When to Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident

Suffering from a traumatic car accident frequently leaves people battling severe physical pain, emotional anguish, and increasing financial hardships. 

Most people are often unsure when they should hire a personal injury attorney to help them navigate the complicated and distressing aftermath of their accident. 

Working with a dedicated car accident injury attorney will help protect your rights and maximize your chances of recovering compensation for the damages incurred from your car accident. Your attorney will manage the convoluted and lengthy insurance claim process, allowing you and your loved ones to better focus on your health and recovery. 

Contact our team of experienced attorneys at Walner Law at (312) 410-8496 to schedule your free initial case consultation. Let us give you and your loved ones the help you deserve during this stressful and complicated time. 

Common Injuries Caused by Car Accidents 

Devastating car accidents often leave survivors battling with severe physical injuries and emotional distress. 

Common injuries caused by car accidents include:

• Whiplash of the neck
• Cuts, scrapes, abrasions, and lacerations
• Bruises and contusions
• Burns, whether from a vehicle catching fire or a chemical burn from airbags deploying
• Dislocated joints
• Soft tissue damage in the form of sprains and strains of muscles, tendons, and ligaments
• Broken, fractured, or shattered bones
• Herniated, compressed, or ruptured discs in the back
• Spinal cord injuries, often leading to partial or complete paralyzation
• Traumatic brain injuries, ranging from a concussion to a more severe and long-term cognitive impairment
• Internal bleeding and internal organ damage, commonly resulting in more severe health complications
• Post-traumatic stress
• Wrongful death

Call our team today at the Walner Law if you or one of your loved ones suffered an injury or wrongful death from a catastrophic car accident. Let us help you get the care, justice, and compensation you deserve for your unjust pain and suffering. 

Common Causes of Car Accidents

A car accident is a traumatic and painful experience for survivors and their loved ones. 

A number of factors cause car accidents, including:

• Driving while impaired – Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly increase the risk of causing an accident. Even prescription or over-the-counter medications lead to adverse side effects that impair a driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that one person dies every 39 minutes from a drunk driving accident, with approximately 13,525 alcohol-related fatalities occurring in the United States in one recent year. The NHTSA further reports that 56 percent of drivers who were in a serious injury and fatal crash in one recent year tested positive for at least one drug. 
• Distracted driver -A distracted driver risks the safety of everyone on the roadway. Common distractions include using a cell phone, conversing with passengers, searching for items in the cabin, adjusting the radio, or eating. The NHTSA estimates that 3,310 people were killed as a result of a distracted driver in one recent year in the United States. 
• Driving while fatigued – A fatigued, drowsy, or sick driver experiences delayed reaction times and reduced awareness behind the wheel, increasing the risk of accidents. According to the NHTSA, drowsy drivers caused nearly 700 deaths in one recent year. 
• Aggressive driving – Aggressive driving behaviors are frequent causes of collisions. Examples include road rage, abrupt lane changes without signaling, tailgating, speeding, and driving too fast for conditions. According to the NHTSA, an estimated 12,150 people were killed from speeding-related incidents in the United States in one recent year. 
• Ignoring traffic signs and signals – Drivers who disregard traffic signals and signage increase the likelihood of accidents. Common examples include failing to stop at a stop sign, ignoring traffic lights, or not yielding the right-of-way at pedestrian crossings.
• Inexperienced driver – Inexperienced drivers have slower reaction times and less intuition behind the wheel, making it difficult for them to navigate the challenges on the road safely.  
• Roadway complications – Issues with roadway maintenance, unclear lane markings, potholes, and active construction zones commonly hinder a driver’s ability to control their vehicles safely and effectively.
• Sudden changes in traffic patterns – Unexpected changes in traffic patterns make it hard for drivers to navigate safely, especially if they are distracted or inexperienced. 
• Poorly maintained vehicles – Vehicle owners must conduct regular maintenance to secure vehicle safety. Common maintenance issues include faulty brakes, worn tires, and low fluid levels.
• Low visibility on the roadway – Low visibility on the road is a hazard for all drivers. Common examples include driving through inclement weather, fog, or after dark. 

Schedule your free case consultation with our dedicated team at the Walner Law today. Let us help you get the care, justice, and compensation you deserve for your unjust car accident. 

Car Accidents in Chicago

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that close to 70 percent of motor vehicle crash-related deaths in Illinois occurred in urban areas in one recent year. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 1,270 traffic fatalities occurred in Illinois in one recent year. Of the reported fatalities, the NHTSA discloses that an estimated 470 were alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, and approximately 415 were speeding-related fatalities.

In Chicago’s Cook County, the NHTSA reports nearly 400 fatal vehicle accidents occurred that same year. There were 152 alcohol-impaired fatalities in the county and 136 speeding-related fatal crashes. 

Contact our dedicated team today at the Walner Law if a car accident harmed you or your loved one. 

Can I Receive Compensation for My Car Accident?

Suffering in a traumatic car accident often leaves survivors struggling with immense physical pain, emotional anguish, and mounting financial burdens.  

You can recover compensation for all of your damages if you were in a car accident, including:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Partial or permanent disability
• Inability to use a body part
• Property damage
• Medical expenses, both present and future
• Lost wages and lost future earning capacity
• Lost quality of life
• Lost consortium or companionship
• Wrongful death
• Punitive damages
• Any additional associated expenses

Working with a skilled and well-versed car accident attorney will help protect your rights while maximizing your chances of recovering compensation for all of the damages incurred from your accident. 

