may be possible to sue after an injury occurs in an Illinois restaurant. However, you must prove that the restaurant staff or owner acted negligently or recklessly, causing your injury. An experienced Illinois premises liability lawyer can help you determine if you have a case against the restaurant where you were injured.

Common Restaurant Injuries in Illinois

While restaurants are generally safe, accidents and incidents sometimes result in illness or injury. Restaurant owners and staff must ensure that they uphold their duty of care to guests by warning of hazards and keeping both interior and exterior areas properly maintained. Failure to do this or acting recklessly and putting guests in harm's way can result in liability for the injuries that visitors may sustain in an accident.

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 Posted on March 17, 2024 in Personal Injury

While public transportation is generally considered safe in Chicago and surrounding areas, unfortunate accidents and injuries do sometimes still occur. Victims of serious injuries or the families of victims of wrongful death caused by a public transportation accident may be able to sue for compensation. A skilled Illinois public transportation attorney can help you explore your legal options.

Who Is At Fault If I Am Injured on Illinois Public Transportation?

Illinois public transportation operators, such as Pace, Metra, and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), are subject to common carrier law. Under this law, any common carrier may potentially be held liable for a public transportation accident that results in injury and occurs due to the negligence of operators or failure to uphold duty of care to ensure safe transportation of passengers.

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