Knowing and implementing the right car accident tips can help keep you safe, protect your rights, and increase the chances of getting fair compensation for your injuries and losses. The first step after getting involved in a car accident is to assess the situation. Next, call 911 to inform the police of the accident and ask for medical assistance if you or other involved parties have sustained serious injuries. If you can, document the accident scene by recording witness statements and taking photos and videos.
Be sure to capture important details, such as noticeable injuries, vehicle damage, and nearby signs and traffic lights, when taking pictures and videos. Also, record the contact information of eyewitnesses and exchange names, phone numbers, and insurance information with the other driver. You will need these details when filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the liable party.
You should also contact your insurance provider and a car accident lawyer. The car accident lawyers at Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch, and Turcy, LLC have an impressive record of helping Naperville residents injured in car accidents receive fair and full compensation. Schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers by calling 312-775-0042.
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Top 5 Car Accident Tips for Naperville Residents
These car accident tips will help ensure your rights, and your well-being, are protected.
Prioritize Safety
Getting involved in a car accident can leave anyone frightened and confused. The first couple of minutes after the crash are, however, essential for your safety and that of other involved parties. Start by checking for injuries, even if the accident was minor. Call 911 and request emergency medical help if you or anyone else has been injured.
If no one has been injured and the car is still operational, move it to a safer place, such as the side of the road. Doing this prevents your vehicle from causing more accidents and keeps the traffic moving. Use hazard lights, flares, and safety cones to notify other motorists of an accident nearby. Don’t be so quick in moving out of the car after an accident, as there could be other fast-moving vehicles that can worsen the situation.
After an accident, the risks of your car catching fire are high. Evacuate the car immediately if you notice an unusual smell, smoke, or liquid leakage. You can also move other passengers to a safer place, but ensure you are not putting yourself in harm’s way in the process.
Note that there are different types of car accident injuries, some with a delayed onset of symptoms. So, ensure you go to the hospital for a further checkup, even if you feel okay or already received treatment at the scene.
Notify the Police
Illinois law mandates motorists involved in a crash resulting in bodily injury, fatality, and $1,500 in property damage to call the police or file an accident report. The police will make a detailed report regarding the accident. Some important details captured in the report include the date and time of the accident, contact details of involved parties, and witness statements.
The report will also include the cause of the crash and who is to blame based on the assessment of the responding officer(s). This information is helpful as your car accident lawyer will use it when helping you file an insurance claim or lawsuit.
The police will clear the traffic congestion and make way for emergency services, especially if the accident happened on a busy highway or a congested area. Additionally, the other driver may, sometimes, become aggressive and refuse to share contact and insurance information. The driver may also leave the accident scene without complying with the legal requirements. The police will handle such a driver and de-escalate the situation.
Contacting the police, even in a minor car accident, protects you from getting blamed unfairly. It also provides proof of the accident and expedites the claim process.
Gather Evidence
You will need convincing evidence to obtain a reasonable payout through an insurance settlement or trial process. Gather as much evidence as possible at the accident scene if you are not seriously injured. It’s advisable to take numerous photos capturing important information, such as the damaged vehicles, skid marks, traffic lights and signs, visible injuries, and other external factors that could have contributed to the accident. Your lawyer will include these photos when filing an insurance claim as they prove you were involved in an accident.
If possible, take videos, as they are among the best ways to capture the accident scene in a continuous, unedited format. Ensure your video captures all hazards, such as poor lighting, ice, road signs blocked by trees, uneven surfaces and potholes, and unusual traffic. A video will provide a broader perspective of the accident scene and further strengthen your case.
Capturing these hazards can also help shift the blame from you to other liable parties. For instance, a local government agency responsible for road maintenance can be partially liable for your accident if potholes or hidden road signs were a contributing factor.
You can also gather evidence by recording statements from the witnesses. The witness can provide valuable information on what happened before, during, and after an accident. Their statements will help you build a strong case as they give unbiased evidence. Take their contact details, as they might be required to appear in court to testify on what happened on the day you were involved in the accident.
You will also need the other driver’s details. So, record the driver’s name, address, and insurance provider. If the other driver flees the scene, quickly note down the color, model, and number plate of the car. This information will help the police and your lawyer track down that driver.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Most insurance companies in Illinois require their insureds to notify them shortly after getting involved in a car accident. This is because insurers need time to investigate the accident and determine who caused the accident and the amount you should receive in compensation.
Your insurer can cover initial medical and repair expenses when the at-fault party is still getting determined. Notifying the insurer after an accident also protects you from future claims. The insurer will be prepared to defend you in the future in case the other driver decides to take unexpected legal action.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer
Illinois car accident lawyers usually handle personal injury cases arising from car accidents. They have enough knowledge of the local laws and regulations that govern traffic rules. They know the clauses that determine the at-fault party and protect your rights.
Illinois has strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims. The law requires you to pursue compensation within two years from when your accident happened. Your lawyer understands these deadlines and will make sure all the filings are done within the stipulated timeline.
Your car accident lawyer will guide you on what to tell the police and the insurance company so you don’t make mistakes that could jeopardize your case. One common mistake is saying something that implies liability for an accident.
Insurance companies are notorious for lowballing claims. They always look for reasons to justify their low settlement offers. They may accuse you of exaggerating your injuries. Insurance companies may also try to shift some degree of liability to you. That is why you should hire a car accident lawyer with a history of helping injured parties obtain sufficient settlements from insurance companies.
Your lawyer will calculate the true value of your claim by considering your medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and property damage. The lawyer will then negotiate with the insurer to get you a full and fair settlement. They will present compelling evidence and arguments to ensure you receive the highest possible payout.
Your lawyer will be familiar with how to win a car accident case and will not hesitate to move to court if negotiations are unsuccessful. The lawyer will conduct an in-depth investigation into your accident to gather the evidence necessary to build a robust legal strategy.
Your lawyer may hire independent investigators and accident reconstruction experts to help in recreating the crash scene and determining liability. The lawyer will then argue your case in court, admit convincing evidence, examine your witnesses, and cross-examine the defendant’s witnesses. He or she will communicate and fight for your rights and best interests throughout the legal process.
The early intervention of a car accident lawyer can help you regain some level of normalcy after a car accident. The lawyer can handle investigations, liability determination, damages calculation, settlement negotiations, and even litigation if your case goes to trial. Contact us at Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch, and Turcy, LLC, to learn more about your legal options and rights after getting injured in a car accident.