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Beware Of Driving Hazards Spring Weather Brings

Spring weather

Spring often brings sunnier, warmer weather, but there are driving challenges to be aware of. Keep reading to learn about spring weather driving hazards to avoid car accidents. However, if you have been in a car accident because of someone’s negligence, our Schaumburg car accident lawyers at SJ Injury Law can help.

Daylight Savings Time

Government data reveals more car accidents happen when daylight savings time (DST) is in effect. This data shows that deadly car accidents increase by 6% after daylight savings time goes into effect. The ‘spring forward’ change affects when the light is in the sky and how people sleep. Some drivers may be sleepier than they realize in the first few days after DST takes effect.

Fortunately, it is easy to avoid this problem. Ensure you get a lot of rest in the two or three days before and after a time change in your area. It is only one hour’s difference, but it may have more of an effect on your body than you think.

Ice

It is spring in Schaumburg, and flowers are poking out of the soil, so there should not be any ice, right? However, there still can be ice on the roads. The temperature may be well above freezing during the day, but rain in the streets can freeze at night. This may cause black ice, which is hard to see and extremely slick. Assume in the early morning that the roads are slippery and slow down if there is any moisture in the streets.

Flooded Roads

Flooded roads often occur in the Illinois spring. The melting snow and heavy rain can flood almost any street in your area. The smartest way to drive on a flooded road is not to do it at all. Instead, look for a better route if you see a flooded road. There probably are safer routes. If not, stay home.

Many drivers need to realize how powerful and dangerous standing water is. There may be only a few inches of water, but it can quickly make you lose control.

Shoulders

Use caution when driving on road shoulders in the spring. There could be ground erosion, and the spring rains and floods can make the surface softer. There have been cases of cars left on the shoulder sinking into the ground, causing thousands in damage. If you need to park on the shoulder in the spring, keep it as short as possible.

Spring Rains

Rain is a regular visitor in Illinois in the spring, so be aware showers can cause difficult driving situations. Staying safe in the spring rain means slowing down, turning on your headlights, and putting more space between you and other vehicles. Also, always remember just a bit of moisture and oil on the road can make the pavement almost as slick as ice.

Underinflated Tires

During the cold winter months in Schaumburg, your tires can slowly lose pressure. Science tells us for every 10-degree decrease in temperature, car tires may lose one or two pounds of pressure. Drivers unaware of this issue could drive with underinflated tires in the spring and summer. Underinflated tires increase gas usage, and tire wear and make the vehicle more challenging to control in an emergency.

Avoid this problem by checking your tire pressure at the beginning of the spring. If the tires are low, most gas stations have an air compressor to top off your tires.

Animals

There is more animal activity in the spring. For many animals, it is mating season; for others, they are waking from weeks or months of inactivity. Animals are most active at dusk and dawn, so watch out for animals darting onto the roadway.

Pedestrians

As the temperature warms, you may notice more pedestrians and bicyclists. Always slow down when you see a pedestrian and be careful around crosswalks. If the pedestrian has the green signal at the crosswalk, they have the right of way. That means yielding to pedestrians and bicyclists.

Motorcycles

Motorcycles are hard to see because of their size and speed. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident call (847) 434-3555. In a spring rain, seeing them can be even more difficult. So, take a second look in front of you and in your blind spots. Motorcyclists have the same right to the road you do. If you are behind a motorcycle, stay at least four seconds back to avoid an accident. Remember, a minor fender bender can be deadly if the other driver is on a motorcycle.

Potholes

Illinois is notorious for big potholes in the spring. The combination of salt, sand, snowplows, and alternating warm and cold weather is brutal on the roads. The best way to avoid issues with potholes is to avoid them. However, if you cannot avoid an upcoming hole, slow down, then just before you hit the pothole, take your foot off the brakes. This will reduce the speed when you hit the hole, and the suspension will reduce the impact.

Hail

Driving in hail is not just bad for your car’s paint and body. It also is dangerous because of the combination of moisture and ice on the road. If there is any sign of hail, you should pull over in a covered area until it passes. Also, people tend to drive distracted in a hailstorm, so staying off the roads at that time is best.

Large Puddles

Major spring rains can leave big puddles on the roads. If you see one on your drive, it is best to avoid it; you never know how deep it is. Even on a road you know, heavy rain can create new potholes, deepen current holes, and even damage whole sections of asphalt. Even driving through a small amount of water on the road can affect your brakes, so use caution and avoid if possible.

Be Aware Of Severe Weather

There are a lot of heavy storms in the spring in the Midwest. This part of the country sees about 24 significant tornadoes yearly, and spring is primetime for twisters. So pay attention to the weather on the radio before driving and stay home if storms are approaching.

If you see a funnel cloud when you are driving, it is a dangerous situation. Drive away from it at a right angle. But if you are already in high winds, get your car out of traffic. Stay in the vehicle and keep your seatbelt fastened. Get below the windows as best you can, and cover your head. Seeking shelter under an overpass is not a good idea, so always stay in your vehicle until the tornado passes.

Get Your Vehicle Ready For Spring

Now that you know how to stay safe when driving this spring, you should ensure your car is ready for the road. Getting your vehicle ready for warmer weather is another way to be proactive about keeping your vehicle and family safe:

Give The Car A Complete Wash

Roads treated with salt all winter do more than make the car dirty. Salt is corrosive and will make it rust if it stays on the car too long. Look for a car wash that does under-spraying to remove salt from beneath the vehicle.

Watch For Rust

Do you see any signs of rust on your car after the past winter? It is always best to deal with it immediately. Search for tiny brown specks and stains. Also, watch for bubbles in the paint or a moist floorboard.

Small rust spots on the paint surface can be sanded down to the metal then primed and painted. However, taking the car to a body shop is best if you find a larger rust spot.

Put On New Wiper Blades

Ice and snow in winter are hard on your wiper blades. You may notice during a spring rain that your blades are smearing the rain on the windshield, not wiping it. So, replace the wiper blades every spring to ensure they are in the best condition. Then, when the first big storm hits, you will have a clear windshield, which is safer and reduces eyestrain.

Check Your Headlights

Driving in the spring in Schaumburg often means driving in hard rain when you cannot see as well. Good headlights are vital so you can see and others can see you. You should check the headlights, backup, taillights, brake, and parking lights. Many oil change facilities can change these for you while replacing the oil.

Check Tire Treads

Cold, ice, and snow can wear out your tires and cause them to deflate slowly. Check your tires for the correct pressure, tread, and alignment every spring. This also is a good time to check your spare.

