There are approximately six million car crashes in the United States every year, with over 300,000 of those car accidents occurring in Illinois and over 100,000 of those happening in Chicago.
Almost 40,000 people die in car accidents every year and millions more are injured.
While car accidents can be devastating, especially if they result in fatalities or major injuries, even minor collisions can cause suffering for the victim or victims that affect the rest of their life.
People who were injured but not at fault in a car accident do not even think to try and recover damages or get any compensation.
However, if you or a loved one were injured or your family suffered a loss of life due to a motor vehicle accident in which you or they were not at fault, you are entitled to compensation including lost wages, current and future medical bills, loss of enjoyment of life or quality of life, and pain and suffering or emotional distress.
You are also entitled to compensation for material damage to your vehicle or the cost of a replacement vehicle.
Why Do I Need a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer?
If you or a loved one recently suffered from car accident injuries, then you may be able to claim damages including associated medical expenses, future medical expenses, wage loss, future impairment, loss of earning capacity, and current and future pain and suffering.
A qualified personal injury lawyer can help you determine the best next steps and how to file a lawsuit during the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident when you may be recovering from injuries and dealing with all of the stress, healing, and other repercussions of being in an auto wreck.
When Do I Need a Chicago Car Accident Injury Lawyer?
You need a Chicago car accident lawyer if you have been in a motor vehicle wreck or auto accident and suffered injuries or other damages but were not at fault.
You may be owed compensation for those damages from the at-fault parties and have a cause of action for a car accident lawsuit.
Dealing with insurance company representatives, the other driver or parties at fault, and other entities involved in a car accident can be extremely stressful, especially if you are recovering from injuries sustained in the accident and dealing with the aftermath of property damage to your vehicle and even a potential wrongful death of a family member or loved one.
This is why you need to secure legal counsel in the form of a Chicago car accident lawyer who is established in Chicago and the surrounding area as soon as possible after you've been involved in a car accident or auto wreck in Illinois.
What's more, the longer it takes to investigate a given incident, the more likely it is that evidence is literally washed away or destroyed, or people's memories fade and eyewitnesses become less reliable.
Working with a motor vehicle accident attorney In Chicago right away helps you get out in front of potential problems and ensure that you recover the compensation that you are owed.
How Do I Find a Car Accident Attorney in Chicago?
If you were in a car accident in Chicago and you need a Chicago personal injury attorney because you were not at fault and suffered damages, then contact the experienced Chicago auto crash lawyers at Zayed Law Offices.
It is important to seek legal counsel during the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident because insurance companies pay, on average, almost triple the original or established amounts in cases where the victim is represented by a lawyer.
Therefore, it is essential to contact a collision lawyer or car accident attorney as soon as possible after an accident so that they have the best possible opportunity to track down any and all witnesses and investigate key evidence before it is purposefully or inadvertently destroyed.
Find Zayed Law Offices near you.
How Do I Hire a Chicago Auto Accident Lawyer?
If you were in a car accident or auto accident and believe that you are owed compensation or are able to recover damages, then you should hire a personal injury lawyer that specializes in car accidents in your state or city.
Consulting with a car accident attorney at Zayed Law Offices in Chicago is always free and our lawyers work on a contingency basis.
What Does a Collision Lawyer Handle in a Car Accident Lawsuit?
A Chicago collision lawyer or car accident lawyer handles all the details of filing a lawsuit and bringing it before a judge and jury or ensuring there is a satisfactory out-of-court settlement and everything in between.
Why Should I Hire a Chicago Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer?
It is important to seek legal counsel during the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident because insurance companies pay, on average, almost triple the original or established amounts in cases where the victim is represented by an auto accident lawyer.
Where Do I Find a Chicago Auto Crash Attorney?
The qualified car accident lawyers at Zayed Law Offices will handle your case in the appropriate jurisdiction in Chicago and the rest of the Northern Illinois and Chicagoland areas.
If you are located in Chicago, the Chicago area suburbs, Aurora, Joliet, Peoria, Rockford, Wheaton, or any of the nearby collar counties, our Chicago car accident attorneys have established themselves as the leading car accident lawyers in Illinois.
