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Lawyers oversee legal matters on behalf of their clients. When looking for one, you need to know the legal services you need. In the case of a car accident claim, a lawyer will oversee all communications and negotiations between you and the insurance company. The lawyer will also help you file court-mandated documents within the statute of limitations (time limits) for filing those documents. 
An insurance claim is a request for benefits or compensation for damages that result from a motor vehicle accident. The claim is typically made with the insurance company representing the driver who is at fault.  Both drivers will need to report the accident to their insurance companies, however, in accordance to the requirements of their individual policies. Many car insurance claims are made each day around the nation, and the process has become relatively standardized. That doesn’t mean the insurance company won’t push back if they believe they shouldn’t recognize their liability, but the process will be similar to most other accidents of the same type.
Chicago car accident attorneys are likely going to attempt to reach a settlement with the insurance company before going to court. The majority of car accident lawsuits are settled out of court. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, or if they have decided to argue fault for the accident, you could find yourself going to court.  
If you were injured in a trucking accident in Chicago, Berwyn, Oak Lawn, Cicero, or a nearby community, call the injury attorneys at Lloyd Miller Law for a free consultation.

When To Hire a Car Accident Injury Lawyer

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Male driver holding neck after getting in to an accident

An experienced personal injury lawyer is an asset when someone suffers injuries due to a car accident. When another driver causes an accident that results in injuries to passengers and damage to vehicles, accident victims often look for a car accident lawyer to recover costs.

High Costs of Personal Injuries from Car Accidents

An injury suffered during a car accident can cost much more than auto insurance policies cover. Illinois law only requires a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, with a maximum of $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident.

The average costs to treat injuries easily can exceed those amounts, especially when more than one person suffers injuries. A car accident injury lawyer can help to hold liable parties accountable and make insurers pay the proper amounts to cover injuries and other costs.

When to Hire an Auto Accident Attorney

Because of the potentially high costs of auto accident injuries and damages, victims should hire a car accident lawyer when:

  • Injuries are suffered in an accident.
  • Fault is uncertain.
  • The police report is inaccurate.
  • Costs from an accident exceed insurance coverage.
  • Insurers or attorneys are contacting the victim.

A personal injury lawyer who is experienced in handling car accident claims can help to build a strong case and hold at-fault drivers accountable. The attorney can stop insurers and opposing attorneys from contacting accident victims.

Many attorneys and insurers for at-fault drivers will try to contact accident victims right away. They do so in an attempt to get accident victims to say things that harm their claims and legal cases. If an accident victim is polite and says he or she is feeling relative well, that could be used against that person to reduce settlement amounts.

How an Attorney Helps Car Accident Victims

When an accident victim retains an attorney, all communications regarding that case must flow through the attorney and the respective law firm. Even debt collectors must cease any communications with the victims. However, that accident victim must make payments on medical bills and other costs until the case is completed and a settlement is agreed upon or a court issues a ruling.

The retained attorney can prevent those unwanted and sometimes harassing calls while building a case against the at-fault party. A car accident lawyer can help prove victims were not at fault in a car accident claim. Accident victims’ rights are upheld, and due process is assured to help obtain the best possible legal outcome.

About the Author

Kurt D. Lloyd is a plaintiff’s trial lawyer who focuses on medical malpractice and other catastrophic injury cases. He lives in Chicago and represents injured clients throughout Illinois. He is also the founder of Lloyd Law Group, Ltd.

Chicago accident lawyer Kurt D. Lloyd