Kankakee Car Accident Lawyer
Compensation For Your Car Accident
If you or someone you care about has been injured in an accident involving a motor vehicle, a good Kankakee, IL car accident lawyer may be able to help the victim seek compensation for expenses that are the result of their injuries. Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols has been helping people with legal matters since 1938 and today is a full-service law firm that specializes in many different areas of law, including personal injury and car accidents. We have several offices in Illinois and one in Missouri, and we are available by phone and email 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. If you or someone you love has been injured, call us any time of the day or night, any day of the year.
Car Accidents
Even though most people who get into car accidents do not mean to do this, the reality is, that they are not accidents, they are car crashes caused by one or more persons or entity’s negligence. This can be the negligence of another person who is operating a motor vehicle, riding a bicycle, or even a pedestrian. Sometimes car collisions are caused by poorly maintained or marked roads and when this happens, the fault can be placed on a public or private entity, such as a Department of Transportation or a construction company. If you have been injured in a car “accident” caused by negligence, even if you were partially at fault, you may be entitled to compensation. A good Kankakee car accident lawyer can help you determine whether or not your situation warrants your enlisting the help of a lawyer who is experienced with successfully defending the rights of accident victims.
Compensation For Your Injuries
Illinois is an at-fault state which means that the driver who is found to be at-fault for causing a collision is responsible for compensating the parties who were injured physically and/or suffered material damage, such as to the car, motorcycle, or bicycle they were operating or a passenger of. Illinois requires that drivers carry liability insurance with minimum coverages of $25,000, per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 per accident for property damage. These amounts are only what the state requires drivers to carry and are not guarantees of the compensation you may or may not be entitled to. The severity of your injuries and the expenses that they have already incurred and that they are projected to incur, as well as your pain and suffering, will determine the amount that your lawyer decides is appropriate to ask for. If the negligent party’s insurance does not agree to the amount you are asking for, you may need to file a lawsuit.
If you need a trustworthy and skilled Kankakee car accident lawyer on your side fighting to get you the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to, contact the compassionate team at Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols for a free consultation any time of the day or night, any day of the year.
Types Of Car Accident Cases We Handle
We represent individuals and families throughout Illinois who are dealing with the aftermath of serious car accidents at Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols. Our team focuses on helping clients recover after life-changing events by taking on the legal work and giving them room to move forward. We assist with cases involving physical injury, property damage, and wrongful death, working to hold at-fault drivers and other responsible parties accountable. Our approach is thorough, practical, and based on each client’s unique circumstances. Whether an accident occurred in a city intersection, on a rural highway, or in a construction zone, we are prepared to step in and pursue appropriate legal action. We’re familiar with the challenges involved in every phase of the claims process, from evidence gathering to insurance disputes. We offer strong support and legal guidance as a trusted Kankakee, IL car accident lawyer.
Rear-end Collision Claims
These are some of the most common incidents, often occurring when a driver fails to slow down or is following too closely. In many cases, the driver in the rear is held liable due to their failure to maintain a safe distance.
Side-impact And T-bone Accident Claims
These accidents usually happen at intersections and often involve questions of right of way or running a red light. Injuries can be serious due to the limited protection on the sides of most vehicles.
Head-on Collision Claims
Head-on collisions often occur at higher speeds and frequently lead to serious injuries or loss of life. These cases often require investigation into distracted or impaired driving.
Hit-and-run Accident Claims
When a driver leaves the scene without exchanging information or providing help, it creates additional legal and insurance challenges. These claims may involve using the victim’s own uninsured motorist coverage to pursue compensation which is why it will be important to speak with our Kankakee car accident lawyer.
Multi-vehicle Accident Claims
Accidents with multiple cars can involve complex liability issues, especially when more than one driver may be partially at fault. We work to determine responsibility by reviewing police reports, witness accounts, and traffic camera footage when available.
Drunk Or Impaired Driver Claims
When alcohol or drugs contribute to a crash, the driver may face both criminal charges and civil liability. These claims may also involve investigating whether a bar or restaurant overserved the driver under dram shop laws.
