Suppose you are driving down a road in Decatur, IL. Suddenly-BAM! There goes a car accident. Your heart is racing now; confusion sets in. What should you do? Car accidents lead relatively easily to injuries, huge bills even, sometimes legal entanglement. This piece tries to tell you what to do after a car crash in Decatur and how to go about getting the assistance you may need.
What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Decatur
It is super important to know what to do just after being involved in a car accident. The right steps prevent health and legal rights from being compromised.
Call 911 and Report the Accident
Someone is hurt, or there’s serious damage from the accident. Or if there is a blockage to traffic due to the accident, call even in this case. Give the location as well as the description of what has transpired when you call. The police will write up an official report. This is important for insurance claims.
Exchange Information with the Other Driver
If it is safe to do so, exchange information with the other driver involved. Get their name, address, phone number, and insurance specifics. Also, write down their license plate number and driver’s license info. Keep calm, and don’t admit fault. Just stick to the facts.
Gathering Evidence and Documenting the Scene
Collect evidence from the accident scene, which would later support your case. This would provide proof for you in filing your insurance claim or possibly suing someone for damages.
Take Photographs and Videos of the Accident Scene
Take your pictures, videos, etc. with your phone, taking pictures of all cars involved and showing damage to each one. Other things that have to be shot include license plates, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Wide shots with close-ups can be very useful.
Gather Witness Information
Try to get contact information from any witnesses. Their statements can back up your side of the story. Ask them what they saw and if they are willing to share their names and numbers.
Make a Detailed Accident Report
At the earliest opportunity, write everything you remember about that accident event. Remember to include the time and date, as well as the exact place where the event occurred. Tally the weather conditions and state of the road. Document what occurred before, during, and after the crash.
Understanding Illinois Car Accident Laws
Illinois has certain very specific laws in relation to car accident claims; knowing such laws would help make processing much easier.
Illinois’ Fault Based Insurance System
Illinois is a “fault” state, meaning that the person that caused the injury pays for damages. The at-fault driver is usually insured by their insurance company for costs. It is most important to know who is at fault in order to achieve a valid claim.
Limitation of Time
A time limit is placed on a person, eg individual victim, to file a personal injury claim after car accidents under the law of a particular state. In Illinois, this time limit is ordinarily two years from the moment of the accident. Exceeding this limit would mean the loss of one’s right to sue.
Comparative Negligence Rule
The “comparative negligence” rule followed in Illinois allows one to recover damages, even though the individual was at least slightly to blame for the accident. However, if the person was at fault for a vaguer percentage, say, seven percent, compensation would be lowered to that percentage. No recovery is made if a plaintiff’s fault exceeds 50 %.
Medical Treatment and Medical Documentation of Injuries
Medical treatment is of great importance after an accident, as some injuries do not come to light immediately. Plus, a good upkeep of medical records could even assist in your insurance claim.
Intention of Medical Treatment
Even if you are not feeling sick, visit a doctor immediately after an accident. Some injuries such as whiplash can develop after hours or days. Follow all instructions given by the physician and go for any scheduled checkup.
Maintenance of Medical Treatment and Cost
Document in detail all medical treatments, and keep records of medical bills, doctors’ notes, and therapy documents. This documentation is very important in case you claim.
Association of Injuries to the Accident
It should be noted by the doctor that the injury is from the accident, giving a direct reference to the day of injury; this should be very specific in the records to link an accident to the health issues he or she is claiming regarding insurance.
Working with Insurance Companies After a Car Accident
Insurance companies can get tough to deal with. Knowing pretty much all there is to know about the process makes it simpler.
Notice to Insurance Company
Notify your insurance company of an accident without delay as soon as possible. They will want to know about the basic details of the crash. Keep it to the facts and avoid any speculation regarding fault.
The Other Driver’s Insurance Company
This will just prepare you for the fact that you will likely have to deal with the insurance company of the other driver. Beware of what you say. They may try to elicit an admission of fault from you. It’s usually better to have a lawyer talk to them before you make a statement.
