If you were in a car accident, you may face astronomical medical bills related to your injuries. Additionally, you may have the inability to return to work due to your permanent or temporary injuries, resulting in lost wages. From doctor’s visits to attempting to negotiate with insurance companies, you may feel overwhelmed.
If you suffered injuries in a car accident, you may have the legal right to pursue a claim for compensation for your injuries and losses. Learn how an Elgin car accident lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 can help you understand your legal rights.
State of Illinois Law
First, it is important to note that every state has its own set of regulations regarding car insurance coverage. In most cases, the negligent driver that caused your accident will have car insurance as required by the Illinois Department of Insurance in which you have the legal right to file a claim for any expenses or losses resulting from your accident. Illinois is an “at-fault” state, meaning that in order for a victim to receive compensation for any injuries, lost wages, or other losses, the evidence must show that the other driver behaved in a negligent manner causing the accident.
Insurance Company Negotiations
Once you determine that the negligent driver has car insurance coverage, you will need to begin the process involving insurance company negotiations. First, contact your own car insurance company and explain to them that you were in a car accident. After you visit with your own car insurance company, the car insurance company of the other driver may contact you as well in order to receive documentation and evidence related to the case.
Consider very carefully how you speak with these insurance companies, even your own insurance company. In many cases, insurance companies use unscrupulous tactics in order to provide a foundation to offer a low settlement amount to a victim. Consider the following pieces of advice if you make the decision to speak with an insurance company.
- Never answer any question with a long story. Simply give the shortest answer possible. Do not provide any extra information or any subjective analysis to anything. Never give your opinion on anything. Never say that you feel “fine” if an insurance adjuster asks how you are today. An insurance adjuster will take what you say and find a way to see if they can use it as a basis to reduce your settlement offer.
- Never accept any kind of blame for the car accident. The responsibility to make decisions regarding fault and liability rests with law enforcement, insurance companies, and independent investigators. If you make any comments about how you may have had any kind of responsibility for an accident, these statements may appear at a later time and can negatively impact your settlement offer.
- Never provide all of your medical documents or complete medical history. An insurance company should only receive medical information pertaining to the specific accident in question.
- An insurance adjuster will likely have you complete several forms such as a Proof of Loss form. These are sworn statements and you should answer them honestly and to the best of your ability. You may provide simple, true information to an insurance adjuster, as they are the ones that will ultimately determine liability and responsibility with respect to your accident.
- Expect that your insurance adjuster will offer you a very low settlement amount as the first settlement amount. The first settlement can be very low and unfair amount to compensate you for your losses. Insurance companies typically hope that a victim will feel such a need for money quickly, that they simply accept the first offer given.
- Never cash any check from an insurance company unless you want that to be your final settlement. In some cases, unethical insurance adjusters will tell victims that a check is only the first one in an installment series of checks. This is untrue. An insurance company typically only issues one check, so if you make the decision to cash it, make sure that you are comfortable with the settlement amount provided.
Insurance companies have teams of people working with deceptive tactics to attempt to provide the lowest settlement offer to victims as possible. You have a legal right to pursue a claim for compensation for your injuries and losses if your car accident was the result of another person’s negligence. Learn how an Elgin car accident lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
For a free legal consultation with a Car Accidents Lawyer serving Elgin, call (800) 794-0444
Types of Injuries Resulting from Car Accidents
Every car accident will have a unique set of facts and circumstances. Whether a car accident was major or minor, many victims suffer serious injuries or even fatalities as a result of car accidents. Some of the types of injuries victims receive as a result of car accidents include traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, nerve damage, spinal cord damage, broken or fractured bones, burns, and cracked ribs.
Many of these injuries will impact your ability to work and live your life. Some injuries can even be permanent and have large repercussions on your finances and mental well-being. You have the right to seek awards for your physical and emotional pain, as daunting as the fight may seem. A lawyer can help you focus on healing by negotiating and arguing on your behalf.
Elgin Car Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Learn How We Can Help You Today
If you suffered injuries in a car accident, you are likely facing debt, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The time frame to file a claim for a personal injury claim is two years, according to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, and if you miss this window of opportunity, you can lose your right to file a claim for your injuries and losses. Learn how an Elgin car accident lawyer can help you today by calling our legal team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 to help ensure your legal rights remain protected.
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