Being involved in a car crash in Rockford can be painful, frightening, and leave victims feeling powerless and confused about their next steps. Fortunately, an experienced car accident attorney can help ease some of these burdens by aggressively representing the injured party’s interests, whether in negotiations or the courtroom.
Factors to Consider
Generally, whether an accident victim should retain an attorney depends on a series of factors, including:
- The specific circumstances of the accident;
- The number of vehicles involved in the crash;
- Whether anyone was injured;
- Whether there was significant property damage; and
- Whether the injured party was required to take time off from work.
For instance, minor fender benders where little damage was inflicted and no one was injured can usually be handled through the insurance companies without the aid of a lawyer. However, even in these cases, an injured party who does not have any time at
his or her disposal to dedicate to the case may benefit from the guidance of an attorney. This is especially true when an accident resulted in serious injuries or significant property damage as the case may take much longer to resolve.
Collecting Compensation
Car accident victims who were injured as a result of another person’s negligence or recklessness can collect compensation for their losses, including:
- Past and future medical expenses;
- Lost wages;
- Loss of future income;
- Property damage; and
- Pain and suffering.
However, to collect these damages, the injured party may be required to file a claim and establish the other person’s negligence. This can be difficult when one party is not clearly at fault or if both parties contributed to an accident. Illinois recognizes the legal theory of comparative negligence, which means that injured parties who contribute to their own accident can still collect compensation from the other party, although the amount they receive will be reduced by their own percentage of fault. However, if a jury determines that an injured party was more than 50 percent at fault, he or she will be barred from collecting
compensation. In these cases, it is critical to have the support of an attorney who can help clearly demonstrate fault.
The situation can become further complicated if injuries were particularly serious and required hospitalization or ongoing treatment because the other party’s insurer may be reluctant to foot the bill even when their policyholder was clearly at fault. In these cases, it is especially important to have the advice of an experienced car accident attorney who can work with the insurance companies and negotiate a higher award. If the parties cannot reach an agreement, the injured party may be required to file a claim in court, where it is crucial to have legal representation, as courts tend to be very strict about filing deadlines, the submission of evidence, and other procedural requirements.
Contact us Today to Speak With an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
At Tuite Law, we understand how stressful and emotional it can be to sustain an injury in a car crash. For this reason, we dedicate ourselves to easing our clients’ burdens by aggressively representing their interests and helping them seek the compensation they deserve. If you were recently injured in a crash or suffered significant property damage, please contact us today by calling (815) 965-5777 to set up a free case evaluation with a knowledgeable and compassionate car accident attorney who can explain your legal options.