Where your car accident lawsuit case will be tried and what court will hear the case depends on the location of the car accident, your location, and the location of the defendants or their employers, as the case may be.
Our Chicago collision lawyers will help you to determine where to file your suit and what location or area has jurisdiction over your car accident lawsuit case.
What Does an Auto Wreck Lawyer Do?
If you have been in an auto wreck in Illinois, retaining the help of a Chicago car accident lawyer could be an integral part of your recovery process, particularly the financial aspects.
A motor vehicle accident attorney can serve as an advocate for your cause and help you file and pursue your claim to the end, allowing you to recover damages and recoup costs via a settlement or even a trial.
Remember that your insurance company will not be able to advocate for you and your interests in the same way that an auto accident lawyer can–they will devote time and attention to your case and be completely on your side, guiding you through this difficult time in yours and your family's lives.
Who is at Fault in a Car Accident?
Car accidents can occur for any number of reasons or a combination of reasons; however, the one thing nearly all car accidents have in common is that they involve factors that were outside of the victim's control.
Causes of car accidents can include but are not limited to:
- Speeding or driving at speeds above and beyond the posted speed limits
- Speeding or going at imprudent speeds for the weather, condition of the road, or the speed of fellow motorists (this includes going too quickly or too slowly)
- Driver impairment because of alcohol, drugs, or other controlled substances
- Driver impairment due to fatigue
- Driver impairment due to age
- Driver impairment due to illness or injury and associated symptoms or side effects (such as a concussion or other head injury)
- Driver lacks a valid driver's license in the state or jurisdiction
- Distracted driving due to talking on their cell phone, texting on their cell phone, fiddling with the radio or stereo, or eating in the car
- Poor road conditions including inclement weather like rain, ice, snow, or other precipitation
- Poor road conditions due to damage like potholes or cracks
- Poor road conditions due to foreign objects like branches, auto parts, or other debris on the road surface
- Poor road design and layout, such as lack of or bad visibility, dangerous surface conditions, and improper or insufficient road markings or signage
- Mechanical failure of the vehicle or vehicles including tires, brakes, and steering mechanisms
When you have been involved in a car accident or auto collision, there are varying degrees of fault and multiple elements are at play when it comes to proving fault and taking effective action against the perpetrator or perpetrator of the accidents.
Filing a lawsuit for a car accident can be complex and require a broad range of expertise in order to prove fault and successfully recover damages.
The Chicago motor vehicle accident attorneys at Zayed Law Office have extensive experience dealing with car accidents and provide you with a sound basis on whether you should pursue a lawsuit or action in court and help you file and negotiate your auto accident lawsuit case.
Negligence and Car Accidents
Legally, negligence is defined as any conduct that falls below the law's recognized standards for the protection against unreasonable risk of harm.
It is also defined as the failure to behave with the level of care that someone of ordinary prudence would have exercised under similar circumstances; negligent behavior usually consists of actions but one can also be negligent by omission when there is a duty to act or a duty to assist victims of one's previous conduct.
Accordingly, a person is regarded to be acting negligently if he or she does not act with the conduct expected of a reasonable person.
A driver or motor vehicle operator can be negligent if they fall below the standard of behavior or diligence expected of a reasonable person in various situations, such as speeding or exceeding the speed limit, driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other controlled substances, or distracted driving due to talking or texting on a mobile phone.
For negligence to be considered a cause of action for a lawsuit in a motor wreck or collision case, it must be proved that not only did negligence occur, but the at-fault party or parties was also in breach of the acceptable social contract for behavior and provable damages or injury occurred.
Types of Car Accidents
Car accidents or motor vehicle accidents can involve a range of different factors and are therefore classified as different types, at least legally.
However, a car accident can be considered to be more than one type or the type of collision can overlap so it is important to consider all the aspects of a motor vehicle incident when determining the parties at fault and filing a lawsuit or multiple lawsuits.
The types of car accidents that may result in a cause of action for a lawsuit include but are not limited to the following catastrophes.
