Car Accident Lawyer Bloomington IL
Car Accident Lawyer Bloomington IL
For years, Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols has been offering aggressive legal representation for victims of negligence. We’ve built our reputation by one case at a time, and are proud in saying that we have helped thousands of people to get out from the devastation that has changed their life, and make the most of their situation. We may be able to do the same for you. Call a Bloomington, Illinois car accident lawyer to explore your options.
Top 3 Reasons to Contact a Bloomington, IL Car Accident Lawyer After a Collision
Following any kind of accident, you may feel stressed, worried, confused, or angry. This is normal. However, you may also be vulnerable and prone to making an error because of the physical and emotional pain you are in. For this reason, it is advisable to have a car accident lawyer Bloomington, Illinois recommends at your side.
Being involved in an automobile accident can turn your life upside-down. From having your car damaged to getting injured and not being able to go to work, experiencing this type of traumatizing event can be emotionally and financially taxing. It’s critical to know your legal rights and to protect them after being involved in a car wreck so that you don’t end up paying for somebody else’s negligence. Seeking the counsel of an experienced Bloomington, Illinois car accident lawyer can help.
1. We Can Handle All Negotiations with Insurance Providers
After you have been the victim of a car collision, the other driver’s insurance provider may reach out to you to try to obtain a statement about the incident. They will also try to get you to agree to a settlement. Insurance agencies are in the business of making money, and this means that the insurance adjuster will do everything they can to minimize the amount of compensation that you’re owed, even to the point of denying your claim entirely.
Additionally, an insurance adjuster may get you to accidentally make a comment that could potentially be used against you. It’s critical to understand that they will not take your best interests to heart during the process. If you have little to no experience negotiating a settlement with an insurance provider, it can be extremely difficult to receive a fair settlement without the help of a Bloomington, IL car accident lawyer.
2. Determine Fault as It Applies to Your Situation
One of the most complicated components of an auto accident case involves proving that the other driver was at fault. This is a critical part of your claim and can be tough to do without the help of a Bloomington, IL car accident lawyer. Most likely, the other driver will try to shift the blame onto you. Our seasoned attorneys will be able to properly sift through the evidence and determine exactly what happened, and who was at fault for the injuries and damage that took place.
Some ways that the team at Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols will work to prove your innocence include:
- Speaking with the healthcare professional who treated your injuries
- Reconstructing the accident scene
- Getting a police report
- Gathering all of your medical records
- Interviewing witnesses
3. Negotiating a Fair Settlement
Car accident attorneys are skilled negotiators and have worked with numerous insurance adjusters before. Our Bloomington, IL car accident lawyer team is in your corner and will work tirelessly to get you the maximum amount of compensation that you are owed.
Common Injuries After an Accident
The exact nature of injuries after an accident can vary considerably; however certain injuries are more common than others. The following are those that our car accident lawyers in Bloomington, IL frequently see in our cases:
- Head and Brain Injuries – Any degree of brain damage can result in serious consequences, including permanent changes in behavior, coordination, and senses.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – An injury to the spinal cord can be extremely serious. Many result in long term medical needs, or even partial or full paralysis.
- Broken Bones – Broken bones can be painful, and most will heal with little to no long term problems. It is possible for chronic pain to arise, or certain breaks to lead to the loss of an ability (i.e. performing a certain activity).
- Internal Organ Damage – Some injuries are not immediately obvious, and one of these includes damages to the internal organs. When this happens, surgery and medical treatment may be needed right away. This is one reason why it is important to get medical attention right away after an accident.
- Sensory Damage – Any injuries near or directly to the ears, eyes, nose, and mouth can cause vision loss, hearing loss, and loss of the ability to smell or to taste. Some head injuries may also result in sensory loss. This loss may be partial or full, temporary, or permanent. In any case, it can be devastating.
- Loss of Limb – Sometimes an injury to a limb can be so severe that it requires an amputation, or is lost immediately in the accident. Loss of any limb, or a part of it, can have a number of consequences.
As a car accident lawyer in Bloomington, Illinois might explain, generally, the more serious the injury, the more compensation is often available. That being said, it is widely accepted by the legal industry, and others, that when injured victims hire a lawyer, they are more likely to recover maximum damages. This is partly due to the inability for insurance adjusters to mislead, or take advantage of you. If you have been injured in an accident, don’t delay in calling Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols to speak with a car accident lawyer in Bloomington, IL.
Car Accident Lawyer Bloomington IL Explains if You Should Use Your Insurance Coverage After an Accident
As a car accident lawyer in Bloomington, Illinois, Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols understands that if you were recently involved in an accident that was someone else’s fault, you are eager to get the compensation you are owed. However, you first have to tackle a difficult question: should you use your insurance policy to pay for the damages to your car? In all likelihood, the best decision you can make is to accept payment from your insurance provider. However, there are some situations where it may not be beneficial to do so. As a car accident lawyer Bloomington, IL, Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols will lay out the advantages to both sides and explain the situations when it is best to go with either option.
Using Your Insurance
Choosing to accept payment from your insurance provider is a safe choice. The other driver is still legally responsible for compensating you no matter what. You can use your insurance to receive compensation faster, however, so you can repair your vehicle right away. If the other driver has insurance, then the two insurance companies will sort out the payment automatically.
Essentially, the insurance company will pay you for all damages to your car and then receive compensation from the other driver or insurance company. It is important to note that your insurance rates will most likely increase, even though you were not at fault. Simply being involved in an accident usually results in higher rates. Some individual insurance companies have policies where rates do not increase in this kind of situation.
