Check for Injuries
Health and safety are paramount after a crash. If anyone is injured, call for emergency medical assistance as soon as you are able to safely do so. Do not move anyone who is injured unless it is necessary to avoid further injury. If paramedics come to the scene, they can provide basic life support and run initial tests until the injured person can get to a clinic or hospital for more complete evaluations.
Call the Police
Call the police and politely ask for their help. Police officers can come to a scene, gather information about the accident, and sometimes gather witness information. The police can help record what happened to cause the crash. If you are able to tell them what happened, your statement might be recorded and later used as evidence in your case.
If Possible, Obtain Information
Obtain the names and contact information (including phone, email, and mailing address) of the people involved in the crash. Also obtain the full names and complete contact information of witnesses. When you're injured, this will be a difficult step to take. Often it's impossible. But knowing who actually witnessed the crash can go a long way in helping your case.
Take Photographs
Pictures of the scene of the accident can go a long way in establishing who is at fault and helping to support your claim. Pictures of any visible injuries, like scrapes, bruises, cuts and abrasions, can also help people understand your injuries better.
Seek Medical Attention
It is important to seek medical attention following trauma to the body. Some injuries may not present right away, but having a doctor or qualified health professional assess what happened will be important to your recovery. In Illinois, we are fortunate to have some of the best health care workers in the country. They can help you. The sooner you seek medical attention, the sooner you can begin to recover.
Work with an Advocate
After a crash, even the strongest and smartest people are at their most vulnerable. Don't let pride get in the way of seeking help from someone who has ethical duties to protect your rights and the experience to provide you with additional steps that are critical to a full recovery after a crash. Talk to a lawyer before you talk to any insurance companies or potential defendants who caused your crash. A free and confidential consultation costs you nothing and can protect you from the traps that insurance companies and others set. An advocate in your corner can help you recover fully and more quickly than handling a claim on your own.
Working with an advocate.
Should I hire a personal injury attorney even though my friends or my insurance adjuster is telling me not to?
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Insurance companies continue to make record profits year over year. One reason the wealthy companies stay wealthy is because they hope customers will pay premiums without ever actually using the product they are paying for (i.e. financial coverage to reimburse losses). An analogy is like running a grocery store where the customers give the cashier $75.00, but never take any groceries. The insurance industry encourages people to give them money without ever getting something tangible in return. It’s a smart business model for the insurance company. But their success requires injured people to lose out.
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If you have been involved in an accident, call Reuland Law to learn your rights before you face off with against your insurance company. Insurance adjusters frequently try to settle your case quickly and for less than you deserve. Attorney Tom Reuland helps you understand the value of your claim and negotiate with the insurance company to ensure that you receive a fair settlement.
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Can I still call a lawyer even after I already started talking to my insurance company?
Yes. If you are already dealing with an insurance adjuster, call us now to be sure you’re on the right path. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers working behind the scenes to maximize their outcomes, not your outcome, and grow their profits. There is nothing stopping you from calling Reuland Law even after you have opened a claim. Of course, injured people who work with an attorney from the start often end up recovering tens of thousands of dollars more than people who don’t.
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If you’re someone who was injured or knows someone who is injured, it is worth considering whether you want to contribute to the insurance industries continued success, or if you want them to pay for medical bills, wage loss, and other damages. Sometimes, insurance adjusters will make promises to pay money for medical bills if someone not represented by an attorney signs some paperwork. Be very careful, as there are plenty of examples where people unwittingly sign away their rights to have basic damages, like medical bills, paid by the insurance company.
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Reuland Law can also help you navigate the legal process and handle paperwork and documentation required for your claim. We gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong case to support your claim.
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This is my first accident. Should I call an attorney?
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If you are in pain or were injured after an accident, calling Reuland Law could be the best decision you ever make. After crashes, insurance companies might try and call people involved in the crash and get them to accidentally mischaracterize what happened so they can settle out their claim file quickly. However, a ten-minute call to an experienced personal injury attorney provides peace of mind, costs nothing, and is confidential if you reach out to Reuland Law. While this might be your first crash, attorney Tom Reuland has years of experience helping hundreds of clients injured in crashes and other types of cases. Reuland Law knows the traps that insurance companies love to set and knows how to help people avoid common mistakes.