Pedestrian Car Accidents
There are over 100,000 traffic accidents per year in the United States involving pedestrians that result in serious injuries or even death.
A pedestrian accident that involves one or more motor vehicles can be particularly devastating.
If you are injured by a car or struck by a motor vehicle while walking down or crossing a street, contact a Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible in order to ensure that a negligent driver and their insurance companies do not divert the fault to you.
After all, even at very low speeds a car, truck, motorcycle, bus, or another motor vehicle can cause serious or even devastating injuries to a person who is simply walking down the street or crossing at a defined intersection.
Injuries caused by pedestrian accidents that may result in a cause of action for a lawsuit include but are not limited to broken bones, severe head trauma or head injuries, brain injuries, neck, back, or spinal injuries, injuries resulting in temporary or permanent paralyzation, nerve damage, road burns, amputation, or wrongful death.
While pedestrians always have the theoretical and legal right of way, this is not always the case in actuality.
Therefore, if you were injured by a motor vehicle while walking down the street or crossing at an intersection, contacting the car accident attorneys at Zayed Law Offices should be your first step towards holding a negligent driver responsible for the damage and distress they have caused and recovering the compensation you deserve.
Remember that pedestrians have virtually no protection from the grievous injuries they may experience if they are struck by a motor vehicle, and very often pedestrian accidents are the product of negligent or careless operators of cars, buses, trucks, and motorcycles.
Negligent drivers may fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians, fail to observe traffic signals, be inattentive or distracted while driving, drive in the dark or other unsafe conditions, drive while impaired or intoxicated, or simply be too elderly or otherwise suffer from a medical condition that precludes driving.
If you were the pedestrian in a car accident in any of these circumstances, you may have a cause of action for a lawsuit and you should contact the Chicagoland personal injury attorneys at Zayed Law Offices as soon as possible.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Driving while distracted by a cell phone (whether the driver is calling, texting, playing a game, posting or commenting on social media, or otherwise not paying due attention to the road) can be deadly.
If you or a family member have suffered an injury or even a wrongful death due to a distracted or inattentive driver who was on their phone at the time of the incident, then you may have a cause of action for a lawsuit.
According to a recent study promulgated by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, drivers using cell phones cause more than 2,600 motor vehicle fatalities and 330,000 injuries annually, and the National Safety Council reports that there are 1.6 million car crashes per year that are the direct result of a driver being distracted by their phone.
Even using a headset can be dangerous since the driver is not focusing 100% on the road, and it is surprisingly common.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 500,000 drivers talk on their cell phones while driving every day, and over 40% of people admit to having had a close call while they or another driver was speaking on their mobile phone.
Texting or otherwise using apps on a cell phone is just as dangerous as talking.
For instance, truckers who text while driving are more than twenty times more likely than average to be involved in an accident, and statistics have shown that a person who is texting while operating a motor vehicle has the same impaired reaction time as a driver with a 0.08 blood alcohol level.
Working with an experienced truck accident lawyer can get you the compensation you deserve.
If your job or profession involves required cell phone usage while driving, consider using a Bluetooth system or earpiece or other handsfree devices, do not look up numbers or take notes while driving, and try to place your calls while your car is not moving or before pulling out into heavy traffic, avoid being on your phone in heavy traffic, hazardous weather, or other stressful situations, and keep your conversations as short as possible.
While being involved in any type of auto accident can be traumatizing, if you were involved and harmed in a car accident where the other driver was distracted by their cell phone, contact an attorney with experience handling distracted driving car accident cases as soon as possible in order to ensure that cell phone records, any nearby camera footage, or other evidence can be gathered as soon as possible so you can recoup the damages you deserve for your losses.
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Rollover Car Accidents
The larger and heavier a vehicle is, the greater the likelihood that a rollover can occur.
Rollover accidents happen for a variety of reasons and they are one of the deadliest types of motor vehicle accidents that can occur.
Rollover accidents happen when a car, truck, or another type of vehicle flips or rotates on its side or roof, causing occupants to be thrown from the vehicle, pinned underneath, or otherwise injured.
