Hiring an attorney means they can deal with the negligent driver’s insurance company, investigate the accident, and handle all parts of your car accident lawsuit in Glenview, including calculating your fair recovery.
Victims who do not enlist an experienced lawyer risk not collecting enough evidence to prove fault, accepting a bad settlement, unintentionally admitting some fault for a collision, and missing the statute of limitations for injury lawsuits in Illinois, all of which our lawyers can help you avoid.
Call the car accident lawyers of the Rhatigan Law Offices for a confidential and free case assessment at (312) 578-8502.
What Can a Glenview Car Accident Lawyer Do for Me?
Our car accident lawyers can handle your entire compensation claim, from initial discussions with the other driver’s insurance to calculating damages and representing you at a trial.
Deal with the Negligent Driver’s Insurance Company
Illinois is a “fault” state for car accidents, meaning the victim files a claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company after a collision. Not only can we handle communications with the insurance company and provide all records and evidence it needs, but we can also advise you to reject lowball offers that may leave out many damages, especially non-economic damages.
Investigate the Accident
Our experienced attorneys can also thoroughly investigate the accident. Based on your account, the police accident report, eyewitness statements, vehicle black box data, photos, and videos, our lawyers can confirm the other driver’s negligence and prove it during your lawsuit.
We can also investigate and determine fault for multi-vehicle collisions in Glenview.
Calculate Your Damages
Victims often do not realize all the compensable damages they have incurred from an accident. Medical damages and lost wages may be more obvious, but other expenses are also compensable, such as damages from making modifications to your home to accommodate a permanent injury
Calculating non-economic damages is complicated and subjective, so we need to know as much as possible about your pain and suffering due to a recent collision in Glenview.
Handle Your Lawsuit
Our lawyers can handle everything related to your lawsuit, from filing it to representing you in court. We can compile and submit evidence, prepare you for potential depositions or testimony, and remind you of your claim’s value before you accept a final settlement offer.
What Are the Risks of Not Getting a Car Accident Lawyer in Glenview?
The chances of you getting fair compensation after a car accident may be significantly lower if you do not have an experienced lawyer to help you.
Not Having Enough Evidence
Without a lawyer, victims struggle to retrieve evidence, such as security footage and eyewitness statements, before it is degraded or destroyed. You need enough evidence to meet the standard of proof for civil claims and prove that the defendant is more than likely liable for your injury. Our lawyers are experienced meeting this standard, and can prepare to do so in your lawsuit.
Accepting a Bad Settlement
You also risk accepting a bad settlement because you have undervalued your claim and want fast access to compensation. We calculate damages and explain the total value of losses so plaintiffs know what they deserve before settlement negotiations begin.
Unintentionally Admitting Fault
Even a simple “I’m sorry” might be misconstrued as the victim accepting some liability for a crash. Our lawyers can handle all the following communications and explain the consequences of comparative negligence, which reduces a victim’s damages proportionally to their negligence.
Missing the Statute of Limitations
Missing the statute of limitations blocks a victim from filing a lawsuit and getting compensation after a crash. Two years is not much time to build a case and file a complaint, and victims often do not realize the statute of limitations is so short when they lack legal guidance.
What Proof Do I Need for My Car Accident Lawsuit?
In addition to proof of fault, we need evidence that proves the plaintiff’s damages due to the defendant’s negligence.
Proof of Fault
We often use eyewitness testimony to prove a defendant’s liability. Eyewitnesses may view a collision from a completely different angle than the victim, and may provide additional context that our attorneys and the jury need.
Additionally, we may use photos and videos as proof of fault. Pictures of impact points indicate which driver caused the collision and how fast they were driving. Videos sometimes show defendants speeding and hitting victims, and we may get this evidence from homeowners and business owners nearby with surveillance systems.
Proof of Damages
We must also prove that you suffered damages because of the defendant’s negligence. To do this, we need proof of all hospitalizations, follow-up appointments, surgeries, prescription medications, and any treatments you received, along with their cost.
Proving lost wages requires us to present proof of your income before the collision. We may use physician statements to confirm you cannot work because of your injury, too.
You may testify to prove your non-economic damages for pain and suffering.
What Should My Car Accident Lawyer Do During a Trial in Glenview?
During a trial, it is our responsibility to present evidence that proves the defendant’s negligence and make sure you feel prepared to enter a trial where you may have to testify.
Prepare You for Court
Your lawyer should prepare you for court and what to expect from a trial. If your testimony is important to your case, we will also prepare you to testify so you feel comfortable speaking before the judge and jury.
