THE PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS OF THE KELLY LAW OFFICES DISCUSS MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISIONS IN ILLINOIS
According to the most recent statistics compiled by the Illinois Department of Transportation Cook County alone experienced almost 138,000 crashes in the year 2010. These motor vehicle collisions resulted in 38,887 personal injuries and 236 fatal car crashes. When you factor in the surrounding counties of Greater Chicago, like Kane, Dupage, Lake and Will, the numbers keep climbing. Even in a bustling metropolis like Chicago, Illinois, these figures are staggering.
What To Do When You Are Injured in a Crash
When individuals are injured in car accidents, they are often unsure what to do. Filing a police report or accepting an ambulance ride to the hospital may seem obvious to most drivers and passengers, but few of them are clear as to their next step. Even relatively minor injuries may lead to an ambulance ride, a hospital stay, follow-up appointments, lost wages, and property damage. A more severe car crash may result in serious bodily injury, such as blunt force trauma, head injuries, spinal injuries, bone fractures, burns, severed limbs, disfigurement, and wrongful death. Crashes of this nature may require extended hospital stays, multiple surgeries, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and occupational therapy. When the other driver is negligent, their insurance company’s lawyer or adjuster will usually recognize the existence of liability and try to offer you a quick settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries and medical bills. Their objective is to get you to accept a token offering in exchange for your signed agreement not to sue. Once you sign an insurance release, your ability to recover more money, even if you have more medical bills or lost wages, is gone. You cannot sue “the person that hit you” after you sign a release. Many people don’t realize that once you reach a settlement with the insurance company, the person who caused the action is also released from liability. As Chicago personal injury attorneys who represent individuals injured in car accidents, truck crashes, and motorcycle crashes, experience has taught us that initial settlement offers from insurance companies are almost always less than the amount the company will eventually offer.
The Argument for a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle collision in Chicago, Cook County or anywhere int he Chicagoland area, allying yourself with a strong personal injury lawyer has several benefits:
- Your personal injury attorney can advise you of your rights under Illinois law.
- Strong personal injury attorneys will work hard at negotiating settlements for injured people.
- Most Chicago-area personal injury lawyers will work on a contingency basis—meaning you don’t have to pay fees up front.
- Your personal injury attorney will help you negotiate medical bills, hospital liens and helath insurance liens.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident or truck crash in the Chicago area, you should contact an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury attorney immediately.
