DuPage County Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents can happen unexpectedly in various ways, and the aftermath of any car accident can be traumatic and difficult to navigate on your own. If you or a family member was hurt in a recent car accident, it’s vital to secure trustworthy legal counsel as quickly as possible. A DuPage County car accident lawyer can assist you in recovering compensation for your damages and resolve any unexpected challenges you encounter in the recovery process.
Experienced Legal Counsel for Your Car Accident Case in DuPage County, IL
Connolly Injury Law has years of professional experience handling a wide range of complex car accident cases for our clients in DuPage County and throughout the state. In every case we accept, our goal is to help our client fully recover as quickly as possible. We know the various challenges you might encounter in your efforts to prove fault and recover compensation for your losses and how to overcome them efficiently.
In every case we accept, we take time to get to know our client and address their unique needs and concerns in their car accident cases. From gathering the evidence needed to prove fault to uncovering all the various forms of compensation you could seek from an at-fault driver, we are prepared to provide comprehensive legal counsel in all aspects of your recovery efforts following an accident caused by another driver in DuPage County.
Proving Liability for a Car Accident in DuPage County
The state upholds the fault rule for car accidents, meaning the first legal challenge you must overcome in the aftermath of your accident will be proving exactly how it happened and identifying the party or parties responsible for causing it. Most car accidents in DuPage County happen because of driver negligence, such as moving violations, speeding, driving too fast for conditions, or distracted driving.
It is also possible for illegal misconduct like intoxicated or reckless driving to cause a serious accident. No matter how your accident happened, your DuPage County car accident lawyer can help you gather the evidence needed to prove fault. You must identify the driver who caused the accident and then prove that they are solely responsible for your damages before you can recover compensation for your damages.
It is possible for some accidents to happen due to the negligence or misconduct of multiple parties. It is also possible for liability for your recent accident to be disputed. Whatever your case entails, trust the team at Connolly Injury Law to gather the evidence needed to support your case. Our goal is to firmly establish fault as quickly as possible to reduce the time it takes for you to receive compensation for your damages.
Filing Your Auto Insurance Claim After a Car Accident
State law requires every driver to have personal auto insurance that complies with the state’s minimum coverage requirements. When an accident happens, the at-fault driver’s insurance will pay for the resulting damages up to the coverage limits of the policy. While this may sound simple enough, you should anticipate an insurance company to push back against your claim in whatever way they can.
Most insurance companies will look for all the ways they can find to justify denials or lowball settlement offers. They may even engage in bad faith tactics in their efforts to avoid paying out fair settlements. However, if an insurance company sees that a claimant has legal representation, they are more likely to handle the claim efficiently and in good faith. Your attorney can verify that your settlement offer is fair and reasonable.
Recovering With a Personal Injury Suit in DuPage County
When an at-fault driver does not have auto insurance, or their policy will not fully cover your losses, a personal injury suit can potentially help you secure compensation for your outstanding damages and the losses you suffered that insurance won’t cover. The objective of a personal injury suit is for the injured plaintiff to prove liability for their damages and for them to recover the compensation they need to be as whole as possible again.
Success with your personal injury suit will require accurately identifying the party or parties responsible for your damages and proving the full extent of those damages. Once you have established fault, your DuPage County car accident lawyer can help you assess the full range of damages you can seek from the defendant. Your case award may include compensation for immediate and future economic losses as well as your pain and suffering.
Economic damages you may be able to recover from a personal injury claim include property damage, medical expenses, and lost income. Additionally, you can also seek compensation for projected future financial losses like ongoing medical treatment costs for severe injuries and lost earning potential if your injuries result in permanent disability and you cannot return to work in the future.
You may also claim pain and suffering compensation from the defendant to reflect the physical pain, psychological distress, and emotional trauma you experienced because of their actions. State law does not limit this aspect of your recovery, nor are you required to use a specific formula to calculate how much you can recover from the defendant. Your attorney can help you maximize this aspect of your recovery.
Resolving Your Car Accident Case in DuPage County
The team at Connolly Injury Law can assist you in proving liability for your recent car accident, navigating the insurance claim filing process, and building a comprehensive personal injury claim if necessary to ensure the fullest possible recovery. Our team has years of experience handling these cases in DuPage County and throughout the state, so you can rely on us to address the unique legal challenges you might face in the aftermath of your accident.
Our firm is often able to resolve our clients’ cases more quickly and with better results than they initially expected. You have a relatively short time in which to pursue your recovery, and building your case as swiftly as possible will help ensure you can gather the evidence needed to prove liability for the accident. Trust our team to guide you through all stages of your recovery efforts until you obtain the compensation you need to fully recover.
FAQs
Q: Is Illinois a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?
A: No, it is not a no-fault state for car accidents. Proving fault will be a necessary first step for your recovery after a car accident. Whether you intend to file an auto insurance claim, a personal injury suit, or believe that both will be necessary to ensure your recovery, proving fault will be essential before you can receive any compensation for your damages through auto insurance and/or a personal injury claim.
Q: How Do You Prove Fault for a Car Accident in DuPage County?
A: You can prove fault for a car accident in DuPage County by gathering several forms of digital and physical evidence along with witness testimony from anyone who saw the accident happen. Cell phone records, traffic camera recordings, vehicle computer data, and photos of the accident scene could all prove crucial to your case, helping you to prove fault for the accident and firmly establish liability for your damages.
Q: What Happens if I Share Fault for Causing a Car Accident?
A: If you are found to share fault for causing a car accident in the state, it will diminish your recovery by a corresponding amount under Illinois’ comparative fault rule. As long as a plaintiff is less than 50% at fault, they can still recover damages. However, whatever percentage of fault is assigned to them is the percentage of their case award they lose as a penalty. If they are 50% or more at fault, they are personally responsible for their damages.
Q: Can a Driver Go to Jail for Causing an Accident in DuPage County?
A: Yes, it is possible for a driver to go to jail for causing an accident in DuPage County. While most car accidents happen because of driver negligence, they can also occur because of intentional and illegal misconduct behind the wheel. In this case, the at-fault driver faces criminal prosecution from the state along with the victim’s civil claim for damages. Your attorney can explain any such factors that may be present in your case.
Q: Why Should I Hire a DuPage County Car Accident Lawyer?
A: You should hire a DuPage County car accident lawyer to help you recover because you are far more likely to reach a positive outcome when you have legal counsel you trust on your side. While it’s possible to pursue recovery on your own, you could encounter many unexpected challenges you will not know how to resolve and run the risk of settling for less compensation than you legally deserve. Your attorney can help you maximize your recovery.
The right legal team will be an invaluable asset for all the recovery efforts you attempt after a car accident. Connolly Injury Law is ready to assist you with the insurance claim filing process and guide you through the process of building a personal injury suit if necessary for your recovery. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a DuPage County car accident lawyer and learn more about the legal services we provide.