Accidents Involving Uninsured Or Underinsured Drivers
When the other party lacks adequate coverage, we may pursue compensation through our client’s own policy. These cases require clear documentation of losses and careful handling of insurance communications.
Vehicle Defect Claims
In some cases, the accident may be linked to a mechanical issue or manufacturing flaw. Claims may be brought against the automaker or parts supplier if a defect contributed to the crash.
Construction Zone Accidents
Road work areas often have reduced lanes, unclear markings, or uneven surfaces. We examine whether proper warnings were given and whether the work zone met safety requirements.
As a Kankakee car accident lawyer, we take a detailed and hands-on approach to each case we handle, working to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term needs. Each claim has its own circumstances, and we work closely with our clients to develop clear legal strategies backed by evidence and detailed records. We invite anyone who has been injured in a vehicle crash to speak with us about their options. Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols is here to guide you through the process and take action on your behalf.
What To Do Immediately After A Car Accident
A car accident can be overwhelming, but taking the right steps early on can help protect both our health and our legal rights. At our firm, we’ve seen how crucial those early decisions can be when building a strong case. With decades of experience handling auto accident cases in Central Illinois and a commitment to working directly with our clients—not passing them off to assistants—we take these matters seriously. If you or someone you care about has been involved in a crash, a Kankakee, IL car accident lawyer may be able to help guide the legal process after these first steps.
Check For Injuries And Call 911
Our first priority should always be safety. If anyone is injured, call 911 right away to request emergency medical attention. Even if injuries aren’t visible, it’s important to get checked out, as symptoms can appear later. Medical records from the scene are often critical if a claim needs to be filed. Police should also be contacted to document the incident, especially if there is significant property damage or injury.
Move To A Safe Location If Possible
If our vehicle is still operational and we’re not seriously hurt, we should try to move it out of the way of traffic. If it’s unsafe to do so, we should remain in the car with our hazard lights on until help arrives. Keeping ourselves and others safe from secondary accidents is a priority.
Exchange Information And Gather Evidence
Once we’ve checked on everyone involved, we should share contact and insurance details with the other driver. It’s also a good time to take photos of the damage, the scene, traffic signals, skid marks, and anything else that might be helpful later. We should avoid admitting fault or speculating on what happened, and instead focus on collecting accurate information. This stage is also a good time to consider speaking with a Kankakee car accident lawyer to understand what to preserve for legal purposes.
Identify Witnesses And Get Their Contact Details
If anyone nearby saw what happened, we should ask for their name and phone number. Neutral third-party accounts can provide valuable support in a legal claim. We should jot down what they saw while it’s fresh in our minds. If police are present, they will often include these statements in their report, but having our own notes is useful.
Report The Accident To Our Insurance Company
We should notify our insurance provider as soon as we’re able, ideally within 24 hours of the accident. Giving them the basic facts—time, location, parties involved, and police report number—keeps the process moving and helps avoid delays in coverage. If the other driver’s insurance contacts us, we don’t need to provide a statement right away. It’s wise to speak with legal counsel first.
Seek Medical Care Even If We Feel Fine
Some injuries, like whiplash or concussions, may not present symptoms right away. Following up with our doctor within a day or two of the crash helps us identify any hidden injuries and builds a record of care, which may be important if problems arise later.
Document Everything In The Days That Follow
We should keep track of all accident-related expenses, including medical visits, prescriptions, car repairs, missed work, and transportation. Keeping a written timeline of symptoms, doctor appointments, and any communications with insurers can help if we need to take legal action down the line.
Why Acting Quickly Can Protect Your Legal Rights
What we do right after a car accident can have a major impact on how the claims process unfolds. By documenting the scene, collecting witness information, and seeking medical treatment, we create a clearer picture of what happened and how it affected us. A Kankakee car accident lawyer can help assess liability and explore the best path forward while we focus on recovery. If you’ve been injured in an accident, reach out today—Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols is ready to help protect your rights and advocate for the outcome you deserve.
