Auto Accidents in Cook County and DuPage County
Most drivers will be involved in at least one accident during their time behind the wheel. Even a minor accident can cause painful injuries, make you take time off of work, and leave you with expensive medical bills. If the other driver was the cause of the accident, the person responsible should have to cover your expenses.
Unfortunately, the insurance company is not likely to give you full compensation for your damages. If you contact a Chicago area auto accident attorney, your lawyer will be able to deal with the insurance company so you get the money you are owed, to pay your bills and cover your lost wages. Contact the Cullotta Bravo Law Group today if you were involved in a car accident in Illinois.
Motor Vehicle Accidents in Illinois
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, in 2017, there were more than 311,000 motor vehicle accidents in Illinois. This included 66,889 injury accidents and 998 fatal crashes. The majority of these accidents occurred in and around Chicago, with the highest numbers in Cook County and DuPage. Motor vehicle accidents in Illinois can be caused by a number of reasons, including:
- Speeding,
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
- Hazardous road conditions,
- Distracted driving,
- Failing to follow traffic signals,
- Vehicle defects, or
- Dangerous weather conditions.
Car Accident Injuries
The first thing you need to deal with after an accident is to make sure you are not seriously injured. If you suffered an injury after a wreck, get medical attention right away. Unfortunately, many drivers and passengers do not realize they were injured until later.
Accidents involving the neck, spine, back, and head may not be felt immediately. A driver may feel fine after an accident and even drive home. However, hours or even days later, the injury victim may have serious pain, difficulty moving, or nerve damage. Even a slow speed collision, rear-end accident, or parking lot fender bender can result in injuries that require medical care.
Some of the most common injuries suffered after a car accident in Illinois include:
- Broken bones,
- Concussion,
- Cuts or lacerations,
- Head injury,
- Neck injury,
- Burns,
- Eye injury,
- Internal bleeding,
- Nerve damage, or
- Back injury.
What Damages Are Available After a Car Accident?
When filing a car accident personal injury lawsuit, the injury victim is seeking damages related to the accident. This is the financial award to compensate the victim for the losses and expenses related to the accident.
In 2017, the average cost of a property damage crash was over $12,000. The average cost of an incapacitating injury accident was over $97,000. The cost of a fatal accident was more than $1.6 million.
Depending on the type of accident, damages in a car accident claim can include:
- Medical expenses,
- Emergency medical care,
- Surgery,
- Medication,
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs,
- Lost income,
- Loss of earning potential, and
- Pain and suffering.
In a fatal car accident, the victim may not be around to hold the person who caused the accident responsible for their actions. However, a wrongful death claim can be filed by surviving family members to compensate the family for their losses caused by the deadly accident. Damages in a wrongful death claim may include:
- Funeral expenses,
- Burial costs,
- Medical treatment prior to death, and
- Loss of support the family would have received.
Who Do I Call After a Car Accident?
Medical treatment for a serious injury should be your first priority. In addition, every driver involved in a car accident in Illinois must file a crash report if the accident resulted in death, bodily injury, or more than $1,500 in property damage (when all drivers are insured).
In some cases, the other driver may not want you to report the crash. The driver may offer to pay out-of-pocket to cover any damages. However, you should be careful because the other driver may have no intention of paying for your damages. Additionally, if you find out later that the accident was more serious than you first thought, it may be tough to track down the driver and hold them accountable for your injuries.
Drivers may also want to take pictures or video of the vehicles involved and the scene of the accident. This can provide evidence to support your case if the other driver later tries to blame you for the accident.
Talking to the Insurance Company After an Accident
Your car insurance policy may also require immediately reporting any car accident to the insurance company. After an accident, you should exchange insurance information with the other drivers or individuals involved in the accident.
You should consider talking to an experienced lawyer after a car accident. Your attorney will be able to deal with the insurance company so you can get back to your normal life, focusing on recovery. If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you, refer them to your lawyer. The insurance company may appear concerned about you and your case but they may be trying to gather information to use against you in denying your claim or offering you only a small percentage of the amount you should receive.
At the Cullotta Bravo Law Group, our experience with the insurance companies gives us an in-depth understanding of how the insurance company will try and defend the case. This allows us to anticipate the defense and successfully settle your claim for maximum compensation.
Should I Take a Quick Settlement Offer?
Many drivers may be in financial hardship after an accident, unable to work and facing expensive car repairs and medical bills. The insurance company may use this against you and drag out the process as long as possible. The insurance company may offer a small settlement to try and get you to sign away your legal rights. Unfortunately, many injury victims feel like they have no other option and accept the small check.
Before signing away your rights or taking a settlement offer, make sure you know what you are giving up. The insurance company or the other driver may be responsible for the full value of your claim and you deserve to have an advocate on your side to fight for your rights.
As your personal injury lawyers, we are dedicated to aggressively pursuing compensation for all your losses and damages. We understand the tactics and defenses the insurance companies use and are prepared to fight for your rights.
Aurora and Chicago Accident Injury Lawyer
If you were injured in an automobile accident in Aurora, Chicago, or DuPage County, you need an experienced Illinois personal injury lawyer. But not just any lawyer— you need an injury attorney with a proven track record of success. Contact the Cullotta Bravo Law Group today at 630- 898-7800 to schedule your free consultation.