Moreover, rollovers do not only affect the driver and passengers of the vehicle in question, they can injure pedestrians or other drivers and passengers on the road as well if the rolling vehicle hits them.
This can be particularly deadly on a highway or other road with fast-moving heavy traffic. Rollovers can also happen in the event that a driver needs to brake to prevent hitting another vehicle or object and there is not ample time to do so, especially if a car or truck is particularly large or top-heavy.
Regardless of the cause, rollovers are serious and often fatal car accidents, so if you or a loved one was involved in a rollover accident that was caused by another individual's negligent behavior, a rollover accident lawyer will help you recover compensation for your injuries and suffering.
Whiplash Injuries from Car Accidents
These types of injuries arise from the forcible back-and-forth movement of the head and neck, akin to the cracking of a whip.
Whiplash injuries from an auto accident are fortunately rarely life-threatening, but they can affect your physical health for days, weeks, or even months following a car accident and the symptoms may take a while to manifest into severe and persistent back, neck, and head pain that can be problematic for years or the rest of your life.
If you or a loved experienced whiplash from a car accident where another driver was at fault, you may be owed compensation for your medical bills and associated pain and suffering as well as loss of income (if applicable).
Therefore, it is important to contact a car accident lawyer or whiplash lawyer who has experience dealing with whiplash injury lawsuits in order to ensure that you recover the damages that you are owed.
The Chicago-based car accident lawyers at Zayed Law Offices aggressively represent people who have suffered a wide range of catastrophic injuries, including but not limited to brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.
Our Chicago auto accident lawyers understand the far-reaching impact that whiplash injuries and trauma to the head, neck, and spine can have on the rest of your life and help make sure that you are compensated appropriately.
Drunk Driving Car Accidents and DUI Car Accidents
Driving while drunk, intoxicated, or under the influence is a crime.
Accordingly, victims of drunk drivers have both criminal and civil remedies available to them in Illinois.
Nearly one-third of all driving or traffic fatalities in the United States are caused by drunk drivers, and over 70% of drunk driving fatalities happen at night - and what's so frustrating is that all of these accidents are preventable, so the associated injuries and loss of life are especially unnecessary and painful.
If you or a family member is injured or even killed in a drunk driving accident or DUI accident, then you are entitled to compensation for medical bills, loss of a vehicle or vehicles, lost wages, future medical costs, loss of future income, and emotional distress or pain and suffering.
Our experienced drunk driving or DUI car accident lawyers will help ensure that you and your family recover the damages that you are owed if you were in an auto wreck where the at-fault party was driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other controlled substances.
Our car crash attorneys here in Chicago, take special action to aggressively fight for and pursue action for clients who have been seriously injured or had a family member killed in a drunk driving accident, and we make it our goal to recover the maximum compensation available under the law of Illinois and the United States.
Car Accidents Where the Driver at Fault was Uninsured
If you or a family member were involved in a car accident where the other party was uninsured or underinsured, then you still have avenues of recovery for damages.
It is not uncommon for a driver who is proven to be at fault in an accident to lack insurance coverage or to not have an auto insurance policy; therefore, you may have to look to your own auto insurance policy for “uninsured” and or “under-insured” motorist provisions in the event of a car accident or collision with a driver that did not carry adequate insurance.
Even if the at-fault party in a motor vehicle accident did not have auto insurance, your insurance company will still be obligated to provide some coverage for your injuries.
The extent of this compensation will be outlined in your insurance policy.
The same goes for a case where you or a family member were injured or even killed in a car accident where the driver at fault did not carry enough insurance coverage to adequately compensate you for your injuries.
If you were hit by an under-insured driver, your insurance company will still be obligated to provide compensation to make up the difference (the extent of this coverage will be defined in your insurance policy documents).
In Illinois, motorists and their insurance companies are required to maintain provisions for accidents caused by uninsured and under-insured drivers.
This type of auto insurance coverage can prove to be incredibly useful in the event of an accident.
