When you pull up to a traffic light that just changed to red, you can wait for 60 seconds before that light changes back to green. In those 60 seconds, 13 car accidents occurred across the country. That adds up to around 6.75 million accidents each year. That is according to data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Unfortunately, Chicago residents experience a large portion of those accidents, with 158,044 crashes happening in Cook County alone in 2022, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Nearly 90% of those accidents that end in a fatality are caused by reckless driving. That means someone needs to be held accountable for their actions. That is where Thomas Law Offices steps in and helps surviving families and victims of car accidents to seek a reasonable remedy for their losses and suffering.
Are you ready to get what you are owed? You’re ready to talk to Thomas Law Offices.
How Our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You
In the aftermath of a car accident, you could be dealing with the wreckage of the family SUV, car, or truck. Your arm or leg could be in a cast, or you’re wearing a cervical collar around your neck. The last thing you want to do is go several rounds with an insurance company doing everything it can to avoid paying out what you’re entitled to. If you retain one of our skilled Chicago car accident lawyers, we can provide a wide range of support and guidance.
While you focus on your recovery, we focus on your compensation. Here’s what we offer for your accident claim:
Free Case Evaluation
Our support begins with our free case evaluation. At that consultation, we’ll hear your version of what happened in the car accident and review any preliminary evidence you might have. We’ll then explain your rights and what laws might apply to your situation.
If we decide to move on with your case, we’ll also explain what you can expect from our involvement. That includes discussing what a reasonable settlement offer might look like, when you should accept an offer, and the options for taking the matter before a judge and jury. We’ll also be honest and upfront with you as we discuss the probability of success. We want you to retain our legal services with a thoroughly informed decision.
Establishing Liability
Although you might be clear about who caused your car accident, we must gather evidence to support that claim. That will include the police report, witness statements, and available surveillance footage. Once we know who is liable, we’ll track down their insurance carrier and discover the limits of their policy. If the motorist was uninsured, we could turn our attention to your insurance company for the remedy.
Send Out an Insurance Demand Letter
We’ll assemble an insurance demand letter that will include the evidence we’ve gathered to establish your version of events. The demand letter will also summarize all your current and future financial losses. You will have only one opportunity to recoup those losses, so the number needs to be one that you’ll be satisfied with.
Enter into Negotiations
Once the insurance company receives the demand letter, we’ll negotiate with them to resolve your car accident claim. You shouldn’t have to talk to the company unless we’re with you. These negotiations could go for a few rounds until an equitable resolution exists. If you agree to that number, you can sign a release from further action against the insurance carrier, and they will cut the check. However, if the insurance company denies your claim and won’t negotiate in good faith, we’ll take them to the next option: a civil lawsuit.
Represent You in Court
To prepare for a civil lawsuit, you will need to make an official filing in the appropriate court. This filing needs to be within the statute of limitations, which is two years in Illinois. Once the lawsuit is filed, we’ll engage with the court and the named defendants to take care of discovery, depositions, and all document requests. We’ll also resolve any motion filings and hearings with the judge. All the while, we’ll be preparing to present your case to a jury.
At the trial, we’ll present an opening statement describing your version of events and how the accident has impacted your life. We’ll call witnesses, present evidence, and cross-examine any defense witness, all to the best of our abilities. We’ll continue providing opportunities for the defendant to settle throughout the proceedings. You’ll be fully aware of every development, and we’ll only move forward with your permission.
When the jury finds in your favor, or a settlement offer is agreed to, we’ll handle the disbursement of the payments to the medical professionals to whom you owe money. After deducting our agreed fees, we’ll cut another check for you for the settlement balance, and the matter will be closed. You’ll be able to move on with your life knowing that you’ve worked with a dedicated Chicago car accident lawyer who always puts your best interests first.
What Are the Common Types of Car Accident Claims?
Any type of car accident has the potential to cause significant damage and severe injuries. As part of creating the narrative of your accident, it is important to understand which of the following types of car accidents you were involved in.
Head-On Crashes
Head-on crashes are among the worst car collisions because of their destructive aftermath. The Illinois Department of Transportation finds that in 2022, there were 827 head-on crashes, four of which resulted in fatalities and another 1,467 injuries. Those accidents also totaled over 500 cars.
Rear-End Crashes
Rear-end collisions accounted for 23,218 accidents in 2022. These accidents often cause serious injuries such as whiplash and back injuries that require substantial medical care.
Rollover Accidents
A rollover crash is more frightening because of the time you could spend in an upended vehicle. It can lead to spinal cord injuries and the complete loss of your car.
Intersection Crashes
Intersection crashes can involve multi-vehicle collisions in a chain reaction set off by one reckless driver. This is where you often see T-bone accidents and other serious wrecks.
Highway Accidents
Highways are where you’ll encounter crashes, speed, and reckless lane changes. Truck accidents can result in devastating damage. In a truck accident, additional defendants, such as the trucking company and the cargo loaders, could be named along with the driver.
