Category: Motor Vehicle Accidents

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.

Under Chicago Uber & Lyft laws, who pays after an accident depends on the status of the driver’s app. If the app is on, the rideshare company’s liability policy pays. If the app is off, the driver’s personal insurance covers damages and losses arising from the accident. If another driver was liable, that driver’s insurer will be responsible for covering the arising costs and losses.

The Illinois modified comparative negligence law is instrumental in determining fault in Chicago intersection accidents. This rule apportions a percentage of liability to each driver involved in an accident. A driver who committed a traffic violation by failing to yield to oncoming traffic, speeding through a red light, or failing to maintain a safe driving distance may be found liable. Anyone whose fault is above 50% is barred from recovering damages.