
If you were injured in a car accident because of someone’s negligence or recklessness, you might feel overwhelmed and unsure of your next steps. Consider contacting the injury lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444. They can help you understand how a car accident attorney may be able to pursue compensation for your personal injuries and losses.
Car Insurance Is Mandatory in the State of Illinois
Every state has its own set of rules and regulations regarding car insurance. The state of Illinois specifically requires in 625 ILCS 5/7-601 that all drivers must maintain car insurance. Additionally, Illinois is an “at-fault state,” meaning that for a victim to obtain compensation for their personal injuries, damage, or losses under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, they must prove that another person was, in fact, more responsible for the wreck that resulted in those injuries and losses than the injured party.
What to Do After a Car Crash
If you were injured—either as a driver or as a passenger—in a car crash, you should follow these steps to ensure your safety and to preserve your legal rights if you decide to attempt to obtain compensation for your accident injuries and losses.
Call 911 and Stay Safe
Call 911 if you can do so. If you are unable to do so, it is likely that another person involved in or that witnessed the collision will be able to contact law enforcement. If you suffered any type of bodily injuries and feel that moving would make them worse, stay where you are until emergency assistance arrives. Always take advantage of receiving a medical evaluation at the scene. Let medical professionals make the determination if you need to go to an emergency room or can wait to see your physician the next day.
Give your official statement to the police officer, and never embellish or lie. Additionally, you should attempt to refrain from determining liability or guilt, but instead simply state the facts as you remember them. Ask the police officer how to receive an official copy of the report following the investigation.
Seek Medical Attention
You may make the decision to go immediately to the emergency room. However, if you do not make that decision, you should still seek a medical evaluation by your physician as soon as possible. Often, specific serious and life-threatening injuries are not noticeable to a victim, such as an aortic dissection, bone fracture, traumatic brain injury, or internal bleeding.
If you have already had a consultation with a doctor and later develop worsening or additional symptoms, you should again seek medical attention, as some serious injuries do not present themselves until much later following a car wreck.
Obtain Information and Documentation
If you feel well enough at the scene of the accident, attempt to take as many pictures from as many angles as possible, noting the position of the vehicles and the damage to any involved. Additionally, attempt to obtain names and contact information of all drivers and witnesses.
Take photographs of the street, especially if a pothole or construction area was the cause of your traffic accident. Additionally, taking pictures of the road will also show if there are any skid marks near the accident, which can help a reconstruction expert make determinations regarding liability. Finally, take photographs documenting the weather conditions, streetlights, road signs, or anything else that may impact your car accident claim.
Keep a Daily Journal
In many cases, a victim of a car accident will suffer physical and emotional trauma. Doctor visits, physical therapy, surgeries, medications, and pain levels all become blurred over time. One way to keep track of all your pain and suffering is by keeping a daily journal of everything related to your car accident claim.
This journal can include everything from the phone calls you make to your insurance company to how much pain you felt on a particular day. It is also a good idea to make a note of things that have changed in your daily life that are a direct result of your car crash, such as being unable to pick up your grandkids or even handle your own personal hygiene.
You have the legal right to pursue a personal injury claim for compensation for all your medical bills, loss of wages due to your inability to work, pain and suffering, and property damage. It is important for you to receive compensation for those losses that are due to someone else’s negligence. Working with a car accident attorney may be worthwhile to you. You can contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free case evaluation with an injury attorney.
For a free legal consultation with a Car Accidents Lawyer serving Rockford, call (800) 794-0444
Types of Personal Injuries Victims Suffer in Traffic Accidents
Every automobile accident will result in different personal injuries to a victim. In some cases, a victim may only suffer a mild concussion and some minor bruising. In other cases, the results are much more catastrophic.
Some of the types of personal injuries victims suffer due to traffic accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (both mild and major)
- Aortic dissection or other internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones or cracked ribs
- Torn ligaments
- Cuts, bruises, or lacerations
- Neck and head pain
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Burns
- Paralysis
- Amputations
- Psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder
In severe cases, these injuries could even lead to death.
Rockford Car Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Consider Contacting a Rockford Car Accident Lawyer for Help Today
If you were injured in a car accident, you might feel overwhelmed with mounting medical bills and an inability to pay them because you remain unable to return to work due to your accident injuries. You may face pain and suffering and the inability to perform daily tasks.
If you feel concerned about your current situation following your car wreck, consider contacting Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444. We can help you understand how a Rockford car accident lawyer can help you protect your legal rights.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form