After a serious car accident, dealing with insurance companies or pursuing a legal claim may feel overwhelming. However, taking the right steps early can significantly impact the amount of compensation you receive.
If you need help maximizing your car accident claim in Chicago or throughout Illinois, contact our experienced Chicago car crash attorneys at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. for a free consultation.
To get the most out of your injury claim, you must take proactive steps to protect your rights. Here’s how:
If you hope to get the max for your car accident claim, it is critical that you obtain medical treatment and care immediately following your collision. This is important because you may have suffered invisible injuries that could worsen if left untreated.
That’s not the only risk. If you do not receive medical attention immediately after the accident, it gives the insurance company and the defense an opportunity to argue that your injuries were not caused by the car accident but in another way. If you obtain a medical evaluation and care, these medical records can be used as evidence to support your right to compensation.
Not every type of car accident needs to be reported to police under the law. However, calling emergency responders and police to the accident scene can only help support your case. When police arrive, they will document:
These accident and police reports can then be used to establish liability against the defendant.
Insurance companies prioritize their profits and often try to minimize payouts. They may offer a low initial settlement, hoping you’ll accept less than you deserve.
However, you don’t have to fight alone. A skilled car accident lawyer can negotiate on your behalf, ensuring you receive the full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more.
One of the top ways the defense and insurance companies can get away with reducing your settlement is by arguing that your injuries are less severe than you claim. Many defendants have taken to social media to prove such claims. To increase your chances of receiving the settlement you deserve, be sure to:
Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys monitor social media for any posts they can use against you. Even a seemingly harmless photo or status update could be misinterpreted to suggest you aren’t as injured as you claim.
One of the biggest mistakes injury victims make is failing to include non-economic damages when calculating the value of their claim. With that in mind, some common types of non-economic damages you could seek in your Chicago car accident claim Include:
Although non-economic damages can be more difficult to prove since they do not have a monetary value in comparison to concrete expenses like your vehicle damage and medical bills, they are often far more impactful and should be considered accordingly.
Obtaining maximum compensation following a car accident can be more challenging than many people expect. However, when you have the right legal advocate on your side, you can rest easier knowing we are taking every measure to bring the liable party to justice.
Find out what your case is worth today when you contact an experienced Chicago car accident lawyer at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. Fill out our online contact form or give our office a call at 312-236-2900 to schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation.