Orland Park Car Accident Lawyer
Consult With An Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
No one is ever prepared for a car accident.
If you’re a victim of a car crash, it’s critical to find a lawyer who is prepared to help you through the aftermath. You may be unable to work or travel, all while facing rising medical costs. Car accidents can be emotionally and financially devastating, and you need legal advice to protect your rights and peace of mind. Michael J. Brennan is a car accident lawyer in the Cook County area with over thirty-five years of experience representing personal injury plaintiffs in and around the Orland Park region. If you’ve been in an accident, call our firm today to get a free evaluation of your case. Our policy is no cost until you win.
INJURIES AND CLAIMS
After an auto accident, your life may see some severe changes. No one walks away from a car accident better off than before the collision, but with proper legal help, you can find ways to make your recovery as painless as possible. Michael J. Brennan can help you determine if you’re eligible for compensation under Illinois’s comparative fault law. So long as your fault is not greater than the fault of the other motorist involved in the accident, you can collect financial damages for your losses, whether those are medical expenses, damage to your vehicle, or loss of work.
In minor cases, your insurance company may handle matters internally. Always look over the proposed compensation carefully—once you sign an insurance settlement, it’s final and won’t be changed to account for future losses or expenses associated with the accident. If the proposed compensation is unfair, consulting with a licensed car accident attorney can help you protect your rights. Always consult legal advice before filing a claim.
Michael J. Brennan is an Orland Park car accident lawyer who has helped many injured motorists in the aftermath of an accident. His firm has recovered over $10 million in claims for accident victims, helping clients in and around Cook County.
You shouldn’t have to pay for the faults of another driver. If you have suffered a car accident, get in touch with Mr. Brennan as soon as possible to protect your financial interests and standard of living.
FAQ: Steps to Take After an Accident
ATTORNEY RESPONSIBILITIES
There are many moving parts in financial compensation. Mr. Brennan will immediately communicate with insurance carriers, medical providers, and other parties that may have a role to play in your financial compensation. Our team of attorneys will obtain all important medical information and evidence, including accident reports, medical records, police reports, and other documents that can help you recover compensation. If a settlement cannot be reached, you can file an injury lawsuit with the Circuit Court in order to protect your interests. We are well-practiced with navigating the system, and can help you through this stressful process, so you can focus on getting back to normal.
The hours and days after a car accident are traumatic. You need to get medical treatment for yourself as well as other passengers in your car, call your workplace to notify them, and secure new forms of transportation while your car is under repair. With so much going on, worrying about legal questions on top of it all can leave you scrambling. Insurance companies may try to shuffle your accident along, and you may be tempted to sign off on a quick settlement for a meager amount, just to get it over with. Having an experienced auto accident lawyer on your side, will help you avoid mistakes during this critical time. Remember, your settlement will be final, and must cover all financial damages that you have suffered, present and future.
STEPS TO TAKE AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT
One moment, you’re listening to your favorite radio station; the next, you feel the jolt of another car’s bumper. You’ve been hit by a distracted driver.
This can’t be happening, you think. What do I do now?
The full extent of damages won’t be immediately apparent. Even if your car isn’t totaled, the next few days are going to be full of price tags for auto repairs and medical bills, and loss of work due to injury or lack of transportation may cut down on your income. It’s important to stay calm and follow these steps after your accident.
- Get Medical Care
Get emergency medical care, for both yourself and your passengers. Even if your injuries do not seem severe, it is critical that a medical professional documents and verifies your injuries. Many injuries may not be visible, but that does not mean that an internal injury has not occurred. If you don’t seek medical care, our team may find it challenging to prove that your injuries were the result of the accident.
- Report the Accident
Even if you are uninjured or have only a minor or moderate injury, report the crash to the police or to the Illinois Highway Patrol. Once law enforcement has been informed, report the accident to your insurance company as evidence that the accident occurred. Failure to file with your insurance company prevents the accident from being documented and recorded. An official report can help a car accident attorney to recover compensation for you.
- Exchange Information with the Other Motorist
Get information from the other motorist soon after the car accident. This may include their name, address, phone number, and other contact details. Ask for the contact information for the other driver’s insurance company and give them your own company’s information. You will need this information to help you get in touch with the other motorist’s insurance company and file a claim for damages.
