Automobile Accident FAQ
Personal Injury – Processing Your Case
Even though the other driver is clearly at fault, that driver is presumed innocent until there is a trial or that driver’s insurance company agrees to pay. Even if it agrees to pay, it will only pay when all your medical care is finished. In the meantime, you are still responsible for paying the doctors and hospital. Therefore, you want to submit the bills to your insurance company. We will force the other driver’s insurance company to reimburse yours.
Unless the other driver pleads guilty to the traffic violation, the outcome of the ticket will have no bearing on your civil case. The ticket is between that driver and the City or State. You would only be a witness.
The purpose of injury compensation is to put you in the position you would have been in had the crash not occurred. You recover one dollar for each dollar of damages. You are entitled to economic damages (medical bills, lost wages) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, loss of normal life).
If your insurance company paid your medical bills and the at-fault driver’s insurer paid you for those same bills, you would be compensated twice. Insurance policies include reimbursement rights so your insurer is repaid, and you still recover correctly for your damages.
Every Illinois insurance company must offer Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage. It applies when the at-fault driver lacks enough coverage to pay your damages. Your insurer compensates you up to your policy limits.
If you work in Illinois or were hired in Illinois but were injured in another state while working, you may still file a Worker’s Compensation Claim in Illinois.
Contact Us
If you have other questions about auto accidents and the process of filing a claim, contact Barber Law Office LLC’s professional attorneys at (847) 303-9780.