If you are involved in a car crash in Illinois, it is important to seek treatment for your injuries. It may also be a good idea to have an attorney represent your interests after the wreck occurs. An attorney may be able to provide more insight into what you shouldn’t do if you hope to obtain a favorable outcome in your case.
Don’t take any action without consulting your attorney
In most cases, you will be required to make a statement to your own insurance company. However, you are not obligated to talk to the other driver’s auto coverage provider. In the event that you do feel compelled to speak, it is a good idea to do so with legal counsel by your side. Your attorney may be able to limit the type of questions that you’re asked as well as the scope of any responses that you provide.
Furthermore, you should never sign any settlement paperwork before showing these documents to your attorney. It isn’t uncommon for insurance companies to make lowball offers in an attempt to maintain their profit margins at your expense.
Make sure to take action in a timely manner
It is critical to seek treatment as soon as possible after an accident occurs. This can make it easier to prove that broken bones, internal bleeding or other injuries were the result of another driver’s negligent behavior. Furthermore, it is also important to be cognizant of the Illinois statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Typically, you’ll have two years to file a lawsuit from the date of your accident.
It is rarely a good idea to pursue a personal injury case on your own. This is because the other parties involved in the matter will likely have legal representation of their own. Therefore, you don’t want to put yourself at a disadvantage in a proceeding that could have a significant impact on the rest of your life.