Contact our team at the Walner Law today to schedule your free case consultation. 

What to Do After a Car Accident

After a car accident, to safeguard your health, protect your rights, and maximize your chances of recovering compensation for all of your damages:

Seek and Follow Medical Advice 

Seek professional medical advice immediately after your car accident to safeguard your health.

Some injuries are hard to determine at the time of the accident, like internal bleeding or a brain injury. Other injuries may take hours, days, or weeks to develop fully. 

Follow all advice and treatment plans that your trusted medical team provides you. 

Maintain Detailed Documentation 

Maintain a detailed file of documentation for all items associated with your car accident, including:

• A journal documenting what you remember from the accident, as well as any pain and suffering you experienced from the incident
• Photographs and videos from the scene of the accident, if available
• Photographs and videos of any injuries that you sustained in the accident 
• Photographs and videos of any property damage the accident caused
• A copy of the police report
• Notes and documentation from all interactions with other parties, including any witnesses at the scene, other drivers or passengers involved in the accident, emergency medical response team members, and insurance agencies
• Doctors’ notes and treatment plans

Track All Expenses

Track all expenses that resulted from your car accident, including:

• Medical bills and any medical assistive devices needed
• Property damage 
• Lost wages, both present and future

Contact an Attorney

Contact an attorney immediately after your accident to make sure you meet all of your state’s statutes of limitations for your case. 

Having the help of a diligent attorney after your painful car accident will protect your rights and maximize your chances of recovering compensation for all of your damages. 

Contact our team today at the Walner Law to schedule your free case consultation. Let us help you get the care, justice, and compensation you deserve for your devastating car accident. 

Why Should I Hire the Walner Law for My Car Accident Case?

Suffering from the painful experience of a terrifying car accident leaves most people with severe injuries, emotional anguish, and increasing financial hardships.

Most people are unsure what to do next and who to turn to for help during this complicated and painful time. 

Working with a car accident attorney in the immediate aftermath of your accident will help protect your rights and enhance your chances of recovering maximum compensation for your damages suffered from your unjust accident. 

At the Walner Law, we know how complicated and distressing a car accident is for survivors and their loved ones. Our experienced team of trusted attorneys works tirelessly to attain proper compensation for its clients and protect their rights.

We offer all our clients a free initial consultation, during which we will learn more about your accident and help guide you on the best legal path forward. 

Our team at Walner Law strives to recover the best compensation possible for our clients while holding all responsible parties accountable. 

We have successfully recovered the below compensation for our clients:

• $45 million for a near-fatal crash due to a reckless vehicle pursuit
• $23.5 million for the loss of legs in a conveyor belt accident
• $21 million for a permanent spinal cord injury in an auto accident
• $14.85 million for failure to diagnose and treat a stroke
• $11 million for the wrongful death of a mom with a four-year-old child
• $10 million for the loss of a foot after a cement truck accident
• $1.9 million for a wrongful death caused by a motor vehicle accident

Our attorneys at Walner Law know how difficult it is to navigate the complicated aftermath of an accident. We try to ease the client’s stress during this trying time. As a result, our clients often express gratitude for the ease of working with our team. 

• Jesus was thankful for how our team kept him informed every step of the way in his case. 
• Kenya was grateful for our help and how hard we fought to win her case. 
• Kayla expressed her confidence with our team representing her and said she was glad she had never felt pressured by our team.

Contact our dedicated team at Walner Law today, and let us help you manage the painful and complicated aftermath of your devastating car accident.

When to Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident

Most car accident survivors are left managing severe physical injuries, emotional anguish, and financial hardships after their devastating accident. 

Many are unsure what to do next and when to hire an attorney. 

Contact an attorney immediately after your car accident to make sure you meet all of your statutes of limitations for your case. 

Working with a reliable and assertive car accident attorney after your painful accident will help lighten the stressful burden felt by you and your loved ones and allow you to focus better on your health and recovery. 

Trying to navigate the complicated and overwhelming insurance claim process alone without seeking professional help often takes up to a year or more, leaving most people feeling exhausted, confused, and frustrated. 

Insurance companies frequently try to delay the claim process and even use the claimant’s words and statements against them during settlement to minimize or eliminate the compensation they must pay to the claimant.

Partnering with an experienced car accident attorney will help protect you and your loved ones from the insurance company’s tactics while keeping the claim process moving forward in a timely manner. 

Your legal team will advocate firmly on your behalf to help you recover maximum compensation for all of your damages, including:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Partial or permanent disability
• Inability to use a body part
• Property damage
• Medical expenses, both present and future
• Lost wages and lost future earning capacity
• Lost quality of life
• Lost consortium or companionship
• Wrongful death
• Punitive damages
• Any additional associated expenses

A dedicated legal team will keep you updated throughout your claim process and will make sure to clearly and thoroughly answer all of your questions and address your concerns. 

Contact our team today at the Walner Law for your free case consultation. Let us manage the complicated legal aftermath of your car accident so you and your loved ones can focus on your health and recovery. 

Work With an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents leave most survivors battling immense physical pain, emotional distress, and increasing financial hardships. 

Most people don’t know what to do next and when they should contact an attorney for help. 

Working with an experienced car accident attorney in the immediate aftermath of your accident will protect your rights and maximize your chances of recovering maximum compensation for the unjust damages caused by your accident. 

Call our team at Walner Law today at (312) 410-8496 for your free case consultation with one of our reliable attorneys.

Our Chicago office is conveniently located downtown, just a few blocks west of Millennium Park.