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Motor Vehicle Accidents
A collision with another motor vehicle can change life as you know it in an instant - perhaps leading to serious injuries, a lengthy medical recovery, lost wages, lifelong disability, or even death. If you or a loved one is injured in a motor vehicle accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation including property damage, medical expenses, pain and suffering, wage loss, and future medical care.
Motor vehicle accidents cause more deaths than all natural disasters combined. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were nearly 6 million reported motor vehicle accidents in 2006, causing 2.6 million injuries and 43,000 deaths. In Illinois, the annual number of fatal car crashes is approximately 1,400.
In order to recover for injuries sustained in a crash, you must be able to prove that some person caused the crash due to negligent or reckless driving or that a defect in the roadway or the vehicle caused the accident. If the accident occurred while you were on the job, you may have grounds for a workers' compensation claim as well.
Here are some things you should do if you've been injured in a motor vehicle accident:
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Ensure that a police report is made as soon as possible after the collision, and request a copy of the police report.
- Obtain the name and address of the other driver(s) involved in the collision, the name of their insurance company, the policy number, their driver's license number and plate number.
- Obtain the names, addresses, and phone numbers of anyone who witnessed the collision.
- Report the collision to your insurance company.
- Take photographs of the damage to all vehicles if possible.
- Take photographs of the scene of the collision.
- Do not speak with the other driver(s), their insurance company or investigator, or any witnesses.
- Keep a log of all of your medical treatment and bills as well as your physical complaints.
- Attend any traffic court hearings for citations issued to the other driver pertaining to liability.
- Be aware that if you accept any money for your injuries or sign a release, you may be waiving your right to receive substantial additional compensation.
- Retain an attorney who is experienced in the area of motor vehicle accidents at your earliest opportunity to protect your rights.
The attorneys of Drake & Collopy, P.C. can help you evaluate your potential motor vehicle accident claim at no obligation to you. With more than two decades of combined experience in representing motor vehicle accident victims, you can put your trust in us. We track jury awards and out-of-court settlements in motor vehicle cases throughout Illinois, and we know how the insurance companies operate.
You may have up to two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for personal injuries, but you shouldn't wait to contact us. A thorough investigation should be conducted before valuable evidence is lost and witnesses move or forget important details.
Like most other personal injury law firms in Illinois, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means we don't charge a fee until we recover a settlement or award for you.
If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a car, truck, bus, motorcycle, train, or any other type of motor vehicle accident, rest assured that Drake & Collopy, P.C. has the experience and knowledge in accident litigation to give your claim the best chance for success. Contact us online or call us at 312.345.0220, or toll free at 1.888.372.5355, for more information or to schedule a free consultation.
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