Do A Brake Check

Winter is tough on your brakes. Between the ice, snow, and sudden slowdowns during heavy Illinois traffic, you should check your brakes to ensure they are safe. Check the rotors, pads, and brake fluid, or have your automotive professional do it.

Contact A Schaumburg Car Accident Lawyer Today

Were you in a car crash near Wintrust Field, Woodfield Mall, or another site in Schaumburg? Accidents can happen anytime: spring, summer, fall, or winter. You might be entitled to compensation if the other driver was negligent. Our Schaumburg car accident lawyers at SJ Injury Law can help, so contact our Schaumburg personal injury lawyers now at (847) 434-3555.

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Things You Should Always Have In Case Of A Car Accident

car accident

There were 312,000 car accidents in Illinois in 2019 and about 858 crashes per day. Sooner or later, most Illinoisans get in a car accident, but many do not know what they should have in their vehicles when it happens. Having critical emergency supplies in the car can make a huge difference if you get into an accident.

Below are some essential items you should keep in your vehicle in case of a car accident. Also highlighted are the most important things to remember to do after an auto accident. If you are in a car accident and unsure of your rights, please contact Hoffman Estates car accident lawyers at SJ Injury Law today. In many cases, our attorneys can help obtain compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

First Aid Kit

Even a minor auto accident can have cuts, bruises, and scrapes because of airbags, hitting a part of your body against something on the inside of your car, or broken glass. Also, first responders may not arrive at the crash scene immediately, so carrying a first aid kit in the trunk is recommended. This allows you to manage your or a passenger’s minor injuries until first responders arrive, or you can get to the ER to be checked out.

In addition to bandages, gauze, antiseptic ointment, instant cold packs, aspirin, and other first aid basics, it is wise to have a survival kit in the car, too. The survival kit should contain items that will help if you are in an accident that requires you to stay at the scene for hours or more. Some vital things to include in the survival kit are:

    • Non-perishable food
    • Bottled water
    • Tool to break glass
    • Extra clothing

Fully Charged Phone

Most of us have a cell phone, but it does not do you much good after an accident if the battery is dead. Some drivers prefer having a disposable cell phone in the trunk to use in an emergency. Another option is to have a phone charger in the car and plug your phone in every time you drive. Or use an old cell phone; even if the phone is not on your current mobile plan, you can still use it to call 911 after an accident.

Basic Toolkit

An essential car repair toolkit should include pliers, a screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, and duct tape. While they won’t help with major car repairs, these tools can help get you back on the road after a minor accident.

Jumper Cables

One of the most common road emergencies is a dead car battery. A set of jumper cables is inexpensive and does not take up a lot of space, so have a set in the trunk.

Fire Extinguisher

An overheating car can sometimes even start a fire, so having a fire extinguisher handy is important. Using the fire extinguisher when a fire starts in the engine compartment can prevent the conflagration from getting much worse.

Flashlight and Flares

Being in a car accident at night is scary and hazardous. If you are in a crash after the sun sets, carrying a flashlight and road flares is vital. A flashlight is essential in the dark, especially in rural areas with few streetlights. This tool helps you check for damage to determine if you can drive the vehicle or move it out of traffic.

Without a flashlight, there could be severe damage you cannot see, which makes it dangerous to drive. Remember to carry extra batteries and check them every quarter.

Road flares are essential for safety after accidents, especially in the dark. First, flares make the accident more visible and direct first responders to the area. Flares also help other drivers see your vehicle and avoid additional accidents.

Contact Information

If you are in an accident and unable to communicate with first responders, it is critical to have your name, medical information, and emergency contact information in the car. Having your cell phone and wallet on you in the vehicle may be sufficient. You also can keep a written list of this vital information in the glove compartment.

Things to Remember After a Car Accident

The items highlighted above in your vehicle can significantly help after a car accident. It also is important to remember to do the following after an auto accident:

Check If Anyone Is Injured

Illinois law requires you to see if anyone is injured after a car accident. If so, you need to call 911 or the local police to get medical assistance. In addition, you should never leave the scene of an accident until the police permit you.

Get Out of Danger

If it is a minor car accident and you are not hurt, move your vehicle slowly to the side of the road so it does not stop traffic. Moving the car keeps you out of danger and prevents additional accidents. Turn your blinkers on and put out road flares from your emergency kit.

Remember, you may be upset after the accident even if you are not hurt. In addition, you may not think as clearly as you usually would, so be careful around traffic. Getting as far away as possible from traffic is best to stay safe.

Contact Law Enforcement

You should always call the police to report a car accident. However, law enforcement may not always respond. Some police departments tell you to report the incident online. They may not always send a police officer to the scene if it is a minor crash.

If the police come to the scene, write down their badge number and contact details. Then, get a copy of the accident report from the officer. If the police do not come, go to the nearest police station to get a copy of the accident report.

You should always report even minor car accidents to the police. The other driver may ask you not to report it, but this leaves you open to a hit-and-run charge if they decide to change their story later.

Gather Evidence

A Hoffman Estates car accident lawyer will collect car accident evidence, but you can help by starting the process yourself. If uninjured, use your cell phone camera to photograph accident damages, vehicle positions, and the overall accident scene.

Next, take photos of the driver’s licenses of others involved in the crash and their insurance information. Also, take pictures of every driver’s license plate. Finally, get their contact information if there are witnesses to the accident. Your attorney will want to speak to witnesses as soon as possible before they start forgetting what happened.

See Your Physician

Many people feel fine after a car accident. But many injuries may not become evident for one or two days. For example, you could bang your head on the window and feel ok. But after a day, you could have headaches or memory loss. Or you could wake up the next morning and find you cannot move your head; whiplash symptoms also can take a few days to appear.

If you wait to go to your doctor, it could jeopardize an accident claim later. Also, if you file a personal injury lawsuit, the other driver’s insurance company will likely argue your injury was unrelated to the accident.

Don’t Admit Fault

Emotions often run high after a car accident, and you may say something that hurts your car accident claim. It is best not to say anything to other drivers except to exchange information. Never take responsibility for the accident, even if you are at fault. It is always best to say as little as possible to give your car accident attorney the best chance to obtain fair compensation for you.

Report The Accident to Your Insurance Company

It tempts some drivers to make a cash agreement to avoid reporting the incident to their insurance company. However, not calling your insurance provider is a risk; the other driver may not have insurance. In addition, if you have more severe injuries or property damage than you thought, you may need to tap your policy’s underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage. Reporting the incident to the insurance company as soon as possible is the safest action.

Contact Hoffman Estates Car Accident Lawyers Today

Anyone in a severe car accident probably has medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You could be eligible for compensation if you have damages after a car accident.

