Yes, in Illinois, you can settle a car accident without a lawyer. Here are questions you will need to be able to answer and things you need to know to settle a car accident claim without a car accident attorney.
How to Settle a Car Accident Claim Without a Lawyer
The first step in handling a car accident claim without an experienced personal injury lawyer is to be sure you understand all the factors relating to your car accident settlement claim. As you organize your documentation, make sure you know the answers to all of the following questions:
- Does the at-fault driver have enough coverage to fully cover your losses?
- Does your own insurance policy offer any additional coverage?
- Is the at-fault driver uninsured or underinsured?
- How is the fault and value of your claim determined?
- How are your medical bills calculated?
- How long does the insurance company have to settle your claim?
- What forms and other information will the insurer require?
- How many repair or replacement estimates are required?
- How will the insurer value your car if it is deemed a total loss?
If you are unsure of the answers to any of these questions, it is advisable for accident victims to seek legal guidance. A car accident lawyer can help you answer these questions, ensure your personal injury claim is accurately valued, and that you are not left paying out-of-pocket expenses for a car accident that was not your fault.
Calculate the Full Value of Your Insurance Settlement
Calculating your medical expenses and total losses in the aftermath of a car accident is a complex undertaking. You may be entitled to have certain expenses covered by the at-fault driver. Since an insurance settlement is considered full and final payment for your expenses and losses, it is important that your calculations are accurate.
If you want to settle a car accident without personal injury lawyers and still ensure all the following economic and non-economic losses are accurately tallied, be sure to consider:
- The full cost of all emergency and follow-up accident-related medical care
- The cost of necessary personal and household help while you recuperate
- Required assistive medical devices, like crutches or a wheelchair
- The cost to repair or replace your damaged or totaled vehicle
- Your accumulated current and future lost wages
- A dollar value for your pain and suffering damages
Because every car accident case is different, yours may have additional costs that can be recovered from the at-fault driver or their car insurance company. Your lawyer can help you fully and accurately assign a monetary value to your compensation claim and ensure you are not underpaid and that fault for the accident is accurately assigned.
Understand How Contributory Fault Can Affect Your Settlement In Illinois
Illinois is a comparative fault state, meaning each driver in an accident is financially responsible for the percentage of the accident they are proven to have caused. According to 735 ILCS 5/2-1117, the degree of fault can determine the way damages are assigned after a car accident. For example, if the other driver in the car accident claims you are 25% at fault for the accident, any dollar amount you receive will be reduced by that amount.
If you’re accused of being more than 50% at fault for the accident and can’t disprove it, you might not receive any compensation at all. If you think the other driver is entirely at fault, a personal injury attorney can help determine fault, find witnesses, examine the police report, and assign liability to your claim.
This information is crucial in insurance settlement negotiations because if you can’t prove fault, it can greatly reduce the value of your claim. Additionally, your potential settlement might be jeopardized if you delay too long before filing a claim.
Settle Your Insurance Claim Quickly and Accurately
Negotiating for and accepting an insurance claim quickly is as important as settling your claim accurately. The sooner your claim is settled, the sooner you can get back to recovering from the accident, replacing your property, and getting back to work.
In Illinois, you have a limited amount of time to file a claim for your physical injuries, emotional trauma, property damage, or for the wrongful death of a loved one who was killed in the accident (two years under 735 ILCS 5/13-202 and 740 ILCS 180/2, respectively).
Knowing and meeting these timelines on your own can be complicated and confusing. Your lawyer can ensure you know, understand, and meet the state-mandated timelines that may apply to your case.
The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers Can Help You
If you’ve been seriously injured in a car crash, our car accident lawyers can support your claim for financial compensation. Call today for a free consultation and get your questions about personal injury cases answered. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you are only responsible for legal fees if we win your case.
(312) 223-1700