- Collect Evidence
Begin the process of collecting evidence as soon as you are out of harm’s way. Valuable evidence can be found at the scene of the crash, but clean-up crews may remove this evidence not long after the crash. Take photographs of the damage to your vehicle and the other driver’s. Be sure to capture the full extent of the damage. Look for skid marks in the road, fragments of the vehicle, or damage done to the surrounding area and photograph it. If there is a dangerous road condition, like a malfunctioning traffic signal, or a damaged guardrail, photograph it. All of these details will help your attorney build a strong case for compensation.
TYPES OF COMPENSATION
If another driver’s error caused your crash, you shouldn’t have to pay the price for their negligence. Compensation can help make you whole. If you were involved in an auto accident in the Cook County region, you may be eligible for the following types of compensation:
- Medical Expenses
This compensation covers all medical expenses that resulted from your injury. These costs may include hospitalization, as well as the costs of rehabilitation therapy, medication, and even travel to and from your doctor’s office or hospital.
- Future Medical Expenses
Some accidents can cause catastrophic injuries with recurring medical costs. You may have to undergo medical surgeries or be on long-term medications. All of these expenses must be included in your damages, to ensure that you won’t face financial strain in the future.
- Loss of Earnings
These damages cover the lost income that you have suffered as a result of the crash, and the recovery period after. Our team can help you determine what that amount should be based on your pay rate and time spent out of work.
- Diminished Earning Capacity
These damages are meant to cover the loss of income that you could suffer if the injury has left you unable to sustain your livelihood. If you are unable to return to your former job or earn the same income, you may be faced with substantial financial loss. Diminished earning capacity ensures that anticipated losses are covered in your compensation.
- Pain and Suffering
The physical damages may heal, but your pain may continue for months or even years. Car accidents can drastically reduce quality of life, require medication or therapy, or prevent you from working and driving. Your attorney will include pain and suffering in a compensation claim to cover emotional and mental anguish.
- Punitive Damages
Sometimes, if a defendant has behaved particularly recklessly, the court may award punitive damages. These damages are not meant to cover the losses suffered by the victim, but rather to serve as a deterrent to others and a punishment for the defendant’s rash driving. Punitive damages may add up to a substantial amount of money. Talk to your attorney to determine whether your claim should include punitive damages.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I collect damages?
First, contact the other party’s insurance company. If the accident is minor, your insurance companies may decide on an amount outside of court, if the settlement is unfair, you may have the opportunity to sue for higher compensation. Before signing off on an insurance settlement, call an attorney to help protect your rights.
What if I don’t win my case?
Michael J. Brennan Injury and Accident Lawyer operates on a “No fee until you win” policy. We truly believe in fighting for the justice our clients deserve.
Who will handle my case?
Michael personally handles every case that is taken on by the office. You won’t be passed down to a junior attorney—Michael personally works with each of his clients to ensure that he finds the solution that is right for them.
What if I am partially at fault?
Due to Illinois’ comparative fault law, you may still be eligible for compensation. Contact our team today for a free evaluation of your case.
Do you represent motorcycle accidents?
Yes, our firm has extensive experience with automobile, motorcycle, bicycle, truck, bus accidents, and other types of motor vehicle accidents.
What if the other driver was drunk?
Our team has extensive experience handling drunk drivers, and Michael understands the sensitivity needed for these cases. Our auto accident lawyers have a reputation for providing quality and sensitive legal services.
How will you keep me informed?
We respond to all phone calls and emails within a period of 24 hours and ensure that you are frequently updated about the progress of your case. Our attorneys are always nearby and available to answer your questions.
How do you handle severe injuries?
Michael J. Brennan has extensive experience recovering damages for clients suffering from traumatic injuries, such as brain injuries, spinal injuries, and paralysis. No one should bear the costs of debilitating injuries alone, and our team will fight to give you the peace of mind you need to focus on recovery.
My insurance won’t recognize my injuries: what do I do?
Insurance companies will do anything they can to discredit injuries and costs, hoping to save on costs and reduce your claim to compensation. Michael J. Brennan has years of experience fighting with insurance providers and knows how to ensure that your injury is recognized.
Contact Our Car Accident Team
If you’re struggling with the aftermath of a traumatic car accident, we can help. Our firm has over 35 years of experience helping victims of personal injury accidents recover financial compensation. Michael J. Brennan knows that this is a stressful time and is here to help. Call today for a free evaluation of your case. No one should have to go through a car accident alone, and with Mr. Brennan as your car accident attorney, you’ll have responsive, experienced legal support at your side every step of the way.