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Commercial vehicle accidents in Chicago can cause serious injuries and major property damage. Trucks, buses, and other large vehicles make accidents worse because of their size and weight. Injuries from these accidents often lead to high medical bills and lost wages. Many victims struggle to recover physically, emotionally, and financially.
Conboy Law Injury & Medical Malpractice Lawyers helps you understand your rights after an accident with a commercial vehicle. Our reliable team handles these complex cases carefully. We work to hold responsible parties accountable and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Dealing with insurance companies after a crash can be difficult, especially when they deny your claim or offer less than you deserve. That’s why having a skilled lawyer matters. Conboy Law Injury & Medical Malpractice Lawyers guides you through every step, protecting your interests and helping you recover the compensation you deserve.
Knowing what to do after a car accident in Chicago helps protect your rights. It can also impact your ability to get fair compensation later. The answers below will guide you on how to handle these situations and take the proper steps.
Right after a car accident, your safety comes first. Move to a safe spot, if you can, away from traffic. Next, check yourself and the others involved for injuries. Call 911 if anyone needs immediate medical help. Even if your injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor as soon as possible.
Then, call the police to report the crash. Exchange details with the other driver, including names, contact information, license plate numbers, and insurance details. Take clear photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and visible injuries. Talk to witnesses nearby and collect their contact info.
Lastly, report the accident to your own insurance company. Be careful what you say, and never admit fault or apologize. What you say at this time can impact your car accident claim later.
Yes, you should always call the police after a car accident in Chicago. Illinois law requires drivers involved in accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,500 to file a police report. The police report provides an official record of what happened. It contains key details like the date, time, location, and statements from all involved parties.
This police report can be crucial evidence if you file a personal injury claim later. It also helps determine fault clearly. If the other driver denies responsibility or tries to shift blame, the police report can protect your rights.
Without a police report, proving your case can become much harder. So always call the police, even if damages seem minor. The Chicago Police Department will document the accident and help you move forward with any claims.
If the other driver doesn’t have insurance, it can complicate your claim. Illinois requires all drivers to carry minimum insurance coverage. However, some drivers still drive uninsured. In this case, your own insurance company may provide coverage through your uninsured motorist policy.
Uninsured motorist coverage is part of most auto insurance policies. It pays for your medical expenses, lost income, and other losses when the at-fault driver has no insurance. To make this claim, you must promptly report the accident to your insurer and provide evidence the other driver was at fault.
Working with capable Chicago personal injury attorneys can be important here. They can handle negotiations with your insurance company, ensuring you get fair compensation. Without proper legal representation, insurance adjusters may offer you less than you deserve or even deny your claim entirely.
In Illinois, you have a limited time to file a car accident claim. The deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the accident. This is known as the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you might lose your right to receive compensation forever.
For property damage claims, you have five years to file. However, it’s always best to start your claim as soon as possible. Over time, evidence may disappear, and witnesses can become harder to find.
Acting quickly helps your case and gives your attorney more time to gather evidence, contact witnesses, and build a strong argument.
Don’t wait until the last minute. Contacting a qualified personal injury attorney shortly after your accident protects your rights and increases your chances of getting fair compensation.
Dealing with insurance and compensation after a car accident can be confusing. Be sure to understand your rights and responsibilities. Here are answers to common questions about insurance companies, fault, and the compensation you might recover after a car crash in Chicago.
Be very cautious when talking to the other driver’s insurance company. Their goal is often to reduce the amount they have to pay. They might ask you for a recorded statement, but you’re not required to give one. The adjuster could use your words against you to lower or deny your claim later.
Instead, politely decline to speak with them until you’ve talked to an experienced personal injury attorney. A lawyer can guide you on exactly what to say or handle all communication for you. This ensures you don’t accidentally harm your own case. If you must talk to the other insurance company, only provide basic details, like your name, contact info, and date of the accident. Avoid discussing fault or your injuries in detail.
Determining fault in a car accident involves examining several key factors. Insurance companies, attorneys, and courts look at evidence to decide who is responsible. Evidence can include the police report, statements from accident victims and witnesses, photos from the accident scene, and traffic camera footage.
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence system. That means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault, as long as you’re not more than 50% responsible. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault, your compensation will decrease by 20%.
Having an attorney helps ensure the fault determination is fair. They can gather strong evidence and protect your right to maximum compensation.
After a car accident, you may recover different types of compensation, depending on your situation. Common damages include:
In serious accidents, victims may receive compensation for long-term disabilities, loss of quality of life, and emotional trauma. Working with a skilled attorney can help you clearly document your losses. This ensures you receive all the compensation you deserve after your car accident.
The time it takes to settle a car accident claim depends on several factors. Simple cases with clear fault and minor injuries may settle within a few weeks or months. But complicated cases with serious injuries or disputes about fault can take much longer (sometimes a year or more).
Having experienced personal injury attorneys represent you can speed up this process. They’ll negotiate aggressively, keep your claim moving forward, and make sure your settlement covers all your expenses and losses.
If you’re dealing with a car accident claim, you might have questions about legal representation. Understanding when you need a lawyer, how much it costs to hire one, and how fault affects your claim can help you decide your next steps.
Here are answers to common questions about hiring a lawyer for your Chicago car accident case:
Not every car accident requires hiring a lawyer. However, having legal representation is beneficial in many cases. If your accident involves serious injuries, significant property damage, or disputes about who caused the crash, hiring a car accident attorney can be critical.
Insurance companies have their own lawyers and adjusters working to minimize your compensation. Without a lawyer, you may receive less than you deserve. An attorney helps gather evidence, calculate your full damages, and negotiate strongly on your behalf.
Even if your injuries seem minor at first, they could worsen later. An attorney ensures your medical bills, lost wages, and pain are fully covered. They’ll also protect you from mistakes that could harm your claim. If you’re unsure, consider getting a free consultation to discuss your case.
Hiring a car accident lawyer typically costs nothing upfront. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. That means they only get paid if you win your case. Their fee is usually a percentage of your settlement or court award, typically between 30% and 40%.
If your attorney doesn’t successfully recover compensation for you, you pay no attorney fees at all. This arrangement allows accident victims to get strong legal representation without worrying about upfront costs.
During your free initial consultation, your lawyer will explain their fee structure clearly. You can ask questions and ensure you fully understand the agreement before signing anything. Hiring an attorney this way provides peace of mind. You know your lawyer has every reason to fight for maximum compensation on your behalf.
Yes, in Illinois, you can still recover compensation even if you’re partially at fault for a car accident. Illinois uses a modified comparative negligence system. This means your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault, as long as you’re less than 50% responsible.
For instance, if you’re found to be 30% at fault, you can still recover compensation, but it will be reduced by 30%. If your total damages are $100,000, you will receive $70,000 after the reduction.
However, if you’re found to be 51% or more at fault, you won’t receive any compensation. Because fault determination significantly affects your claim, it’s important to have a skilled attorney represent you. They’ll work to minimize your percentage of fault and protect your right to the highest possible compensation.
After an auto accident, seek immediate medical treatment. Even if you feel okay at first, injuries might appear later. Get medical help and document your injuries. Next, contact Chicago car accident attorneys to protect your rights and ensure you receive proper compensation.
Experienced Chicago car accident attorneys investigate the accident, gather evidence, and deal with insurance companies for you. They know local laws, handle all legal paperwork, and negotiate to maximize your compensation. Hiring a competent lawyer reduces stress and helps you focus on recovery.
Immediately after the collision, if possible, take photos of all vehicles involved, the damage, and the scene. Collect contact information from witnesses and the other drivers. Obtain the police report, and keep all records related to your medical treatment and expenses.
When multiple vehicles involved complicate your case, determining fault can become tricky. Chicago car accident attorneys thoroughly investigate these accidents. They pinpoint responsibility, clarify complex liability issues, and ensure you get fair compensation from the correct parties.
Resolving an auto accident claim varies depending on the case. It might take a few months or even over a year. Factors include the complexity of injuries, cooperation from insurers, and disputes over liability. A seasoned lawyer can help resolve your case efficiently.
If you’re involved in a car collision in Chicago, you probably have many questions. The legal process can seem confusing, but you don’t have to handle it alone. An experienced lawyer from Conboy Law Injury & Medical Malpractice Lawyers can guide you through each step.
Our Chicago car accident attorneys have helped many accident victims recover fair compensation. We carefully review the details of your accident, including the vehicles involved and your medical treatment, to build a strong case.
Contact us today. We’re here to help you get your life back on track.
Joseph M. Conboy, founder of Conboy Law, represents victims of catastrophic injuries and wrongful death, securing numerous multi-million-dollar results. Recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star (2019–2022), he is a member of the American Association for Justice and Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Conboy earned his J.D. from DePaul University and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Colorado.
If you or a loved one has been injured, don’t hesitate to contact our injury attorneys today!
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