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Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

When someone is injured through the careless, negligent, or wrongful acts of another, they may be worried about having to pay out-of-pocket for necessary medical care and ongoing bills. Mike Agruss Law is here to help.

Our Peoria, IL personal injury lawyers have years of experience handling catastrophic injuries, car accidents, workplace accidents, wrongful death, and other personal injury cases.

Mike Agruss Law Cares

Our personal injury law firm is committed to offering a client-centered experience. An accident can be a painful and overwhelming experience, especially if it causes mounting medical bills, lost wages, ongoing therapy, etc.

After an accident, you deserve a law firm dedicated to understanding what you’re going through and fighting for fair compensation. We provide more than a legal service, and we offer care and compassion to all our clients in Peoria, IL.

Types of Personal Injury Cases

Personal injury law encompasses a broad range of accidents that result in injuries. Often, these cases are due to negligence and recklessness, meaning that the defendant caused an injury by failing to practice reasonable care. No two personal injury cases are the same, and the experienced lawyers at Mike Agruss Law can use their years of experience to go over the facts of your case to determine if you have a legal claim.

Our personal injury lawyers have helped people injured in many kinds of accidents, which can include:

Car Accidents

Car accidents occur every day in America. They are the primary cause of work-related deaths every year. Car accidents can happen because of:

  • Driving while intoxicated
  • Distracted driving
  • Reckless driving
  • Fatigue
  • Failure to yield
  • Traffic
  • Weather conditions
  • Debris or road defect
  • Car defect

Motorcycle Accidents

Since motorcycles are smaller than motor vehicles and don’t provide the same protection, being involved in an accident can result in catastrophic injuries, including:

Truck Accidents

Big rig accidents are also quite common, and the sheer weight and size of a commercial vehicle mean it can cause more severe injuries.

Depending on the circumstances of the truck accident, there could be different responsible parties, including:

  • A reckless truck driver
  • Trucking companies
  • Truck manufacturers
  • The cargo loading operation

Premises Liability

Accidents on someone else’s property are also common, especially if the visitor was not made aware of the dangers. Injuries can occur in public buildings, private property, businesses, airports, shopping centers, etc. Premises liability include slip and falls and can be caused by the following:

  • Cracked sidewalks
  • Wet floors
  • Faulty lighting
  • Negligent security
  • Fire
  • Dog bites

Workplace Accidents

Getting injured on the job happens to many people every year. Workplace accidents can occur due to lifting, exhaustion, falling, pulling, and even repetitive motion. Other injuries can be caused by explosions, fires, toxic chemicals, building collapse, etc.

Over two million Americans suffer work-related injuries each year. Workplace accidents can have devastating consequences on the lives of those involved and their families. If you or someone you know has been injured in a workplace accident, contact us as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are protected.

Product Liability

Defective products can cause many injuries because of a flaw in their manufacturing or design. When we buy a product, we trust that it will work as expected and not harm us. It can be very scary and overwhelming when a product malfunctions or explodes.

Manufacturers and the federal government recall hundreds of products, like medicine, furniture, car parts, clothing, and equipment every year. Despite these efforts, people still get injured by dangerous products. If you have been hurt by a defective product, you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer or seller of the product.

A product liability claim can be based on one of three theories: design defect, manufacturing defect, or failure to warn. A design defect means that there is something wrong with the product’s actual design. The danger must be present even when the product is used as intended. An example of a design defect would be if a company made an unstable chair and fell over when someone sat in it.

A manufacturing defect occurs when something is wrong with the way a particular batch of products was manufactured. So, even though the design may be fine, there is a flaw in how the product was made. An example of this would be if a company used the wrong materials to make a toy, and the paint on the toy contained lead.

The third type of claim, failure to warn, arises when a product is dangerous but only if used in a certain way. For instance, many products come with warnings about using them safely. If these warnings are not included or are misleading, the company may be held responsible for any injuries.

Medical Malpractice

We rely on medical professionals to treat and heal us. If a person suffers an injury due to the negligence of a nurse, doctor, or other healthcare professional, they should file a medical malpractice claim. Medical injuries can include improper treatment, misdiagnosis, pharmacy errors, surgical errors, etc. These cases can be very complex, and a professional personal injury lawyer can help you through the whole process.

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death claims happen when an accident victim succumbs to their injuries. If you have lost a spouse, child, or loved one due to someone else’s recklessness, you are legally entitled to hold the defendant accountable. While nothing can bring back your loved one, filing a wrongful death claim can help you get the closure and justice you need to move on.

At Mike Agruss Law, our personal injury attorneys have years of experience handling accident claims, including wrongful death cases. We understand the challenges you are facing and will do everything in our power to help you get the best possible outcome for your case.

Maximizing Your Settlement Amount

Along with a specialized personal injury lawyer, there are things you can do to maximize your settlement amount, including:

  • Keeping thorough records: This includes your medical records, the police report, witness statements, photos of the accident site and your injuries, and more. When an accident occurs, keeping records of your injuries and how they impacted your life can significantly improve your claim.
  • Seek medical treatment immediately: Even if you feel fine, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries, like whiplash, can take a few days to be fully felt. A doctor can check for internal injuries and provide documented proof of your damages.
  • Negotiate with the insurance company: Insurance companies are notorious for undervaluing or denying your claim. Don’t take your first settlement offer. Instead, seek legal counsel from your personal injury attorney.
  • Don’t talk to anyone: This includes posting about your accident on social media. Insurance companies will try to use your words against you to lower your settlement. You should avoid admitting fault or placing blame. It’s best to direct any conversations to your personal injury lawyer.

Damages You Can Claim

When valuing your case, you can claim two types of damages: economic and non-economic damages.  Economic damages are objectively quantifiable, such as medical bills or lost wages. Non-economic damages are more subjective and include pain and suffering or emotional distress.

Economic Damages:

Medical Bills: If you have been injured, you will likely incur medical bills for treatments related to your injury. You can claim these medical expenses as economic damages.

Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you can claim the wages you would have earned when you were unable to work. You will need to provide documentation of your income and how long you were out of work due to your injuries.

Non-Economic Damages:

Pain and Suffering: This type of damage is intended to compensate you for the physical pain and suffering caused by your injuries.

Emotional Distress: You may also be able to claim damages for the mental anguish and emotional distress caused by your injuries.

Loss of Companionship: If your injuries have affected your relationship with your spouse or family, you may be able to claim damages for the loss of companionship.

In some cases, punitive damages may also be available. Punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct. They are typically only awarded in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

The amount of damages you can recover will depend on the severity of your injuries, the impact your injuries have had on your life, and the jurisdiction in which your case is filed. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to evaluate the facts of your case and advise you as to the best way to proceed.

Contact Mike Agruss Law

At the Mike Agruss Law, our experienced personal injury lawyers know how to build your claim to maximize your financial compensation.

We are with you each step of the way, and we don’t get paid until you do. Call the Mike Agruss Law to get a free case evaluation. We will go over your documents and medical records and get started fighting for compensation for your injuries.

We are listening

We will respond to you at lightning speed. All of your information will be kept confidential.

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