Essential Steps to Take Immediately After a Car Accident
Car accidents are stressful and often traumatic. Amid the difficult aftermath, knowing what steps to take to protect your health and improve your chances of making a successful personal injury claim is important. We have you covered with steps to follow below.
After an accident:
- Check yourself and others involved for injuries. If you can, move your vehicle to a safe location away from traffic.
- Call the police to report the incident. This report will serve as official documentation of the collision and could be essential for pursuing an injury claim.
- Exchange contact, vehicle, and insurance information with the other parties involved.
- Take pictures or videos of the scene and your injuries. You should also keep a record of any expenses you incur because of the accident, be it medical bills or car damage repairs.
- Visit a doctor promptly, even if you do not feel like you have been seriously hurt. Certain injuries might not be apparent immediately. Additionally, a doctor’s assessment of your injuries could be crucial evidence for your claim.
- Report the incident to your insurance company. Give them honest and accurate information about the accident. Remember: you are not obligated to accept a settlement offer from the responsible party’s insurance company or your own.
- Consult with an attorney about your situation. They can help you understand your rights, assess the value of your potential claim, negotiate with insurance companies, and advocate for your best interests.
Damages Available in Car Accident Injury Cases
If you have been injured in a car collision, you could be entitled to economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are generally easy to quantify and include:
- All types of past, present, and future medical bills
- Repair or replacement costs for your car
- Wages you might have missed from being unable to work
Non-economic damages are subjective and might include:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- A lower quality of life
The economic and non-economic damages available will vary from one case to the next. To determine the damages in your case and their value, speak with one of our experienced Waukegan car accident injury lawyers.
What Sets Us Apart
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High Success Rate
As your trusted legal advocates, we take winning seriously – and we have large settlements to show for it.
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A Team Behind You
Our attorneys work together to provide dedicated, compassionate, and personalized service.
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Trial-Tested Lawyers
As experienced trial lawyers, we successfully try our own cases; we don't farm them out to other firms.
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Rooted in the Community
Like you, we're locals; we'll see you in the grocery store and at high school football games and are committed to serving our neighbors.
Schedule a Free Consultation
At Jeep, Hauck and Associates, we have helped thousands in Lake and McHenry Counties get the compensation they needed to recover and move ahead from wrecks on Illinois roads. You can read about some of our successes on our case results page or even check testimonials from past clients on our reviews page. We are proud of our efforts to support the hardworking people in our area and deliver what they need to navigate life after an accident. With our track record and commitment to fighting for what is fair, you can feel confident turning to us.
Schedule a free consultation by calling (847) 264-9806 or connecting with our office online. We can conduct consultations virtually for your convenience.