For example, statistics from the Insurance Research Council show that the number of uninsured drivers is nearly 25% in some states, with approximately 15% to 17% of those. in the U.S. being uninsured.
It's also important to note that these provisions for collisions with uninsured or under-insured drivers generally only cover bodily injury and not property damage (e.g., damage to or the destruction of your vehicle), so you should check your own insurance policy and work with an established car insurance attorney if you were involved in a collision with an uninsured or under-insured driver.
Rear-End Car Accident and Head-On Collisions
Car accidents can occur in a split second even if you are following all the rules of the road and driving in good conditions, particularly rear-end collisions or head-on collisions.
These types of car accidents are particularly devastating if they occur at highway speeds or in heavy traffic.
When a car accident of any kind happens, your world can be turned upside down in a split second.
Dealing with the aftermath including injuries, potential fatalities, damage to your vehicle, and other pain and suffering can be stressful and emotional.
If you have suffered a serious injury due to another motorist's negligent behavior, you should retain a Chicago car accident lawyer as soon as possible to help you navigate dealing with the at-fault parties, insurance companies, and any other entities involved.
Even if a collision or auto accident only results in seemingly minor injuries, it is always good to have an experienced car accident lawyer assess the situation.
It might feel like overkill, but small injuries or soft tissue injuries like whiplash or similar minor injuries to the neck or back can dramatically affect your health and quality of life.
What's more, these issues may take a while to present themselves, so even if you feel fine after your car has been rear-ended or you've been in a head-on collision, you should seek both medical attention and legal counsel as soon as possible - it is always in your best interest to get objective advice before accepting an insurance's company's offer.
Read-end car accidents and head-on collisions may occur due to the many different types of circumstances, including but not limited to...
- Following too closely behind another vehicle or tailgating
- Distracted driving due to talking or texting on a cell phone
- Defective or damaged roadways
- Poor driving conditions like black ice on the roads
- Inclement weather including thunderstorms, rain, hail, and snow
- Brake defects
- Other auto defects
When the car accident lawyers and rear-end accident lawyers at Zayed Law Offices represent you as a client after a motor vehicle wreck, we have multiple goals in mind.
Of course, our Chicago car wreck attorneys seek to obtain the maximum amount of compensation possible and help you get the legal representation that you deserve, but we also work to ensure that you and your family members or fellow victims receive the most state-of-the-art medical treatment for your injuries.
We look at every car accident lawsuit case from a comprehensive standpoint and determine the best course of action to take in your unique situation.
Fire Truck, Police, And Ambulance Accidents
If you have been involved in an accident with an emergency responder in or around the Chicagoland area or elsewhere in northern Illinois, our Chicago car accident lawyers are standing by to help you obtain a settlement.
Personal injury cases and car accident lawsuits involving government vehicles are particularly complicated and present unique challenges and issues, so it is important that you work with a Chicago-based car accident lawyer who is highly knowledgeable regarding accidents involving municipally-owned vehicles and government employees.
For instance, there is a shortened statute of limitations along with other regulations that come into play when dealing with municipalities and their employees and property, which is nearly always the case when you have been in a car accident involving fire trucks, police cars, ambulances, or similar vehicles and their drivers were at fault.
Highway Car Accidents in Chicago
The construction and weather conditions in the Chicago area and Northern Illinois roadways can contribute to car accidents and auto wrecks in a variety of ways, including but not limited to individuals who are driving drunk or under the influence of controlled substances, distracted driving, or people operating vehicles at high speeds or over the posted speed limits.
If you have been in a highway accident and sustained injuries and damage to your vehicle, you need a car accident lawyer who has handled highway accident cases before and knows to explore all the possible causes.
For example, if the other driver was going too fast if the accident occurred amidst ongoing construction and the at-fault driver ignored posted speed rules if the accident happened in a construction zone that was not clearly marked, or in poor weather conditions, there may be multiple causes and at-fault parties who owe you compensation for damages due to a car accident on the highway.
Chicago Rideshare Auto Accidents (Uber & Lyft)
Car accidents where a rideshare company driver is involved - whether it is your Uber or Lyft driver or you were hit by one of the drivers contracted by those companies or other rideshare organizations.
