Car Accident Lawyers Who Know How Insurance Companies Work

If you’ve been injured in Chicago, our attorneys can help

After you’ve been hurt in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, it seems like recovering financial compensation should be simple. Insurance companies can be very difficult to deal with, however. The experienced car accident attorneys at Keating Law Offices, P.C. know how to recover the compensation you deserve.

It’s important to remember that after a car accident, insurance companies aren’t on your side. Insurance companies want to make money and are always thinking about the bottom line. So, in order to keep profits high, they try to keep payouts low. They’ve developed many different tactics they use to try to avoid their responsibility.

Here are some of the ways an insurance company may try to limit your compensation:

They’ll question your injuries.

The insurance company may insist that the accident was not severe enough to cause your injuries. They may insist that you go an independent medical examination. What they really want is for you to be examined by a doctor of their choosing who will see things their way.

They’ll argue your injuries were pre-existing.

An insurance company may file a discovery request for your medical records. They are looking for information they can use against you. For example, if you hurt your back in the car accident, they will look for evidence that you previously suffered from back problems.

They’ll blame your for causing the accident.

The state of Illinois uses a contributory negligence system for resolving personal injury claims. If one party is found to be at least 50 percent responsible for causing an accident, that party can be held liable for damages. If the other party was partially responsible for causing the accident, that will impact the total amount of recovery. For example, if you are found to be 20 percent responsible for causing an accident, any financial compensation you are awarded will be reduced by 20 percent.

They’ll make you a lowball settlement offer.

Soon after your accident, you may be contacted by the insurance company with a settlement offer. They will promise quick payment if you accept. They may even tell you that it’s the best they can do, but the amount will fall far short of covering the actual damages you have suffered.

Insurance companies have lawyers looking out for their best interests. It’s their job to try to find ways to pay you as little as possible. That is why you need an experienced Chicago car accident attorney fighting for your rights.

Our legal team investigates your accident to get the facts for ourselves. We know where to look for evidence that helps hold the negligent driver accountable. We carefully review accident reports and medical records. We identify and interview witnesses. If needed, we consult accident reconstruction experts and other specialists.

Our attorneys focus on building strong cases that the insurance companies can’t ignore. This makes them take your claim seriously, and they often agree to talk about a settlement. We are only interested in a resolution of your case that meets your needs. This includes compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages, such as pain and suffering.

Learn more about how we can help you with your claim. Talk to one of our Chicago car accident attorneys during a free consultation. Contact us today to schedule a time.