FAQ's

What Should You Do If You Are In A Car Accident

Chicago Auto Accident Attorneys

If you or a family member was injured in a car or motorcycle accident, it is important to take certain steps, to protect your rights and build your case for recovery of damages.

1. Make sure everyone is uninjured. If there is an injury, call 911 and get there paramedics there as soon as possible. If at all possible, have someone remain at the scene to exchange information with the other driver and report the accident to the police.

2. Seek medical attention as soon as possible even if the injuries are not life-threatening or are not an "emergency.” Not only is proper medical attention important for your health, but a delay in seeking medical attention can seriously hurt your chances of making a successful insurance claim. Even a delay of just a few days can significantly impact your ability to collect damages! The Chicago auto accident lawyer at Mannis & Associates, Ltd. represents the victims of car crashes and hit and run drivers throughout the greater Chicago area, including Blue Island, Cicero, Midlothian, and other communities throughout Cook County, DuPage County and Will County.

3. Call the police. Do not let the other driver convince you not to wait for the police. Leaving the scene of an accident can be a crime. Call the police and follow their instructions. If the police arrive at the accident scene, give them basic information such as your name and address and the relevant facts about the accident (as you believe they occurred). Do not admit blame or fault for the accident, but do not embellish the facts, or make any false statements - this will only make matters worse and will hurt you in the end. Give the straight facts.

4. Get information. However, in many cases, the police are unable to respond to the accident and may not send an officer - this is especially true if there was minor property damage and/or minor injuries. So, you will need to exchange contact information, including names, addresses, telephone numbers and insurance information with the driver(s) of the other vehicle(s) involved in the accident. Also make a written description of each car, including year, make, model and color — and the exact location of the collision and how it happened. Be sure to stay calm, do not get angry or blame the other driver. Do not (and you should not) say more than exchange your contact and insurance information.

5. Do not discuss fault. Resist the urge to apologize for your actions or admit you did something careless. Remember, unlike a criminal matter, anything you say can and may be used against you! Saying too much can jeopardize your chances of recovery.

6. Do not get intimidated. In crisis situations, some people do not respond well. If the other driver is not being reasonable or you feel threatened by the other driver, get in your car and wait for the police or go to the nearest open store or place where there are other people and if necessary call the police (again) and advise them that things are getting heated.

7. Provide basic information to the police, such as your name and address and the relevant facts about the accident (as you believe they occurred). Do not admit blame or fault for the accident, but do not embellish the facts, or make any false statements - this will only make matters worse and will hurt you in the end. Give the straight facts.

8. Move your vehicle to a safe location, if necessary. You may need to move your vehicle off the street, if you are able to do so. Be sure to move your car to an area where you can safely exchange information or report the matter to the police. You do not want to make a bad situation worse by being hit by careless drivers or causing another accident!

9. Talk to potential witness, if possible. Write down their names and phone numbers before they leave the scene. While some witnesses may wait for the police to arrive and collect their information, others may leave before the police get there so it is important to have their contact information.

10. Contact your insurance company to make a claim as soon after the accident as possible. You will need to have the other driver's information and their insurance (if any) as well as any police report take photographs of the scene to record evidence and the road conditions. Photographs of your injuries and damage to your car or motorcycle or other property are also important to have. Use your cell phone's camera to take photos of the accident, the other car and its license plate. Keep in mind that you want your photos to show the overall context of the accident so that you can make your case to a claims adjuster. So you may want to return to the accident scene later with a traditional camera and take more photos.

11. Maintain necessary documentation. In addition to keeping track of your medical bills, keep any bills and keep track of any other expenses related to your accident such as repair expenses, rental vehicle costs and wages lost because of missed work. All of this information is relevant to the calculation of damages.

12. Contact an experienced Illinois auto accident lawyer. Most people rely exclusively on their insurance company to compensate them for their losses and injuries in an auto accident. Unfortunately, once you have been involved in a car wreck, insurance companies have a vested interest in minimizing the amount they pay to car accident victims.

Contacting an experienced auto accident lawyer, such as the attorneys at Mannis & Associates, Ltd., offers you the best chance of getting a fair and impartial evaluation of your claim. Whether you were involved in a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, whatever the injuries, an evaluation by an experienced auto accident attorney can make all the difference. Fresh evidence makes a stronger case, which can make for larger settlements.

When you need to make an auto insurance claim, you should proceed with care. Your actions may have a significant influence on the amount of compensation you receive. Contact the car accident injury lawyers at Mannis & Associates, Ltd. for a free initial consultation today!