Experiencing a car accident can shake your whole world, especially if you or someone else in your vehicle is seriously injured. There are many things to consider when you have been involved in an accident, such as who was at fault, what injuries were caused, what damages were inflicted upon your vehicle, and much more. Kane County car accident injury attorneys can help you work through the effects of your accident.
Finding the answers to the numerous questions you have following a car accident can be difficult, especially if the accident was traumatic. For this reason, it is important to find an experienced attorney to support you. The team at Franks Gerkin Ponitz Greeley can help you resolve the legal portion while you deal with healing yourself physically and emotionally.
Illinois Car Accident Laws
There are many laws surrounding auto accidents, and unfortunately, they vary from state to state. Below are a few important, relevant laws to be aware of in Illinois.
- Comparative Negligence. Illinois upholds a comparative negligence law, which means that more than one party can be at fault for an accident. Sometimes, this means that you can receive compensation for damages to you or your motor vehicle if you were less than fifty percent at fault for the accident.
- Driving Without Insurance. In Illinois, it is illegal to drive without valid car insurance. Doing so can result in fines, with repeated offenses resulting in larger fines. This is also pertinent to pedestrian accidents.
- Notifying the Police. When you are involved in a car accident, you are required by law to let law enforcement know. This law stands for those driving the vehicle as well as for passengers, especially in the event that the driver is unable to make a phone call or communicate.
What to Do if You Are in a Car Accident
A car accident can refer to any time your vehicle comes in contact with another object, including other cars, motorcycles, trucks, pedestrians, animals, buildings, and more. If you have had an accident, it is important to follow these steps:
- Bring the vehicle to a stop. Fleeing the scene of a car accident is illegal in the state of Illinois. Doing so could result in fines, jail time, and even felony charges. Even if it appears that no damage was caused, you are still required to stop at the scene. In situations where it is safe to do so, you can help to warn surrounding traffic of the accident so that no additional accidents occur.
- Provide assistance to anyone that you see who is injured. Under Illinois law, you are required to, in a reasonable manner, tend to the injured near you. This could include calling 911. However, it is important to note that in some cases, moving an injured person could only worsen their injuries. For those not trained in first aid or medical care, calling for help can be the most efficient form of help.
- Take notes of the accident so you can remember them. Information that you are aware of in the moments during and after an accident can be helpful to the police, your doctor, and your insurance company. Writing it down can help you to remember things that you may otherwise forget when the situation calms.
How to Handle Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
If you have sustained an injury due to a car accident in Kane County, IL, there are many things you need to know. The most important include:
- You need to gather evidence or have an attorney help you do so. Any time you are trying to prove injury or harm, you must have proof to back up and clearly support your claim. An attorney can help you determine what information you need and present it as evidence of your injuries.
- You may be entitled to compensation. This can be true even if you were partially at fault for the wreck. Because of Illinois’ comparative negligence laws, even if you were determined to be somewhat at fault, you may be able to receive help for medical bills, vehicle damage, and/or lost wages.
- Proving you were not at fault. If you were not at fault for the accident, it is important to prove that. Proof can be found in accident scene photos, witness accounts, and police reports. The reports will give information on the other driver, such as if they were intoxicated or inhibited. Even though you may still receive compensation if you cannot prove complete innocence, you may be able to receive more if you can prove you were not at fault.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Injuries are likely to occur in car accidents due to the high intensity of the impact that often occurs during a crash. Many people tense in anticipation of the accident, potentially worsening the injuries they experience. Some common car accident injuries include:
- Back injuries, such as harm done to the spine, herniated discs, compression fractures, and more
- Head injuries such as concussions, severe traumatic brain injuries, and whiplash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Bone breaks and fractures
How a Car Accident Injury Attorney Can Help
An injury lawyer can provide an array of helpful services following a car accident. Collisions often involve more issues than simply a damaged vehicle, which is why it is important to consult someone who has experience with handling the medical and legal aspects of vehicle accidents.
One way an attorney can be extremely helpful is in the event that someone dies as a result of a car accident. While not all crashes prove to be fatal, it is not uncommon for an accident to end in death. Whether you are responsible for the crash that caused someone to die or have lost a loved one as a result of a car accident, an experienced attorney can help you navigate the right course of action for your situation.
In some cases, deaths caused by car accidents may be ruled as wrongful death, meaning that it was due to the negligence of another person. Personal injury attorneys can help to gather facts that shed light on these types of situations.
Protecting Yourself After a Car Accident
If you need an experienced attorney to help you through the litigation process following your accident, we are here to help. Franks Gerkin Ponitz Greeley understands that you have probably had a traumatic, shocking experience, and we are ready to come alongside you and support you. Contact our office today to learn more about the services we offer and how we can assist you.
