Champaign Car Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a car accident in Champaign, Illinois, you may be dealing with medical bills, missed work, vehicle damage, pain, and calls from insurance companies at the same time. Patel Law, PC represents people injured in car accidents in Champaign, Urbana, Champaign County, and throughout Central Illinois.
Our personal injury team handles claims involving negligent drivers, serious injuries, disputed liability, uninsured and underinsured motorists, and insurance companies that refuse to fairly compensate accident victims.
If another driver caused your accident, a Champaign car accident lawyer at Patel Law, PC can investigate the crash, deal with the insurance companies, document your damages, and pursue the compensation available under Illinois law.
Contact Patel Law, PC for a free consultation about your Champaign car accident case.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Champaign, Illinois?
What you do immediately after a collision can affect both your health and your insurance claim. If you are involved in a car accident in Champaign or elsewhere in Illinois:
- Call 911 and report the accident.
- Seek medical attention if you are injured.
- Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver.
- Take photographs or video of the vehicles, roadway, injuries, and surrounding area if you can safely do so.
- Get the names and contact information of witnesses.
- Do not admit fault or speculate about what caused the accident.
- Keep copies of medical bills, records, photographs, repair estimates, and other accident-related documents.
- Speak with an experienced Illinois car accident attorney before accepting a settlement from an insurance company.
Some injuries are not immediately apparent after a collision. If you develop pain or other symptoms after leaving the accident scene, seek appropriate medical attention.
When Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
You may not need an attorney for every minor accident. If no one was injured and the collision resulted only in minimal property damage, you may be able to resolve the property damage claim directly with the insurance company.
You should strongly consider speaking with a car accident attorney when you have suffered an injury, required medical treatment, missed work, experienced significant property damage, have disputed liability, or are being pressured by an insurance company to provide a statement or accept a settlement.
You should also seek legal advice when the accident involves a commercial truck, rideshare vehicle, uninsured driver, underinsured driver, multiple vehicles, serious injury, or death.
How Can a Champaign Car Accident Lawyer Help?
A car accident claim can involve much more than submitting medical bills to an insurance company. Patel Law, PC can help by:
- Investigating how the collision occurred;
- Obtaining police reports and other available evidence;
- Identifying potentially responsible parties;
- Communicating with insurance companies and adjusters;
- Reviewing applicable insurance coverage;
- Collecting medical records and bills;
- Documenting lost wages and other financial losses;
- Evaluating the effect of your injuries on your daily life;
- Negotiating for a fair settlement; and
- Pursuing litigation when appropriate.
Our goal is to handle the legal and insurance issues while you focus on your medical treatment and recovery.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Champaign
Car crashes can happen for many reasons. Common causes include:
- Distracted driving;
- Texting or using a phone while driving;
- Speeding;
- Following too closely;
- Failure to yield;
- Unsafe lane changes;
- Running red lights or stop signs;
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
- Fatigued driving;
- Reckless driving; and
- Failing to account for weather or roadway conditions.
Determining what caused the collision and who was responsible is an important part of evaluating a personal injury claim.
Common Car Accident Injuries
A car accident can cause injuries ranging from temporary soft-tissue pain to permanent and life-changing disabilities. Common injuries include:
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries;
- Concussions;
- Neck injuries and whiplash;
- Back injuries;
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Herniated or bulging discs;
- Shoulder and knee injuries;
- Broken bones;
- Soft-tissue injuries;
- Nerve damage;
- Lacerations and scarring;
- Internal injuries;
- Burn injuries;
- Amputations;
- Paralysis; and
- Fatal injuries.
If a collision results in death, certain surviving family members may have rights under Illinois wrongful death law.
What Compensation Can I Recover After an Illinois Car Accident?
The compensation available after a car accident depends on the circumstances of the crash, the insurance coverage available, the nature and extent of the injuries, and other factors.
Depending on the case, recoverable damages may include:
- Medical expenses;
- Future medical expenses;
- Lost wages;
- Loss of future earning capacity;
- Property damage;
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress;
- Disability;
- Disfigurement; and
- Loss of a normal life.
There is no universal settlement amount for a Champaign car accident. A lawyer must evaluate the facts, injuries, damages, liability, and available insurance coverage before estimating the potential value of a claim.
What If I Was Partially at Fault for the Car Accident?
Being partially responsible for an accident does not necessarily prevent you from recovering compensation in Illinois.
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If your contributory fault is not more than 50%, you may still recover damages, but your compensation is reduced according to your percentage of fault.
For example, if your damages were $100,000 and you were determined to be 25% responsible for the accident, your recoverable damages would be reduced by 25%, resulting in $75,000.
