Decatur Personal Injury Attorneys

The experienced Decatur auto accident attorneys at Montlick and Associates have been convincing advocates for Decatur car accident victims since our Decatur car accident law firm was established in 1984.  If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Decatur car accident, you may be struggling with physical pain and a grueling course of rehabilitation. Car accidents are sudden traumatic events that can leave a car accident victim confused and unsure how to proceed. No one expects to be involved in a serious auto accident in Decatur, and an auto collision will affect you and your family in a number of ways. Depending on the exact nature of your injuries, you may be coping with permanent pain, disability from employment, inability to fully enjoy life, diminished enjoyment of your marital relationship and crippling financial hardships.

In the most extreme cases, the negligence of another driver may rob an injury victim of his or her ability to live without the specter of chronic future pain. Catastrophic injuries like spinal injuries, brain injuries, amputations, massive burn injuries and similar severe and permanent injuries may take away one’s mental and physical functioning. Our experienced Decatur car accident attorneys at Montlick and Associates have been convincing advocates for Decatur car accident victims since our Decatur car accident law firm was established in 1984.

When you suffer other types of injuries, your injuries may be less apparent with the use of objective diagnostic tools, or they may take some period of time before they manifest symptoms. It is essential that even if you experience what you believe to be mild injuries you obtain prompt medical care and accept the benefit of emergency services. Many people involved in car accidents compromise their health or their personal injury case by assuming they did not suffer serious injury or declining to obtain timely medical care. Insurance companies will exploit such delays by arguing that a car accident claimant is misrepresenting the existence or severity of his or her injuries.

Dealing with Insurance Companies in Decatur Auto Accident Claims

When a car accident victim is injured in a Decatur car accident, it is not uncommon for the at-fault driver’s insurance company to contact the injury victim and try to obtain a statement or settle the case. When you are suffering with pain and the emotional trauma of your ordeal, you should never try to negotiate a settlement directly with the insurance company adjuster. If the adjuster knows that a Decatur car accident attorney does not represent you, the adjuster may try to get you to settle before you understand the full value of your claim.

It is generally never advisable to settle a car accident claim until you have finished all treatment and therapy. When a claim is settled before an auto accident injury victim has completed all medial treatment, physical therapy, and rehabilitative therapy, there is a risk that the prognosis may be worse than originally anticipated resulting undervaluing of one’s claim. Any offer from the insurance company will typically be conditioned on an accident victim exercising a general release of liability, which typically waives any right to later request compensation if one’s injuries turn out to be more severe than expected.

The most prudent course of action is simply to avoid any communication with the other driver’s insurance adjuster until you have retained a personal injury law firm. Our experienced Decatur auto accident attorneys can take care of all negotiations with the insurance company if we take your case. While we frequently are able to resolve Decatur car accident claims without trial through negotiations, mediation or other forms of alternate dispute resolution, we have built our reputation with major insurance companies on our success at trial.

How Is Fault Determined in Decatur Car Accident Cases?

The legal theory upon which the vast majority of car accident cases in Decatur are based is negligence. Negligence is basically just a legal term that describes conduct that is so unsafe that a reasonable person in the same or similar circumstance would not engage in the conduct because of a foreseeable risk of injury to others. If you are able to prove that this unsafe driving conduct caused injury to you or the loss of a loved one, this creates the basis for a negligence claim or a wrongful death claim based on negligence. While there are many varieties of negligent driving conduct the most common examples include:

• Driving while not paying attention
  • Speeding or driving too fast given weather, road and traffic conditions
  • Driving while under the influence of illegal narcotics, prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications
  • DUI/DWI (drunk driving)
  • Inexperienced teen drivers
  • Tailgating particularly in stop and go traffic
  • Drivers that do not stop at controlled intersections (stop sign and traffic signal violations)
  • Unsafe turns or lane changes
  • Failure to turn one’s head and check blind spots
  • Aggressive driving practices (i.e. consciously engaging in multiple traffic violations at the same time)

Although virtually all accidents involve some degree of negligence by one (or even both) of the drivers, other parties may also play a role in causing a serious Decatur car accident. If the governmental entity that constructed the road did not plan the road out so that it was safe or ignored proven hazards, the public entity may be a potential defendant in a Decatur car accident claim. The vehicle manufacturer also may be a potential defendant if product defects in the vehicle contributed to the collision. Other parties that may share liability for a Decatur car accident include vehicle owners, employers that send employees on business errands, and others. Our dedicated Decatur car accident attorneys carefully investigate our clients’ car accident claims so that we can identify all potential defendants.

