The other driver caused the crash, but you are the one getting phone calls from their insurance company. They sound friendly and are eager to gain your trust. They want a quick statement and a fast settlement, often making a low offer hoping that you won’t know better. Before you say yes, know this: what feels like a fair number often is not. A Schaumburg car accident lawyer can evaluate the offer for you and offer guidance on next steps. Those big firms often treat you like a number and push your case through a machine. The right attorney does the opposite. As a small practice that takes on far fewer cases, our compassionate personal injury attorney and her team get to know you personally, and we are ready to file a lawsuit if that is what it takes to get you a fair result.
Who Has to Pay After a Car Accident?
Illinois is an at-fault state. That means the driver who caused the crash is responsible for the harm they cause. Usually, their car insurance pays for your injuries – but getting them to pay what is actually fair to you is going to be a fight. There is a catch. Under the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure, 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, if you are more than 50 percent at fault, you get nothing. If you are 50 percent or less at fault, your money is reduced by your share of the blame. Guess who decides whether or not you were more or less than 50% at fault? It is not you, even though you were the one driving and you are the one who saw what happened.
Insurers know this, so they often try to blame you for part of the crash. Often, they do this long before you even realize what is happening. A seemingly innocent conversation or comment comes back to bite you later on. This is one of the many reasons that we strongly caution against people talking to the other person’s insurance company. We can present your side of the story for you, in the right way at the right time.
You get only two years to take your case to court, under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. And if the other driver had no insurance, your own uninsured driver coverage may help. While every driver in Illinois is required to have car insurance, there are plenty of people who do not have it, or let it lapse. A Schaumburg car crash lawyer can investigate the possible sources of insurance and figure out who should pay. We will push back when insurance companies are unfair.
What Kind of Car Crash Injuries Lead to a Claim?
Not every car accident case is the same. A serious injury can change your daily life for months or even years.
Common car crash injuries in Schaumburg include:
- Broken bones that may need surgery
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Internal Injuries
- Orthopedic Injuries
- Disc injuries
- Torn ligaments and joint damage
- Injuries that require physical therapy
- Injuries serious enough to keep you out of work
When you are hurt this badly, the bills grow quickly. You may face high medical costs and lost paychecks while you recover. A Schaumburg auto accident lawyer can add up these losses and fight for every dollar you are owed, to the extent of available insurance- which is where things get tricky.
What Money Can You Recover After a Car Wreck?
A serious car accident costs you in more ways than one. A strong claim looks at everything you have lost, not just your first hospital bill.
The money you recover can cover your medical care, both what you have paid and the treatment you still need, like future surgery or physical therapy. It can replace the paychecks you missed while you could not work, and account for future earnings if your injury keeps you from doing your old job.
You can also recover money for your physical pain and the way your injury limits your daily life. The insurance company will downplay all of this and offer a quick, low payment. A skilled Schaumburg car accident attorney can value these losses correctly and refuse to let the insurer shortchange you.
Talk to a Schaumburg Car Crash Lawyer Today
A serious car accident brings pain, missed work, and stress. The insurance company will not always be fair because their own bottom line is their priority, not your needs. You deserve someone who will fight for you and treat your injury like it matters. Your lawyer will be on your side. The insurance adjuster is on the insurance company’s side. That just makes sense. The right help can change what you recover.
At O’Connor Cadiz Accident and Injury Law, you are a person, not a number. We take fewer cases so we can fight harder for each one, and we proudly serve the area’s Spanish-speaking community, too. If a Schaumburg car accident lawyer sounds like what you need, contact us today for a free consultation. Let O’Connor Cadiz Accident and Injury Law handle the insurance company so you can focus on getting better.
