Yes. You should get a lawyer for a car accident that wasn’t your fault when you were seriously injured due to someone else’s recklessness or negligence in an Illinois car accident. A car accident lawyer from our law firm, The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers can protect your interests and help receive fair compensation. While recovering compensation from the at-fault party or their insurer might seem straightforward, a lawyer assists when the process becomes complex or when a low settlement is offered.
How the Insurance Claims Process Gets Complicated
The insurance claims process is notoriously complicated. Even with a clear-cut case, insurers may lowball you with an initial offer or drag out the process to frustrate you into accepting less. An experienced car accident attorney knows the tactics insurance companies use and can help negotiate a fair settlement or take your case to court if needed.
Reasons to Hire an Illinois Car Accident Lawyer for a Car Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault
When you file an insurance claim with the other driver’s insurer because they caused the crash, their insurer will assess if their policyholder is truly responsible. During this process, the insurer may:
- Decide their policyholder isn’t responsible
- Decide you were partly liable
- Determine your claim is covered, but insurance adjusters may try to lower its value
Insurance companies, while meant to assist accident victims, also aim to protect their profits. They may attempt to lower claim values or offer settlements far below what is deserved. In some cases, they might even deny car accident claims of drivers involved, suggesting you file them with your own insurance company.
How Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You
An experienced car accident lawyer can help you get full and fair compensation.
Intervene if Your Claim Was Denied
If the insurance company claims their policyholder wasn’t liable for the crash, your lawyer can help gather evidence to refute this. Evidence determining the other driver’s fault involves gathering comprehensive evidence including:
- The police report
- Witness statements
- Surveillance footage
- Photos of the accident scene or vehicle damage
Step in if You Are Blamed for the Accident
If the insurance adjuster claims you were partly liable for the crash, your lawyer will assess the accuracy of this claim and the assigned fault percentage.
By Illinois personal injury law, even if you were partially responsible, you might still recover compensation. According to 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, drivers partially at fault in an Illinois accident can pursue compensation if the other driver was more at fault.
So, even with a small share of the blame, drivers at fault in Illinois car accidents might still get compensation for their losses.
Negotiate with the Adjuster if Your Claim Is Undervalued
If an insurance adjuster undervalues your claim, your lawyer can negotiate until a fair agreement is reached. This might delay your claim processing, but you could receive a fair amount. A lawyer can use evidence of your accident-related losses to show the value of your claim including medical expenses, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Other Ways You Can Benefit from Retaining a Car Accident Lawyer
A lawyer can assist with insurance claims and file a personal injury lawsuit if needed. If fair compensation for bodily injury isn’t possible through an insurance settlement, consider suing the at-fault driver who was involved in the crash.
If a driver lacks enough insurance to cover your damages or has no insurance, a lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against them for compensation. This process is more complex than dealing with insurance claims, but it may be necessary to hold the drivers of the vehicles involved financially responsible for your injuries and losses.
It is advised to consult a law firm soon after the accident, as Illinois limits the time to file a lawsuit. Per 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you have two years from the accident date to take legal action.
What Types of Damages Can I Get with a Car Accident Claim?
You may be able to seek compensation for damages in a lawsuit following a car accident in Illinois when you have been seriously injured through no fault of your own including:
- Medical bills and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and future lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage costs
- And more
The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers Can Help You if You Were Involved in a Car Accident
If you’ve been in a non-fault car accident in Chicago, contact an Illinois car accident firm. The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers help ease your legal burden while you focus on recovery. We offer a free consultation which will provide:
- A free case evaluation
- An honest assessment of your legal options
- Evaluation of available insurance coverage
- An estimate of your case timeline and potential value
- The chance to ask questions about the accident or claims process
(312) 223-1700