CHICAGO ILLINOIS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
WHAT IS PERSONAL INJURY?
Personal injury is a legal term for an injury to the body, mind or emotions, as opposed to an injury to property. The term is most commonly used to refer to a type of tort lawsuit alleging that the plaintiff’s injury has been caused by the negligence of another.
PERSONAL INJURY FAQ’S
Q. What do I need to know if I get into a transportation accident?
Once the police have left and medical help has been sought, it is important to write down detailed information—this information is very useful for protecting your rights.
- Get the full names, addresses, and phone numbers of all drivers involved, driver’s license numbers, insurance information or insurance cards.
- Get the full names, addresses, phone numbers for all witnesses, passengers, pedestrians, witnesses, as well as owners of the vehicles’ names.
- Record where the accident happened, at what time, and the date.
- Write down as many details about the accident as you can. including the directions you and the other driver(s) were going, type of weather –sunny, rainy, snowy, etc., approximately what time the accident happened, details of the moments leading up to and following the accident, any injuries and what damage was done to the vehicles.
- Note any vehicle malfunctions that may have led up to the accident
- Note any problems with either vehicle that were already there before the accident happened. This could be broken lights, worn down tires, missing rear view mirror, etc.
- Note any indication(s) of drug or alcohol use.
Q. Why should I contact the police if I am involved in a transportation accident?
A. When you contact the police for immediate investigation of the accident scene, it provides validation of the accident and the convenience of immediate investigation. Always contact the police, even after small accidents rather than speaking to the other driver. There is also the possibility that you might miss something important that could be valuable for proving a personal injury.
Q. Do I need to contact an attorney after a transportation accident?
A. It is best to be proactive and contact an experienced attorney who specializes in personal injury cases, especially when determining who is at fault. Perhaps the police report is incorrect, your insurance liability has a low cap, your insurance lapsed, or there are serious injuries. You will need an attorney to protect your rights.
Any questions that you have regarding your claim including questions regarding your insurance company can be answered by an experienced attorney. If you suspect that your insurance company is not acting in your best interest or feel that your rights may be violated, an attorney will answer your questions and can offer viable options.
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