If you’ve been hurt in a crash that wasn’t your fault, a car accident lawyer in Maywood can step in and fight to make sure you’re not left paying for someone else’s mistake.
At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we’ve been standing up for Illinois drivers since 2002. Our Maywood personal injury lawyers handle car accident cases every day, and we know exactly how insurers operate because our founding partner worked on the insurance side before building this firm. That insider knowledge shapes how we approach every case we take.
Over $100 million recovered. No fee unless we win.
Who We Help After a Crash in Maywood
We represent anyone hurt in a car accident, which includes drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. We also support families facing the wrongful death process after a fatal crash. Whether you or a family member were rear-ended at a stoplight, sideswiped on a busy street, or hit by a driver who ran a red light, our team is ready to help.
We handle cases involving uninsured and underinsured drivers; a common issue in Illinois. If the at-fault driver had no insurance or not enough to cover your losses, you may still be able to recover through your own UM/UIM coverage. Our Maywood car accident lawyer will identify every available source of compensation and pursue all of them.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Maywood
A lot of crashes are caused by driver negligence. Knowing what caused your accident is the first step toward proving fault and building a strong claim. Common causes we see include:
- Distracted driving, including texting and phone use behind the wheel
- Speeding or aggressive driving
- Drunk or drug-impaired driving
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Unsafe lane changes or improper merging
- Tailgating and rear-end collisions
- Failure to yield at intersections
Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule. That means your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but as long as you’re 50% or less responsible, you can still recover. Insurance companies will often try to shift blame onto you to reduce what they owe. A car accident attorney in Maywood can push back on that and make sure fault is assigned accurately.
The Link Between Your Medical Records and Your Claim
Not all car accident injuries are immediately obvious. Whiplash, soft tissue damage, and concussions often don’t produce full symptoms until hours or days after the crash. This is one of the most important reasons to seek medical attention right away, even if you feel okay at first.
From a legal standpoint, a gap between your accident and your first medical visit gives the insurance company exactly the opening it needs. Adjusters will argue that your injuries weren’t serious (or that they were caused by something else) if you waited to get checked out. The medical record you build after a crash is one of the most powerful tools in your case.
Serious injuries like spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, and nerve damage often require ongoing treatment well beyond the initial recovery period. That future care has a cost, and it needs to be factored into your claim before you settle. Once you accept a settlement, you can’t go back for more, even if your condition worsens.
Proving Fault and Preserving Evidence
In Illinois, the burden is on you to show that the other driver was at fault. That means evidence is key, and it starts disappearing quickly after a crash. The strongest car accident claims are built on:
- Police crash reports and citations issued at the scene
- Traffic camera and nearby business surveillance footage
- Event data recorder (EDR) downloads from the vehicles involved
- Dashcam video and photos taken at the scene
- Eyewitness statements and 911 call recordings
- Medical records documenting your injuries
In the meantime, preserve everything you control. Keep all medical bills, repair estimates, and records of missed work. Avoid posting about the crash or your injuries on social media, as adjusters monitor these accounts and will use anything they can find against you. Our team can step in immediately to gather and protect evidence before it’s lost.
Dealing With the Insurance Company
After a crash, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will likely reach out quickly. They may seem helpful, but their goal is to settle your claim for as little as possible, as fast as possible. Common tactics may include:
- Requesting a recorded statement designed to capture inconsistencies
- Asking you to sign broad medical authorizations that give them access to your full health history
- Making a quick settlement offer before you know the full extent of your injuries
You are not required to give a recorded statement. You can—and should—route all insurer contact through your lawyer. Settling too soon can leave out future medical costs, lost earning capacity, and long-term effects like chronic pain or post-concussion symptoms. Our Maywood car accident lawyer handles all insurer communication so your words can’t be used against you.
What Damages Are Available After a Maywood Car Accident
Illinois law allows injured drivers to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover your out-of-pocket and financial losses, including:
- Medical bills, surgery, therapy, and prescriptions
- Future medical costs supported by physician opinions
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Home or vehicle modifications if your injuries require them
Non-economic damages cover the human cost of your injuries: pain and suffering, loss of normal life, emotional distress, and disfigurement. In cases involving drunk or reckless driving, punitive damages may also apply. Illinois law also allows pre-judgment interest on certain injury judgments, which can affect settlement negotiations.
Contact Our Maywood Car Accident Lawyer
Evidence fades fast after a crash, and Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. The sooner you have legal representation, the stronger your position.
Contact Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and tell you what your claim may be worth. No pressure, no upfront costs—and if we take your case, you pay nothing unless we win.
