Statutes of Limitations in Illinois – Part Two
The Purpose of Statutes of Limitations
We learned in the last post about the different statutes of limitations for filing an injury claim in Illinois. Personal injury lawyers are your best source for determining which statute applies to your case, and ensuring claims are filed appropriately.
You may wonder why these deadlines exist at all. Why should there be a time limit on seeking compensation if you are injured at the fault of someone else?
There are several good reasons these statutes exist. First and foremost, they are meant to promote fairness. It is only logical that over time, memories can fade, evidence may degrade or disappear completely. The sooner a lawsuit is filed after an injury, the better. Witnesses are more readily available, and medical records of an injury and physical records of the accident are more current.
There is also the issue of closure. After an accident, all parties should desire closure as quickly and efficiently as possible. The at-fault party will not want to postpone judgment, as he or she is likely anxious to move on. If there comes a time you are at fault for an accident causing injury, you will likely want closure as well, without worrying about a case being filed years later.
Finally, an injured party has a duty of diligence. They should pursue action with as much speed and efficiency as possible.
In the case of a severe or chronic injury, however, an injured party may not be physically capable of aggressively pursuing compensation promptly, if at all. This is why hiring a Chicago personal injury attorney can be especially helpful. He or she will be proficient in all legal proceedings associated with such a claim, and can fight for justice while the injured party focuses on healing.
If you have a question about the statutes of limitations for a potential case, contact a Chicago personal injury attorney today. Remember, time is of the essence in any personal injury case.
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