Category: Motor Vehicle Accidents

Your options if the at-fault driver’s insurance does not cover your injuries in Chicago, IL, include relying on your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy, suing the driver directly, or covering your medical bills with your health insurance. An attorney can examine your case, discuss available options for compensation, and compile strong evidence to prove the full scope of your damages. Working with an attorney protects you from spending your money to pay for expenses arising from another party’s negligence, even when insurance coverage is limited.

Liability for accidents in Chicago construction zones may fall on negligent drivers, construction companies, or government entities. Multiple parties often share liability in such accidents. Fortunately, Illinois adopts a modified comparative negligence system that allows the distribution of fault percentages among all the liable parties.

You can ask for more after an insurance settlement offer in Chicago, IL, because the first offer marks the beginning of the negotiation process. The initial offer is often low, and insurance companies hope that you will accept it so that they can close the claim quickly at a minimal cost. You have the right to counter a lowball offer by asking for a higher amount. Accepting a settlement too quickly bars you from pursuing additional compensation in the future. That means you will have to cover any additional costs arising from your injury out of pocket. The best practice is to talk to a lawyer before accepting a settlement, especially if you receive the offer immediately after the accident/incident.

Once you receive a lowball settlement offer, politely reject it, remain calm, ask for a written explanation, and document everything. Low settlement offers are a common tactic insurance companies use to reduce the actual claim value after a Chicago car accident. The insurer exploits your vulnerability and limited legal knowledge to trick you into accepting a payout that does not cover the full scope of your damages or losses. 

Insurance companies delay car accident claims even when fault is clear to earn interest from the funds set aside for a payout, bring the claim near the statute of limitations, and push the claimant to accept a lowball settlement offer or quit pursuing the claim altogether. Delays in a Chicago car accident claim can lower your settlement value by weakening evidence and allowing insurers to dispute liability or damages. Crucial steps you can take to protect your rights when an insurance company delays your accident claim include recording every interaction, carefully examining your insurance policy, and seeking legal support.