If you are involved in an automobile accident be very leery of any offer an insurance adjuster makes, this is especially true in the early stages of your case. Insurance adjusters work for their insurance companies who do not want to part with any more money than they have to and their adjusters are trained in delay and deny tactics. This is exactly the reason insurance adjusters try to get victims to settle early; at this stage they will not have had an opportunity to hire an automobile accident attorney in Chicago.
If you ever want to see a fair settlement there are things that you must do if you have any hope of building a strong case against the at-fault driver and the insurance company.
Police involvement: Even if the accident is minor, involve the police. Call as soon as you can, the dispatcher will send officers to the scene and get medical assistance to you as well. The police will investigate the accident and prepare a report, a copy of which will be issued to both drivers. It is important to have a record of the accident because it helps to establish the facts. Without a police report it will be difficult down the road when you find yourself arguing with the insurance company while they sit back and deny the claim.
Take pictures and gather statements: Nothing is better than pictures; very few people do not have smart phones with a built in camera, never leave the scene without taking pictures from every angle. Photograph the position of the cars, skid marks and the road conditions. If there were witnesses of the accident ask them to make a written statement and include their name and contact details if you need to get in touch with them in the future.
Talk to a lawyer: This is the time to talk to an automobile accident attorney in Chicago. The attorney can help you avoid mistakes that can weaken your case. The attorney is well aware of the time element and will see to it that the case is pursued within the timeframe. The attorney will gather all pertinent information and data such as medical reports, they will also track the medical treatment you are getting and they will represent your interests when it comes time to demand full and fair compensation from the insurance company.
