a crash victim needs a car accident attorney | Coplan and Crane

I Was Hurt In a Car Accident – Now What?

September 27, 2022

A Chicago car accident attorney at Coplan + Crane understands the stress, anxiety, and confusion that can accompany a serious auto wreck. In addition to pain and potential disability, accident victims may face high medical bills and time away from work they can’t afford.

When you or a loved one is injured in a car wreck, protecting your legal rights means dealing with the insurance companies. You need to know what to say (and what not to say), and you need to know how much compensation you are entitled to recover. 

But, in many cases, even this is not enough. Auto insurance companies routinely try to take advantage of car accident victims, and many simply won’t treat you fairly unless you hire a lawyer to hold them accountable. While car accident victims don’t need to hire a lawyer in all cases, there are many circumstances in which a lawyer can help you. 

So, when should you contact an attorney? 

When a Car Accident Attorney Can Help

1. You Suffered Injuries in the Car Accident

If you suffered injuries in a car accident that required medical treatment, your losses are adding up already. While the insurance companies might offer some compensation for your injuries, they almost certainly are not going to offer the full compensation you deserve. If the other driver (or another individual or company) was at fault in the accident, a lawyer can fight to recover full compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering, and other losses. 

2. Your Child was Injured in a Car Accident

You should also hire a car accident lawyer if your child was injured in a collision. This is true whether your child was riding with you or someone else. Auto insurance covers injuries suffered by both drivers and passengers, and traumatic injuries suffered during childhood can lead to both short-term and long-term losses for families. Even if a negligent driver isn’t to blame, your family could have a claim against a car seat manufacturer or another third party. 

3. You Lost a Loved One in a Car Accident

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal collision, you should hire a car accident lawyer in this scenario as well. Whether a negligent driver, a vehicle defect, or any other issue is to blame, a car accident lawyer can help your family pursue a claim for wrongful death. Under Illinois law, grieving families are entitled to financial compensation for the financial and non-financial costs they have endured (and will endure) as a result of their loved one’s untimely passing. 

Tips for Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer

When you have a claim after a car accident, it is extremely important to make informed decisions. With this in mind, here are our top five tips for hiring a Chicago car accident attorney:

  • Contact a Lawyer As Soon As Possible – If you have questions about hiring a car accident lawyer, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. Do not wait until you run into problems with the insurance companies. The sooner you get a lawyer involved, the more your lawyer can do to help. 
  • Do Not Let the Insurance Companies Mislead You – The insurance companies use a variety of tactics to deny and underpay car accident claims, and in many cases they go so far as to act in bad faith. Do not let the insurance companies mislead you. If your adjuster tells you that you don’t need a lawyer, this is all the more reason to seek experienced legal representation. 
  • Avoid Making Any Assumptions About Your Legal Rights – At this point, you should not be making any assumptions. To ensure that you are making informed decisions with your best interests in mind, you should talk with a lawyer before doing anything that could jeopardize your rights. 
  • Review Your Photos and Take Notes – To get the most out of your free initial consultation, you should review any photos or videos you have from the accident scene. You should also take detailed notes. By being prepared to provide your lawyer with as much information as possible, you can help your lawyer provide an accurate preliminary assessment of your claim. 
  • Write Down a List of Questions for Your Lawyer – We also recommend that you write down a list of questions. You should not feel shy or embarrassed about asking anything you want to know. It is critical that you make informed decisions, and an experienced car accident lawyer will be more than happy to help. 

Speak with a Chicago Car Accident Attorney for Free

If you were hurt in a wreck, it is crucial to act quickly; the clock may already be ticking on your case. The attorneys at Coplan + Crane have extensive experience in a range of accident cases and a proven history of successful outcomes for our clients.

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Call (708) 358-8080 today to discuss your case for FREE. Our firm serves clients from Chicago, Oak Park, Rockford, and other areas throughout Illinois.