A car accident can turn your life upside down in an instant. You may be overwhelmed and confused in the aftermath. Knowing what to do in advance of a car accident in Chicago is vital to your health and ability to recover full compensation for your damages. A Chicago car accident attorney is here to help you.
Actions to Take and Others to Avoid After a Car Accident in Chicago
The following suggestions can help protect you if you have been injured in a car accident in Chicago:
- Stop your vehicle and do not leave the scene of the accident until authorized to do so.
- Check yourself for injuries and see if others need immediate medical attention.
- Call 911 to report your accident and request emergency medical care.
- When possible, take photographs and video footage of the accident scene. Include the position of the vehicles, visible injuries and damages, applicable traffic signs or signals, debris in the road, road conditions, and anything else that seems relevant to your accident.
- Exchange contact information with the other drivers involved in the accident.
- Obtain the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses to the accident.
- Inform the responding officer about what happened, but do not admit fault or apologize for the accident to anyone.
- Document everything you can recall about the accident as soon as possible while it is still fresh in your mind. Consider drawing a diagram of the vehicle’s position before and after the accident.
- If you are not taken to the hospital by ambulance, get an immediate medical evaluation. Even if you do not believe your injuries are severe, you should seek prompt medical attention. Some severe injuries are not immediately apparent. Getting the proper medical attention will help protect your health and your right to recover damages.
- Once you have been medically evaluated, follow your medical provider’s treatment plan and keep all follow-up appointments.
- Notify your insurer of the accident.
- Do not provide a recorded statement to the at-fault party’s insurance company. Remember, the insurance company employees are not your friends. No matter how nice they seem, you should keep in mind that their job is to deny or devalue your claim. They will use anything they can to help them settle your claim for as little as possible.
- Consult an experienced Chicago car accident attorney to understand your rights. Once you have retained an attorney, let them handle all communications with the insurance companies and defense attorneys.
- Keep a pain journal to document how the accident and your injuries are impacting your daily life.
- Keep copies of all communications related to your accident as well as all receipts, bills, invoices, estimates, and other documents related to your accident and injuries.
- Stay off social media. Do not post photos or comments while your case is pending. Insurance adjusters often scour the social media accounts of claimants and their family members, looking for evidence to prove that your injuries are not as substantial as you claim. Also, ask your family and friends to refrain from posting photos or comments about you while your claim is pending.
Finally, take your Chicago personal injury attorney’s advice. Follow their instructions about what to do and not to do while your claim is pending.Â
Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Chicago Car Accident Attorney
Your chances of recovering maximum compensation for your damages are much higher when an experienced Chicago car accident attorney represents you.
Your attorney can investigate your accident to help determine all causes and liable parties. They can conduct discovery to uncover vital evidence to prove your claim and build your strongest case.
Your attorney can help ensure that all your damages are included and correctly valued, determining what a fair settlement would be. They will work to negotiate a fair settlement as quickly as possible. If a fair settlement is not reached, your attorney can take your case to trial to demand the full compensation you deserve.
Contact an Experienced Chicago Car Accident Attorney Today
If you have been injured in a Chicago car accident, you need the help of an experienced car accident attorney to help you recover the compensation you are entitled to.
Call (630) 824-3963 or visit our contact page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your Chicago car accident claim.