Avoid These 6 Things To Protect Your Car Accident Claim

 Posted on August 05,2024 in Car Accidents

If you are injured in a car accident caused by someone else, you may be eligible to receive compensation. Getting the amount you deserve from insurance companies is rarely easy, however. Liable insurers often use various strategies to reduce payouts, but there are also things you might do without realizing that you could be damaging your claim. One of our skilled Chicago, IL personal injury lawyers at Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC can give you case-specific information and advice during your free case evaluation and help you protect your best interests.

1. Do Not Admit Fault

To receive compensation for your injuries and related losses, you must prove that another party is at fault for causing your collision. If you share responsibility, your degree of fault must be less than 51 percent to collect damages in Illinois, and your settlement amount will be reduced by that same percentage.

If you say "I’m sorry" or similar statements, liable insurance companies may try to use that statement as an admission of fault. This could reduce your payout or even disqualify you from obtaining compensation.

2. Do Not Discontinue Recommended Medical Treatments

Your physicians and other healthcare professionals may recommend various treatments to help you recover from your injuries. The amount of your settlement partly depends on how serious your medical condition is and how badly it affects your life.

If you go against your doctor’s orders and stop their recommended treatments before they release you, insurers may say that your injuries are not as severe as you claim them to be.

3. Stay Away From Social Media

If you post anything on social media during your claim process, insurance company investigators can find it. They can also access your friends’ comments. A photo of you at your child’s baseball game, for instance, could be used as ammunition against you because it might imply that you are not injured.

4. Do Not Accept a Low Settlement Offer

Insurance companies know how much your case is worth. Making an intentionally low settlement offer is one of the many ways insurers try to minimize payouts. Once you sign a document accepting a settlement offer, it becomes a legally binding document. You cannot later ask for more compensation.

5. Avoid Speaking With Insurance Company Representatives

Insurance company representatives are not your friends. Their job is to protect the company’s bottom line. They may record conversations with you and trick you into making a statement that damages your claim.

6. Do Not Wait Too Long To Contact Our Firm

Most car accident claims start with the victim filing an insurance claim, with taking the case to trial being a last resort to obtain reasonable compensation. Accident investigations, gathering evidence, and settlement negotiations take time. Calling us as soon as possible after your accident gives us better access to evidence while it is fresh and more time to build a solid case.

Taking your case to court is usually unnecessary, but it is a viable option if the liable insurance company refuses to cooperate. In Illinois, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years in most cases, but exceptions apply. If you miss this deadline, you will probably be unable to file a civil suit. Waiting too long to hire an experienced lawyer may decrease the odds of a favorable outcome.

Get Your Free Consultation Today With Our Experienced Cook County, IL Car Accident Lawyers

At Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC, we will advocate for your best interests. We will handle all communications with insurance companies and negotiate for the highest compensation available so they do not take advantage of you.

You will not pay any attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you, so call us at 312-236-6324 to schedule your free consultation with our award-winning Chicago, IL car accident lawyers today.