Our Hoffman Estates car accident lawyers have fought for the rights of clients for more than 50 years. As a result, we obtain significant settlements and awards for our personal injury clients in Illinois. Our attorneys focus on personal injuries, auto accidents, slip & fall incidents, dog bites, and wrongful death.

SJ Injury Law attorneys serve Schaumburg and the greater Chicago area including the communities of Hoffman Estates, Mount Prospect, Rolling Meadows, Grove Village, Hanover Park, Arlington Heights, Oak Brook, and Streamwood. Please contact SJ Injury Law at 847-434-3555 for a complimentary consultation.

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Fatalities From Car Accidents Increased Dramatically in 2021

traffic accidents

As time goes on, we tend to think that things get safer; technology helps protect us and do things that we, as humans can’t do. When it comes to cars, the technology in our cars is advanced enough to help us avoid accidents. But for a number of reasons, traffic accidents—and deaths—keep increasing.

In 2021, a lot of things changed, because of the changing conditions after the pandemic. Some of those changes were good positive changes. But some were not. One not-so-good change was the rapid and dramatic increase in the number of traffic fatalities on our roadways.

After a crash in Illinois, victims may be able to secure compensation for their losses. If you or someone you love was injured in a crash, please call the talented Schaumburg car accident lawyers at Claim Your Justice.

Early 2021 Statistics are Grim

Statistics are not available for all of 2021, but according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 31,000 people died in traffic accidents from January to September of 2021. That represents an increase of about 12% from that same time period in 2020. That isn’t just a big increase—it’s the biggest increase during the initial 9 months of any year for the previous 15 years.

As you may imagine because of the 2020 shutdown, there were more miles actually traveled in the first months of 2021 than in the previous year. But even taking that into account, and adjusting on a per-mile basis, the fatality rate still went up in 2021, increasing to about 1.36 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled nationally.

Even 2020 Was Pretty Bad

But the 2021 upward trend is not an isolated event; traffic fatalities even increased on a percentage basis the year before, in pandemic-stricken 2020. Annual traffic data for 2020 showed the highest amount of traffic deaths since 2007 even though the total number of crashes actually decreased from the year previous.

If you think these increases are high, it gets worse–these 2020 and 2021 statistics are only on public roadways. They do not account for accidents in private driveways, or parking lots, which, when taken into account, would raise the fatality rate and total even higher than it is.

The NHTSA is putting together these statistics also only accounts for immediate or near immediate deaths; it does not account for deaths that are caused by a car accident, but where death may not actually happen until a few days after the actual accident (for example, if someone were to wane in the hospital and pass a few days later, or if a car accident were to cause a fatal heart attack days after the accident).

The trend is continuing, even into the first months of 2022. As of March 2022, there are estimates that traffic deaths will be at 3,570, which represents a 3% increase from 2021, and a whopping 25% increase from 2020. However, the deaths per mile have increased less dramatically, increasing only .08%.

State by State Data

These studies don’t just rank traffic fatalities by the entire nation, but also by state. According to a study by Uplift Legal Funding, research shows Texas as being one of the more dangerous states to drive in, at least in 2018 (note that numerous sources compile state-by-state data, and all may differ slightly). Part of the reason for Texas’ high death rate is that in some places, Texas has speed limits of up to 85mph.

Rhode Island was on the opposite end of the spectrum, with only 56 accidents in 2018. Although Illinois has a high population, it fared pretty well in the study, with only 948 traffic fatalities in 2018.

Interestingly, when fatalities are adjusted for state population when calculating deaths per 100,000 people, many of the numbers and states affected, dramatically change. More rural states like Alabama, Arkansas, Wyoming, and New Mexico tend to rank higher in traffic fatalities (Illinois still ranks relatively low, with 5-10 deaths per 100,000 people).

The states on track for the largest increases this year, in 2022, include Delaware, Connecticut, Vermont, and Nebraska, all of which are looking at increases in traffic deaths of over 50%.

Why All the Fatalities?

The federal government is calling the number of deaths on the roadways “a national crisis.” Government officials rate even cite an effort to combat feelings that the public has of traffic fatalities just being “inevitable.”
Why the increased numbers? The study cited things like speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, being distracted, or not wearing a seat belt as potential causes. For example, fatalities for unrestrained occupants of cars, and for people driving under the influence shot up 14% in 2020. Even bicyclist fatalities and pedestrian fatalities increased in 2020. All this despite total vehicle miles having decreased by 11% from the year previous.
Online news site vox.com called the car crashes and deaths in America an “epidemic,” saying just being in our car and driving around is one of the most dangerous things that we do on a day-to-day basis.

Speed Kills

Although many factors cause accidents, high speed is a huge indicator in which crashes end up fatal and which do not. Experts have assumed that Texas’ 85 miles per hour speed limit may have accounted for its nation-leading traffic fatality rate.

There is something to that because experts also say that speeding is the reason why there were so many deaths in 2020, despite there being a national shutdown for part of the year. Experts say that with shutdowns came empty roads, and with that, came people driving at higher speeds.

Shutdowns and people have something to do for part of 2020, they have also led to more drunk driving or more reckless behavior like driving without a seat belt. Still, fatalities have increased, all the way into 2021 and 2022.

Pedestrian Deaths

One way to lower the overall fatality rate in car accidents is to try and lower the number of pedestrians that are killed. This is considered only a starting point in lowering traffic crash deaths (it should be noted that the studies did not look into the causes of accidents; sometimes, pedestrians are partially responsible for accidents as well).

In 2019, over 6,000 pedestrians were killed which was up 51% from 2009. Sadly, many people who are walking are doing so in neighborhoods where people may not be able to afford cars. Statistics also show people in low-income areas are more likely to be hit and killed as pedestrians. Plus, much of the technology that we have in our cars is designed to avoid collisions with cars—not with pedestrians.

It also is no coincidence that pedestrian deaths are increasing, as the popularity of large SUVs and trucks is increasing–statistics have shown that when these larger cars hit pedestrians, the result is more likely to be fatal than when a smaller car hits a pedestrian.

Even single-car accidents cause deaths, such as when cars crash into trees or posts or drive off of freeway ledges or cliffs.

Are Our Roadways Built Wrong?

Another contributing cause may be our roadways themselves. They are designed for speed and to get people where they are going quickly; that often conflicts with basic safety features. Our roadways try to do dual-duty: On the one hand, people want convenience, which means stores, restaurants, and shopping, but we also want those roads to be fast and efficient for us to commute on.

