Car Accident Lawyer in Joliet, IL
The results of a car accident can range from simple property damage to permanent, disabling injuries or worse.
Nothing can prepare you for the realities of being involved in a car accident, despite hearing about and seeing these types of accidents in the media. The results of a car accident can range from simple property damage to permanent, disabling injuries or worse. The experienced car accident attorneys at Willens & Baez have an award winning track record of navigating the legal system on behalf of our clients and fighting for their right to compensation in court.
Important Things to Remember
A car accident can only take a split second to occur, but it is the decisions that you make in the hours, days, and weeks afterward that can make a significant impact on your claims. The most important thing to do immediately after an accident is to seek medical treatment, even if you are not in pain or think that your injuries are minor. A doctor can check to make sure that you do not have any underlying serious injuries as well as document the harm that you just suffered in the accident.
Next, document the scene of the accident and your injuries with photographs and notes. Keep a notebook or journal in the days, weeks, and months following the accident. Be sure to detail your recovery, any complications that you encounter, and all documentation regarding your treatment including any receipts, bills, or costs for transportation. Furthermore, request a traffic report from law enforcement who appeared at the scene.
Determining Liability
Regardless of how obvious the fault may be in an accident, the insurance companies will launch an investigation to try and prove that you are at least partially at fault. It is important to know that you are not obligated to speak to an adjuster or answer their inquiries. An experienced attorney can handle all correspondence and negotiations with the insurance on your behalf as well as launch an investigation into proving who is truly liable for the accident.
Compensation for Your Claim
Damages for a victim of a car accident can include a lot more than just the costs of medical care immediately following the accident. While insurance companies are aware of that fact, most still only offer a small portion of the total cost in settlement to car accident victims. The total amount of compensation for these claims can include:
- Future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
…and other costs that are reasonably related to the damages suffered in your car accident.