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe collisions accounted for 15,894 accidents in Chicago in 2022. Sometimes, when a motorist swipes your car, it can force you into another vehicle. However, the original driver who set off the accidents is responsible for all the damage and injuries.
There are also hit-and-run accidents where finding the person at fault would be challenging. Thankfully, there are methods to track down these drivers, especially given the number of surveillance cameras around the city.
No matter which type of accident you have been involved in, we will bring our combined decades of experience onto the case and work diligently to achieve a favorable outcome.
Types of Motor Vehicle Crash Injuries
If you are injured in a Chicago car accident, your injuries would likely fall into two general categories: incapacitating and non-incapacitating injuries. Here’s what you should know about both categories of injury.
Incapacitating Injuries
This category of non-fatal injury prevents an injured person from walking, driving, or normally engaging in the activities they were capable of before they sustained the injury. Incapacitating injuries can include the following:
- Broken limbs
- Severe lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Abdominal injuries
- Skull fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Chest injuries
Non-Incapacitating Injuries
A non-incapacitating injury is any injury that is not non-fatal or incapacitating. It is the kind of injury that is evident to witnesses at the scene. These injuries include:
- Abrasions
- Bruises
- Minor lacerations
- Head lumps
You should be aware that not all car accident injuries will generate a physical condition alone. There could also be emotional injuries from a collision that can lead to pain and suffering, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and a significant loss of enjoyment of life.
How Much Can You Recover from Your Car Accident?
The only reason to bring a case against an insurance company after a car accident is if they haven’t provided fair compensation for all your losses. Remember, you won’t be able to be paid for losses if you have already received an amount from your insurance company. Also, once you accept a payout, you cannot return for additional funds.
Consider this scenario: You get into an accident and file an insurance claim. Your insurance company calculates your car’s damage and medical expenses and offers you a number. That is before you’ve considered any future costs, loss of wages, or earning potential. You might not have fully recovered from the injuries and don’t know if you require further assistance.
However, your acceptance of a check will only come if you agree to close the matter. Before you sign or agree to anything with your insurance company, you owe it to yourself and your family to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer in Chicago to explore all your options.
Your economic damages can include a long list of potential expenses, such as the following:
- Emergency room visit
- Surgery
- Post-operative follow-ups
- Prescription medication
- Medical supplies such as crutches, slings, wheelchairs, etc.
- Special transportation
- Rental cars
- Car repairs
- Car replacement
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Lost wages
- Future earning potential
In addition to your economic damages, noneconomic damages could be included in your final amount. Those damages include the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent injuries and disabilities
- Permanent disfigurement
- Mental trauma
The attorneys at Thomas Law Offices will collect all the relevant information to calculate a fair and reasonable amount for the totality of your losses. That is the number we will fight for on your behalf.
Actions to Take Immediately After a Car Collision
Certain steps you need to take in the immediate aftermath of a car accident will go a long way toward protecting your interests. This information is important and should be shared with everyone in your family.
Get Medical Treatment
You must seek medical treatment after any car accident. There could be a lot of injuries that result in a delayed reaction. The further away you go from the day of the accident to when you see a doctor could complicate matters. An insurance company might claim you injured yourself in some other way. You want to establish that first medical record within 24 hours of the accident.
Take Photos and Videos
Our cell phones can prove to be critical to evidence gathering. You should take photos from all angles of the damage to your vehicle. You also want to document the road conditions and weather during the accident. Additionally, you can consider taking video testimony of witnesses. While these are sworn testimony like in a trial, they can still be important for your case. Finally, you want to take photos of your injuries and progression as you heal.
Write Down Contact Information
You need to write down the contact information for everyone involved in the accident, including the witnesses. If no one has a pen and paper, you can get a video of them stating their name, address, phone number, and insurance company. If you exchange numbers, you should try to call or text right at the scene before they leave to verify the number. You can also take photos of the other motorist’s driver’s license and proof of insurance.
Don’t Apologize
You don’t want to apologize, no matter how bad you feel about what happened. You can be concerned for someone’s well-being without saying you’re sorry. That could be misconstrued as an admission of guilt.
Report the Accident
You will need to report the accident to your insurance company. A report is not the same thing as a claim. However, your policy might require you to make that report. That will align with the other evidence you and your attorney will present later.
Call a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer
In an accident involving significant damage, you’ll want an experienced attorney involved as soon as possible. That will ensure you’re making all the right moves to get your resolution.
Start the Car Accident Claim Process Today
If you or someone in your family has been involved in a serious car accident in Chicago, you don’t want to take on insurance companies on your own. Thomas Law Offices is ready to hear your story and how the accident has impacted your life. You’ll appreciate the information we can provide at our free initial case evaluation.
We are proud of the work we’ve provided our clients, and they are happy to share their positive experiences with our firm. We’re confident that you’ll be equally satisfied. To start the car accident claim, call to schedule your consultation today. Our Chicago car accident lawyer is ready to help.
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