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An insurance company may contact you before you know the full extent of your injuries. You do not need to have every answer before seeking legal guidance.
At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., a car accident lawyer in Glen Ellyn can help you understand your options after you’ve been injured in a crash. We can review questions about liability, insurance coverage, and financial losses while you focus on your recovery.
With our firm in business since 2002, our legal team draws on 75 years of combined experience and a record of recovering over $100 million for clients. To discuss your circumstances and how we can help you, schedule a free consultation with a Glen Ellyn personal injury lawyer.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Glen Ellyn
Your safety and medical needs come first. Call 911 if someone is injured or there is immediate danger, and follow emergency responders’ instructions. Seek medical attention promptly, even if you initially feel well. Injuries such as whiplash and concussions may become more noticeable over the following hours or days.
Stop at or near the scene when safe, avoid traffic hazards, and exchange identifying and insurance information. Report crashes involving injury or death to police immediately, along with other collisions when required. If safe, photograph the vehicles, road conditions, signals, and visible injuries, and collect witness details.
Keep medical records, discharge instructions, bills, receipts, repair estimates, and insurance correspondence together. Follow your treatment plan and tell your healthcare provider if your symptoms change or you have difficulty attending appointments. These records can help document your injuries, treatment, and the effect of the collision on your daily activities.
How Illinois Law Determines Fault
Car accident claims typically involve negligence. You generally must show that another party breached a duty of reasonable care and caused your injuries and losses. Speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, unsafe lane changes, or failing to yield may support a claim if the evidence links that conduct to the collision.
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You generally cannot recover damages if you are more than 50% responsible for the accident. If your share of fault is 50% or less, your compensation is reduced by that percentage. For example, if you are found 20% responsible, your recoverable damages are generally reduced by 20%.
Responsibility may extend beyond the driver. An employer may be liable if an employee causes an accident while acting within their job duties. This depends on the employment relationship and the employee’s activities at the time. At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we can examine the circumstances to identify other potentially responsible parties.
Compensation for Car Accident Injuries and Losses
A car accident claim may include medical expenses, rehabilitation, future treatment, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. These financial losses are known as economic damages. Vehicle repairs or replacement may also be recoverable, although property damage is often handled separately from injury claims.
You may also seek compensation for nonfinancial harm, including physical pain, emotional suffering, disability, or loss of a normal life. These are generally known as noneconomic damages. They do not have a fixed dollar value, and the assessment depends on the severity and duration of your injuries, your prognosis, and the effect on your everyday activities.
A claim should account for future needs as well as losses already experienced. Serious injuries may require ongoing therapy, assistive equipment, or help with daily tasks. Our Glen Ellyn car accident attorneys at Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. can review your losses and medical outlook before you accept a settlement that may release further claims.
Handling Insurance Calls and Settlement Offers
An insurance adjuster may ask you for a recorded statement, medical authorization, or an early settlement after the collision. Before responding, establish which insurer is contacting you and what it wants. Your own policy may impose notice and cooperation duties, while requests from the other driver’s insurer raise different considerations.
Keep your statements factual and avoid guessing about speed, distance, fault, or how long your recovery will take. A broad medical authorization may give an insurer access to records beyond those relevant to the collision, so review its scope before signing. You should also avoid describing yourself as fully recovered while treatment is ongoing.
An early offer may overlook future treatment, lost wages, or lasting limitations. Signing a release generally prevents further compensation for the covered claim, even if your condition worsens. At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we can review the terms, explain the release, and negotiate using supporting evidence.
Deadlines and the Process of Pursuing a Car Accident Claim in Glen Ellyn
Illinois generally allows two years from the accident to file a lawsuit for personal injuries. This period is known as the statute of limitations. Exceptions may apply, including rules involving minors and certain public entities. Claims against local public entities or employees may have a shorter filing period, so the deadline should be assessed according to your circumstances.
Opening an insurance claim is not the same as filing a lawsuit. Settlement discussions generally do not extend the filing deadline, and policies may impose separate notice requirements. Starting early allows time to investigate the crash, preserve evidence, identify responsible parties, and assess your medical progress.
The process may involve an investigation, medical records, a settlement demand, and negotiations. If no agreement is reached, filing a lawsuit may be necessary. Litigation can involve discovery, depositions, and potentially a trial, although settlement remains possible throughout.
Discuss Your Claim With Our Glen Ellyn Car Accident Lawyers
You may be unsure whether a settlement offer accounts for your injuries, whether shared fault affects your recovery, or whether another insurance policy may apply. Reviewing the circumstances can help identify what information is available and which questions still need to be answered.
At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., a car accident attorney in Glen Ellyn can assess your crash, explain the relevant Illinois rules, and discuss your options. Our team focuses on keeping you informed so you can understand the decisions involved in pursuing a claim.
Bring any collision reports, insurance correspondence, photographs, and medical records you have. Choose Charlie—contact our firm to discuss your accident and the next steps that may be available under Illinois law.
