Rockford Auto Accident Attorneys You Can Trust
You may be surprised to learn that Winnebago County is one of the ten deadliest in the state for traffic fatalities according to statistics reported annually by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
In 2021, for example, there were slightly over 6,000 auto accidents in the county, including 42 fatalities, 1,379 injuries, and involving over 11,000 vehicles.
At the law office of Crosby & Crosby, we have successfully represented clients in numerous auto accident cases across Illinois, and our expert attorneys have put together the following guide to help you determine what to do if you’re involved in a car accident.
Essential Things to Do in Case of an Auto Accident
If you have been involved in a traffic accident, especially one involving personal injury, you should do the following.
- Get medical attention. Your health should always be your first priority. Traffic accidents can not only leave you injured physically but confused and disheveled. Don’t take chances by shrugging off and disregarding your injuries, even if they appear minor to you.
- Allow yourself to be taken to the nearest emergency room for professional medical care. Your pain and confusion might be temporary or they could be symptoms of very serious, underlying injuries. Get immediate care as well as the follow-up treatment that may be needed in the case of very serious injuries.
- Take pictures. If you’re physically able, use your cell phone camera to take pictures of the damages to your vehicle, as well as the injuries you may have suffered.
- Collect reports and witness statements. Be sure to get a copy of the police report and if possible, witness accounts of the accident, as well as contact information for these witnesses. The officer investigating the accident should give you a numbered receipt, and you can get a copy of the accident report by calling the local police department and giving them that number.
- Be careful what you say and do. For example, do not admit guilt, even if this seems like the courteous thing to do. Also, while you may have to provide certain information to your insurer, you are not obligated to speak with the other driver’s insurance company.
You should never agree to an immediate settlement for the damages you’ve suffered. You can be sure the other driver’s insurer will try to pay you the least amount they think they can for the damages you’ve suffered.
Reporting Requirements and Illinois’ Statute of Limitations
It’s also important to remember that all drivers in an accident must file a report with the state of Illinois in accidents involving death, bodily injury, or property damage of more than $1,500 – if all drivers involved are insured. If any involved driver does not have insurance, that reporting threshold drops to $500.
In addition, if you are seeking compensation for the damages you’ve suffered, under Illinois law, you have two years to file your claim. That may seem like a long time, but collecting all the information needed to support your claim for damages can be a long, drawn-out process, and you should file your claim just as soon as possible.
Experienced Legal Counsel is Essential
After a car crash, hiring legal counsel might not be the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, you may be tempted to try to save money by attempting to resolve all issues on your own without the benefit of legal assistance, but things rarely work out that way.
Having an experienced, knowledgeable lawyer working on your behalf can often be the difference between getting the compensation to which you are rightfully entitled or having to pay many of your expenses out of your own pocket.
Contact Rockford’s Car Accident Lawyers
The best way to protect your rights and get the compensation to which you are entitled is by hiring a personal injury attorney in Rockford, IL who knows how insurance companies operate and can take the steps to protect your rights.
At Crosby & Crosby Law, our highly experienced attorneys take pride in maintaining consistent communication with our auto accident clients, working with each of them to build a successful legal strategy that will enable them to secure their rightful compensation.
If you or a loved one has been injured or suffered extensive property damage in a motor vehicle accident, contact our law firm to schedule a free case consultation. Let us put our knowledge and years of legal experience to work for you.