Serious Decatur Car Accident Lawyers for Serious Injuries

When you involved in a collision on Decatur highways or streets, you may suffer severe injuries that impact every aspect of your life. The injuries you suffer may range from mild to life-threatening, including:

• Whiplash
• Injuries to the brain
• Soft tissue injuries
• Torn ligaments and tendons
• Spinal cord damage
• Severe full thickness burns
• Amputation of arms and legs
• Damage to vital organs
• Fractures, broken bones, bone crush injuries
• Wrongful death

If you have suffered serious injuries of this nature, our experienced Decatur car accident attorneys can evaluate your legal right to a broad spectrum of personal injury damages to compensate your for physical pain, time off work, lost future earning ability, diminished enjoyment of life, costs of treatment, vehicle repair or replacement, burial/funeral expenses and other damages based on your specific case.

Be aware of your legal rights! If you have been injured because of the negligence, intentional misconduct, or recklessness of a third party, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Call now for a FREE CONSULTATION with one of our experienced Decatur auto accident attorneys.

Our Decatur auto accident attorneys are available to help you and may even visit you if needed. You can call us anytime 24/7 at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) for a FREE CONSULTATION. Alternatively, you can visit our website www.montlick.com to make use of our FREE CASE EVALUATION FORM or 24-hour live online chat service.

Since 1984, the personal injury law firm of Montlick and Associates has been committed to providing quality legal representation to our clients who suffer from serious injuries or the loss of a loved one due to the accidental or intentional conduct of a third party. Our team of experienced Decatur personal injury attorneys along with support from a knowledgeable staff, work diligently to generate timely communications so that our clients are kept abreast of important developments in their personal injury case.

At Montlick and Associates we understand all too well the struggle injury victims suffer from pain and the mounting financial hardships that accompany an accident or untimely event that results in serious injury. When you are unable to provide for your family due to the loss of employment caused by injuries, it can ruin a family financially and lay the groundwork for an uncertain future. Our team does not view our clients as simply the sum of the information in a case file but as those who are beloved by their families so that we can deliver legal representation based on respect and dignity. Our Decatur personal injury lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for our clients and have a vast body of experience representing injury victims in the broad range of injury cases, including:

Decatur Auto Accidents: Our Decatur auto accident attorneys have successfully represented clients who suffer injuries sustained in many different types of motor vehicle collisions, including single vehicle collisions, tractor-trailer collisions, motorcycle accidents, bus crashes, bicycle accidents, SUV rollovers and pedestrian accidents. Unsafe driving conduct like using a cell phone while driving or driving drunk is unacceptable, and Decatur auto accident attorneys are commitment to holding irresponsible and drunk drivers accountable for injuries they cause. We believe that making people financially accountable for the injuries they cause by driving unsafely discourages such practices and saves lives.

Decatur Dog Bites: Many people in Decatur and throughout the state fall victim to horrible attacks by dogs (and other animals) that are not properly restrained or have a history or prior vicious behavior. Our Decatur dog attack lawyers are determined to shift the cost and consequences of irresponsible dog ownership back to dog owners where it belongs. Serious dog attacks do not result in minor injuries that heal quickly but may require reconstructive surgery, psychological counseling, and other long-term treatment and therapy. These cases often turn on the specific facts and circumstances surrounding a dog’s prior behavior, and our Decatur dog bite attorneys know what to look for when establishing liability.

Decatur Premises Liability: Premises liability cases include a wide range of incidents that may occur on residential, commercial, or public property. Slipping and falling, dog bites, swimming pool accidents, negligent security, and many other types of accidents may be the basis of a premises liability claim against a property owner who does not exercise reasonable care to keep their property safe. Owners of commercial or public property generally have an obligation to keep the premises safe and free of hazards, which may include clearing public sidewalks in front of their premises, properly enclosing their dog, and securing their pool behind a gate. The obligation imposed on a property owner to make their property safe or warn of dangers varies greatly depending on the specific facts of the case so you should discuss your case with an experienced Decatur premises liability attorney at Montlick and Associates.

Decatur Trucking Accidents: In an effort to make the highways safer for all motorists, the state and federal government have imposed higher safety standards and regulations on commercial vehicles like tractor-trailers. In spite of these efforts, some truck drivers and trucking companies continue to violate these safety standards in an attempt to increase their profits. Our experienced Decatur trucking accident attorneys know the industry practices used in doctoring logbooks or destroying other valuable evidence. Some of the most common causes of trucking accidents are driver fatigue, jackknifing, rollovers, inexperience, and overloaded or improperly load trucks. Proving liability in one of these accidents is more complex than in a car crash, and our Decatur car accident lawyers bring the knowledge, experience, and dedication that have produced admirable results for our trucking accident clients.