If your contributory fault is more than 50% of the proximate cause of the injury or damage for which recovery is sought, you are barred from recovering damages.
Because insurance companies may dispute fault or attempt to assign some responsibility to an injured person, determining and documenting how an accident happened can be extremely important.
What If the Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance?
If the driver who caused your accident is uninsured, you may still have options for recovering compensation.
Your own automobile insurance policy may include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This coverage can apply when an at-fault driver does not have liability insurance and in certain other circumstances.
If the responsible driver’s liability insurance is insufficient to compensate you for your injuries, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may also become relevant depending on your policy and the circumstances of the claim.
Patel Law, PC can review the available insurance policies and determine what coverage may apply.
Should I Give the Other Driver’s Insurance Company a Recorded Statement?
You should be cautious about providing a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before obtaining legal advice.
The other driver’s insurance company is investigating the claim on behalf of its insured. Statements you make about how the accident occurred, your injuries, or your medical treatment may later become important to the evaluation of your claim.
If you are unsure whether you should provide a recorded statement, speak with a car accident attorney before doing so.
Will My Insurance Rates Go Up If the Accident Was Not My Fault?
Not necessarily. A not-at-fault accident does not automatically mean your auto insurance premium will increase.
However, there is no guarantee that your premium will remain the same. Insurance companies consider multiple factors when determining premiums, which can include driving history, claims history, location, coverage, discounts, and changes in the insurer’s overall rates.
If another driver caused your accident, you should not avoid pursuing a legitimate claim or using insurance coverage available to you solely because you are concerned that your insurance premium might increase.
Can I Use My Own Insurance If Someone Else Caused the Accident?
Potentially. Depending on your policy and the circumstances of the collision, your own insurance may provide benefits such as medical payments coverage, collision coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, or underinsured motorist coverage.
Using available coverage does not necessarily mean you are admitting responsibility for the accident.
Because automobile insurance policies and coverage issues can become complicated, an attorney can review the applicable policies and determine which sources of insurance may be available.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Illinois?
Illinois generally provides a two-year statute of limitations for actions involving injury to a person. However, different deadlines or exceptions can apply depending on the circumstances, including the identity of the defendant and other facts of the case.
Do not assume that you automatically have two years to take action. Evidence can also disappear long before a legal deadline expires. If you were injured in an accident, it is best to speak with an attorney promptly about the deadline that applies to your particular case.
Champaign Car Accident FAQs
How much is my Champaign car accident case worth?
There is no fixed value for a car accident case. Factors can include the severity and duration of your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, future treatment, pain and suffering, disability, available insurance coverage, and whether liability is disputed.
How much does it cost to speak with Patel Law about a car accident?
Patel Law, PC offers free initial consultations for personal injury matters. You can discuss the accident and learn about your legal options before deciding how to proceed.
Should I accept the insurance company’s first settlement offer?
You should carefully evaluate a settlement before accepting it, particularly if you are still receiving medical treatment or do not yet know the full extent of your injuries. Once a claim is fully settled and a release is signed, you generally cannot return later and demand additional compensation for the same claim.
What should I bring to my first meeting with a car accident lawyer?
Bring whatever information you have available. Helpful documents may include the police report, insurance information, photographs, medical records or bills, correspondence from insurance companies, repair estimates, witness information, and documentation of missed work. Do not delay contacting an attorney simply because you do not have every document yet.
What happens if the insurance company says I caused the accident?
An insurance company’s initial determination does not necessarily resolve legal responsibility. Evidence such as police reports, photographs, video, witness statements, vehicle damage, medical records, and other information may be relevant to determining how the collision occurred.
Can Patel Law handle serious car accident cases?
Patel Law, PC represents people suffering a range of injuries from automobile collisions, including cases involving significant medical treatment, permanent injuries, and other substantial damages. The appropriate strategy depends on the circumstances of each case.
Why Choose Patel Law, PC for a Champaign Car Accident Claim?
Patel Law, PC represents injured people throughout Champaign, Urbana, Champaign County, and Central Illinois. Our attorneys and legal professionals understand how automobile accident claims are investigated, documented, negotiated, and litigated.
We communicate with our clients throughout the case and work to identify the insurance coverage and compensation available for their injuries.
Whether your case involves a straightforward rear-end collision or a complicated accident involving serious injuries and disputed liability, our team can evaluate your legal options.
Talk to a Champaign Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident in Champaign, Urbana, or elsewhere in Central Illinois, contact Patel Law, PC to discuss your case.
Call Patel Law, PC or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Champaign car accident lawyer.