Not Using Your Insurance
So, in what cases might you not want to go through your insurance? The only advantage is the ability to avoid having your insurance rates increased. However, it is very dangerous to do this. You are relying on the other driver to compensate you. If he or she refuses, you may have to hire a car accident lawyer Bloomington, IL recommends to file a lawsuit to get it. Then, if you lose your court case, you may be too late to receive compensation from your insurance provider. If this happens, you will be forced to pay for the damages to your vehicle out of your own pocket.
Another thing that makes this option less beneficial is that if the other driver reports the accident to his or her insurance provider, your insurance company will likely find out about the accident regardless and your rates may still increase. A car accident lawyer Bloomington, IL can tell you more about whether or not it would be a good idea to refuse your insurance company’s offer to reimburse you. It is rarely the case, but it does happen occasionally.
Understanding How Negligence is Defined and Proven
The term negligence can be defined quite simply: the failure to take proper care while doing something. In this case, it’s driving a car. However, when speaking of the legal definition of the phrase, things get a little more complicated because you have to start discussing social and professional contracts since negligence and personal injury are technically tort law. Therefore, to prove negligence, you must break down the components of a contract and the injury into four parts: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
1.Duty
The first step in proving negligence in a car accident claim is for your Bloomington car accident lawyer to demonstrate that the at-fault party had a duty to act in a certain way. For example, when you receive a driver’s license, you enter into a social contract, promising to obey the rules of the road and to remain vigilant and attentive while operating your vehicle. Once you establish that some form of duty was present, you can move onto the next phase.
2.Breach
Breach means that the at-fault party did something to break the agreement mentioned above or duty. For example, if a driver takes their eyes off the road to look at their phone or pick up something off the road, then they have breached their social contract. Primarily, breach refers to the moment when a person acted unreasonably or differently than most other people would have.
3.Causation
Once you prove a breach of duty, then you need to determine or demonstrate how that led to your injury. For example, most people understand that it is not safe to text and drive, meaning that most reasonable people will pull over and park their vehicles if they need to make a call or text a friend. If the at-fault party continued to drive while attempting to text, then it is likely that the phone use caused a distraction that led to the collision.
4.Damages
Last, for negligence to be proven, the plaintiff must demonstrate real costs. Therefore, you cannot sue or make a claim without injury to your body or property. Also, those damages must be quantifiable, meaning that injuries must have a valid value.
Proving negligence is not always cut-and-dry. Sometimes to prove fault, you are going to need a little extra help. A local Bloomington, IL car accident lawyer can help you clarify and build your claim. An attorney will help you gather the necessary paperwork and research and then advocate on your behalf. Don’t let your injuries go unnoticed. Get the help and support you deserve.
Don’t wait to discuss your case with a Bloomington, IL car accident lawyer; call Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols today to schedule your free consultation.
Bloomington Car Accident Lawyer FAQs
What Happens if I Am Involved in a Deer Collision?
A Bloomington, IL car accident lawyer knows that a growing type of car accident in Illinois are those that involve deer and other wild animals. These accidents are often tragic, with the animal unable to survive its injuries. However, they also can cause significant damage to a vehicle and leave the driver and any passengers with serious injuries. If you are involved in a deer or other wildlife collision, there are special steps you will need to take in order to be able to pursue a car accident claim.
Are deer collisions on the rise?
According to a report from State Farm Insurance, there has been an increase in deer collisions everywhere, including right here in Illinois. In fact, according to the report, Illinois is classified as a medium-risk state for deer collisions, ranking 26th on the list overall. This represents a three-place increase in the list, up from 29th the year before.
One reason for the increase is as more and more development occurs in wooded areas, this drives the deer into more populated ones. With deer collisions occurring this often, it is important for drivers to understand what they should do in the event that they hit a deer.
How often do deer collisions occur in Illinois?
The State Farm report provides a detailed breakdown of how deer accidents occur nationwide and the relative frequency in the different states. For instance, Illinois experiences tens of thousands of deer-related traffic accidents every year. In some counties, this means that as many as 10 percent of all traffic accidents are related to animals.
Are there more deer collisions in rural areas of the state?
A Bloomington car accident lawyer knows that many people would actually be surprised what the report found regarding the effect of deer-related collisions in more urban counties. Although many people may expect deer collisions to be a bigger issue in rural counties, the county that experienced the most deer collisions in Illinois was actually Cook County. This is likely because of the increased prevalence of drivers in urban environments, so even though there may be fewer deer, there are so many more cars that it is still a serious issue. This can also be a particular problem in urban counties because many drivers there are not expecting a deer collision, so they may be less prepared to take the proper steps after one occurs.
What should I do if I hit a deer?
Responding to a deer collision is much like responding to an ordinary traffic accident. If the car still works, the first step is to get it to a roadside or a nearby parking lot, somewhere out of the flow of traffic, and check for serious injuries.
Assuming there are none, call the police to report the incident, and then begin taking documentary evidence of a crash. Pictures of the damage and where it occurred can be very helpful for filing an insurance claim. While you do this, it is important to take care to give the animal its space. If the deer has not been killed, it can be frightened and therefore dangerous. Once the site has been documented, make sure the car is safe to still drive. Deer collisions can create further safety hazards like damaged brake lines or hoods latches.
Once home, talk to a Bloomington car accident lawyer. Filing an insurance claim may be difficult and it can be helpful to have an attorney working on your side.
Don’t wait to discuss your case with a Bloomington, IL car accident lawyer; call Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols today to schedule your free consultation.
