Before you begin any trip in your car, you should perform a quick safety check that involves snapping on the seat belts, making sure your mirrors are adjusted, securing your phone for hands-free use, and setting your desired temperature controls. All of that action allows you to be fully prepared to drive defensively and without distraction.
Unfortunately, all of those actions won’t make you immune to a negligent driver.
When a driver speeds, ignores traffic lights, or drives distracted, they are putting everyone on the road in danger. The consequences of a car crash can vary, and in some cases, victims may have to deal with medical bills, lost wages, property damage costs, and more in its aftermath.
Fortunately, crash victims don’t have to handle those damages and losses alone.
An experienced Joliet car accident lawyer can examine the evidence surrounding your wreck and help you determine if filing a personal injury claim is the right decision for your recovery and to protect your financial future. If you choose to file a claim, your car crash attorney will guide you through the process and fight to ensure you receive maximum compensation for all of your accident-related losses.
If you’re ready to discuss your car wreck, your injuries, and your right to recover a financial settlement for your losses, consider connecting with one of the automobile accident attorneys in Joliet, IL, at Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP for a free consultation.
Why You Need a Joliet Car Accident Lawyer
The attorneys at Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP bring decades of combined experience into every case. We pride ourselves on becoming fierce advocates for our clients. This is what we bring to the table:
Thorough Evidence Collection
You only win a case with strong evidence. That begins with your testimony of what happened in the accident and the aftermath.
There are also many vital pieces of evidence that need to be collected to support your story. That includes the police crash report, the driving history of the at-fault motorist, witness statements, and any available surveillance footage. We have dedicated teams that fan out to collect all of that pertinent evidence.
Bargaining Skills
Our goal is to find a fast and fair resolution for all of our clients. For many claims, that means an out-of-court settlement. This is where our years of bargaining skills come into play. We have a deep understanding of how insurance carriers operate and what their true limits are.
We’re not afraid to stand up for our clients and push for them to receive the maximum benefits they are entitled to.
Impressive Results
You should feel confident in your choice of a Joliet car accident attorney to help you with your claim.
At Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP, we have a growing list of victories that have resulted in millions of dollars for our clients. Bottom line: When we agree to take on your car accident claim, you will find yourself working with a fierce advocate who will provide support and guidance through every step of the process.
Illinois Car Accident Statistics
The Illinois Department of Transportation collects critical crash data. The information is primarily used by federal, state, and local agencies for highway safety research and studies. While there is data for the state as a whole, the agency also breaks it down by county.
In 2023, Illinois auto collision data shows that there were:
- 299,133 crashes involving motor vehicles
- 61,547 injuries stemming from accidents
- 1,142 crash-related fatalities
What Are the Common Types of Traffic Accidents in Illinois?
Many different types of car crashes happen in Illinois. Most collisions are identified based on the point of impact at which they occur. Some of the most common wrecks include:
Rear-End Collisions
These types of accidents, also often called tailgating crashes or following too closely wrecks, are the most common and often happen at intersections with traffic signals.
If a driver is distracted and fails to notice the vehicle in front of them is stopping at a stop sign, abiding by a traffic light, or stopping to permit another driver to turn left in front of them, they may collide with the rear of the vehicle of the motorist in front of them.
The significance of the damage and injuries often depends on the speed of the following car at the time of the collision.
Head-On Crashes
Front-end crashes like these, while not common in Joliet, often result in fatalities. Distracted, drunk, and fatigued driving are common types of recklessness that contribute to head-on accidents.
When drivers aren’t fully aware of what’s happening around them or where their vehicle is located on any given roadway, they risk drifting into the oncoming traffic lane and striking another vehicle.
Sideswipe Accidents
Grazing or side-impact collisions are common when someone tries to merge improperly.
If drivers try to change lanes on the highway and fail to check their blind spots, they could swipe a vehicle traveling next to them. In minor sideswipe collisions, the damage is minimal, and both drivers can maintain control over their vehicles.
However, a motorist may lose control of their vehicle depending on the angle and force of impact, which can cause a driver to collide with other nearby vehicles or fixed objects, such as light posts or guard rails.
T-Bone Crashes
Another common collision occurs at intersections. These T-bone accidents happen when a driver crashes into the side of another vehicle. The occupants on the side of impact are likely to sustain more serious injuries, especially if the wreck happens at high speeds.
No matter what type of wreck you were involved in, an auto accident lawyer in Joliet can evaluate your situation, determine how and why you were injured, and assist you in securing maximum compensation for your injuries. So, don’t delay, get in touch with us to discuss your case right away.
Time is of the essence when collecting evidence necessary to prove liability in your case.
What Are Common Crash-Related Injuries?
