Rockford Car Accidents: What You Need To Know

These steps are some of the most important things you can do after a crash, both for your health and for any case you may need to bring related to the accident.

1. Get medical care immediately, even if you feel “all right” at the crash scene. You may be in shock.
2. If you are able, document the crash scene by taking photos of your car and the place where the collision occurred and getting the other driver’s name and contact information.
3. Report the accident to the police, particularly if there may be injuries or your car has more than $1,500 in damage. This is an important document for your case.
4. Contact your insurer – insurance companies require timely reporting of claims to consider them valid.
5. Do NOT make admissions to the police or to the other driver’s insurance company. Do not apologize or claim fault. Stick to factual descriptions of the situation.
6. Call a personal injury attorney who can help you file a claim for settlement money and who can represent you if you need to file a personal injury lawsuit.

In Illinois, if you purchased uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as part of a full coverage auto insurance package, you should be able to make a claim up to the limits of your policy. However, taking advantage of this coverage puts you in an adversarial position with your own insurance company, so having an experienced attorney is a must for receiving the maximum amount available from your claim.

You may claim two types of compensation after a car accident. Economic compensation covers directly measurable losses, such as:

• Medical bills
• Physical or occupational therapy related to the accident
• Lost income due to being unable to work
• Vehicle repair or replacement
• Rental cars during the vehicle repair period

Non-economic losses are also available to Illinois motorists injured in an accident and include:

• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement and disability
• Wrongful death if the motorist dies as a result of the accident
• Loss of companionship (in the case of a wrongful death)