These roads are lined with shoppers, bicyclists, people slowing down to get in and out of parking lots, and (often missed) stop signs. The result is these kinds of roads end up doing neither thing well.

What are the Solutions?

The recent infrastructure bill may help things. It was passed by Congress and doesn’t just improve roadways and bridges but does include funding to try to make the roadways and traffic safer. The government is hoping that those improvements lower the fatality numbers in the future.

Still, there are no easy solutions. Certainly, lowering speed limits may help, but doing that tends to be unpopular, and speed limits are easily ignored. Some suggest that narrowing roads, installing roundabout intersections, or putting in more speed bumps may help, but that is a long-term and more expensive solution (and in many denser areas, there simply is not room to build things like roundabouts).

The good news is that cities that have used some of these measures have actually been successful at lowering traffic-related deaths.

Contact Our Hoffman Estates Car Accident Lawyers

If you need help or have questions about what your legal options are for obtaining compensation after your car accident the talented legal team at Claim Your Justice can help. Call our Hoffman Estates car accident lawyers at Claim Your Justice today to schedule a free consultation at 847-434-3555. We look forward to helping you with your car or truck accident case.

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Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Kentucky

rear end car accident

After an accident, you may or may not be injured, but you will likely feel confused and frightened. That is natural and experienced by everybody. One thing that can help alleviate your fear is understanding what steps to take after an accident and knowing what to do and what not to do after a car accident. Call your Louisville car accident attorney with any questions. 

Move Your Car

You should always stop your vehicle after an accident, even if you are not at fault for the accident. Leaving the scene of an accident, even a minor one, is a crime. 

The first thing is to decide what to do with your vehicle, assuming that it’s driveable or moveable. If you cannot move your car, either because it is totaled or because you are not in physical shape to move it, you can leave it where it is. 

Make sure that you are in a safe place. If you need to leave your vehicle where it is and move somewhere safe, such as the side of the road, you should do so. 

Remember that “secondary accidents” are all too common. When your car is stationary after an accident, another car crashes into your immobile vehicle. If you can, you may want to get yourself away from the car, even if you cannot move it. 

Towing (or Not Towing)

The police will likely arrange for your car to get towed if it is immobile. If possible, get the contact information for the tow truck company so that you can locate your vehicle quickly when you are ready to get it back. 

If your car does not get towed, you should not fix or repair anything on your vehicle by yourself. Your insurance company and the other driver’s insurance company may want to evaluate the damages to your car. You could lose insurance benefits if you fix your car on your own and deprive the insurance company of the ability to have their adjuster review the damage. 

Calling 911 or Emergency Responders

You should immediately call 911 for help. Another driver may often offer to “take care of this between ourselves” and avoid the police or insurance companies getting involved. However, that is rarely a good idea. 

The police will arrive and often bring or call medical help if needed. If you need medical attention, immediately tell the 911 operator. 

The police will ask you preliminary questions about how the accident happened. It would be best to tell the officer what you know or remember, but this isn’t a quiz. You likely don’t remember every detail of the accident. The accident was stressful, happened quickly, and you are likely full of adrenaline. 

It would be best not to admit to fault or say that you did anything wrong because you may not know what is legally right or wrong. Just tell the officer what you observed, and avoid coming to legal conclusions about who was responsible for the accident. 

After the accident, you will be able to get a copy of the report that the police file. However, your Louisville car accident lawyer will also do this for you. 

Take Pictures and Document the Scene

If you can do so safely, take as many pictures and videos of the scene. Also, if it is safe, take photos of where the cars came to rest after the accident. But if you can’t do that, take pictures as soon as possible, after the vehicles move from the scene. 

Take pictures of as much of the area as you can. The images should include the following for both vehicles: damage to the car, interior and exterior of vehicles, debris or markings on the road (such as skid marks caused by the other vehicle), and damage to surrounding areas (for example, if a car veered off the road and hit a tree). 

Do not rely on others to document the scene for you. There is no guarantee that you will ever get access to pictures that the other driver is taking. 

Another handy tip is to take a quick picture of the other driver’s license plate if they decide to flee the scene before the police arrive. Call your Louisville car accident attorney with any questions. 

Call Your Insurance Company

Even if the accident was not your fault, call your insurance policy. You likely have insurance coverage that you can obtain. Regardless of who is at fault, and even if you are at fault, your insurance company has to know what happened in the accident so they can begin preparing a defense for you. 

Most insurance companies have 24-hour call centers that do primary intake on new reports, so you should call the insurance company no matter what time the accident happens. 

Like the police will likely do, your insurance company will ask you questions about the accident. Once again, tell them what you know, but you are under no obligation to answer every single question they ask you in detail. Avoid volunteering this information. Later, when you get a Louisville car accident lawyer, your attorney will give your insurance company more information about the accident. 

Remember that many insurance policies have strict deadlines to report a claim. If you have to wait a few days to report your Kentucky car accident because you are physically unable to do so, such as because you are in the hospital, that is fine. But, report the accident to the insurance company as quickly as possible. 

Get Witness Information

Often, observers or other vehicles or people who saw the accident will rush to your aid after the accident. Many, however, may leave before the police get there. If you can and can do so, try to obtain contact information for these witnesses. If the other driver denies how the accident happened, these witnesses may be vital to providing your case later on. 

You can also try to get the contact information from the other driver. However, do not engage with or interact with the other driver if they seem violent, angry, or volatile. 

Get Medical Help

Right after the accident, you may feel that you don’t need medical help. Perhaps you aren’t in pain, or at least not in great pain. 

The police, driver, or witnesses may ask how you feel. Avoid saying you are “fine” or “have no pain” because your body is adrenaline-filled after an accident. Your body can immediately mask the damage done to you in the accident. Do not rely on your pain level right after the accident. 

Additionally, many medical conditions after an accident may not hurt at first. Sometimes, the pain won’t show up for hours or even a day. Many injuries take time to develop. Just because you don’t feel pain immediately doesn’t mean you aren’t injured. 

Later on, the other side will often try to use the fact that you spontaneously said that you were “fine” against you. It is particularly true if you try to get compensation for injuries that develop later on. 

Talking to the Other Driver (and His or Her Insurance)

Sometimes the other driver will say or do things there at the scene, such as an offer to work the matter out between yourselves. They may also try to blame you for the accident. Do not be argumentative or angry. 

You should also not accept blame or blame the other driver–your Louisville car accident lawyer will take care of that part. However, if you feel it was the other driver’s fault, you should say that to the police and the insurance company. 

A few days after the accident, the other driver’s insurance company may try to contact you. If you have a personal injury attorney, you don’t have to worry about this–your Louisville car accident lawyer will cover all communications. 

