Driving is a universal activity, and most of us expect to get where we are going and back safely. In fact, we owe it to those we share the road with to obey traffic laws and drive carefully. When someone fails to uphold this legal duty, they may cause devastating injuries, extensive financial losses, and even death.

At The Rooth Law Firm, our Evanston personal injury lawyer is dedicated to aggressively pursuing the maximum compensation possible to cover our clients’ medical expenses, loss of income or wages, pain and suffering, vehicle damage, and more. Since 1984, we have assisted thousands of individuals and their families as they pursue justice and seek the damages that will make them whole.

Call today to find out how our Evanston car accident attorney can help you.

Is it Worth Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney?

After an accident, your first priority should be to get medical attention. If possible, take photos of the scene, get witness identification and the other driver’s insurance information, and write down everything you remember. All facets of the accident will need to be reviewed to determine:

Who caused your accident
What kinds of damages you are entitled to
If and when the insurance company offers a fair settlement

Acting on your rights without legal assistance is often very difficult, especially if you are concerned about seeking medical care or providing for your family while you are out of work. The Rooth Law Firm would consider it an honor to advocate for you, collecting police reports, medical reports, witness statements, and more to build your case. We have extensive experience in handling such matters.

We also advise that you not accept quick settlement offers from any opposing insurer without getting a legal consultation, nor should you give them any written or recorded statements. Insurance companies have much more legal experience than the average accident victim, and they will not hesitate to use it against you by:

Refusing to negotiate in good faith
Pressuring you to accept their settlement offer quickly, even if it does not meet your needs
Unfairly assigning blame to you or denying their client is liable

Our legal team can advise you on all matters pertaining to your claim. We do everything possible under the law to help our clients obtain fair and just compensation, whether through a tough stance at the negotiation table or before a civil court.

Seeking Justice Means Seeking Damages

Negligent or reckless drivers can be held accountable under personal injury law for any and all injuries they cause. You could be entitled to reimbursement for:

Pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Reduced quality of life
Loss of time at work
Permanent disabilities
Medical expenses
Property damage

Our personal injury attorney has handled cases involving every type of injury imaginable, from broken bones to internal injuries, severe whiplash, torn and severed ligaments, back and neck injuries, shoulder injuries, spinal cord injuries, and brain injuries. No matter what you have lost, we can categorize each injury and expense to ensure you are justly compensated.

How Long After an Auto Accident Can You File a Lawsuit?

Most car accident victims have two years from the accident date to begin a lawsuit, according to 735 ILCS 5/13-202. However, the specifics of your case could affect this deadline, and you do not want to wait until the last minute to take action in any event.

Call The Rooth Law Firm for a free consultation now. We understand our clients are real people who have suffered painful and preventable losses. Let us quickly ascertain the details of your accident and protect your interests.

How Does Car Insurance Work in Illinois?

There are several factors that will determine coverage for accident-related costs, including which driver was at fault and whether each party has enough insurance. The short summary we provide below should give you a basic understanding of auto insurance coverage. We can provide more detailed information after thoroughly assessing your case.

Insurance and the Accident Victim

At the outset, your medical insurance and the medical payments provision under your own auto insurance (if you have this provision) will cover your medical bills. This occurs even while the insurance companies are determining where to allocate fault. Should the insurance companies and/or the court determine that the other driver was at fault, the other driver’s insurance company will reimburse your insurance companies for money paid out.

Insurance and the At-Fault Driver

The State of Illinois requires every single driver to carry automobile insurance. Minimum requirements are as follows:

$25,000 for personal injury or wrongful death per person
$50,000 for personal injury or wrongful death per accident
$20,000 for property damage

That policy steps in to pay for injuries and property damage caused by a negligent driver.

Insurance and Uninsured Motorists

Your legally mandated insurance also includes uninsured motorist coverage. If the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance to cover your losses or meet state minimums, this portion of your policy kicks in to help you pay your expenses.

If you suffered catastrophic injuries that exceed the at-fault party’s insurance limits, our personal injury attorney can explore other options, possibly including filing a lawsuit, for recovering what you need.

Evanston Car Accident Statistics

In a beautiful college town like Evanston, the possibility of being involved in a life-changing car crash may seem remote. And yet, data from the Illinois Department of Education (DOT) indicate that:

There were 949 motor vehicle accidents in the city in 2023.
These accidents resulted in 259 injuries and 3 deaths.
All of these numbers represent a significant increase over the crashes, injuries, and fatalities reported in 2022.

How Do Auto Accidents Happen?

The DOT report indicates that outside factors like rainy weather may sometimes contribute to traffic accidents, but these are exceptions to the rule: in 2023, 77 percent of accidents happened in clear weather conditions, and nearly 70 percent occurred during daylight hours.

The most common cause of motor vehicle accidents is driver negligence. The Rooth Law Firm can file a personal injury claim if you were the victim of:

Speeding. “Speeding” may refer to exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for particular conditions, like heavy traffic or fog. A speeding car takes much longer to stop, making it difficult to avoid crashing into others.
Distracted driving, which diverts your visual, manual, and cognitive senses away from the road. Potential distractions include texting while driving, talking on a cell phone or to passengers, eating, drinking, grooming, and adjusting devices.
Drunk and/or drugged driving. Drugs and alcohol can slow a driver’s reaction time and affect their judgment, making them a danger to themselves and others.
Fatigued driving. Lack of sleep diminishes your ability to focus, your reaction time, and your alertness.
Disobeying traffic laws. This can consist of running red lights, rolling through stop signs, following too closely, and failing to yield the right of way.
Aggressive driving, such as weaving in and out of traffic lanes, cutting off other drivers, and passing where it is unlawful to do so.

The above driving behaviors can result in all types of car accidents, from head-on collisions to side-swipes, rear-end collisions, and multi-car pileups on expressways and highways. Intersections are often especially dangerous, since they involve multiple streams of traffic all trying to navigate the same small area.

Is There Any Way to Prevent a Car Accident?

The best thing you can do to stay safe on the road is to drive defensively. Always keep your eyes open so that you can anticipate the moves of other drivers. This might involve:

Slowing down or maintaining a slower speed if someone suddenly brakes or attempts an unsafe lane change maneuver.
Executing left turns cautiously by checking behind you for cars and only turning when there is no oncoming traffic.
Not using your phone or succumbing to other distractions. Taking your eyes off the road at a busy, dangerous intersection for just a second can severely impact your ability to respond to sudden dangers.

If the worst happens and you are injured in a crash, The Rooth Law Firm is available 24/7 to assess your situation and educate you about your next steps. Our small yet aggressive firm is prepared to negotiate for a fair settlement or even represent you at trial if necessary.

Get a Free Consultation From Our Law Firm Today

Robert J. Rooth, founder of The Rooth Law Firm, wants to see justice done in every case. We understand how difficult it can be to get your life back on track after an accident, and we are here to help. Call now to learn more about how our Evanston car accident lawyer can support you during this difficult time.

Evanston Car Accident Lawyer

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