There has been an increase in traffic accidents in the city of Decatur, Illinois, and throughout Macon County. The number of car accidents rose in the county from 1,956 in 2020 to 2,223 in 2021.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a car crash, Nessler & Associates can help. Our Illinois car accident lawyers rely on years of trial experience and legal knowledge of the insurance industry to answer your car accident claim questions. When you meet with our law firm, we can personalize a legal strategy to help you get compensation for your damages.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Decatur, IL?
These steps can help your lawyer determine who is responsible for the accident so that you can file a lawsuit against them.
Get Medical Attention
Contact 911 for emergency services and the police if you or a passenger needs emergency medical attention immediately after a car accident. Emergency medical technicians can assess the injuries and transport you to a local hospital for medical care.
You should see a physician for a physical examination and diagnostic testing even if you did not suffer visible cuts and bruises. Car accidents can mask symptoms of internal injuries, such as headaches and pain, caused by traumatic brain injuries or whiplash.
You can ask for medical records and bills related to your injuries whenever you visit your providers for treatment and follow-up visits. Your medical documentation gives your lawyer an advantage when negotiating a settlement with the insurance company. It also serves as evidence of your injury if you must go to court to prove your case.
Take Photos of the Accident
If you can, take pictures and videos on your cell phone at the scene of the accident while you wait for the police and emergency vehicles to arrive. Take shots of the vehicles, road hazards, license plates, and visible injuries.
Photos of skid marks on the pavement where your accident occurred can indicate a driver who tried to speed and brake suddenly before the accident occurred.
Taking photos of surrounding businesses can help you obtain possible video footage of the accident to preserve as evidence.
File a Police Report
The police will ask for your driver’s license and registration. They may interview all drivers and passengers for their accounts of the accident. Try to outline what you saw and experienced during the collision when talking to the police.
Avoid apologizing for the accident and making assumptions about whose fault it was. The police will investigate the accident for their report, and your auto insurance company may use your statements against you later on to lower or deny your claim.
If no police officer appears on the scene, you should notify the Illinois State Police about the accident within 10 days. All insured drivers must submit a crash report to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) if there is a death, physical injury, or more than $1,500 in property damage.
Collect the Contact Information of Drivers and Witnesses
Your attorney will need the contact and insurance information of all drivers involved in the accident so they can file your claim. This information is typically documented on the police report, but you should also collect the information at the accident scene.
- The names and contact information of witnesses who saw and heard the accident
- Insurance and contact details of other drivers involved in the crash
- The make, model, and license plate number of all vehicles
Contact the Insurance Company
Illinois is an at-fault state, meaning you can file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company for damages. The insurance company will use the police report, photos of the vehicle’s damage, and medical bills to help them determine the amount for your settlement.
However, the insurance company will attempt to settle your claim quickly, hoping you accept their offer. They understand many car accident victims can suffer financial hardship due to long-term medical treatments for their injuries and repair costs for their vehicles, so they need compensation to help them with their bills.
If the settlement is not enough to cover all your expenses related to your accident, an experienced car crash attorney at our law firm can handle your claim on your behalf. We will assess all your costs and negotiate for the maximum settlement possible within the other driver’s insurance policy limits.
Call a Personal Injury Lawyer to Help With Your Claim
A personal injury attorney from Nessler & Associates can help you if your damages exceed the other driver’s insurance policy. Your attorney can examine your case and collect evidence to reduce your percentage of fault under Illinois’ modified comparative negligence law and maximize your settlement.
Using evidence and witness testimonials, we can prepare your claim to file within the two-year statute of limitations. We will interview witnesses for their statements and review your medical records to understand the financial and physical impact of the accident on your life and ensure you receive a fair settlement.
What Types of Damages Can You Receive from a Motor Vehicle Accident in Decatur, IL?
We can determine how much compensation you may receive depending on the damages incurred from the accident. We can include these types of damages while negotiating your settlement with the insurance company:
Medical Expenses
You may need coverage for all your medical bills related to injuries sustained in a car accident, such as ambulance fees, hospital stays, and prescription medications.
Lost Wages
If you missed work due to your recovery, you could receive compensation for the loss of income. We will also include future lost income in your car accident claim if you sustained catastrophic injuries that prevented you from returning to your job.
Pain and Suffering
We can refer to your medical records and speak with your physician about the physical pain and suffering you endured from your injuries. We will also ask for your statement regarding your struggles to recover from your injuries, providing helpful information for calculating your pain and suffering losses.
Property Damage
During an auto accident, your car may have sustained damage. We can help you recover money from the responsible party to cover repair costs and replacement parts.
Wrongful Death Benefits
The surviving spouse and next of kin might be eligible for wrongful death benefits if their loved one died in an auto accident due to their injuries.
At Nessler & Associates, our compassionate car accident lawyers can help you recover compensation for economic losses and intangible losses related to the passing of a loved one during this difficult time. We will determine the other driver’s negligence and help your family pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.
Speak with a Decatur, IL Car Accident Attorney
The law group of Nessler & Associates protects car accident victims’ rights to fair compensation and justice for their injuries. We serve Decatur, Springfield, and other areas in Illinois, so you can rely on our local legal knowledge and experience to help you with your case.
We understand the importance of using solid evidence and a robust legal strategy to influence the outcome of your personal injury claim. Our experienced trial lawyers can provide you with an overview of all your legal options, which may include litigation.
Call us at (800) 727-8010 to book a free, no-obligation consultation. Our law firm works on a contingency basis, so you pay us only if we recover damages for you.