CHICAGO, IL – If you’ve been in a car accident, you know how overwhelming it can be, especially if you were injured. Being stuck with medical bills, physical pain, and physical damage to your car can be unthinkable. Many people struggle to understanding what separates a small settlement from a large figure case.
Early Medical Treatment After a Car Accident
The best way to preserve your rights and ensure you’re not stuck with expensive medical bills is to seek medical treatment right way after an accident. While it may seem counterintuitive to incur medical bills while you’re to preserve your rights, insurance companies always try to find a way to argue that you weren’t actually hurt. Even if you sustained a minor injury, it’s important to seek medical treatment to have it documented.
Medical Records and Evidence
When seeking medical treatment, the more your physician documents, the better. If your case makes it to trial, it’s important for the jury to clearly understand that your injuries were sustained from the crash and how it’s impacted your life.
Disputed Liability
Some cases can be cut-and-dry. However, there are some that are far more complicated. For example, if a drunk driver doesn’t stop in time and rear-ends the back of your vehicle, this would likely be an uncontested case because it’s clear who’s at fault.
However, there could be different components that factor into your case. For example, suppose someone rear-ended you, but the driver who hit you claims you stopped short. Therefore, when a liability dispute is involved, it can reduce the value of your case. It’s best to tackle seeking medical treatment and taking statements early on to reduce the likelihood of a liability dispute.
Comparative Fault
Illinois follows a “comparative fault” rule when both parties are found to share blame for a car accident. However, the court will reduce your reward by the amount of fault you share, which is known as “pure comparative negligence.”
Your Own Credibility
While your criminal history, drug use, and other negative factors are irrelevant to the car crash, they still effect your credibility. Insurance companies have clever ways to diminish your value to a jury. The more believable and credible you are to your own injuries and the accident, the better.
Your Personal Injury
Your injuries are the most important factor in a personal injury claim. If a case doesn’t settle, a jury will need to understand the severity of your injuries and what they are ultimately worth. Your injuries are heavily considered when determining the value of a case since insurance companies are aware of injures and what they typically award.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois
An experienced personal injury attorney can alleviate some of the burden and stress off you while you recover from your accident. The personal injury attorneys of Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. have the resources and skills necessary to hold those accountable. Call our office today for a free, no obligation consultation at (312) 384-1920 or visit our website for additional information.
