July 5, 2023

How Can a Lawyer Help File a Car Accident Claim in Illinois?

Filing a car accident claim after you’ve been injured can be a daunting task. You’re putting your faith in an insurance company to approve your claim and provide compensation for a crash their client caused. The accident may prevent you from working in your current role or stop you from earning money entirely.

Expenses will continue to pile up as you wait on the claim. It’s possible to pursue an insurance claim alone, but working with a seasoned car accident lawyer who understands Illinois’ laws can give you an edge. Learn why you should consider hiring an attorney and how to file an insurance claim after a car accident.

Personal Injury Lawyers Bolster Your Car Accident Claim

It’s possible to file an insurance claim alone, but you stand a better chance of recovering more for your damages with the assistance of a car accident lawyer. Although insurance companies advertise themselves as benevolent, helpful institutions, the reality is much different.

Insurers are profit-driven. If they have the opportunity to drop a claim or avoid a payout, they will take it. They wouldn’t be able to build revenue if they paid for all the damage their clients cause. Holding them accountable can be difficult, but it’s possible. You stand a much better chance of recovering damages if you work with a lawyer who understands insurers’ tactics and Illinois personal injury law.

Your lawyer can help you by:

Communicating with All Parties Involved in Your Crash

Communicating efficiently and effectively is crucial to your car accident claim. You and your attorney need to know what information the adjuster has and what details they need from you for your case to be effective. If the claim has to be taken to court, you’ll need someone that understands legal points and procedures.

If necessary, a lawyer will know how to communicate with insurers, other lawyers, and the court.

Building Your Case

The success of your car accident claim rests on your ability to find, preserve, and present evidence. Anything from your medical reports to police accident reports could make or break your case. You can collect these things yourself, but a car accident lawyer will be able to find more evidence. They can interview emergency responders about the crash, talk to eyewitnesses, and find expert witnesses to bolster your claim.

Leading Negotiations and Going to Trial

You might have all the evidence in the world, but having the right approach to negotiating your case can make a difference. A lawyer can come to the table with your terms and work with everyone involved to reach an agreement. You are pursuing compensation for your losses, and an insurer will fight. Your lawyer will be able to fight for you.

Some insurers will offer lowball settlements or work on dismissing your claim. You might need to take your claim to court in a lawsuit, and your lawyer will know when and how to do so.

Working with a Lawyer to File Your Car Accident Claim

After a crash, it’s critical that you start working on recovering damages. Under Illinois law, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. That might seem like plenty of time to file a lawsuit, but that time can quickly run out. Evidence can start to disappear, and it can be more challenging for your attorney to prove the crash has caused you any grief.

You can file an insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. State law says drivers must have minimum liability coverage and uninsured motorist injury insurance. You need $25,000 for bodily injury per person, for a total of $50,000 for each incident. A policy should cover at least $20,000 of property damage.

Identify Liable Parties

In some states, their drivers carry no-fault insurance. Also called “personal injury protection,” this insurance can cover medical expenses and lost income. Claims are filed against your own policy.

Illinois is an “at-fault” state. The driver who caused the accident should cover your injuries and other losses. Some crashes might have obvious causes, but some could be vague. An attorney will be able to identify who is responsible for your damages, like the driver of the large commercial truck that hit your car or the people that loaded that truck incorrectly, contributing to its accident.

An attorney will be able to analyze the evidence and organize your case to pursue a case with the relevant parties.

Sue to Recover Your Losses

You’ll be able to file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurer, and they will take their time to process it. They’ll review the crash, your damages, and how much money you’re seeking to make you financially whole.

However, you can pursue a lawsuit if they give you a lowball settlement offer or something that won’t cover your damages. Your lawyer will file a civil lawsuit. Many cases are settled before trial, but your lawyer should prepare to take your case to court.

Can My Claim Be Denied after a Car Accident?

There are several reasons an insurer may deny your insurance claim after a car accident, which means you will need to pursue a lawsuit to recover damages. An insurer can try to deny your claim if they think the accident could have been avoided, you didn’t file a claim in time, or you took too long to get treatment for any injuries.

When do I Need to Call a Personal Injury Lawyer?

After you’ve been in an accident, you should consider contacting an attorney. You deserve compensation if someone injured you through their negligence, no matter how severe your injuries or damages. Calling a lawyer sooner rather than later is better for your claim.

Not only will your attorney be able to help you organize your claim within the statute of limitations, they can start their investigation. Eyewitnesses can be unreliable, especially the further from the incident you are. Calling a lawyer early can keep you from prematurely ending your chances of compensation. It’s a good idea to start your search for an attorney after a crash as soon as possible.

Turn to an Illinois Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you need experienced representation to help you pursue the maximum compensation. You can trust the car accident lawyers at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., to listen to your story and provide a clear picture of your best options.

We understand how traumatizing a car accident can be. Filing a car accident claim might seem risky, but we’re ready to help you pursue the maximum compensation available. We can help you track down evidence, organize your claim, and fight for justice.

Get started on your free consultation today with a call at (312) 236-2900 or using our contact form.