However, before you have an attorney, either the other driver or their insurance company may propose to settle your case. They may not even say “settle” but may offer you some money. You should never accept money or sign any agreement without first talking to an injury attorney. 

Many of these “quick settlements” will never fully compensate you for your damages and injuries. They are offers designed to make you “go away” before you can receive what you are entitled to for your damages.  

Contact An Experienced Kentucky Car Accident Lawyer

These are just some of the immediate situations you may encounter after an accident. In the days and weeks after your accident, you may get overwhelmed with problems, pain, phone calls, or requests for documentation. 

You don’t have to worry about that–your Louisville car accident lawyer will take care of it for you and guide you through the entire process to focus on getting better and getting yourself back to you. 

Call our Louisville car accident attorneys at Claim Your Justice to schedule a free consultation at 847-434-3555 to help you with your car accident case.

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Why you Should Hire an Attorney After a Serious Car Accident

car accident

Let’s say that you are in a bad car accident. You may not be an expert in the law, but you know one thing: The accident wasn’t your fault. It seems like an easy, open, and shut case. A drunk driver runs a red light or a stop sign and hits you from behind. You are significantly injured. It seems like an “easy” case…why hire an attorney? 

There are many reasons to hire an attorney–especially if your injury or the accident was severe. After a car accident in Chicago, you may face more problems and questions than you anticipate, and a Schaumburg car accident attorney can help you with those issues.

The Insurance Company Has More Legal Knowledge Than You

After an accident, you can expect to be contacted by the responsible side’s insurance company. The insurance company will use an adjuster to speak to you about your claim. That adjuster will be well trained in the law and how to negotiate.  Just when you thought you had a great case, the insurance company adjuster may tell you that you may have problems you didn’t anticipate. 

Maybe you were at fault, in full or partly, for the accident. Perhaps you weren’t following the rules of the road. Maybe the other driver isn’t at fault because they were trying to avoid another unknown careless driver. 

What will you say when the insurance adjuster says these things? Would you know what to say and whether the adjuster is correct or not? 

A Palatine car accident attorney has heard these same excuses from insurance companies over and over and knows how to deal with them. The insurance company’s adjuster is no match for your car accident attorney at Claim Your Justice. 

The Insurance Company Has More Resources 

The insurance company has a lot of resources at its disposal to investigate the accident that you don’t have. 

For example, the insurance company may have experts take pictures of the accident scene. They will have their mechanics analyze the damage from all the vehicles in the accident. They may have accident reconstruction experts that will try to “recreate” the accident (no doubt, in a way that shows they are not at fault). 

How will you get any of this information? Do you have experts of your own? Your car accident attorney certainly will. Your attorney will have some of the same resources that the insurance company has and will be able to request the information from the insurance company to counter their investigation. 

How Will You Pay Your Bills? 

After an accident, you will have medical expenses that insurance will cover, and you may have some costs that insurance doesn’t cover. A Buffalo Grove car accident attorney can help you in both cases. There may be questions about which insurance will cover the expenses.

You may have your car insurance, health insurance, and the other side’s insurance. Each of these insurances may have an adjuster. They will want information and documentation to pay your bills. However, what about your insurance coverage to repair your car? Your car accident attorney can also help you arrange those matters.

Your Claim Your Justice car accident attorney can work with all the insurance companies so that you don’t have to worry about paperwork or which insurance company is paying what–or worse. You don’t have to worry about potentially being denied insurance benefits if you don’t fill out paperwork or information correctly. 

That’s just your bills that insurance does cover. What about uncovered expenses? Your car accident attorney can work with your medical providers to keep your unpaid bills from going into default or collections while you are waiting to settle your car accident case. 

Watch What You Say

As time goes on, the insurance company on the other side may ask you questions about the accident. You may want to be helpful and tell them everything that you can. However, your statements can unwittingly lead you into saying something that could harm your case or which would justify making you a lower settlement offer. 

Your Hoffman Estates car accident attorney can communicate with the other side’s insurance company for you so that you don’t have to worry about saying something incorrectly or carelessly that could hurt your case. 

Should You Settle? 

The insurance company may offer you a settlement to your case, sometimes soon after the accident. What is a fair settlement offer? You would only know that if you have experience settling or trying injury cases in court the way Claim Your Justice car accident attorneys do. 

And if you do settle for less than what your case is worth, you are done–you can’t come back later and ask for more money if something “unexpected” arises (for example, surgery or other medical complication). 

Is the offer the insurance company is giving you a fair amount? You could file a lawsuit and try to go to trial. Claim YOur Justice accident attorneys can discuss what you can expect to happen in a trial. Not just what your outcome may be, but what the lawsuit process will be like for you. 

Of course, you can expect the insurance company to mislead you into believing that they are giving you “an incredible offer,” and they may say things like, “you should take this offer–you’ll never get this much in court!” Should you believe the insurance company and take the offer? Your Palatine car accident attorneys can tell you this.   

Reading the Settlement Agreement

Let’s say that the settlement offer the insurance company makes seems fair. You want to take the offer. But they don’t just hand you money. Before that happens, you have to sign a multi-page document with legalese. Do you know what is in the release or settlement agreement that the insurance company wants you to sign? 

These releases can have confidentiality agreements, indemnity agreements, or overbroad releases. The insurance company knows what’s in there and what it says. You may not, and you can’t be sure they will give you an honest answer if you ask. 

Your Palatine car accident attorney can review your settlement agreement and tell you whether the money you are receiving is reasonable and whether the settlement agreement you sign is fair. 

Do You Have to File a Lawsuit? 

If the insurance company doesn’t want to settle or doesn’t want to settle for what you consider to be a fair amount, and you didn’t get an attorney, you now may have a problem. Now you have to file a lawsuit, but whatever attorney you choose will not have been with your case from the beginning. It can put you at a disadvantage. 

Remember that there may be time limits to filing a lawsuit. If you hire an attorney too late, the attorney may not have time to thoroughly investigate your case and determine whether they want to represent you. The last thing you want is to hire an attorney that will be in a rush to evaluate your case. 

After You Get The Money

After your case is over, whether you settled or went to trial, getting your settlement money isn’t the end of your worries. 

Someone may need to negotiate with your medical providers to lower the amount you owe to them. Even your health insurance might want to get reimbursed if you used health insurance for your medical bills. 

A car accident attorney can take care of this to ensure that no outstanding medical bills are lurking out there when you get your settlement. The last thing you want is a medical provider who treated you, contacting you a year after settling your case, saying, “we never got paid.” 

