As one of the eight best Illinois towns to visit in 2024, a St. Louis suburb and home to nearly 30,000 residents, Edwardsville, IL, has a lot of traffic. Along with heavier traffic comes the increased risk of car accidents, of which this vibrant area has its share.
If you sustain injuries in a car accident, you can rely on a competent Edwardsville car accident lawyer from Walton Telken Injury Attorneys to protect your interests.
How an Edwardsville Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Many people obtain significantly higher car accident claim payouts when they hire a car accident attorney in Edwardsville. Liable insurance companies typically offer unreasonably low settlement amounts and may deny valid claims to avoid paying you fairly. Your Walton Telken legal team will:
- Offer information and case-specific legal advice
- Perform administrative tasks
- Investigate your car accident and gather evidence to support your claim
- Handle all communications with insurance companies
- Negotiate a favorable settlement or take your case to trial
Winning car accident claims can seem like a daunting prospect, but you don’t have to handle your claim alone.
Steps To Take if You Are Involved in an Edwardsville Car Accident
Injuries and adrenaline often make it difficult to concentrate on what you should do after a car accident. If possible, try to follow these steps:
- Remain at the accident scene.
- Notify law enforcement.
- Take photos and record videos of all relevant details.
- Accept or seek medical treatment.
- Contact a car accident lawyer in Edwardsville at Walton Telken Injury Attorneys to request your free case review.
We will explain further steps that you’ll need to take in the coming days, weeks, and months.
Never admit fault in a car accident
Your degree of fault directly affects your eligibility to seek compensation and the amount you can receive. Insurance companies may insist that even a simple apology implies fault to minimize your payout.
Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Edwardsville, IL
Your road to obtaining compensation begins with filing an insurance claim against the at-fault party or parties. In most cases, you and your Edwardsville car accident lawyer can settle your claim without needing to file a civil lawsuit.
If the liable insurance company refuses to pay you a fair amount, you have two years from the date of your car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois. The deadline for filing a property damage suit is five years.
Comparative Negligence in Illinois
More than one party is often responsible for causing a car accident. In Illinois, modified comparative negligence laws determine whether you can seek compensation if you share fault.
If your assigned degree of fault is less than 50%, you can file a compensation claim. However, expect a reduced payout relative to that percentage. For example, if you are 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, the most you can receive is $70,000.
Without the assistance of an Edwardsville car accident lawyer, insurers may try to place an inaccurate percentage of blame on you to minimize payouts or prevent you from filing a claim. At Walton Telken, we will investigate your accident to ensure that fault distribution is fair.
Assessing Damages in a Car Accident Claim
Every car accident is different and damages can be unique. You will likely have various kinds of accident-related expenses and may experience adverse impacts on your quality of life.
Economic damages
Economic damages in car accidents reimburse you for certain expenses, such as medical bills, lost wages, replacement services, and property damage. This category of damages uses exact figures, so be sure to give copies of all accident-related invoices and receipts to your attorney. We will use payroll information as evidence when seeking reimbursement for your lost wages.
Depending on the extent and severity of your injuries, you may be eligible to seek compensation for future medical costs and lost wages. Walton Telken will tell you if you qualify.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for how the car accident affected you. The payouts are typically higher for more severe conditions. These damages usually cover things like pain and suffering, PTSD and depression, damage to personal relationships, and losing your ability to enjoy life.
Many insurance companies argue about paying these damages because their existence is somewhat challenging to prove. Your Edwardsville car accident lawyer knows how to validate your condition and make reluctant insurers pay the compensation you deserve.
Edwardsville Car Accident Statistics
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 590 car crashes in Edwardsville in 2022:
- 1,107 vehicles were involved
- 128 accidents injured 161 people
- 500 of the crashes happened during clear weather conditions
- 963 involved drivers had no impairments at the time of the crash, with alcohol, drugs, or fatigue affecting most of the others
According to the DOT, there were no fatal car accidents in 2022. They do occur, however, and our team at Walton Telken can help eligible survivors with wrongful death claims.
Edwardsville Car Accident Injuries
Some of the most common injuries in car accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Cuts and bruises
- Head, facial, and spinal cord damage
Your injuries may prevent you from dealing with your car accident claim effectively. Thankfully, your Walton Telken legal team can handle the entire process on your behalf.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Edwardsville, IL
Several factors often combine to cause car accidents, many of which include driver error. Distracted driving, speeding, improper merging, following too closely, and failing to follow traffic laws are some of the most common causes of accidents.
If someone else’s negligence causes a car accident that injures you, contact Walton Telken Injury Attorneys as soon as possible.
Hiring an Edwardsville Car Accident Lawyer
The lawyers at Walton Telken Injury Attorneys have over 135 years of combined experience handling car accident claims similar to yours. Our focus on personal injury law and dedication to providing effective representation have helped us win millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.
If you need an Edwardsville car accident lawyer, contact us for your no-obligation, free case review today. You won’t pay us for our work on your case unless we win compensation for you. Let us assess your situation, tell you whether you have a valid claim, and explain how we can help you achieve a favorable outcome.