If an Uber or Lyft driver was deemed to be at fault in a car crash or auto wreck, their personal car insurance provider may be the company liable to cover their damages.
However, it is also likely that you will be filing a claim through the driver's coverage via Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare company that the driver was operating for at the time of the accident.
Your driver may also possess a personal or commercial motor vehicle insurance policy with a special endorsement that may apply in your case.
If another driver caused an accident that you were involved in as an Uber or Lyft driver or while you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, then their personal auto insurance policy should be liable for your claim.
If the at-fault driver was uninsured, then your own insurance should have a provision for accident coverage when the wreck was caused by an uninsured or under-insured driver.
If you were in a car accident with an Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare company driver, then you should contact an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer as soon as possible, since recovering damages for these cases can be especially complicated due to the number of parties (and their associated insurance carriers) involved in the situation.
How Much Is a Car Accident Case Worth?
In our legal system, victims of car accidents who were not at fault in the accident are entitled to:
- Current medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Current lost wages
- Future loss of income or impairment of earning capacity
- Current pain and suffering
- Future pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage or vehicle damage costs
Of course, each car accident and the case is different, so if you were involved in an auto wreck or motor vehicle accident, then you should seek a local car accident lawyer who can provide experienced legal counsel and help you recover the damages you are owed.
What Should I Do If I Was in a Car Accident?
If you have been involved in a car accident or auto wreck involving a personal injury and you suspect that you have a cause of action for a lawsuit, you should contact a local car accident lawyer as soon as possible, avoid speaking with insurance company representatives until you can secure legal counsel, and collect the following information:
- The full legal name, telephone number, driver's license number, current address, and information for all parties involved in the car accident
- The full legal names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all passengers and pedestrians who could be considered potential witnesses
- Observations pertaining to the accident such as whether another driver appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, poor road conditions, or vehicle defects prior to the accident like broken headlights or brake lights
- Location, details, time, and date of the car accident
- Contact information for any police officers or first responders on the scene
Writing down or recording everything in the best detail you can remember as quickly as possible following the auto accident will help you keep track of important elements and avoid memory issues later.
Your Chicago car accident lawyer will thank you - and you will thank yourself for having the presence of mind to capture details that could prove to be vital information in court later.
When you see a doctor after the accident, whether it is in the emergency room or a first responder or you see your physician later, always ensure you get copies of all reports and information from the medical team to help document your injuries and subsequent medical costs.
Steps to Take After You Were Involved in Chicago Car Accident
You should always see a doctor if you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident of any kind, even if you feel okay at first.
That's because it is very common to walk away from a car crash - even a seemingly minor auto wreck - only to realize that you are suffering from whiplash, neck or spinal injuries, or other injuries days or even months later.
Therefore, even if you feel fine you should see a medical professional soon after being in a car accident in Illinois - or anywhere else.
It is unfortunately common for individuals to try and “tough it out” in the aftermath of a car accident, but postponing medical treatment can amplify injuries or make an already serious injury worse.
Furthermore, postponing medical treatment or delaying medical treatment after a car accident - even if it is just a quick physical exam to ensure that you don't have whiplash injuries or similar issues that may get worse before they get better - can jeopardize the strength of your personal injury claim because the defendant may posit the fact that your injuries or health issues could be due to another problem, source, or incident.
You can strengthen your auto accident personal injury case if you take these steps immediately after an accident:
- Call medical services, emergency personnel, or first responders to the scene immediately, especially if other victims are incapacitated or appear to be suffering from grievous injuries
- Call the police and be sure to get the appropriate contact info to follow up with reports of the accident
- Get the contact information and insurance information of the other driver or drivers involved in the car wreck
- Take photographs or videos of the accident
- Make notes - written or voice recordings - on the details of the accident. Time-stamped and dated notes are best and your cell phone likely has an app that allows that for this form of capturing information
- Collect the information of any possible witnesses and note the location of any security cameras or similar devices that may have captured the incident (local businesses, homes, etc. all may have cameras in place)
- Notify your insurance carrier
Frequently Asked Questions
Have you been in an accident and need an experienced car accident attorney?
