Category: car accidents

Being Honest Can Help You Recover After a Serious Car Accident

If you have been fighting with another driver’s insurance company for payment of your medical bills and other expenses, you may be tempted to bend the truth a little—but don’t give in. Honesty is always the best policy in an injury claim, and that means being:

• Honest about what happened. Do your best to recall the facts about what happened. If you think there may be details that could hurt your injury claim or paint you in a bad light, talk about your concerns with an experienced accident attorney.
• Honest about your recovery. If you aren’t recovering as quickly as you like, you still need to be honest with your doctor, your family, and your attorney. Covering up difficulties or hiding facts about your recovery won’t help you get the treatment you need—or the compensation you deserve.
• Honest about your chances of success. If you don’t have the evidence that you need to hold the other driver responsible, or if negligence didn’t play a part in your car accident, then you need to get the honest truth about whether or not you have a claim. This is why it is so important to review your case with your own attorney. Otherwise, you could be putting yourself and your family through a long, losing battle with the insurance company.

Lying—or even “bending” the truth—can wreck your injury claim and leave you with no options for recovery. However, while you should always be truthful about an accident and your injuries, insurance companies have a lot to lose and are notorious for twisting victims’ honest words and minimizing their claims.

If you have questions or need to discuss your concerns about an injury claim related to a serious traffic accident, reach out to our law office today at 312-332-1400.

Recovering Compensation for Emotional Injuries Means Documenting Your Symptoms and Care

It isn’t easy to put a price on the emotional pain and psychological symptoms that you and your family members experience after you’ve been hurt in a major wreck. Unlike purely physical injuries, you probably won’t receive an itemized bill that reflects the real “costs” of depression, anxiety, or even the daily difficulties and suffering that you go through as part of your recovery from an accident.

While it is possible in many cases to recover compensation for emotional suffering and psychological care, you will have to carefully document your experiences in order to “prove” that you should be compensated by the other driver’s insurance company. Here a few tips to help you get the “whole picture” of your recovery on record:

• Talk to your doctor. If you don’t let anyone know about the troubles you’ve been having, then you can’t get the care you deserve. Don’t be afraid to open up to your doctor if you are struggling with sadness, grief, sleeplessness, anger, nightmares, or other emotional changes that affect the quality of your life and the people around you—or seek help from a qualified mental health professional.
• Keep a journal. Along with keeping your doctor informed, you can also try keeping a daily journal that includes details about how you’re feeling, your emotional state, and how your injuries are affecting your day-to-day activities.
• Let your attorney know. Although it can be hard to talk about the way an injury is affecting you emotionally or psychologically, it’s important to let your attorney know that you are struggling. He or she can then help you take important steps to legally document your pain and suffering and get the help you need during your recovery.

Are you having trouble making sense of everything you need to file a successful injury claim against another driver? Don’t hesitate to contact our law office at 312-332-1400 for help—or even just take a moment to learn more by reading through a free copy of our book, The 8 Steps to Follow After Your Illinois Car Accident.

Where Should I Go for Medical Treatment After I’ve Been Hurt in a Car Accident?

If you were hurt in a car accident but not transported to a hospital from the scene, you may be wondering who you should see about your injuries. Whether you’ve been moderately hurt or just want to be checked over by a medical professional, you might choose to go to:

• The emergency room. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, it is an emergency—and the ER will be equipped to deal with any injuries that have resulted from a wreck and make sure you get the care you need. If you’re at all unsure where you should go for treatment after an accident, the ER is always a wise choice.
• Your family doctor. If you are able to get an appointment within a day or two of the accident and are sure you are safe to wait that long, you can see someone from your family physician’s office. However, if there’s any question, you shouldn’t wait. Your doctor’s office may even instruct you to head to the ER first.
• An urgent care or walk-in clinic. If you only suffered minor injuries or have questions about worsening or late-appearing symptoms, you may choose to walk in at an urgent-care clinic for prompt treatment and medical guidance.

The most important part is that you are seen and receive treatment for your injuries. You should seek treatment as soon as possible after an accident, even if you aren’t sure if your injuries require treatment. Make sure you tell the doctors that you were hurt in an accident, and follow their instructions for follow-up appointments and care.

If you have been involved in an accident and aren’t sure what happens next, you can start getting clear answers today. Reach out to our law office at 312-332-1400, or take a moment to request your free copy of our easy-to-understand book, The 8 Steps to Follow After Your Illinois Car Accident.

