A serious car accident can turn your life upside down and lead to financial, physical, and emotional consequences. However, if someone else is responsible, you could be entitled to damages, such as medical costs, lost income, rehabilitation, and others.

To give you the best chance of recovering what you deserve, don’t go it alone, especially if a lot of money is at stake. A Belleville, IL car accident lawyer at Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help you navigate the aftermath of an accident, protect your rights, and aim for maximum compensation. Contact us now to discover your options in a free case review.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Accidents in Belleville?

Most of us have experienced a car crash or know someone who has. While many accidents cause little more than car damage and bruises or mild whiplash, some collisions involve catastrophic injuries or even fatalities. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), traffic accidents in Belleville in 2022 included six fatalities and over 300 injured individuals.

While collisions occur for various reasons, driver negligence is almost always a factor. Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Belleville include:

Distracted Driving

Tragically, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics show over 3,500 people were killed in accidents involving distracted driving in 2021. Dangerous distractions can include:

  • Texting or talking on the phone
  • Reaching for an item in the back of the car
  • Eating and drinking
  • Adjusting the navigation system or stereo

Drivers must take reasonable care when on the road. If a distracted driver caused your crash, you could recover compensation. A Belleville, IL car accident lawyer at our firm can help you get justice.

Speeding

Speeding is a top cause of avoidable car accidents. Drivers exceeding posted speed limits or driving too fast for weather and road conditions have less time to react. They may overlook other road users, such as pedestrians crossing the street or cyclists. On Illinois’ highways, excessively high speeds can cause catastrophic crashes with significant injuries and even fatalities, as speed increases the force of impact in a collision.

Driving Under the Influence

Despite knowing the potential dangers of their actions, people under the influence of alcohol or drugs continue to get behind the wheel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determined that as many as 32 people die every day in collisions involving drunk drivers. This equals one death every 45 minutes.

Reckless Driving

Dangerous driving can include numerous negligent driving behaviors, such as:

  • Following too closely (tailgating)
  • Ignoring traffic signs and signals
  • Aggressively weaving in and out of traffic
  • Road rage
  • Cutting off other drivers

Reckless drivers put themselves and other road users at risk. If a dangerous driver caused your accident and injuries or the death of a loved one, Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers could help you hold them accountable.

Defective Vehicles and Poorly Constructed Roads

Not all car accidents are caused by another driver’s negligence. In some instances, a car maker or car part manufacturer’s mistakes can contribute to crashes. Vehicle defects include, among others:

  • Faulty brakes
  • Defective steering
  • Malfunctioning airbags
  • Blown tires

Poorly constructed roadways or lack of maintenance can also contribute to accidents. For example, potholes and debris on the road can turn a highway into a dangerous obstacle course. If your crash happened due to a poorly maintained or badly constructed road, you could have a case against a government agency.

Do You Qualify for a Car Accident Lawsuit?

If another caused your accident and you are unable to receive the compensation you need and deserve, you could file a personal injury lawsuit. Here are some examples that can give rise to legal action:

  • Negligence of other drivers (speeding, drunk driving, etc.)
  • Faulty vehicles or defective car parts parts
  • Intentional wrongdoing (road rage, throwing objects on the highway, etc.)
  • Inadequate signage, potholes, and other roadway defects

The best way to determine whether you have a legal case is to promptly speak to a Belleville, IL car accident lawyer. We can analyze your case and clarify your legal options.

How a Belleville, IL Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Experiencing a car accident can have drastic impacts on your life, from injuries to property damage to emotional distress. An attorney at Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers can provide vital guidance and support during this challenging time. Specifically, consider consulting an attorney when:

You or a Loved One Suffered Severe Injuries

Significant or permanent injuries can detrimentally affect every sphere of your life, including your long-term health and career. Our attorneys can identify all those liable for the crash and aim for maximum potential compensation. They can also negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and aim for a fair settlement. Going it alone can mean leaving money on the table.

The Insurance Company Denied You an Adequate Settlement

If another person caused your accident and injury in Belleville, their insurance company should pay for your losses. However, insurers are rarely known for their generosity and will likely try to pay you as little as possible. When this happens, you need a tenacious lawyer in your corner who can level the playing field and help you recover damages for your healthcare costs and other crash-related expenses.

You Are Partially At Fault for the Accident

If you are partially responsible for a crash or the other party tries to put all the blame on you, our lawyers can help you fight back. We can collect crucial evidence that can be used in your favor, including:

  • Traffic camera footage
  • Police reports
  • Witness statements
  • Industry expert testimonials

The Legal Process Feels Overwhelming

Undoubtedly, the legal issues involved with recovering compensation can feel stressful and confusing, especially if you are still recovering from injuries. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal system and understand your rights and obligations. Our Belleville, IL car accident lawyers can handle all aspects of your case, from the initial filing of your lawsuit to presenting your case strongly at trial.

Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers can leave no stone unturned to help you get back on your feet after a car accident.