Be sure to stay at the scene of the accident until all these steps are completed if your physical health permits.
If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident and suffered an injury or other damages, the car accident lawyers at Zayed Law Offices can assist you through the entire car accident personal injury lawsuit process.
What Should I Do if I Was in an Accident with An Uninsured Driver?
All of the aforementioned advice holds true if you were in a car accident with an uninsured or under-insured driver, but there are some extra considerations.
The state of Illinois requires that all drivers carry minimum levels of auto insurance, and in the event that a motorist does not meet his or her obligation to carry mandatory car insurance that is adequate for their vehicle and situation, you may be concerned that you are without financial recourse to redress your injuries.
An experienced Chicago car accident lawyer will be able to handle this situation and help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your losses.
What Should I Do if the Other Driver's Insurance Company Contacts Me After a Car Accident?
You should never speak to any representative of the insurance company of the person who was at fault for the car accident, or the representative of any insurance company that is not your own provider.
Furthermore, it is a good idea to never speak to insurance company representatives without the assistance or presence of your lawyer, since insurance company reps and lawyers generally work to protect the interests of the company first and policyholders second.
Claims adjusters employed by insurance companies are experts at mitigating losses and decreasing or lowering the claims of victims, even if they are completely valid.
It only goes to follow that if you were in a car accident or auto wreck, you should retain the services of a motor vehicle accident lawyer who can advise you and counsel you through the personal injury lawsuit process.
Unlike the insurance companies, your auto accident lawyer works for you and their only goal is to increase your recovery and ensure that you receive all the compensation that you are entitled to in the event of an injury from a car crash or collision.
Car Accident Lawsuit Settlements and Damages
The value of a motor vehicle accident case depends on the damages caused and the extent of harm incurred by the victim or victims. Damages can be recovered or settlements made for a number of reasons, including but not limited to:
- Disability due to injuries from the accident
- Current or immediate medical bills
- Future medical bills
- Loss of earnings or wages (in the present)
- Loss of earning capacity in the future (in the event of a disability or catastrophic injury, or wrongful death)
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage or destruction of your vehicle
After being involved in a car accident, you may have experienced significant discomfort, pain, injury, inconvenience, or catastrophic damage to your person such as the loss of a limb(s) or paralysis.
You may have missed and may continue to miss significant amounts of work or may even no longer be able to work in your previous capacity.
Motor vehicle incidents may even involve catastrophic injury or fatalities for the driver or their passengers, which could lead to a lawsuit and the need for a Chicago wrongful death attorney.
Filing a lawsuit against the negligent parties in a car accident is a way of recovering or recouping the loss or damages for the accident and ensuring that medical bills, loss of income, and other pain and suffering that occurred as a result of the accident are taken care of as best allowed by the Illinois and United States legal system.
Car Accident Wrongful Death Lawsuits
In the case of wrongful or accidental death due to the negligent conduct of another party or parties in a motor vehicle accident, their heirs have the right to file an accidental death lawsuit under Illinois law, which allows for a cause of action to be brought on behalf of family members or heirs of the deceased.
Accidental death lawsuits stemming from car accidents can cover medical bills and related expenses, pain and suffering, loss of earnings, and emotional distress for the family of the deceased.
These losses are compensable in the state of Illinois under the Illinois Survival Act.
An auto accident attorney experienced in handling these types of suits will be able to assist your family during this difficult time of unimaginable loss and handle the associated lawsuits and insurance claims so your family doesn't have to and can focus on their grieving process and recovery.
Car Accident Lawsuit Trials
While a car accident or motor vehicle crash lawsuit case may be settled out of court for a monetary amount agreed upon by both the defendant and plaintiff and their lawyers, an auto wreck case may go to trial if a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached.
Car accident lawsuits go to trial due to a number of reasons.
For instance, if the vehicle operator or negligent party or parties are solely at fault but their insurance won't acknowledge the fault of the policyholder, the case may be taken to trial to enable a judge and jury to decide if damages should be awarded and in what amounts.
Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits
In the state of Illinois, the time limit or statute of limitations for personal injury cases due to car crashes or motor vehicle accidents is two years from the date that the crash occurred.
If a car accident victim or their family members (in the case of wrongful death) fails to file a lawsuit against the alleged negligent or at-fault party or parties within this two-year window, they will be unable to recover the compensation they may deserve.
However, the car accident in question involved a government or municipally-owned vehicle such as an ambulance, police car, or fire truck, the statute of limitations may be dramatically shortened to 180 days with zero exceptions and the burden of proof may be higher.
Therefore, securing legal counsel as quickly as possible after being involved in a wreck or collision with a government vehicle is essential if you hope to recover damages.
Fatalities and Car Accident Lawsuits
If you have lost a loved one in a car accident or motor vehicle accident, you may have grounds or a cause of action for a wrongful death lawsuit.
While no amount of money or financial recovery will ever fully assuage your grief, you have the right to compensation.
Working with a car accident lawyer who has experience handling wrongful death cases in Illinois can help you recover costs for medical bills, loss of income, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering.
Navigating the complexities of car accident lawsuits and wrongful death lawsuits and ensuring that appropriate at-fault parties and their insurance companies pay the full settlement or damages owed is a job for a car accident lawyer, so if you believe you may have a motor vehicle accident wrongful death case, contact the personal injury attorneys at Zayed Law Offices as soon as possible.
Types of Recovery in a Car Accident Lawsuit
Under Illinois law, the plaintiff in a car accident lawsuit can pursue compensation for losses including but not limited to…
- Current and future medical costs, including but not limited to hospital visits, doctor's appointments, physical therapy, ambulance fees, and other related costs for medical care necessary to recover from car accident injuries. This can include future costs of care as well, which is particularly valid in the case of catastrophic injuries such as the loss of a limb or limbs or paralysis.
- Pain and suffering or the emotional distress and anguish that result from the car accident or motor vehicle collision, including the costs of mental care for post-traumatic stress disorder or similar conditions that were caused by the car accident
- Lost wages from missing due to injuries from the car accident, which can be one of the most financially devastating aspects of being involved in a car accident
- Loss of future income due to injuries from the car wreck, including loss of limbs, paralysis, or other physical or mental impairment that may have occurred as a direct result of the car crash
If you or a loved one were involved in a car accident and you believe that you have a personal injury case and are owed damages, contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Our Chicago car accident legal team is here to assist throughout the entire process.
Our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help
At Zayed Law Offices, our first and foremost goal is to protect the rights of the injured.
If you or a loved one have been in a motor vehicle accident and you have questions about personal injury lawsuits or compensation for your medical bills and pain and suffering, are wondering how to pursue a personal injury case, or whether you have a cause of action to file a legal claim against the person or persons who caused your car accident, our Chicago auto accident lawyers can help you understand the associated laws and your options.
We know that a car accident can be a catastrophic and traumatic event that affects you, your family, and your career in many complicated and devastating ways.
Furthermore, the effects of being in a motor vehicle accident can last for many years into the future, affecting your health, medical costs, current and future income, and even your family's future if you lose earning capacity or the ability to care for yourself.
What's more, if you've lost a loved one to a car crash or motor vehicle fatality, you deserve a settlement and to deal with the grieving process as best you can without the extra stress of dealing with insurance companies and other third parties.
All of the above reasons are why you should work with a personal injury attorney who has experience dealing with auto wrecks and car crash injuries and can help you recover costs for pain and suffering, loss of earnings, loss of earning capacity, medical bills, disability, and emotional distress.
Have you been in a car accident with another personal or commercial motor vehicle operator and need a car accident lawyer to help you sue for damages?
Our experienced Chicago legal team welcomes the opportunity to speak with you about your legal situation and help you determine the next steps.
Please contact Zayed Law Offices in Chicago and schedule a free and confidential initial consultation by completing our short contact form.
We'll schedule a time that is convenient for you and please note that you will not pay lawyer's fees unless we recover compensation for you.