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If you slip and fall on someone else’s property (residential, commercial, or governmental), you may be entitled to compensation. To file a claim, you will need to prove that your fall was caused by negligence and that: The property owner owed you a duty of care to protect you from the hazardous conditions that caused your fall. The property owner (or staff/liable…

Mathias Raphael PLLC Accident & Injury Lawyers would like to congratulate you on getting married! If you are an immigrant spouse who is interested in permanently living in the United States, you must apply for a marriage-based green card. In this blog post, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about the legal process of getting a marriage green card.  What…

Foreign nationals can permanently live and work in the United States if they obtain a green card. The U.S. government issues several types of green cards every year. Our comprehensive FAQs should answer important questions about the green card program. If your question is not answered below, reach out to our legal team at Mathias Raphael PLLC Accident & Injury Lawyers to…

What is a “Wrongful Death” in Illinois?  When a person is killed by another party’s negligent, wrongful, or intentional actions in Illinois, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed on behalf of the deceased individual because he/she could have brought a personal injury claim if had he/she survived.  Common events that can lead to a wrongful death claim:  Negligence-based accidents (e.g., car…

The Signs of an Intoxicated Driver Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs can negatively impact your motor skills, reaction time, and overall ability to operate a vehicle in a safe manner. Unfortunately, not only can drunk or drugged driving result in an arrest, but it can also lead to a devastating car accident. The common signs of impaired driving are often noticeable when a driver…

When teenagers finally obtain their driver’s license, they view this momentous milestone as one step toward freedom. However, teen drivers have a higher rate of fatal crashes compared to their older counterparts due to their lack of driving experience, skills, and maturity. In fact, car accidents are the second leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States, according to the Centers…

One of the most terrifying situations that can happen to any driver while behind the wheel is a tire blowout, which is described as a rapid loss of air pressure in an inflatable tire and is oftentimes associated with a booming sound of an explosion. If you’re driving at a high speed or in the middle of a busy road at the time of a tire blowout, the…

A concussion is one of the most common and least serious types of traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, all concussions should be taken seriously. The brain is comprised of soft tissue, encased in the skull and cushioned by spinal fluid. When there is a direct or indirect blow to the head, the impact can jolt your brain or even cause it to violently shake within your skull. Common…

Whether you are walking to get around from place to place or jogging for exercise, you may be in danger of being struck by a motor vehicle. Pedestrian accidents involving vehicles are generally catastrophic and fatal since pedestrians do not have the same amount of protection as drivers. Drivers are obligated to follow traffic laws and drive with reasonable care, especially in residential areas and places with moderate and…

Injured in a car accident in Illinois? If so, you may be wondering what you must do to obtain financial compensation to pay for your medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and even pain and suffering. The following is an overview of car accident laws in Illinois.  Reporting a Car Accident  According to state law, you must report a car accident to the…