Hanna Vander Ploeg, LLC 2026-05-29T08:35:16Z https://www.hanvanlaw.com/feed/atom/ WordPress /wp-content/uploads/sites/1504324/2024/11/cropped-HannaVanderPloeg-site-icon-32x32.png On Behalf of Hanna Vander Ploeg, LLC https://www.hanvanlaw.com/?p=46670 2026-02-03T08:39:09Z 2018-07-02T21:11:34Z

The moments after a car accident are very important and often critical to an insurance claim. This is why it is important to know what to do after a car accident. Pull of the road and call the police If it is possible, after a car wreck you should pull your car out of the immediate line of traffic and call for emergency personnel. Also, be sure to turn your hazard lights on in order to be more visible to other vehicles passing by. The last thing you will want is to be involved in a secondary collision because a passing motorist did not see you. Even if it does not seem like anyone is hurt, it is always a good idea to call the police after a wreck. The resulting police report may be very important when it comes time to file an insurance claim. Exchange information While you are waiting for the police to arrive, take the time to exchange information with the other driver. This includes insurance information such as the agents' name and the insurance policy number. Also, exchange contact information with the other driver and text it immediately with your cellphone to ensure the phone number at least is correct. In addition, speak with any witnesses and obtain their contact information as well. Do not apologize It might seem natural to apologize for the wreck even if you were not at fault. Unfortunately, your effort to put the other driver at ease might be used against you during the claims process. The insurance company might interpret your apology as an admission of guilt and use that as a basis to deny your claim. If you do talk to the other driver, stick to small talk and do not offer your opinion on the accident. If you have suffered an injury due to a car accident with a negligent driver, remember that you have options. You might be able to file a claim for your injuries and the damages to your vehicle.]]> On Behalf of Hanna Vander Ploeg, LLC https://www.hanvanlaw.com/?p=46669 2024-11-27T14:33:46Z 2018-04-02T14:51:34Z

wrongful death lawsuit. When someone dies as the result of a wrongful act, neglect of default of another, Illinois law allows surviving family members to to seek damages from the person responsible for the death. While it's common to spend weeks or even months working through grief, don't put off considering this lawsuit for too long. Survivors usually only have one year from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Who can file a wrongful death claim and for what? Illinois limits who may file a wrongful death lawsuit after an unexpected death. In most cases, the spouse or children of the deceased will be the ones who bring the lawsuit. In cases where there is no spouse, adult children can file a claim. When minor children die, their parents can also file a claim. A wrongful death claim can seek compensation for damages for the losses relating to the death. That could include medical expenses, funeral costs, lost wages and loss of companionship. In some cases, the people filing the suit can also seek damages relating to their mental suffering as a result of the loss. Civil court offers justice when criminal court cannot In some cases, there may be evidence that the person caused the crash, but not enough to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. That can mean that someone who causes a death either never faces criminal charges or ends up declared "not guilty" of criminal wrongdoing in the death. These situations can leave you angry and feeling like you experienced a miscarriage of justice. Thankfully, wrongful death lawsuits allow you to pursue justice and hold the person accountable for his or her decisions and actions. The burden of proof is lower in a civil case, meaning that the same evidence that could not secure a conviction can be adequate to result in compensation for your family. Although no amount of compensation can ever make up for what your family has lost, winning a lawsuit can provide you with a sense of justice after your loss. It can also help protect your family from the often devastating impact of losing a family member. If someone did something illegal or made a mistake that cost the life of your loved one, a wrongful death lawsuit could be a proper response.]]> On Behalf of Hanna Vander Ploeg, LLC https://www.hanvanlaw.com/?p=46668 2021-03-23T16:45:51Z 2018-01-03T21:11:34Z

Abuse doesn't always leave a physical bruise The most obvious and well-known form of abuse is physical abuse. This involves hitting, kicking or otherwise intentionally inflicting pain or physical damage on another person. Sexual abuse is a form of physical abuse that may not leave visible scars, but it can leave deep emotional ones. Bruises, broken bones or a newly developed fear of quick movements or loud voices could be warning signs of physical abuse. Emotional or psychological abuse doesn't leave marks. Instead, it involves caregivers or others degrading, insulting threatening, isolating or humiliating someone. In some cases, gaslighting, a means of undermining someone's faith in one's own mental faculties or perceptions, also happens. Emotional abuse is harder to detect, but signs may include changes in mood, behavior or socialization. Financial abuse is another form of abuse that elder patients sometimes experience. It could involve theft or manipulation. Someone could use your loved one's checkbook or steal his or her possessions. Alternatively, workers could slowly groom patients in their care by preying on their empathy or sympathy, telling sad stories about their financial woes to encourage gifts or perhaps an addition to a last will. Neglect is also a serious issue Even if there are no signs of overt abuse, you need to watch out for signs of neglect. Unbrushed hair, degraded oral health, stained clothing and bed sores are all signs that your loved one may not be getting the kind of care you expected from the nursing home. Neglect can result in infections, falls and other serious threats to the health of those in nursing homes. When you suspect your loved one is facing abuse or experiencing neglect, ask him or her for input. In some cases, your loved one could be too frightened to speak up about what's happening, especially if staff won't allow you privacy when you visit. You may want to document everything once you have reason to feel concerned and make a point of seeing about moving your loved one to another facility if the issue isn't resolved quickly.]]> On Behalf of Hanna Vander Ploeg, LLC https://www.hanvanlaw.com/?p=46667 2024-11-15T11:56:06Z 2017-11-15T17:21:33Z

The proposed project currently has a timeline of two seasons at a minimum and construction would cost $4.6 million. IDOT conducted a crash analysis, which found there were 259 total crashes between 2010 and 2014 at this intersection. Nearly half of those crashes were rear ends. Thirty-two percent of those car accidents resulted in injuries, with one fatality. Unfortunately, not everyone is on board with the proposed plan. Countryside residents attended a public hearing held by IDOT on October 26 and voiced their concerns. One resident suggested the medians could increase the number of U-turns. Another voiced concern that motorists would drive through the neighborhood north of 55th Street, hoping that speed bumps would be added to that neighborhood to slow down passersby. Countryside residents can watch this project and submit comments to the IDOT directly. Any comments received before November 24 will be included as part of the official public meeting record. Whenever a new construction project is proposed and executed, there is a risk that it will cause new types of car accidents the department of transportation didn't anticipate. Be careful on the road and stay informed about how those changes could affect traffic in your neighborhood in the future.]]>