A car crash can leave you with severe injuries and steep costs related to medical care, vehicle repairs, and more. You should not have to suffer the consequences of some other negligent driver’s actions. An attorney can assist you in filing a case and get fair compensation for everything you have endured and lost. The sooner you speak to an attorney, the better.
People sometimes hesitate to talk to attorneys, often out of fear of legal fees. The truth is, a lawyer can help you get the financial compensation you need, and legal fees may be worked out to something you can afford. Proving that the other driver is at fault requires extensive evidence. Witnesses, security cameras, and crash scene photos should all be obtained and utilized. We might need additional evidence to rebut claims from the defendant that you might have somehow contributed to the crash, which is a common argument. On top of it all, we need evidence of your damages, including how the accident cost you money and caused emotional or psychological injuries.
Get a confidential case evaluation for no cost by calling (312) 578-8502 and talking to our car accident attorneys at the Rhatigan Law Offices.
Why Hiring an Attorney is Important for Your Car Accident Case in Normal, IL
When beginning a case for an auto accident in Illinois, one of the first things you should do is hire an experienced attorney. It is not uncommon for people to hesitate when seeking legal help. Many think they can handle the case alone, or they want to avoid paying legal fees. While you have the right to represent yourself in legal proceedings, the legal system is notoriously complex, and proceeding alone might be unwise.
An attorney can help you assess the strength of your claims. Do you even have a valid claim? Many people believe they can take their issues to court only to find that their claims do not give rise to a valid cause of legal action. Your attorney can review your case and injuries and determine if you have a valid claim or if other options for compensation are better suited for your situation.
Your attorney may also help you explore all your legal options. Can your needs be better met by a lawsuit against the driver who hit you or an insurance claim? Maybe a private settlement is a good option for your case. Most people might not even know how to begin legal action, let alone what all their options might be. Your attorney can be your guide through the legal system and help you make informed decisions.
Before getting started, you need to know what your claims are worth so that you can fight for all the compensation you rightly deserve. Your lawyer may help you assess your damages and determine the value of your case. It is not unusual for injured victims to underestimate the value of their cases, and your lawyer can help you avoid leaving damages unaccounted for.
How to Prove Fault for a Car Accident in Normal, IL
Proving that the other driver in a car accident is responsible for the collision requires evidence. Evidence, unfortunately, has a habit of being unpredictable. It is sometimes easy or difficult to find, which might affect the strength of your case. To make matters more complicated, defendants might argue that you somehow caused or contributed to the accident, and our car accident attorneys might need evidence proving the contrary.
Evidence
Evidence to support your claims might look like almost anything, and much evidence may be unique to your situation. However, some evidence tends to be common and comes up in many cases.
Many drivers take photos immediately after an accident. This is usually done so that drivers have some proof to show to their insurance providers. However, these photos may have uses beyond insurance. Your photos may be very useful in a lawsuit, especially if they preserve important details of the accident scene that were lost when the authorities cleared away the crash.
Security cameras might also be an important piece of the puzzle of your case. If nearby cameras recorded the accident, we should obtain copies of those videos before they can be deleted. A complete video of the accident might be extremely powerful evidence.
Witnesses are the backbone of many lawsuits. Even if other hard evidence is difficult to find, having several strong witnesses testify about what they saw can persuade a jury to your side.
Contributory Fault
It is not unusual for defendants to try and avoid liability by blaming the plaintiff for their accident and injuries. In such cases, the court may apply rules related to contributory fault. According to 735 I.L.C.S. § 5/2-1116(c), the court will assess the defendant’s claims and determine if you share blame for the accident. Your damages may be diminished according to your share of responsibility for the accident as determined by the court.
Responsibility or fault is typically expressed as a percentage. If you are deemed to be 20% responsible for the crash, your overall damages may be reduced by 20%. If you are found to be more than 50% responsible, the court may bar you from recovering any damages.
The more evidence we have demonstrating the defendant’s negligence, the harder it might be for them to make arguments of contributory fault. Even if the defendant tried to make such arguments, they must have some proof. If you truly did nothing to cause or contribute to your accident, the defendant’s claims might quickly fall apart. Even so, speak to your attorney about how to protect yourself.
Seek Help From Our Normal, IL Car Accident Lawyers
Get a confidential case evaluation for no charge by calling (312) 578-8502 and talking to our car accident attorneys at the Rhatigan Law Offices.
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