Questions You May Not Have Thought About

During your case, you may have questions or problems that you never even anticipated–all issues that your Claim Your Justice car accident attorney has dealt with before and can help you. 

You may ask yourself, “Can the tow company charge that amount? Do I have to pay that emergency room bill now? Can my employer fire me because I was in an accident? Will a misdemeanor I had a few years back affect your case? Will my bankruptcy affect the car accident case?”

Almost every question you can imagine may come up, and your attorney will help you answer them or deal with them entirely for you. 

Call our personal injury attorneys in Palatine at Claim Your Justice to schedule a free consultation at 847-434-3555 to help you with your car accident case.

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Who is Liable in a Car Accident Involving a Rideshare Driver?

rideshare

Rideshare services like Lyft or Uber are commonplace. Although these companies like to call themselves technology companies, the road rules still apply to their drivers the same as any business that puts cars on the roadway. Therefore, the rules still extend to rideshare services when involved in a car accident. However, there are certain things that you should know about the differences and complexities of a car accident involving a rideshare driver. 

How Common are Rideshare Driver Accidents?

It is not uncommon for rideshare accidents to happen. In a University of Chicago study it was found that fatalities increased by between 2% to 3% when rideshare was introduced. 

Studies have shown that traffic accidents and traffic deaths increase in areas where rideshare services began rolling out and where they became commonplace. Many critics contend that ridesharing decreases the use of public transportation and increases traffic congestion, all factors that tend to increase the number of traffic accidents.

Rideshare Accidents and Insurance

In some ways, insurance agencies treat rideshare accidents the same as any typical car accident. 

One similarity in some States, such as Michigan, is the availability of no-fault insurance, also called personal injury protection (PIP). This insurance pays for a limited amount of your medical bills when you are in an accident, regardless of the accident or who was at fault. Even if you were at fault for the accident, you would get these benefits. You do not have to sue anyone to get these benefits.  They are available immediately to help you pay for medical expenses or lost wages. 

PIP will generally pay for $10,000 of medical expenses, lost wages, or both.

In most cases, the rideshare vehicle driver will have their PIP coverage, and their PIP will pay the amounts that the law requires the insurer to pay. 

Of course, PIP doesn’t fully compensate you for all forms of damages you may suffer in an accident. For example, PIP won’t pay you for pain and suffering or future expected medical expenses. Therefore, you will need to tap into an additional source of insurance for most of the damages and injuries that you sustain.

In addition to PIP, the rideshare driver likely has liability insurance on their policy. Liability coverage is insurance that pays for injuries to anyone other than the driver that caused the accident.  Liability insurance pays the victim if the insured does something to cause an accident. Liability coverage is subject to state minimums.  In Illinois, that minimum amount is $25,000.  This coverage could be more, depending on the liability limits that the driver has.

Where Does Insurance for Accidents Come From in a Rideshare Accident?

The problem that arises for ridesharing drivers is that many insurances that those drivers have personally do not cover accidents that happen for commercial (business) reasons. So, a rideshare driver’s personal insurance policy may likely deny covering the driver for an accident while driving for a rideshare service.

The good news for victims is that many of these rideshare companies must legally provide insurance to drivers through the company. However, the policies usually only pay for accidents in certain circumstances. Many of the situations relate to the driver’s status. For instance, the insurance may pay one amount when the driver is off duty or another amount if the driver is in an accident while on the way to pick you up, and yet another amount once you get in the car.

Most major rideshare companies offer up to $1 million in coverage for accidents when the driver is at fault for the accident. Including but not limited to accidents as a passenger inside that car, or you are someone outside the vehicle that the driver injures while they are transporting a passenger.

That insurance total is large, but it isn’t guaranteed. Many insurance companies might refuse to cover their drivers if the driver did not sign into certain apps that drivers must log into while on duty. But since most drivers want to be covered by the insurance policy (and be paid for their ride), they usually are signed in while they are on work duty.

Insurance Disputes

Uber or Lyft drivers will not be signed into the app when they are not on duty. Think about when they are driving themselves home at night, or even if they are driving to pick up a passenger. There can be a dispute between the company’s insurance, and the driver’s insurance, as to who pays for the accident.

The Rideshare company’s insurance will contend they have no obligation to protect and insure the driver; your Schaumburg personal injury attorney will argue that its insurance should pay. When rideshare insurers deny coverage and say that they do not cover an accident, your attorney may work with the rideshare driver. You and the driver may have at least one similar interest: getting the driver’s insurance company to accept coverage for the accident and pay any damages to you.

The good news is that if the Lyft or Uber insurance does not pay, you and your attorney can possibly pursue an uninsured motorist claim or possibly pursue the driver’s personal liability policy to compensate you for your injuries or damages. 

Who Can Sue and For What?

Rideshare drivers, and the companies they drive for, can be liable for damages to several different people in many other circumstances. 

For example, an Uber or Lyft driver may injure a pedestrian, bicyclist, or someone in another car. Rideshare drivers may also be liable to passengers inside their vehicle if they get injured during the accident.

When a rideshare driver causes an accident, they can be liable to whoever they injure for damages such as:

  • Compensation for the victim’s pain and suffering
  • Compensation for the victim’s loss of enjoyment or quality of life
  • Compensation for anxiety, PTSD, or other trauma
  • Compensation for scarring, loss of limbs, or other disabilities caused by the accident
  • Compensation for the victim’s out-of-pocket expenses such as medical bills or lost wages, including incurred medical bills and loss of future earning capacity because of injuries caused in the accident

Like in a non-ridesharing accident, if someone were to pass away because of injuries sustained in the accident, the deceased’s estate or family could pursue a wrongful death case against the driver and the rideshare company.

Who Else is At Fault?

If you are in an accident while in a Lyft, Uber, or another rideshare service, your rideshare driver may not even be at fault. Sometimes, other drivers drive negligently and crash into your rideshare driver. As the passenger in the rideshare vehicle, you are entitled to sue the negligent driver. You do not lose any rights you would typically have just because you were in a Lyft and not driving your car.

It is not uncommon for rideshare drivers to be involved in accidents. That makes sense, given they drive so much throughout the day. They also may be more distracted, looking at phones, or driving quickly to get where they are going to carry more passengers and make more money. They may not alter their driving to account for bad weather conditions.

Rideshare drivers often drive around, waiting for customers or their next ride order. It is called “deadheading.” This somewhat aimless “driving to nowhere” activity is often long, tedious, and distracting, leading to carelessness behind the wheel. When drivers are involved in accidents while deadheading, many rideshare companies won’t report these accidents, thus leading to underreporting of Uber or Lyft accident statistics. 