What to Do After a Car Accident

Knowing what to do at the scene of a crash and afterward can protect your rights and well-being. Here are some important steps to take:

Seek Medical Attention

Your health should always be the top priority. Even if you denied medical assistance at the accident scene and your injuries seem minor, visit your doctor promptly. Underlying injuries can surface weeks after a collision. Moreover, a timely medical report is crucial for recovering compensation.

Exchange Information

Collect information from all other parties involved, if possible. Ensure you get other drivers’ names, contact details, insurance information, and license plate numbers. If there are witnesses, ask them for their contact information, too. A witness statement can be excellent support for your claim or legal case.

Document the Scene

Without compromising your safety at the accident scene, try to take photos of the location, vehicle damage, and visible injuries. You could also take a video. Such visual documentation can be critical when dealing with insurance claims and legal proceedings. Accident reconstruction professionals use this information to understand how the crash happened and who is responsible.

Report to Law Enforcement

If there is considerable car damage, injuries, or death, you must report the accident to the police. If law enforcement did not attend your crash, contact your Belleville police department to file an accident report. Provide a factual account of the collision and omit assumptions or statements that could be interpreted as admitting fault.

Preserve Evidence

Preserve any evidence related to the crash, such as:

  • Medical records
  • Car repair estimates
  • Receipts for accident-related expenses
  • Communication with insurance companies.

Consult with a Belleville, IL Car Accident Lawyer

Seeking legal guidance is crucial, especially if you suffered a significant injury and high financial damages. A car accident attorney at Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers can guide you through the legal process and advocate for your rights every step of the way.

You Could Be Entitled to Compensation

Car accident compensation varies from one case to another. What you could recover will depend on the circumstances of the crash, the extent and severity of your injuries, and other factors. A Belleville, IL car accident lawyer at Bradley Law can assess your case and determine its value. You could be entitled to awards for:

  • Healthcare expenses
  • Loss of income
  • Car repair or replacement
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Disability
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Reduced life quality

FAQs

How can I maximize car accident compensation?

Recovering a comprehensive settlement is not a given. An insurance company will likely try to reduce or even deny your claim. Some insurers even resort to manipulative tactics to try and trip you up. Here’s what you can do to increase your chances of a fair settlement:

  • Cooperate with your doctor: To give yourself the best chance of recovering the settlement you deserve, diligently follow your doctor’s orders and treatment plan. Don’t miss medical appointments, take all prescribed medications, and follow all treatment recommendations.
  • Stay away from social media: Posting anything about your accident or injuries during an ongoing case could sink your claim. The insurer may scour social media accounts for information, particularly admissions of fault or photos showing you partaking in activities suggesting your injuries are not as severe as you claim.
  • Keep a journal: Recording details of your recovery and daily life after a car accident can be an excellent idea. A journal can be evidence of a car accident’s impact on your health, career, and home life. Make detailed notes about your injuries, medical treatments, and any pain (physical and emotional) you experience.
  • Work with an experienced Belleville, IL car accident lawyer: You may need a tenacious advocate to help you recover the compensation you need to get your life back on track. An attorney can negotiate with the insurance company and, if necessary, take your case to trial.

Who pays for my medical bills while I await compensation?

Suffering injuries in a vehicle collision can leave you with a stack of medical bills, income loss, and other financial obligations. Unfortunately, recovering a settlement can take months or even years, especially if your case goes to court. You might wonder how to pay your medical expenses while waiting for a payout. Here’s what to know:

Your Private Health Insurance

If you have a healthcare plan, your insurer should cover your expenses. While medical insurance companies typically front costs after any deductibles, they will ask for their money back when you receive a settlement. This process is called subrogation. The same applies if you qualify for Medicare or Medicaid.

Payment Plans

If you don’t have sufficient private health insurance, ask your medical providers if they agree to a payment plan. They might even offer to defer payments until you receive a settlement. Many health providers understand accident victims’ predicament and may grant a deferment request.

Ask Your Employer for Paid Leave

Income loss can be a major worry after an accident. If employed, you could use accumulated sick or vacation pay to temporarily cover living expenses during time off work for recovery from surgeries and treatments.

Personal Loans

As a last resort, consider personal loans or cash advances. Some loans are specifically designed for injured victims waiting for an insurance or lawsuit settlement and use future expected settlement amounts as security. They can help bridge the gap once health insurance and savings are exhausted.

You may be tempted to simply ignore the bills piling up after a car crash. However, this could create significant future financial turmoil. Instead, honestly communicate with your medical providers, keep an eye on your overall expenses, and seek guidance. A Belleville, IL car accident lawyer at Bradley Law can help you discover options to manage your bills after an accident.

Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers Is Here for You

We understand the struggle accident victims face when pursuing compensation. However, you don’t have to handle the stressful and complicated aftermath of a car accident alone. Our firm regularly recovers multi-million-dollar results for clients who are given the runaround by insurance companies. Contact us now and learn more in a free consultation.