Springfield Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney

Do I Need a Springfield Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney?

If you were hurt in a crash, and the at-fault party’s insurance company is refusing to offer you a fair settlement, you need to hire a motor vehicle accident attorney right away. Although Illinois law does not require you to have legal representation when you file your motor vehicle accident claim, studies show that plaintiffs recover up to three times more when they have a lawyer on their side. The motor vehicle accident attorneys at Strong Law Offices know how to negotiate with big name insurance companies to ensure you receive a fair settlement award. If your insurance company fails to offer you a reasonable settlement for a car accident, our attorneys will take your case to trial.

Damages Recoverable in Motor Vehicle Accident Claims

Motor vehicle accident victims can recover non-economic and economic damages when they file a personal injury claim or lawsuit. In some cases, such as those involving drunk drivers, victims can recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are rarely rewarded in accident claims, as they are intended to punish the liable party for his or her actions. 

Economic and non-economic damages available in motor vehicle accident claims include:

• Medical expenses in the long- and short-term
• Wage replacement compensation
• Compensation for pain and suffering or emotional trauma
• Loss of consortium or loss of enjoyment of life

Types of Springfield Motor Vehicle Accidents

Understanding the types of motor vehicle accidents helps personal injury lawyers in Springfield determine liability after a crash. The most common types of motor vehicle accidents are:

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions, also referred to as “frontal collisions,” often result in severe injuries. These accidents are typically caused by distracted or intoxicated driving.

T-Bone Collisions 

T-bone collisions describe those accidents that occur when the side of a vehicle is impacted by the front end of another. These accidents frequently occur at intersections where one driver fails to properly yield or follow traffic signals.

Rear-End Collisions

 A rear-end collision happens when the front of one vehicle collides with the back of another. Rear-end accidents typically result from the abrupt stopping or slowing down of one driver. These accidents most frequently happen in:

• Traffic jams
• Congested roadways
• Intersections with stop signs
• Intersections with traffic lights

Crashes Involving Semi Trucks

The size of semi trucks means that large truck collisions often yield more severe injuries than other types of motor vehicle accidents. Assessing liability in truck accidents is more complicated because the at-fault party may be the truck driver or the company he or she works for. Additionally, trucking companies and drivers are governed by federal safety regulations, and violations of these regulations may cause accidents. A truck accident lawyer can help you determine the cause of your collision and hold the right party responsible.

Motorcycle Accident Claims

Motorcycle accidents often leave victims facing lifelong disabilities and serious injuries. Motorcycle riders are uniquely vulnerable on the road, as their bodies are exposed and the vehicles they operate are at a size disadvantage. Motor vehicle accidents involving motorcycles are commonly caused by distracted or negligent driving behaviors. When riders sustain injuries in a crash, a motorcycle accident lawyer can help them recover treatment costs for their injuries.

What to Do After a Springfield Motor Vehicle Accident

The steps taken after a motor vehicle accident can help victims prove liability and calculate damages in a claim. Documenting the accident as soon as possible preserves the integrity of the evidence. Seeking medical treatment immediately demonstrates the seriousness of a victim’s injuries and provides documentation supporting his or her claim. 

If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, taking the following steps can help your injury claim:

• Inspecting yourself and other victims for injuries. If necessary, seek emergency medical treatment. If medical care is not immediately necessary, seek treatment once the accident is reported to the authorities.
• Move yourself and others to safety if the vehicle is in a dangerous location. If necessary, relocate the vehicle, so it is not a hazard. 
• Once all emergencies are handled, contact the authorities to report the accident. After filing a police report, take down the report number for your records.
• Next, gather eyewitness information and accounts, take photos or videos of the accident scene, and exchange information with the other driver(s).
• Finally, retain a motor vehicle accident attorney and contact the insurance company to begin negotiations. 

Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Springfield

There are several common circumstances that contribute to motor vehicle accidents in Illinois. Though a crash can occur under any conditions, the following behaviors lead to a majority of accidents each year:

• Distracted driving—Distracted driving is a consistent leading cause of motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. Cell phone use, eating while driving, adjusting navigation systems, reading, grooming or applying makeup, and interacting with passengers are all behaviors that contribute to distracted driving accidents each year. 

• Driving while intoxicated—Intoxicated driving is a deadly cause of accidents in Illinois. Substance use can greatly reduce a driver’s responsiveness, putting the intoxicated driver and others on the road at risk. Intoxicated driving is not limited to the consumption of alcohol, and also includes prescription drugs, over the counter medications, and recreational drugs.

• Speeding—Speeding is the third-leading cause of motor vehicle accidents in the United States. Motor vehicle accidents involving high speeds often cause more severe injuries to involved victims. 

• Reckless driving behaviors—Aggressive driving behaviors, running stoplights, wrong-way driving, improper turns,  failing to follow traffic signs, or unsafe lane changes are just some reckless driving behaviors that contribute to motor vehicle accidents in Illinois.

Proving Liability

Proving liability in your motor vehicle accident can help you secure maximum compensation for your injuries. The evidence you secure in the moments after a crash can help improve your chances at demonstrating the other party’s liability to an insurance company, judge, or jury. The Springfield motor vehicle accident attorneys at Strong Law Offices can help you establish liability and calculate damages through:

• Eyewitness and expert witness testimony
• Copies of police reports
• Accident scene reconstructions
• Copies of medical bills and medical treatment records

Proving the other party was responsible for your injuries simply requires you to show that the other driver’s actions violated the standard duty of care people owe to one another to keep roadways safe. Then, you must show that you sustained injuries because of the negligent driver’s behavior, and that the behavior caused you to suffer damages. A car accident lawyer can help you demonstrate this through the evidence provided. 

Filing a Motor Vehicle Accident Lawsuit

The insurance company will do everything in their power to avoid paying you a fair settlement for your accident claim. In some cases, negotiations between insurance and your motor vehicle accident lawyer may be ineffective. If this happens, your attorney will take your case to court by filing a motor vehicle accident lawsuit. 

The steps in a motor vehicle accident lawsuit include:

Once the trial begins, both attorneys will:

• Provide opening statements
• Present evidence
• Question and cross-examine witnesses
• Provide a closing statement

Frequently Asked Questions About Motor Vehicle Accidents

1. Do I have to go to court if I file a motor vehicle accident claim?

Victims of motor vehicle accidents do not have to go to court unless they are unable to reach a settlement agreement with the insurance company. If negotiations fail, a motor vehicle accident claim goes to trial and becomes a lawsuit. 

2. How long do I have to file a motor vehicle accident lawsuit? 

Motor vehicle accident victims have two years to file a lawsuit to recover damages. In addition, most insurance companies require claimants to report an accident within 30 days. 

3. What if I was partly at fault for my motor vehicle accident? 

Illinois motor vehicle accident victims can still recover damages if they are partially liable for the crash. This is due to the comparative negligence system Illinois follows. To recover damages, a victim must be less than 50% at fault for the accident. Then, his or her settlement award is reduced by the percentage of fault. 

Additional resources on motor vehicle accidents

• When to Get a Lawyer After an Auto Accident
• Is Distracted Driving Negligence?
• What to Do After a Car Accident in Illinois
• How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
• How to Get the Most Money from a Car Accident

Did another driver’s negligence cause your accident? Contact the motor vehicle accident attorneys at Strong Law Offices. Call (217) 544-9005.