Should I Hire a Lawyer for a Car Accident That Wasn’t My Fault?

Have you been injured in a car accident in Chicago that was not your fault? If so, you may be tempted to simply handle the at-fault party’s insurance company on your own. After all, what could go wrong if the other person was clearly at fault?

Unfortunately, if you decide to go this route, you might soon find that the insurance company does not have your best interests at heart. Car accident victims routinely have their insurance claims denied or undervalued by insurance adjusters tasked with protecting the insurance company’s bottom line.

If you have trouble getting the compensation you need after a car accident, it’s time to get help from a qualified Chicago injury attorney. Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. for a free initial consultation with a Chicago car accident lawyer and find out what we can do for you.

Chicago Car Accident Statistics

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) publishes annual crash reports for each city and county throughout the state. The following statistics reveal just how many crashes occurred in Chicago during a single recent year and how many people suffered as a result:

• A total of 81,364 car accidents were reported in Chicago that year.
• Those 81,364 car accidents involved 164,926 vehicles and resulted in 65,987 instances of property damage, 21,350 reported injuries, and 187 fatalities.
• The most common types of crashes to occur that year included front-to-rear collisions (19,666), collisions with parked vehicles (18,183), sideswipe collisions between cars traveling in the same direction (11,633), improper turn collisions (10,610), angle-impact collisions (8,684), and collisions with fixed objects (5,495).
• That same year, 1,866 pedestrian and 916 bicycle accidents also occurred across Chicago.
• Fridays (16.2 percent) and Saturdays (15.6 percent) were the likeliest days for car accidents.
• More than one-third (34.7 percent) of Chicago accidents occurred at dusk or in the dark on lit and unlit roads.
• Nearly one in ten (9.58 percent) of those who died in Chicago car accidents that year either had been drinking or were alcohol- or drug-impaired.

Instances When You Should Get an Attorney

If the car accident is truly minor and results in only minimal dents or scrapes, you may not need a lawyer’s help to seek fair compensation. However, there are several circumstances for which it’s best to seek the help of a personal injury lawyer in Chicago, including when the accident involves any of the following:

Significant Losses or Injuries

Getting appropriate compensation is critical if you suffer serious injuries or extensive financial or personal losses. After all, once you accept a settlement offer from the insurance company, you can’t go back and ask for more money later even if you incur additional losses due to the same incident. You’ll want to contact a knowledgeable attorney for guidance if:

• You suffered severe physical injuries due to the crash
• You suffered severe emotional injuries due to the crash
• Your crash injuries were so severe that you were forced to miss work

Denied or Undervalued Claims

The help of a qualified car accident attorney can also be critical when adjusters undervalue or deny car accident claims. This can occur when investigators or claims adjusters decide that you share a portion of the blame for a crash or that the insurance carrier has no obligation to cover your losses. You should get help from a personal injury lawyer if:

• The insurance company has denied your injury claim
• The insurance company has minimized the value of your claim
• The other driver was uninsured when the accident occurred
• The other driver’s auto insurance is not enough to cover your losses

Fault Is in Dispute or Unclear

In the aftermath of a serious wreck, it may seem obvious that the other driver was at fault. However, investigators and insurance adjusters are rarely present when collisions occur, which means they must rely on evidence to determine who was at fault. It’s usually a good idea to seek guidance from a knowledgeable attorney if the responsibility for the accident is disputed or unclear because:

• The other driver accuses you of causing the accident
• The other driver accuses some third party of causing the accident
• The other driver fled the scene of the accident
• There were multiple vehicles or other parties involved in the collision
• Modified comparative negligence may apply because you were partially at fault for the accident

Other Complications Arise

No two traffic accidents are exactly alike, and unexpected or unusual complications arise in many cases. If any of the following issues occur in your Chicago car accident case, you should think about getting a lawyer:

• The accident occurred within a construction zone or school zone
• You have difficulty obtaining or preserving evidence for your claim
• The insurance company asks you to provide a recorded statement
• You feel uncertain about your legal options or ability to negotiate

How Our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You

At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., we’ve helped Chicago injury victims for over 40 years, recovering more than $2.0 billion in fair compensation on their behalf.

When you come to us for help after a car accident in Chicago, our team will use our considerable skills and resources to pursue the settlement you are owed. Whether your case is simple or complex, it matters to us deeply because we know how much it matters to you.

Many factors determine how we approach each unique case, but once you retain our services, you can expect us to support you every step of the way by:

• Answering your questions and explaining your options in a free consultation
• Beginning work on your case at no upfront or out-of-pocket cost to you
• Conducting an independent investigation into the causes of the accident
• Identifying the Illinois negligence laws that apply to your case
• Communicating with insurance providers and other attorneys on your behalf
• Obtaining medical records, crash reports, and other valuable evidence
• Interviewing eyewitnesses and reliable experts for helpful supporting testimony
• Managing important claim documents and deadlines on your behalf
• Negotiating aggressively for the compensation you deserve in settlement talks
• Taking your case to trial, if necessary

Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. Today

Contact the Chicago car accident attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. today to discuss the details of your case with a compassionate legal professional. We can be reached online or by phone and look forward to meeting you during a free consultation.