Whether you are visiting Chicago for the first time or are a resident there, if you operate a vehicle, you’ll be at risk of getting into an accident. Chicago has several accident hotspots. This may be a cause of alarm as you drive through Chicago. No matter how carefully you drive, there is no telling when or where an accident may occur.
Luckily, you can seek the help of any qualified Chicago car accident attorney if you ever get into an accident. Read on to learn more about what to do after a chicago car accident to protect yourself financially.
What to Do After a Chicago Car Accident
1. Report the Accident
The first thing you should do after an accident is to call 911 to have the police dispatched. In Chicago, you may have to report the accident to the Chicago Police Department. You could either do this by calling the police hotline or visiting the Chicago Police website.
Reporting the accident will ensure you get an accident report, which is paramount to filing a car accident lawsuit. Do not delay in filing your report. Most states have a limitation of the time in which you can file a car accident report called the statute of limitation.
2. Seek Medical Attention
As soon as you can after an accident, ensure you seek professional medical help. Even if you feel fine, this will ensure you avoid any health complications that you may not be aware of immediately after the incident. Also, some insurance adjusters may suggest that your delay was because the accident did not cause the injury or because the injuries are less severe than proposed.
3. Speak to Witnesses
Witnesses are a precious asset when filing your court case against the offending driver. They will tell the story as it occurred. When you have a witness, your account becomes much more credible. It is no longer a case of your word against your opponent’s. Ensure you get the accurate addresses and full names from your witnesses before they leave the scene of the accident.
4. Consult Your Lawyer
Accidents bring along plenty of legal repercussions. If you are not careful, you may end up with accusations of wrongs you did not commit. Something as simple as giving your testimony to the other party’s insurance company could land you in grave trouble. To be on the safe side, consult your lawyer before making any statements.
A reputable lawyer can gather evidence, quantify the value of your losses, and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf while you focus on recovery.
5. Find and Keep Evidence
You will need all the evidence you can get if you are to win the case against the offending party. This evidence may be in the form of photos, dashcam video footage, medical reports, and other documents. When preparing for your legal lawsuit, ensure you make copies of any relevant document to your case.
Documents such as pharmaceutical receipts may seem trivial at first. However, they will be essential when it comes to calculating your losses. The court will not consider any losses that are not in the documentation.
Drive Safely
Although the law provides for car accident compensation, there is a need to maintain utmost safety while on the road. Accidents can be fatal. In which case, the compensation will do you no good. To be on the safe side, ensure you are a keen driver.
Maintain all the speed limits, stick to your lanes whenever you are driving and avoid driving while intoxicated. With all its pomp and glory, Chicago is a beautiful city. There is plenty to see and experience here. Do not ruin your stay by careless driving.
Also read: What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in a Car Accident
