This is the next post in my series on the handling of Peoria, Illinois auto accidents which involve commercial vehicles. My last article discussed why commercial vehicle accidents typically involve multiple defendants. These defendants can include the vehicle’s driver, the employer, and other third parties. Retaining an experienced attorney can assist with ensuring that all necessary parties are named. In this article I will discuss the process of dealing with insurance after a wreck. If you or a family member are in need of assistance then contact my office today to speak with a personal injury lawyer.
Your attorney will contact the insurance carriers shortly after the accident
It is common for accident victims to be contacted by the defendant’s insurance carriers shortly after an accident. The adjusters who work for these carriers will attempt to deal with you directly and will often claim that it is in your best interest to not retain an attorney. It is vital that you remember, however, that these adjusters work for the insurance company. Their job is to maximize the insurance company’s profits and this means that they need you to settle for the lowest amount possible. An attorney, by contrast, is charged with protecting your interests and with gaining you the largest possible settlement. It is, therefore, strongly suggested that if you are contacted by an insurance adjuster, tell them that they will be hearing from your attorney once you retain counsel. It is also suggested that you deal with them no further.
Once you have retained an attorney then counsel will inform the insurance adjusters of the representation. The adjusters will then deal with your lawyer directly. Counsel will stay in close contact with your medical providers and, once your long-term chances of recovery are reasonably known, they will send a demand for payment to the insurer. This demand will include compensation for past and future lost wages, past and future medical bills, as well as pain and suffering. There will typically be back and forth negotiation between the insurer and your counsel. If a settlement cannot be reached then a lawsuit will be filed on your behalf. The vast majority of cases, however, settle without litigation.
Peoria injury victims should be aware that it can take substantial time for a case to settle
Those injured in Peoria and other parts of Illinois must understand that it may take substantial time to reach a settlement if the case involves serious injuries. This is due to the fact that a victim’s long-term prognosis should be reasonably known before making a settlement request. If a victim accepts a “quick” settlement, believing that they will make a full recovery, then they will be without needed funds later if their recovery is limited. While it may be frustrating to have to wait to resolve the matter, waiting until you know your future prognosis helps to ensure that you receive the full amount to which you are entitled.
If you or a family member have been in a wreck which involved a commercial vehicle then contact my office today to speak with a Peoria car accident lawyer. My firm is dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals over those of insurance companies and we will give your case the attention it deserves. Contact us online or by telephone to schedule an initial consultation. Our firm also serves clients in the Illinois cities of Bloomington, Eureka, Galesburg, Morton, Normal, Pekin, Springfield, and Washington.
