Author: The Law Office of Daniel E. Goodman

When the weather is nice, you might like to get out on a personal watercraft, also commonly known as a jet ski, and cruise around local waterways. Although this activity is a lot of fun, unfortunately, accidents can be prevalent if you are not careful. When an accident happens with a personal watercraft, you need to know what to expect. Discover some things you should know about. Continue reading “Personal Watercraft Accidents: What You Should Know”

While most dogs are friendly, loving companions, some are dangerous. If you’re bitten by a dog, you may incur high medical bills and lose wages from time off work to heal. After a bite, you need to take certain steps to make sure you receive the proper care and have everything you need in place if you decide to seek compensation through the legal system.

Get Medical Attention

The most important thing to do after a dog bite is to seek prompt medical attention. Even if you don’t think the injury is serious, dog bite wounds can become infected quickly. Some dogs aren’t fully vaccinated, so have a medical professional treat your wound to determine if you need additional treatment to protect against rabies and other serious infections or illnesses.

Take clear photos of your wounds from multiple angles immediately after the bite, if possible, so you can document the extent of your injuries before any medical treatment.

Obtain Contact Information for the Owner and Witnesses

Ask the dog’s owner or handler for their contact information, including their full name, address, and phone number, right after the incident. This will help you and any medical professionals you see verify the animal’s veterinary history, including vaccination dates.

If there were any witnesses, ask them for their contact information as well. They could provide important information if you decide to seek legal compensation, since Illinois dog bite law requires the injured party to show that the dog attacked the injured person in a place where the person had a lawful right to be and that the dog was not provoked into attacking.

Report the Bite to Authorities

One mistake people often make after suffering a dog bite is failing to report the bite to the proper authorities. Always report any injury caused by an animal to the police and your local animal control agency. The reports will provide you with outside verification of the incident, and animal control will conduct an investigation that could prevent the dog from injuring someone else.

Sometimes, dog owners will ask an injured person not to contact the authorities and insist that they’ll pay for any medical bills to prevent an investigation that could lead to the dog being removed from their care. Report your injuries regardless of what the owner says or asks to protect yourself and your ability to prove your case if you seek damages.

Keep Thorough Documentation

The best thing you can do to increase your chances of winning a dog bite case is to keep thorough records. Document the date, time, and place of the attack, and write down a thorough account of the incident as soon as you can while your memory is fresh.

Note what you were doing at the time of the bite, where the dog was, whether the dog was restrained, and any other details you can think of, even if you’re not sure they’re relevant. Ask any medical professionals you see for dated records that include descriptions of any treatments you receive. Keep detailed records of any expenses you incur and any losses you suffer from time off work.

Include any property damage in your records if the attack resulted in damage to a vehicle or any personal belongings. Take pictures of your wounds at every stage of the healing process and note the date for each photo.

Seek Legal Counsel

If you’ve decided to seek compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost income, property damage, or pain and suffering, it’s best to speak with a personal injury attorney experienced in dog bite cases as soon as possible. The statute of limitations for dog bites in Illinois is two years, which means you have two years after the incident to file a lawsuit.

If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite injury, contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case.

Chances are that you will never be in a plane crash, but if you are, then you and your relatives have certain rights. In addition to standard legal liability laws, federal and aviation laws provide protections and compensation if you or a loved one is injured while traveling by plane.

You may also have a case for a lawsuit against either the carrier or the manufacturer. Here is more information about your rights after a plane crash and how to receive compensation.

Continue reading “Your Rights When You Are an Aviation Accident Victim”

Every time that you get in the car to drive, there is an inherent risk. Practicing safe driving habits is important not only for your safety on the road but for the safety of other drivers and pedestrians as well. Although many people associate winter with bad driving conditions, the incidents of auto accidents in the summer are surprisingly high. If you have been involved in any type of accident or been injured please give a call to our car accident lawyers in Chicago.

Road Trips

Summer is the perfect time to take a road trip. The problem is, that you are likely to encounter more traffic during this time of year. With kids out of school and families heading off for summer vacation, congestion on the roads increases, and with more cars on the road, the possibility of being involved in an accident increases. Furthermore, with motorists heading off to unfamiliar places, slowing down to look at an address or making a quick turn means that all drivers need to be aware of other drivers.

Teen Drivers

Teens all across Illinois are off for summer break, meaning more free time to drive to places other than back and forth to school. Unfortunately, due to many teens’ lack of driving experience, the chance of auto accidents increases. Furthermore, data has also shown that teens are more likely to get into an accident than any other age group on the road.

Tire Blowouts

Hot weather can increase the chances of a tire blowout. Intense heat causes the air inside of your tires to get hot and expand, potentially causing a blowout. Make sure to watch your tire pressure during heat waves.

Our car accident lawyers in Chicago want to make sure you stay safe while on the road this summer! Contact us if you’re in need of our legal services.

There’s no place like Chicago in the summertime. Warm weather and an abundance of outdoor activities make it an enjoyable city for people of all ages. But as personal injury attorneys in Chicago, we also recognize that summertime has inherent safety risks of which people should be aware. Below are three common personal injury accidents that may occur during the summer and what you can do to avoid them.

Slip-and-Fall Accidents

You likely associate slip-and-fall accidents with icy winter streets, but unfortunately, all seasons pose opportunities for these types of accidents. Slippery pool decks, water tracked inside from the rain, and uneven pavement are just a handful of examples of the type of slip-and-fall accidents that happen during the summer. If you’re in need of personal injury attorneys in Chicago, our lawyers can help.

Bicycle Accidents

Biking and summer in Chicago go hand-in-hand. When warm weather hits, many Chicagoans take to the Lakeshore Path to bike. With more cyclists on the road comes an increased chance for an accident. Make sure that you are aware of other vehicles and bikers on the road as well as other pedestrians. Always wear a helmet, use the proper hand motions for bike signals and pay attention to the rules of the road.

Auto Accidents

While many people would think that winter is the time when you need to be more cautious while driving because of road conditions, the truth is, anytime you are behind the wheel of a vehicle you should use caution. When the weather is clear and sunny, some drivers may become complacent which can lead to distracted driving. Additionally, as all Chicagoans know, summer is the time for road construction, which creates more traffic, and roadway hazards. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, please feel free to give us a call for a free consultation.

Every day when we walk out our door, the possibility to be injured exists, however being aware can help reduce the risk. Contact our personal injury attorneys in Chicago if you’ve been injured and you need assistance.