Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Palatine

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Palatine, Illinois?

  The non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Palatine is (847) 359-9000.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Palatine, Illinois?

  The Police Records Section of the Palatine Police Department handles all police records and reports. You can get a copy of a police accident report online at https://policereports.lexisnexis.com/ui/home by providing your case number. You also may fill out the form at https://www.palatine.il.us/DocumentCenter/View/160/Police-Department-Freedom-of-Information-Act-Form-PDF?bidId= and submit it to a police FOIA officer at 595 N. Hicks Road.

• In Palatine, can you sue the federal government if your injury is their fault?

  Yes, anyone in Palatine can sue the federal government if they are injured on federal property or by a federal employee. The Federal Tort Claims Act needs the person who was hurt to file a claim with the government agency and get a response that the claim was denied before they can sue in federal district court. If you were injured due to the federal government's fault, you need to file via the government’s Standard Form 95 and present supporting documentation of your accident.

• Can you sue a property owner in Palatine if you fall on black ice?

  Palatine residents are mandated to remove any snow that has fallen between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. by 10 p.m. on the same day. If the snow covers a five-foot-wide path on the sidewalk, they must also shovel that area. If an ice-related slip occurs, the victim must prove that the ice was the proximate cause of their injury, and the owner may be held liable if they have made no effort to clear the snow and ice from the sidewalk or parking lot.

• How do insurance companies, judges, and, juries compute the settlement amount for pain and suffering in Palatine?

  Insurance companies, judges, and juries use different methods in determining the amount of pain and suffering a personal injury victim in Palatine should get. The value of economic damages is multiplied by a variable in the multiplier method. The variable can be anywhere between 1.5 and 5, depending on the factors that affect the injury's severity or how likely the victim is to recover. In the per diem method, a monetary value is computed by multiplying the number of days the victim has suffered by a certain monetary value.

• Are photos helpful for a car accident claim in Palatine?

  Yes, it is important to take photos and even videos of a car accident scene at Palatine. It is extremely risky to rely on memory alone to remember details about the accident because memories can be affected by the stress response. Try to get as many photos as possible from different angles and positions. Include shots of the license plates of all the cars involved in the crash, damages to the cars and yours, the scene of the accident, relevant street signs or traffic lights, and the surrounding businesses.

• Can you file a lawsuit if a family member was killed in a car accident in Palatine?

  In Palatine, close family members can file a wrongful death action against the driver who is at fault for a car accident. Eligible next of kin that can file a lawsuit may be the decedent’s spouse or children. If the decedent does not have a surviving spouse or children, the state law permits distant relatives like parents and/or siblings.