Injuries can vary greatly after a car crash. The only way to accurately identify any potential harm you’ve suffered is to undergo a medical evaluation.
Not all car accident injuries are evident immediately following a crash, so you’ll probably want to visit a physician even if you feel fine. The doctor you visit will conduct an examination, determine a diagnosis, and inform you of your options for treatment. Your prognosis can play a crucial role in determining the value of your Illinois car accident claim.
Some of the most common car accident injuries our Joliet clients present with include:
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Whiplash
- Strains
- Sprains
- Broken bones
In most cases, those injuries are considered minor, and recovery may only take a few weeks or months.
More serious Jolie car crashes have the potential to result in:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal organ damage
- Burn injuries
With injuries like the above, a patient is likely looking at months, if not longer, to recover. In many cases, car crash victims like these will be left with permanent impairments.
In some cases, the car accident victim may have to relearn how to do everyday tasks or may sustain a permanent injury resulting in disability. If you’ve suffered any of these more catastrophic injuries, you’ll want to contact a car accident lawyer in Joliet for help with your claim.
What Are Your Recoverable Damages After an Auto Accident in Illinois?
The compensation you can recover for your economic and non-economic losses depends on whether you can prove liability for them. Depending on your situation, your auto accident attorney in Joliet could call on local accident or medical experts to help determine the value of your claim.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are typically calculated first. The value of these is the easiest to determine because they’re based on your actual monetary losses. Common economic damages include medical expenses and lost wages. If you were seriously injured and your future is uncertain, you may also be able to recover compensation for future medical bills and lost earning capacity.
Non-Economic Damages
Once your economic damages are calculated, your lawyer can determine what you’re owed for non-economic damages. These are harder to calculate because they’re based on more subjective losses like pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of a normal life.
A Joliet car accident attorney can assist in properly calculating these non-economic damages so that an insurer or judge and jury understand the substantial impact the harm you’ve endured has caused for you and your family. Determining the value of an injury claim on your own is challenging, and you could jeopardize your chances of receiving full compensation.
That’s why working with a Joliet car accident lawyer following your vehicle crash is in your best interests.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the aftermath of a car accident, you will need to understand what happens next and what approach you should take to pursue your claim. We can provide you with those options, starting with the answers to these frequently asked questions:
Will I have to file a lawsuit to be compensated for a car accident?
Not every car accident claim ends up in a lawsuit. Before you file a civil complaint, you need to go through the insurance claims process. The goal will be to have the relevant insurance carrier pay what you are due. When there is resistance to a fair resolution, we might advise you to file the civil complaint. That puts the insurance company on notice that you’re not backing down. Often, that inspires them to settle.
What should be in the crash report?
The crash report will be the document prepared by the police officer or state trooper who responds to your accident scene. This will be an important piece of evidence that can go a long way to support your version of events. The crash report should contain the following information:
- Location of the accident
- Date and time of the collision
- Crash diagram
- Contact information for all parties involved
- Each party’s insurance information
- Details about the vehicles and visible damage
- Details about obvious or suspected injuries
- Witness contact information
- Road and weather conditions
- Any citations that were issued
Do I have to report the accident to my insurance company if it wasn’t my fault?
There is no law requiring you to report the accident to your insurance company. However, there might be a requirement in your policy to report the accident. When it is established that you were not at fault for the accident, it should not impact your premiums. Reporting the accident can help speed up the process.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit for a car accident?
Illinois law stipulates that you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss that filing deadline, you won’t be able to receive compensation. We make sure that all the filing deadlines are met.
What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?
You are required to carry a minimum of car insurance to drive in Illinois. That mandated policy includes uninsured coverage. If the other driver doesn’t have insurance or their policy has lapsed, you would make your claim with your insurance carrier. That should cover medical expenses, lost wages, and car repair/replacement up to the limits of your policy.
What if I’m partially to blame for the accident?
Under the state’s comparative negligence rule, you can still seek compensation for damages even if you’re partially at fault. There might be a reduction in the final amount you’re entitled to based on the percentage of blame. That is why you want strong legal representation that can clearly establish who is to blame in an accident.
How Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP Can Help with Your Claim
If you’re recovering physically from an auto collision and are wondering how you’ll pay off your medical bills and remain financially afloat, given the significant loss of income, a Joliet car accident lawyer can help.
At Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP, we have experience handling different types of Illinois car accident claims. We’ll have access to the resources and knowledge needed to prove how you were injured and what you’re owed in compensation for your crash.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.
We’ll review the circumstances surrounding your potential injury claim, advise you on your options, and help you decide what steps to take to get your life back and secure your future.
If you’ve been injured in an automobile collision, we’re here to help.
