What Is a Car Accident Lawyer? | Coplan and Crane

Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer for a Car Accident?

December 13, 2021

Being involved in a car accident is a stressful experience. You may sustain injuries, incur large medical bills, and miss work that you cannot afford. Some accident victims believe that filing a car accident claim is a simple process and a lawyer is just an additional cost. However, this is not always the case. After an accident-related injury, it is usually in your best interests to consult with an attorney about your rights and legal options.

Accident victims who hire attorneys recover significantly higher settlements in car accident claims than those who handle the cases on their own. Knowledge and experience go a long way toward achieving equitable and favorable results.

At Coplan & Crane, we know how devastating an auto wreck can be for victims and their families. Our Chicago car accident lawyers have dedicated their careers to winning for those who have lost due to the negligence of wrongdoers.

Why should you hire a lawyer to handle your car accident claim? An attorney can assist you with your case by:

1. Dealing with the Insurance Company

One of the most important reasons to hire an attorney is to have someone on your side when dealing with insurance companies. While you are receiving treatment for your injuries and attempting to rebuild your life, the insurance company is working to reduce the full value of your claim.

Insurance companies are not in the business of paying out claims; they are in the business of making money. You might believe that working with an insurance company and answering all of their questions will speed up the process. However, the more you speak with insurers, the less likely it is that you will receive a fair settlement for your damages.

A car accident lawyer understands how insurers work and the strategies they employ to delay, reduce, and deny valid claims. You have the best chance of recovering the maximum compensation you need to move forward if you have a skilled attorney on your side.

2. Applying Knowledge of Illinois Laws

It is highly unlikely that you know and understand the laws that apply to your situation. A car accident attorney can determine which laws and factors are relevant to your case. A lawyer can provide a thorough understanding of Illinois traffic and insurance laws, as well as how they are applied in court.

After a serious injury, you should concentrate all of your efforts on getting better, not on researching laws and trying to learn what to file, what legal precedents to cite, what evidence is admissible, and other details. A lawsuit is a time-consuming process, and you only have so much time to get it right. A car accident attorney can provide in-depth knowledge of applicable laws and assist you in building the best case possible.

3. Investigating the Car Accident 

In some cases after a collision, accident victims may be able to take photographs of the scene, exchange information with the other driver, and speak with potential witnesses. However, if you’ve suffered serious injuries in a wreck, you might be unable to do anything until you get medical attention.

A car accident lawyer understands these circumstances and will thoroughly investigate your crash and gather evidence to support your case, allowing you to focus on healing.

An accident lawyer can help you build your case by:

  • Taking pictures of the collision site
  • Assessing vehicle damage
  • Obtaining a copy of the police report
  • Taking witness statements
  • Requesting video footage from dash cameras, business surveillance cameras, and so on.

A thorough investigation is not only necessary for determining fault in a car accident case, but it is also necessary for determining the damages you may be entitled to recover in a personal injury claim.

4. Recognizing the Extent of Your Injuries

Following a serious injury, it is critical to seek medical attention and strictly adhere to your doctor’s instructions. While your doctor will understand how your injuries affect your health and body, a car accident lawyer will assess how your injuries affect your entire life.

Experienced auto accident lawyers have seen the devastation that serious injuries can cause in the lives of their clients. They understand that the losses caused by these injuries go beyond immediate medical bills. Catastrophic injuries can have an impact on nearly every aspect of a victim’s life, potentially resulting in future medical and therapy costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and much more.

A car accident attorney will thoroughly investigate your accident and collaborate with experts to determine the cause of your injuries and their long-term consequences.

Experienced car accident attorneys have seen a wide range of serious injuries caused by traffic accidents, including:

  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Injury to the spinal cord
  • Burn injuries
  • Bone fractures and breaks
  • Damage to soft tissues
  • Neck and back pain
  • Internal organ damage
  • Whiplash complications

If you have lost a loved one in an accident, an attorney can assist you in pursuing compensation through a wrongful death claim. You may be able to recover compensation for your family member’s lost wages and companionship, as well as funeral expenses and other costs. While no monetary award can compensate for your incalculable loss, compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit can assist your family in avoiding undue financial hardship during a difficult time.

5. Maximizing Your Recovery

The insurance company’s ultimate goal is to resolve your claim quickly at the lowest possible cost. This means that if you receive a settlement offer, it will likely be significantly less than the value of your case.

You may be tempted to accept a low settlement if you do not have a car accident lawyer on your side. If you will be out of work for an extended period of time, have significant medical bills, and other expenses as a result of your accident, you may consider the offer to be substantial enough to cover your costs.

However, once you’ve settled with an insurance company, you can’t seek additional compensation for future expenses. It is critical that your settlement accurately reflects the full extent of your losses, both now and in the future.

If your accident claim goes to trial, you only have one chance to win. Courts base their decisions on the evidence and testimony presented during the trial. Your lawyer will guide your case through the legal system and into the courtroom to give you the best chance of success.

Contact a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Today

Coplan & Crane handles every case with the goal of winning for those who have lost. Our skilled legal team strives to make a positive difference in the lives of those who have suffered through no fault of their own.

Through settlements and verdicts, the car accident lawyers at Coplan & Crane have won millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. We know that for many injury victims, car accident cases are among the most difficult times in their lives. We work diligently to help our clients achieve justice with compassion and dignity. 

If you’ve been hurt in a wreck, contact Coplan & Crane today online or at (708) 358-8080 for a free case evaluation, Our car accident lawyers serve clients in Chicago, Oak Park, Rockford, and other areas of Illinois.