Decatur Wrongful Death: When a loved one passes away, it is always an emotionally painful and unwelcome event for any family. If that loss is brought about through the unreasonably carelessness behavior of a third party, then it becomes an unexpected and devastating tragedy. Whether you have lost a spouse, child, parent, you can rest assured that our Decatur wrongful death attorneys represent families who have lost loved ones with compassion and commitment.

Decatur Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcycle accidents caused by inattentive or careless driving have one of the highest fatality rates of all motor vehicle accidents. These types of accidents are unforgiving and almost always result in extreme permanent injuries or wrongful death. We understand the special handling and maneuvering limitations of motorcycles and seek the substantial compensation our clients need when being involved in such serious accidents.

Decatur Nursing Home Abuse (Nursing Home Neglect): Nursing home staff may take advantage of an elderly resident by engaging in acts that result in substandard healthcare, physical or emotional abuse, sexual abuse or financial exploitation. Nursing home neglect and abuse is appalling and can deprive them of the respect and dignity that they deserve. If you suspect a nursing home is physically abusing or neglecting your elderly loved one, our Decatur nursing home attorneys may be able to investigate and obtain compensation for your loved one.

Decatur Pedestrian Accidents: Pedestrian accidents involving children and the elderly that are struck by a motor vehicle often result in severe injuries or wrongful death. Pedestrian accidents are commonly caused by drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol; drivers using mobile phones to talk or text; and drivers that drive too fast to stop in high pedestrian traffic areas. Our experienced legal team is well equipped to identify the negligent conduct of a driver that runs over a pedestrian and to seek the compensation that our pedestrian accident clients deserve.

Decatur Slip and Fall Accidents: Carelessness owners of commercial property that fail to rectify potential hazards like spilled liquids, debris in walkways, ice on driveways and similar hazards may cause severe slip and fall accidents. Restaurants, grocery stores or any place of business may be held liable for injuries due to their failure to conduct proper inspections and maintenance to eliminate such hazards. The experienced Decatur slip and fall attorneys at Montlick and Associates can evaluate your claim and advise you regarding your rights and remedies.

Decatur Construction Accidents: Construction worksites are filled with potential hazards that can create debilitating personal injuries or even fatalities. Unsafe conditions are found everywhere, such as heavy machinery, unfinished excavating, open trenches, improper use of material, unsafe working conditions and other safety violations. Our experienced Decatur construction accident attorneys can advise you regarding your right to workers’ compensation benefits from your employer’s insurance carrier and to personal injury damages from a third party.

Decatur Product Liability Attorneys: It seems that one can hardly watch the new or open a newspaper without hearing about someone injured by a dangerous drug, defective vehicle component, lead paint, asbestos or other dangerous products. When you are injured by a product that is defective, you may have the right to seek compensation from any entity that contributed to the production, distribution or sale of the product. Because sometimes it can be hard to identify precisely what caused a defect in the product, many times all that an injury victim must show is that the defect was in fact present when the product left the hands of the manufacturer and that the victim was injured because of the defect. Often product liability cases involve taking on corporations with virtually unlimited assets so you need Decatur product liability attorneys that have experience handling these complex cases. Montlick and Associates has been representing those injured by defective products for nearly three decades.

Decatur Workers’ Compensation Attorneys: Many employees faithfully report to work on a daily basis despite an awareness that their job duties entail substantial risk of injury. Whether your injuries occur at a construction site, manufacturing plant, commercial farm or any other work environment you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for work related injuries or occupational illnesses. Although workers’ compensation benefits may provide income replacement, medical care free of charge and compensation for your level of permanent disability, this compensation may pale in comparison to what is available in a personal injury claim. Our experienced Decatur workers’ compensation attorneys may be able to seek workers’ compensation benefits from your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company and personal injury damages against other entities that contributed to your job related accident. 

Be aware of your legal rights! If you have been injured because of the negligence, intentional misconduct, or recklessness of a third party, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Call now for a FREE CONSULTATION with Montlick and Associates experienced Decatur personal injury attorneys.

Our attorneys are available to help you and may even visit you if needed. You can call us anytime 24/7 at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) for a FREE CONSULTATION. Alternatively, you can visit our website www.montlick.com to make use of our FREE CASE EVALUATION FORM or 24-hour live online chat service.