Motor vehicle accidents happen every day in Illinois. If you’re a victim of one, it can be difficult to know how to proceed to make sure that you’re adequately compensated. Here are a few ways to make the most of your claim.
Make Sure There is a Police Report
If you get into a car accident, it’s important to contact the police straight away. Even if there are no injuries and there’s only one damaged car, this report will be helpful when filing your claim. If there’s no report or the police fail to write it on time, your claim may be weak.
Document as Much as You Can at the Scene of the Accident
Documenting everything you can is essential. This includes taking pictures of damage to your car, any skid marks on the road, and anything else that might be helpful. If there are witnesses at the scene who saw what happened, make sure their information gets recorded as well.
Make sure you keep all records and receipts of any money spent toward repairs or medical bills, too. These records are important to have when filing a car accident claim because they’re proof that there is reason for compensation.
Do Not Admit Fault For the Accident
Even if you think that you were at least partially to blame for an accident, do not admit this fact. There’s no way to know how a judge will decide on fault in your case, so it’s best just to stay silent about what happened. Oftentimes, insurance companies suggest making these admissions before they even open up negotiations, so be aware of this tactic.
Stay at the Scene of the Accident Until the Police Arrive
If you leave the scene of an accident before it’s adequately investigated, it will be difficult to prove that you were not at fault. The other driver might claim that you fled because you knew it was your fault, and there will be no way to prove otherwise.
Stay at the scene until police arrive so that both drivers can get information from each other. This is one of the most important things about filing a motor vehicle accident claim.
Motor vehicle accidents are often stressful and confusing. If you’re ever in an accident, it’s important to document the value of your claim and make every effort possible to maximize it.
Don't hesitate to reach out to Shay + Associates Law Firm if you require the expertise of a skilled personal injury lawyer in Springfield or Decatur, Illinois.