Most Americans are on the road on a regular basis, and accidents are common occurrences. These can be very chaotic scenes, and you might not know how to protect yourself. In many cases, drivers can begin gathering evidence and information to build a legal claim for damages at the scene of the crash.
Call for emergency help and exchange information with the other driver after a crash. Document the scene by taking photos and videos, if possible. These recordings might help us prove that the other driver caused the crash and should have to pay for your damages. Do not wait long before speaking to an attorney, as the statute of limitations in Illinois gives you only 2 years to file a case. It is best to speak to a lawyer right away so they have as much time as possible to prepare your case.
For a private case assessment for no charge, call our car accident attorneys at the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502.
What to Do After a Car Crash in Berwyn, IL
If you are in a car accident, remain calm and check yourself for injuries immediately. If it is safe for you to exit your vehicle, you should do so and exchange information with the other driver or drivers. Somebody at the scene should call for help immediately and ensure that emergency medical personnel and the police are sent to your location. Even if you do not think the injuries from the accident are severe, call for help anyway. You might have internal injuries you are unaware of, and the police will make a formal report of the crash.
If you are too badly injured to exit your vehicle, or doing so is dangerous, just stay put and wait for emergency responders and the police. Make sure you speak to the police about the accident at some point, even if you cannot do so until after you are released from the hospital.
If possible, document the crash scene with photos and videos. This is often done so people can submit evidence to an insurance company. Your photos and videos might also make for useful evidence for our car accident lawyers in the courtroom. Photograph everything you see; your lawyer can help you decide what is important later.
Speaking of which, contact a lawyer as soon as you can. People sometimes do not want to turn a car accident into a legal battle, but it might be the only way to cover your costly damages.
How Long You Should Wait Before Contacting a Car Accident Lawyer in Berwyn, IL
You might feel overwhelmed after a car accident, and it might not even cross your mind to contact an attorney for a long time. After all, you have hospitals, doctors, medical bills, and vehicle repairs to contend with while trying to overcome some seriously painful injuries. Even so, it is wise to call a lawyer about your situation sooner rather than later.
The statute of limitations on personal injury claims in Illinois, including cases involving car accidents, can be found under 735 I.L.C.S. § 5/13-202. The law holds that injured plaintiffs have no longer than 2 years from the date of their accident to file a case in court. If this window closes, it might not open again, and you might never get fair compensation for your injuries.
Not only do you have to consider the statute of limitations, but you must also consider the work you and your lawyer must do to prepare your case. We need to track down evidence, speak to witnesses, evaluate your damages, and prepare formal legal documents and paperwork. Such preparations often take months, if not longer, and we need to make the most of what time we have.
Recoverable Damages in Car Accident Cases in Berwyn, IL
Financial compensation is based on the extent of your damages, which represent losses, injuries, and costs of the car accident. Damages vary from case to case, and they must be properly evaluated to give us an accurate idea of what your claims are worth. Damages may represent actual sums of money you lost because of the crash or subjective injuries unrelated to money.
Economic Damages
Your economic damages are rooted in the amount of money you lost due to the car crash. As anyone who has ever been in an accident can attest to, they are not cheap. To accurately measure these damages, go to your lawyer with receipts for all your expenses, no matter how small.
One major component of economic damages is medical and hospital bills. Even if your injuries are not that bad and should fully recover, they might have been very expensive to treat. Even a single visit to the emergency room can set you back thousands of dollars. If your injuries were severe and you needed more extensive treatment over a longer period of time, your bills might be totally off the charts.
We should also think about the damage to your car. Vehicle damage and destroyed personal belongings may be expensive to repair or replace and are not always covered by insurance. On top of that, your injuries might prevent you from returning to work. In that case, we can claim the value of your lost income and wages.
Non-Economic Damages
Many damages are unrelated to money and are highly subjective. That is because these non-economic damages are based on painful personal experiences you endured because of the accident. Often, these damages are summed up as “pain and suffering,” but they may represent so much more.
Car crashes can be very traumatic, especially if they are severe and you suffer serious injuries. Many people consider their accidents to be near-death experiences, and living with the memory of such experiences is hard. You may claim non-economic damages for your psychological trauma and emotional distress.
Your injuries likely came with a great deal of bodily pain. Even if your injuries were not expensive to treat and you may recover in time, you deserve fair compensation for the pain. If your injuries were severe or your pain is a chronic condition caused by the accident, these damages might be quite substantial.
For Legal Support Now, Call Our Berwyn, IL Car Accident Attorneys
For a private case assessment for no charge, call our car accident attorneys at the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502.
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