Vision Zero Programs Around the World Aim to Eliminate Traffic Deaths

Vision Zero is a safety program that aims to reduce traffic deaths to zero. The program, which went into effect in Sweden in 1997, quickly started spreading to other countries and major cities around the world, including:

• Netherlands
• United Kingdom
• New York
• Boston
• San Francisco

 

Multiple governments and organizations have increased efforts and produced long-term plans for reducing traffic deaths and injuries, and Vision Zero programs are currently at work right here in Chicago at the state and city levels.

Implementation of “Vision Zero” Values in Chicago

The basic idea of Vision Zero is that all traffic accidents are preventable if governments take responsibility for researching, assessing, educating, and acting out plans that make transportation of all kinds safer for residents. As a result, cities are urged to look at all the factors that contribute to traffic safety and make practical plans for funding and implementing changes. Here are two local efforts to make zero deaths a reality:

• The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) joined the Vision Zero movement in 2012. As a part of its commitment to eliminate traffic deaths by 2022, CDOT released a detailed action plan that included everything from better pedestrian signals to revitalizing medians. Research and planning has already begun, and residents have started to see parts of the plan implemented across the city.
• The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) also committed to creating safer transportation in the state with its “Driving Zero Fatalities to a Reality” program. It focuses on increased enforcement efforts, better communication with the public, and educational programs for motorists.

 

For more information about traffic safety and the legal rights of victims, join our legal team on Facebook or contact us directly.

Fatigue From Holiday Celebrations Can Create Dangers on the Road

With all of the preparations and celebrations that go into the holiday season, a lot of people may be greeting Christmas morning with a little fatigue—but don’t let that interfere with safe driving today as you visit family, friends, and loved ones. Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as driving distracted or under the influence, and it’s important not to underestimate how much of an effect a little bit of sleepiness could have on the way you drive and react on the road.

Tips for Staying Alert on the Road and Beating Holiday Grogginess

Whether you were up late last night spending time with loved ones or putting together gifts for under the tree, chances are that you might be yawning in between the festivities. If you’re loading up the car to make the holiday rounds, here are some tips for battling drowsiness and avoiding accidents:

• Get a good night of sleep beforehand or take a quick nap
• Take regular breaks if you’re in for a long drive
• Pack a caffeinated beverage or take advantage of free coffee at rest stops
• Allow enough time to get there and back safely with appropriate stops

 

No matter how awake and alert you are behind the wheel, you can’t always avoid being involved in an accident. Get prepared for the worst by downloading our FREE Auto Accident App, which gives you instant access to emergency services and step-by-step guidance in the event of an accident. Do you have other tips for staying alert behind the wheel or dealing with the aftermath of an accident? Leave a comment below to share with our Chicago team and our readers!

Don’t Accept a Settlement for Car Accident Injuries Immediately After an Accident

In the aftermath of a serious car accident, your first priority is getting care for your injuries and recovering from the trauma of the wreck. However, almost as soon as you are hurt, the other driver’s insurance company will make it a priority to limit your ability to recover compensation for the accident. One way insurance companies accomplish this is by taking advantage of victims while they are still reeling from the accident—sometimes approaching victims with a settlement offer only hours or days after the crash.

Unfortunately, these settlement offers rarely take the full needs and rights of the victim into account. Although the insurance adjuster may seem friendly and sympathetic, victims should be suspicious of any initial offers made so soon after a wreck. These offers are often not enough to cover the costs of initial treatment, let alone any additional treatments that the victim may need in the coming weeks, months, and years. Especially if your injuries are very severe or costly to treat, the insurance company may try to trick you into accepting a settlement offer:

• Before you understand your injuries. The other driver’s insurance company may try to get you to accept an initial settlement shortly after the accident or even while you’re still in a hospital bed. However, there’s no way to know what the full cost of your injuries will be while you’re still being treated, and it’s important to talk to an attorney first to make sure the settlement being offered will cover all of your needs.
• Before you understand your rights. Insurance companies know that you are worried about your injuries and your future in the aftermath of an accident. Some may try to tempt you with a settlement for your injuries on the spot or use tricks to get you to sign away your rights before you understand what your rights to compensation really are.

Taking Steps Now to Prepare Yourself in Case of an Accident

No matter how you try to prepare yourself, it’s hard to remember what to do in the panic following an actual accident, especially if you have been hurt. If you have found the information in this article helpful, you might also want to check out our FREE Auto-Accident-App for mobile phones. The App is designed to help you protect your rights by walking you through the first steps you need to take at the scene of the accident and also putting you in immediate contact with emergency services and other support systems. The App is completely free to anyone who might find it helpful, and we encourage you to try it yourself or share the link with the drivers among your friends and family members.