If you were recently injured in a car accident that was someone else’s fault, you are entitled to seek full compensation for all of your injury-related losses. This includes not only your outstanding medical bills, but your future medical expenses (which could be far greater than what you owe currently), your lost earnings and earning capacity, your pain and suffering, and various other forms of financial and non-financial harm. In fact, most car accident victims are only aware of a small portion of the losses they are entitled to recover. It is not until they speak with a personal injury attorney that they understand the full extent of their claim for compensation.
With this in mind, if you have suffered injuries in car accident in Chicago, here are some important tips for maximizing your financial recovery:
Tip #1: See a Doctor
After any type of accident, the single most important thing you can do is to see a doctor as soon as possible. Do not assume you are okay, and do not try to diagnose and treat your own injuries. You need a medical professional to assess the physical impact of the crash, and you need to make sure you have a treatment plan that puts you on the road to a full recovery.
Tip #2: Keep Everything
From the other driver’s insurance information to any photos you took with your phone, keep everything you have from the scene of the accident. As you accumulate medical bills, keep copies so that you can give them to your attorney.
Tip #3: Be Smart
When you have a claim for compensation, until you hire an attorney, you do not have anyone on your side. While the insurance companies will try to convince you otherwise, their only goal is to settle your claim for as little as possible. If they think they can get away with paying you nothing, you will not see a dime. You need to be smart about protecting your legal rights, and this includes not saying anything that could jeopardize your recovery.
Tip #4: Be Safe
If you have suffered a traumatic injury, your physical recovery should be your top priority. If you start exercising, return to work or get back into your normal routine too soon, not only could you prolong your recovery, but you could also give the insurance companies an excuse to dispute your claim for financial compensation.
Tip #5: Seek Professional Help
The best way to protect your rights after a car accident is to discuss your case with an experienced attorney. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to accurately calculate your losses so that you don’t unknowingly settle for too little, and take on the insurance companies to make sure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Speak with a Chicago Personal Injury Attorney for Free
If you have been injured in a car accident and would like to speak with an attorney for free, please contact us to schedule a complimentary initial consultation. To request an appointment as soon as possible, please call (312) 795-9595 or tell us about the accident online today.