When you are a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, you should take special note of things the driver may be doing that may be careless or reckless—for example, excessive speed or playing on the driver’s cellphone. If you suspect the driver may be drunk or impaired, you should immediately ask to get out of the vehicle.

While a passenger, you should also look around you so that if other drivers are driving carelessly, or if another driver causes an accident, you see what the other driver did, and you can tell the police.

After a Rideshare Accident

If you are in an accident, make sure that you tell the police about any unsafe behaviors you observed the driver engaging in. Get medical help, and if you can, take photos of the accident, including damages to all vehicles involved in the accident, just as you would after any car accident. 

Were you in a car accident while in a rideshare service, or did a rideshare driver cause it? Call our experienced Schaumburg car accident attorneys at Claim Your Justice to schedule a free consultation at 847-434-3555 today. You only have a limited time to file a personal injury claim. Do not delay in reaching out to have your case evaluated.

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Personal Injury Attorney Discusses What To Do After Car Accident

car accident


 

 

 

Claim Your Justice Live Session January 25th 2022

What To Do In The Event Of A Car Accident

Hello, good afternoon, attorney Keith Shindler coming to you for our second Facebook Live. The purpose of these live sessions is to give our viewers and the rest of the Facebook community valuable and useful information on personal injury cases, and personal injury topics. We welcome positive comments and questions, you can always call us to Claim Your Justice™ at 1-888-88-Keith. We are here to help you Claim your Justice™.

Last week, we covered the topic of who pays for the cost when a client has to pursue a personal injury case, it was basic information, but we’re going to start basic. So we covered that item. Today we’re going to cover what to do in the event of a car accident. What’s the first thing necessary to do, you’re going to be shaken up, in pain, concerned about your injuries, and so on.

Make Sure Your Surroundings Are Safe

The first thing you want to do is make sure that your surroundings are safe. Sometimes when an accident happens, there’s a secondary accident because the parties didn’t secure their safety. I do not recommend that you move your car. If you can exit the car and walk out of the car, under your strength, I suggest you do that. If you can, make sure your hazards are on, and you’re giving approaching traffic any possible notice that there’s an accident ahead.

Of course, if you’re injured, the first thing you need to do is call the ambulance. The second thing you should do, if you can, is call 911. I understand these are all very basic pieces of information, but I need to relay this information to you. Although we know what to do in this calm setting that we’re in now, sometimes when there’s an accident, you’re nervous, you’re not going to remember what to do.

Hopefully, my reminding you of these things will help penetrate them into your memory so that you’ll know what to do in the event of an accident. Once the ambulance comes, they’re going to give you the medical attention you need. Of course, if they take you to a hospital because you’re injured, you’re not going to be able to do this next piece that I’m going to talk about.

Take Pictures If Possible

It’s very important to take pictures of the area where the accident happened. If you could take pictures of the car that struck you, or the truck that hit you, do that. Take pictures of any important street indicators, if they’re under construction, you may want to get a brief couple of pictures of the construction site.

Why is that important? Sometimes the car that hit you may move, and you may not be able to secure the pictures, or the mechanics of how the accident happened can be reconstructed through the pictures that you take.

Don’t Worry About Your Car

My job is to make sure my clients get the treatment that they need. So if you need to go to the emergency room, you should go to the emergency room. The ambulance, of course, will ask if you need to go to the emergency room? How do you feel? Many times a client will say I don’t need to go to the emergency room. In part maybe because they’re not injured, but they’re also very worried about their car.

Clients have asked me in the past if I go to the emergency room, what’s going to happen in my car, it’s going to get towed, I’m not going to find it, that was a new car, and so on. Very real-life things. However, your health, and dealing with your injuries are critical. If you don’t go to the emergency room with the ambulance, then you may go after you secure your car. Sometimes if you’re injured, the ambulance driver may not give you the choice because they’re going to make the assessment you need to go.

Let’s say the accident happens and you tell the paramedics that you don’t need to go to the emergency room. A couple of hours later at night, or the following morning, you’re in a lot of pain. You can either go to the emergency room then or if you can get in to see your doctor, you can get the follow-up treatment that way. Sometimes clients call me and say what do you think, I had an accident happen, should I go to the doctor? That’s not a decision for me to make, that is a decision for you to make. If you’re injured you should go get the treatment that you need.

Don’t Talk To The Other Party’s Insurance Company

Sometimes after an accident happens, you’re going to get a call, it could be the same day, it could be the next day, it could be a couple of days later from the responsible party’s insurance company, be very careful here. They’re going to ask you how you’re doing, they may offer you a $500 settlement right away to settle your case. They’re also going to ask you to give a recorded statement.

I do not suggest or recommend that you give a recorded statement.

Get Experienced Legal Representation

Of course, the final thing you should do is make sure you get the proper legal representation. That’s where the attorneys at Claim Your Justice™, come to your rescue and help you prosecute your case. Again, you can reach Claim Your Justice™ at 888-88-Keith, my name, Keith Shindler.

One of the other things I want to do with each Facebook Live session on the 2nd of each month, is I want to talk about a real case. So I’m going to start with that today.

It’s cold, it’s snowy, it’s windy. Lots of ice. Well, slip and fall cases happen all the time. Many of them are very difficult to prosecute, and many of them aren’t eligible for recovery because you may have to watch where you’re walking, you may slip and it was no one’s responsibility.

However, we recently signed up a new case two days ago, where a client tripped and fell over an uneven sidewalk. It was about four inches separated, and it was at night. Interestingly enough, around the sidewalk were painted indicators of upcoming construction. However, there was no warning, no construction lights, there was no indication to walk on the other side of the street. Our client tripped and fell at night. It was not a well-lit street.

The client had surgery on her broken wrist and also had to have staples in her head. So I’m going to track this case as it goes along through the prosecution. I will keep you updated. It takes a lot of time, but we’ll have lots of time to share.

Remember, if you’re injured in any type of accident, car accident, trip, and fall, medical malpractice, or wrongful death. Let us help you Claim Your Justice™, call 847-434-3555. Thank you. This has been Keith Shindler, have a successful rest of your week.

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Why Taking Photos Can Help Prove Your Illinois Car Accident Case

Car Accident Case

Being involved in a car accident can be upsetting and stressful. After a car accident, not only may the victim be dealing with serious injuries, but also the challenge of navigating the claims process and the logistics surrounding it. While it can feel burdensome, knowing the right steps to take to protect one’s right to their full benefit amount is critical. 

