Car Accident Lawyer Alorton, IL
The average person will be involved in approximately four car accidents in their lifetime. Most people ride in a car every day and the more miles you travel, the greater chance you have of getting into an accident.
An Illinois driver who is injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence is entitled to insurance compensation. Unfortunately, insurance companies do not always want to pay claimants as much money as they are owed. You will need a personal injury lawyer to help you.
When you Google “car accident attorney Alorton, IL,” many names will come up and it is hard to know which one to choose. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Hipskind and McAninch fight to get their clients every penny they deserve. With many years of experience in personal injury law, our legal team provides a compassionate defense and thoroughly researches every case that we take on.
If an insurance company tries to short-change you, our attorneys will negotiate to get you a better deal. Both lawyers have represented corporations in the past. They know every argument an insurance company will use to try to give you less money than you are owed.
In the unlikely event that they cannot get the insurance company to give you what you deserve, our lawyers can represent you in court. Our legal assistants will be in frequent contact with you and keep you informed of the progress of your case every step of the way.
Insurance Law in Alorton
Illinois is considered a tort state when it comes to automobile insurance. This means that the person who is responsible for an accident will pay the associated medical bills. In some cases, an accident may not be all one person’s fault. You can collect insurance money as long as you are less than 51% responsible for an accident.
When you file an insurance claim, your case will be assigned to an insurance adjuster. An adjuster is an investigator who will look at the facts in your case, and decide if they can approve or deny your insurance claim. If they approve, they will decide on a settlement amount.
The insurance adjuster works for the insurance company. An insurance company wants to keep its money in-house. Therefore the initial settlement offer is likely to be far less than you should actually receive. This is why you need an attorney on your side.
What an Adjuster Will Look For
When a negligent driver’s insurance company receives your case, they may try to prove that you were more than 50% responsible for the accident so that they do not have to pay. They have a few methods for doing this. You should do everything you can to document your accident and its expenses. It will help us to make a strong case for you.
Collecting Evidence at the Scene
Having an accident can be very upsetting. However, it is important to be mindful of the law and to document the facts in the case.
When you have an accident, you are required to pull over to the side of the road and see if anyone is injured. If they are, or if there is significant damage to any property, you must contact the police and stay put until they arrive.
When a police officer arrives, they will make an accident report. They will interview you about the collision. Remember that you do not have to tell them anything. It is never a good idea to admit to responsibility for the crash at the scene. There may be factors of which you are unaware.
Take pictures of the cars if you can. You should also get the names and numbers of anyone who may have seen the accident. If there are businesses in the area, ask if they have security cameras that might have captured the crash.
Exchange insurance information with any other drivers who are involved in the accident. You should also get their contact information.
If paramedics arrive on the scene and recommend treatment, allow them to treat you. If they tell you to go to the hospital with them, you should go. Visit your doctor within a day or so of the accident even if you feel okay. Not all injuries are immediately apparent.
Documenting Your Expenses
When you have an accident, you are certain to miss time from work. You are going to have to make time for all of your doctor’s appointments. Hence, you will lose wages. You should have your employer write you a letter stating the amount of money you have lost as a result of your accident. If you are self-employed, you can write your own letter.
Have your doctor write you a detailed report about your medical conditions and your progress. Save a copy of your medical bills. Save the bills for things like physical therapy and any alternative treatments you have.
If you are temporarily unable to clean the house or drive due to your injuries, make sure to save the bills from ride-sharing services or cleaning services you require.
Calling the Insurance Company
When your case is assigned to an adjuster, they are likely to call you and ask you many questions about your accident. You are not required to answer any of these questions. If you do answer questions, you should only tell them what you can remember. They may try to pressure you into telling them things that are not accurate. They may ask to record the conversation, but you are under no obligation to let them.
In the state of Illinois, an insurance company has two weeks to acknowledge the claim. Once you have submitted documentation of your accident, they will have 30 days to accept or deny your claim.
It is always worth it to call an attorney before accepting a settlement. Hipskind and McAninch will give you a free consultation. We work on a contingency basis which means that we only make money if you get a settlement.
Going through an accident is hard enough without being taken advantage of by a greedy insurance company. Hipskind and McAninch will get you the money you need to get back on the road. Give us a call today.