Legal Options After a Side-By-Side Accident Causing Severe Injury

 Posted on May 10, 2023 in Personal Injury

Side-by-sides, utility task vehicles (UTVs), and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) serve a variety of purposes, from work-related tasks to recreation. Although useful in many circumstances, UTVs can also lead to severe injuries in an accident.

If you or a loved one suffered broken bones, brain injury, organ damage, spine injury, or another serious injury in a side-by-side accident, you may be wondering about your legal rights and options. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may be able to file a claim against the at-fault party and recover financial compensation.

Determining Legal Responsibility for the Crash

The first step in understanding your legal rights after a UTV accident is to determine who may be liable, or legally responsible, for the crash. In many cases, the driver of UTV is liable. Driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances, reckless driving, or simply being unfamiliar with off-road vehicles are all common causes of UTV accidents.

The party who owns the UTV may also be liable for injuries caused in a side-by-side crash. Inadequate maintenance and repair of a side-by-side increases the chances of a crash resulting in injury. If an individual was hurt in a crash caused by a UTV driver who was using the vehicle for his or her job, the employer may be liable for the accident. In Illinois, employers are typically vicariously liable for the actions of their employees.

The individual or company who owned the property on which the accident occurred may also be liable for the crash if there were hazards on the property that the owner did not disclose.

Monetary Damages in A Side-By-Side Crash Case

Once the liable party or parties are identified, you can seek compensation for your injuries and losses. You may be entitled to compensation for your emergency room treatment, hospital bills, medication, doctor's visits, physical therapy, and other medical treatment you require because of your injury.

If your injuries kept you out of work, you might be entitled to compensation for your lost wages during your recovery period. Reimbursement for damage to your personal property, such as a vehicle, may also be available.

Illinois law also allows injured claimants to seek compensation for their non-financial suffering, including physical pain, emotional distress, disfigurement, disability, and lost quality of life.

Contact our Cook County Personal Injury Lawyers for Help

Whether you were struck by a reckless driver while operating a side-by-side, injured in a side-by-side crash caused by inadequate maintenance, or were otherwise involved in a side-by-side accident, our Bensenville personal injury lawyers can help you understand your legal options and take the appropriate action. Call 630-274-4400 for a free initial consultation.

Source:

https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/circuit-court/illinois-pattern-jury-instructions-civil/