Present Evidence
We will also present evidence to corroborate the facts of your case, such as medical records, bills, photographs, expert testimony, and eyewitness testimony. We can ask strategic questions of eyewitnesses and experts so they are optimally useful.
Cross-Examine Witnesses and Object
When the defense presents its case, we can cross-examine any eyewitnesses or experts it presents. We will also make sure to object to certain questions or evidence that is inadmissible.
Entertain Settlement Offers
Defendants sometimes continue to send settlement offers during trials, especially if they want to avoid a public verdict against them or a potentially large jury award. If we deem a settlement fair enough, we advise you to accept it, effectively ending your trial and resolving the case.
Handle Court Appearances
While you may have to be present for some court appearances, our lawyers can prepare for them, ensure you are aware of any mandatory appearances, and handle interactions with the judge so you do not misspeak or somehow jeopardize your case.
FAQs About Car Accident Lawyers and Lawsuits
Where Should You Go Directly After a Car Accident?
If you are in pain after an accident, go directly to the nearest hospital. Let paramedics transport you if they arrive on the scene. If you do not feel pain immediately and go straight home, you should go to the hospital as soon as you notice discomfort.
How Soon Should You Get a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
Get a lawyer as soon as possible after being injured in a car accident so they can preserve evidence at risk of being lost and begin working on your case to be able to file it within the two-year statute of limitations.
What Evidence Can Your Car Accident Lawyer Obtain?
Our car accident lawyers can obtain statements from eyewitnesses, medical records from hospitals and physicians, income records from tax returns and employers, and videos and photos from eyewitnesses or devices near the crash site.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits?
The statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits in Illinois is two years, though there are a few reasons it may be paused, such as if the defendant is absent from the state.
Will Your Lawyer Handle Settlement Negotiations?
Our lawyers handle all settlement negotiations for car accident lawsuits in Glenview, preventing victims from accepting bad offers that leave them responsible for some medical bills or other damages.
What if You Change Your Mind About a Car Accident Settlement?
If you have not yet signed the settlement agreement, you can change your mind about accepting it. The agreement is binding once you sign it, so only do this if you are completely happy with the settlement terms and amount.
What if You Need Future Damages from a Car Accident Lawsuit?
We will also seek future damages if you sustained a permanent or otherwise severe injury that requires ongoing medical treatment, will continue to prevent you from working, or causes ongoing physical pain or mental suffering.
What if You Share Fault for a Car Accident?
Illinois is a comparative fault state, so a plaintiff’s damages get reduced proportionally to their liability if they share fault for a collision. Illinois only bars compensation for plaintiffs who are more than 50% at fault.
Does Illinois Cap Compensation in Car Accident Lawsuits?
Illinois does not cap compensation in car accident lawsuits, often resulting in large jury awards for economic and non-economic damages when plaintiffs go to trial and prove liability.
When Can You Get Punitive Damages from a Car Accident Lawsuit?
You may get punitive damages if you go to trial and our lawyers prove, through clear and convincing evidence, that the defendant had an evil motive or acted with an egregious and reckless indifference to the safety of others, such as by drunk driving.
Can You Go to Trial Immediately After Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit?
You can go to trial immediately after filing a car accident lawsuit, although plaintiffs often negotiate, at least for a bit, as a settlement can save them time and resources and may lead to a faster recovery than a jury award.
Will the Plaintiff Have to Testify During a Car Accident Lawsuit?
We may encourage the plaintiff to testify if they witnessed the defendant’s negligent driving themselves. When the plaintiff testifies, they can also describe their pain and suffering to the court so the jury understands these subjective damages.
How Do You Get Experts for Your Car Accident Lawsuit?
If necessary, our attorneys can get accident reconstruction experts to piece together the collision and confirm the cause. We can also contact medical experts, including your physicians, to testify during your trial. Mental health experts may assess you and testify as well.
How Will You Get Paid After a Car Accident Lawsuit?
How you get paid after a car accident lawsuit depends on the type of settlement or award you receive. You will receive a single payment from a lump sum settlement and several payments over time from a structured settlement.
When is Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit Worth It?
Filing a car accident lawsuit is worth it if you are injured and need compensation that the other driver’s insurance cannot or will not provide through an insurance claim, as you should not have to foot the bill for medical damages and other expenses yourself.
Call Us for Help with Your Accident Case in Glenview
Call the Rhatigan Law Offices for a free case discussion with our car accident lawyers at (312) 578-8502.
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