Muhammad Ramadan | March 25, 2024 | Car Accident
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 97,388 motor vehicle accidents in 2022, including 181 fatal crashes and 16,830 injury crashes. Given the frequency of crashes in the city, you may one day find yourself in a Chicago area accident and consider whether you need a car accident lawyer.
Understanding what a car accident lawyer does can help you be prepared to navigate your claim.
Investigate the Accident
Illinois is an at-fault state for car accidents, meaning that the party who is found at fault for the accident is responsible for paying the victim’s damages. A car accident lawyer can investigate your case to determine who was at fault.
This typically requires understanding Illinois’ Rules of the Road, which outline various traffic laws.
Many accidents occur when drivers break driving laws, such as:
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Failing to yield the right-of-way to another driver
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Using distractions while driving
- Not maintaining their vehicle
A thorough investigation into the accident serves as the foundation of a successful car accident claim.
Explain Your Legal Rights and Options
A car accident lawyer can meet with you to discuss your right to recover compensation for the harm you suffered because of another person’s negligence. Lawyers can provide tailored legal advice based on your particular situation.
They can also explain the various options that might be available to you. This might include entering into a settlement agreement with the insurance company or filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party. An experienced car accident attorney can help you weigh the pros and cons and explain the process ahead so that you can make informed decisions about your case.
Gather Evidence
Car accidents are often complex. The parties may have very different versions of how they see the events that led up to the collision. Objective evidence can help establish how the accident actually occurred and who is at fault.
Lawyers can use various processes and discovery tools to obtain critical evidence, which might include:
- Accident reports
- Videos from surveillance cameras, traffic cameras, and dashcams
- Photos of the accident scene
- Physical evidence, such as skid marks and tire debris
- Electronic data recorders
- Cell phone records
- Toxicology reports
In some cases, car accident lawyers may hire experts to reconstruct the accident and establish liability in your case.
Assess Damages
Damages represent the economic and non-economic losses you experienced because of the accident. Car accidents can have lasting impacts on victims, and these effects should be considered when determining the value of your claim.
Your lawyer will work to gather evidence of your damages by reviewing information such as:
- Medical records and bills
- Doctor’s notes about your prognosis
- Check stubs and statements from your employer about wages you lost while recovering
- Car repair estimates and bills
- Receipts from out-of-pocket expenses
- Journal entries regarding your daily suffering
Your lawyer can use this information to prepare a demand package that requests you be fairly compensated for your:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Ongoing rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Car repairs
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
Your lawyer can ensure that all of your damages are identified and negotiate for fair compensation.
Manage Your Claim
Few accident victims understand the amount of time, energy, and attention that goes into successfully resolving a personal injury claim. They might initially think they can handle the process alone but then become overwhelmed with the claims process.
Some of the tasks that our lawyers can take off your shoulders include:
- Communicating with the insurance company about your claim
- Requesting medical records
- Filing claim paperwork
- Managing case deadlines
- Communicating with your medical care team to understand how your injuries affect your life
- Resolving medical liens and deductions from your settlement
When you hire a lawyer to help with your case, you can focus your attention on your recovery.
A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help With Your Claim
Your car accident lawyer will fight for you to recover maximum compensation for your claim. If they cannot negotiate the compensation you deserve with the insurance company, they can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.
Contact Our Chicago Car Accident Law Firm For Help Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Chicago, Illinois, and need legal help, contact our experienced car accident lawyers at Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Cook County and its surrounding areas:
Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers
134 N La Salle St #2160
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 929-2884