Were you recently in a car accident in Illinois for which you were partially to blame? If so, you should know that state law allows you to recover compensation as long you are not more than 50 percent at fault for the crash. However, the amount you can recover will depend on your percentage of fault—and this is why it’s so important to get in touch with an experienced car accident attorney, as they can help you maximize your compensation. Here’s how.
A Car Accident Attorney Can Independently Investigate What Happened
A lawyer will likely start by investigating the accident to determine exactly what happened. While you might assume you are to blame, remember that your perspective is limited by what you experienced. Your attorney, on the other hand, can look at the incident through the dispassionate eyes of the legal system and give you an honest assessment of your degree of blame. Specifically, they’ll look at evidence such as:
- Police reports
- Eyewitness accounts
- Crash debris and skid marks
- Photos of the scene
- Footage from security or dashboard cameras
- Post-accident vehicle inspections
A Car Accident Attorney Can Build a Compelling Case
Armed with the evidence they gathered in the previous step, your attorney can work with accident reconstruction experts to determine a likely chain of events leading to the crash. As they do so, they will endeavor to illustrate that you were as little to blame for the accident as possible, bolstering their assertion with legally sound arguments.
A Car Accident Attorney Can Negotiate for a Fair Settlement
Next, your car accident attorney will use their compelling case to negotiate with the other driver’s insurance provider. Their goal is to convince the company’s adjusters that their policyholder was primarily to blame for what happened, so that the adjusters will make a settlement offer that reflects that fact. This may take several rounds of intense negotiation, as the adjusters’ job is to divert blame away from their policyholder in order to save the company money.
A Car Accident Attorney Can Take Your Case to Trial
If the insurance company simply will not make a fair settlement offer, your car accident lawyer can prepare your case for trial and argue it before a judge or jury. They will present the compelling evidence they gathered earlier to the court, attempting to place as much fault for the accident onto the other driver as possible. Remember, every percentage point they can shave off your share of fault represents more money back in your pocket.
Contact Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. for Help
Don’t let your worries about fault stop you from seeking fair compensation after a car accident. Instead, contact the experienced team with Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. to get an honest assessment of what your case could be worth. Our Illinois car accident lawyers are ready to assert your rights and seek every cent possible in compensation.