At the office of Claim Your Justice, our Schaumburg car accident lawyer will guide you through everything you need to know after a crash, help you to gather evidence and organize your claim, and make sure you understand all of the important details. One important detail that we can help with is taking photos after a crash. Consider the following about the important steps to take after a car accident, how an attorney can help, and why taking photos can help prove your car accident case—

Important Steps to Take After a Car Accident

When you’ve been involved in a car accident, taking the following steps can prove critical later on in the claims process. These steps include:

  • Report the accident. The first thing that you need to do after being involved in a car accident is to report the accident to the police. Even if your car accident seems minor, reporting your car accident serves as an important piece of evidence. When the police arrive on the scene, be sure to give them a statement but do not assume fault. Afterward, request a copy of the police report and be sure to record the police officer’s name and badge number. 
  • Gather evidence at the scene. The second step that you should take is to gather evidence at the scene of the accident. This includes the names of any eyewitnesses plus their contact information, a description of what happened, the time and date of the accident, the location of the accident, the other driver’s information and contact information, and photographs of the accident scene. Taking photographs is especially important, and will be elaborated on below. 
  • Seek medical care. Even if you gather great evidence and report the accident, if you don’t seek medical care, you may be shooting yourself in the foot, so to speak, when it comes to filing a claim. This is because seeking medical care creates a record and serves as a form of proof of causation; that is, if there is evidence (medical records) that you sought care immediately following your car accident (documented by police reports), then the insurance company will have a hard time arguing that you’re making up your injuries or that your injuries aren’t related to your car accident. Seeking medical care is also essential for ensuring that you get the treatment that you need, and is, therefore, one of the most important parts of the claims process and the healing process. 
  • Notify your insurance company. After reporting the accident to the police and seeking medical care, both of which you should do immediately after an accident, you should call your insurance company and provide notice of the accident. If you don’t provide notice of the accident within a reasonable amount of time, the insurance company may have grounds to deny your claim. 
  • Hire an attorney. Finally, the next step in the process is to hire an attorney if you have not done so already. While you are not legally required to work with an attorney when filing a Schaumburg car accident claim or lawsuit, doing so may greatly improve the outcome of your case. 

Filing a Claim After a Crash: How Photos Are Used

As mentioned above, one of the most important types of evidence that you can gather at the scene of an accident is photographic evidence; that is, photos of as much as possible at the accident scene. There are two primary ways in which photos are used during the claims process: 

  • Prove fault and causation. First, photos can be used to establish causation—that the accident would not have occurred but for certain factors or circumstances—and prove the fault of the responsible party. For example, a photo may show that a stop sign existed at the intersection where your accident occurred, implying that the other driver should have stopped but perhaps didn’t. Or, skid marks can show that you tried to brake to avoid a collision. Even something like photos of the sky can provide clues about lighting, visibility, and even road surface conditions if there is precipitation. 
  • Establish damages. The second thing that photos are used for during the car accident claims process is to establish damages—the degree to which the victim has been injured. Photos taken at the scene or shortly after the accident occurs can show where vehicles collided, internal and external damage to vehicles, the severity of a crash (were airbags deployed, is the vehicle totally crushed?), and even the severity of injuries. Looking through photos of injuries can be gruesome, but can provide insight into how serious the victim’s injuries are. In fact, a photo montage that shows the injuries immediately after a crash and then documents the healing process can also serve as a type of evidence that speaks to how well the victim has recovered, as well as the degree of their pain, suffering, and disability. 

Tips for Taking Photos After a Crash

Photos should be taken after a crash whenever possible. Tips for taking photos include: 

  • Take as many photos as possible. Always take as many photos as possible—less is not more in this situation. You can also use a smartphone to take a video of the accident scene and damages, as this can be an effective way to capture a lot of evidence and data. 
  • Take photos of everything. Not only should you take as many photos as possible, but you should also take photos of as many things as possible. Photograph the vehicles, inside and out; take photographs of your immediate and visible injuries; photograph the police officer’s badge; photograph the traffic lights or stop signs, the weather, something that shows the date and time, the road, and nearby businesses; photograph the other driver’s license plate, driver’s license number, and registration information. The more photo evidence you have, the better. 
  • Take photos from different angles. Photos taken from different angles may provide more robust evidence and help to shape the story of what happened and the degree of damages. Don’t hesitate to take the same photo from multiple angles; again, less is not more in this situation. 
  • Don’t forget the most important things to photograph. Finally, don’t get so hung up on taking pictures of the really obvious things—like the crushed side of a vehicle—that you forget about the important clues that should be photographed, like a pothole, object in the road, skid marks, or the yield sign on the corner. Ask yourself how the accident occurred and what you might be able to photograph to prove that. 

Why Is Taking Photos So Important?

Photos are important because they are indisputable. While each driver’s testimony can be challenged, a photograph offers proof. If a driver claims they weren’t speeding or didn’t slam on the brakes, skid marks can say otherwise; if a driver states that they weren’t swerving, but a photograph indicates that they were hit at an angle that would only be possible if they were outside of their lane, their claim will be undermined. 

What If I Can’t Take Photos After a Crash?

While photos are of critical importance during the car accident claims process, our lawyers recognize that sometimes, a victim’s injuries from a crash are so serious that they are precluded from gathering any sort of evidence at the accident scene; instead, they need to be rushed immediately to a hospital. If you can’t take photos after a crash, our lawyers can help by: 

  • Traveling to the scene. We will travel to the scene of the accident as soon as you hire us and gather any evidence that exists there. 
  • Taking photos on your behalf. We can take photos of the scene, as well as motor vehicles and other pertinent evidence, as appropriate. We can also make recommendations about how to photograph your injuries and the healing process. 
  • Tracking down other photos and video evidence. Sometimes, witnesses to the accident take pictures or record video footage. If this exists, we’ll work hard to track down these photos and video evidence. 
  • Using evidence to build your claim. Once we’ve gathered evidence, we’ll work with our team to organize the evidence in a compelling way and create a sound strategy for your case with the goal of maximizing your settlement amount. We can prove fault and damages. 
  • Negotiating your settlement. After you receive a settlement offer, we will review it; if it doesn’t fairly and fully compensate you, we will enter into negotiations. 
  • Litigating your case in court. Finally, we will litigate your case in court in the event that a settlement cannot be reached through the mediation process. Our lawyers have trial experience and are here to advocate for you. 

Call the Office of Claim Your Justice Today

To learn more about the importance of photographs after a car accident and how our law firm can help, please call our car accident lawyer in Schaumburg directly. We offer free consultations and can start working on your case immediately. Reach us now to get started.