No one expects to be in a car accident, but you should know how to handle an insurance claim if you’re the victim of a wreck. Because Illinois is an at-fault state, you can pursue a personal injury claim against the driver who caused your losses. However, getting a settlement for your damages is not as simple as asking for compensation.
You must take careful steps to protect any potential settlements. At some point, you will talk to the insurance companies involved. Those interactions could put your case at risk. Learn why working with a Chicago personal injury lawyer can protect your settlement.
Insurance companies are profit-driven businesses. They don’t like anything that can threaten their bottom line, so their agents work to find ways to lessen their responsibility to make a payout.
If an insurance company can discover an “out” from having to pay you for their client’s actions, they will take it. They may use bad faith tactics, or they will try to twist your statements, lessen the significance of your injury, or even place blame on you for your accident.
The best choice of action? Talk to a Chicago car accident lawyer before you make any statements to insurance companies.
If you are talking to your insurer, you should cooperate as best as you can. Their adjusters might ask you to give a statement, so use caution. You should stick to the facts of the case.
If the at-fault driver’s insurance company reaches out to you, make sure that you:
It should be noted that you should not feel pressured to talk to an adjuster before you are ready. It’s a common tactic to contact a crash victim early. Adjusters claim it’s so that the memories of your accident are fresh, but they want to talk to you before you’ve discovered the full extent of your damages.
If you aren’t ready to talk, direct them to your attorney or insurance company. By working with your attorney, you won’t give out any misleading details or break the privacy of other victims, doctors, or family.
Once you’ve contacted your lawyer and received the okay to talk to an insurer, follow your lawyer’s instructions carefully. They’ll likely tell you to:
It’s critical to remember that your personal injury case relies on evidence. Even in situations where fault for a crash is obvious, evidence could ruin your chance at a settlement. Saying the wrong thing to an adjuster could provide the defendant with the evidence they need to avoid giving them the compensation they deserve.
After a crash, get photos at the scene, collect witness contact information, and get the other driver’s contact and insurance information. Get a medical evaluation so you can prove the crash caused your injuries. And call a personal injury lawyer.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may assume the insurance company will cooperate and pay you the money you need to recover physically and fiscally. However, the insurance company may not cooperate with your needs. An attorney strengthens your case and can help protect your potential settlement.
Once you hire an attorney, they will investigate your crash. They can secure evidence, get statements, and help find witnesses to hold the at-fault driver responsible for your crash. They can represent you in court and to the insurance company and help you negotiate a favorable settlement.
If you’ve been hurt in a Chicago car accident, you shouldn’t have to deal with the insurance companies on your own. Call the Staver Accident Injury Lawyers. Our team has helped many Chicago residents fight for fair settlements. We’ve helped clients win hundreds of millions in settlements over the years. We’re ready to hear your story and fight for you.
We understand how difficult dealing with a car crash can be. Don’t fight on your own. Call (312) 236-2900 or use our form to schedule your initial consultation. There’s no fee unless we win.
When you’re fighting for maximum compensation, we know what it takes to get it.
