Schaumburg Car Passenger Injuries Lawyer

Car Accident Lawyers for Passenger Injury Victims

Passenger injuries in Illinois car accidents are serious problems that have a significant impact on the lives of many people. Car accidents happen for countless reasons. Driver negligence, adverse weather conditions, mechanical failures, and more can leave vehicle passengers vulnerable to catastrophic injuries.

The types and severity of passenger injuries can vary widely. Such injuries often present differently than driver-related injuries, but they can be equally devastating. Regardless of how a passenger is injured in a car accident, confronting the aftermath can be overwhelming. In addition to recovering from physical ailments, passengers in car accidents often face lost income, changed personal relationships, reduced mobility, and the prospect of a long and complicated insurance claims process to recover compensation for their pain and suffering.

Fortunately, passengers injured in car accidents do have the right to seek compensation through personal injury claims with the help of an experienced attorney. At Vito & Dollenmaier Law, we have worked with many people injured as passengers in serious car accidents. We have seen firsthand the devastating impact such injuries can have, and we are determined to use our experience and skills to help each of our clients seek justice and fair compensation.

Is Illinois a Fault State for Vehicle Accidents?

Illinois operates under a “fault-based” system, which means that someone must be found responsible for an accident and deemed at-fault before any insurance claims can be processed. In simpler terms, fault-based insurance determines who should be held accountable for any damages or injuries inflicted as a result of the accident. Under this system, the at-fault party’s insurance company is responsible for compensating the injured party for any medical expenses, vehicle repairs, or other losses that may have occurred. This method ensures that the responsible party bears the majority of the financial burden resulting from the accident. If the person responsible for the accident is uninsured, an injured passenger may receive uninsured motorist coverage under his/her own auto insurance policy.

In a fault-based state, post-accident investigations conducted by insurance companies, law enforcement, and other relevant parties can be important when bringing a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Gathering evidence such as eyewitness accounts, surveillance video footage, and forensic analysis helps establish who is at fault. When a passenger has been injured in a car accident, the at-fault driver may be the driver of another car, but it may also be the driver of the car in which the passenger was riding.

While the fault system may seem straightforward, the complexities surrounding accidents can sometimes make it difficult to determine who is at fault. In such instances, insurance companies, lawyers, and courts may play critical roles in the process of reaching a resolution.

How Can an Attorney Help a Passenger Injured in a Car Crash?

Car accident cases are often made up of many moving pieces. Having to manage a personal injury lawsuit on your own when you are trying to recover from the trauma of a car accident can be next to impossible. Furthermore, insurance companies know that individuals who do not have an attorney may not know the legal system and are often caught off guard by the tactics that may be used to devalue a claim.

An attorney can protect you from these situations. In addition to making sure you are not targeted by unscrupulous insurance company employees, your attorney will:

• Gather evidence
• Help prove who is at fault
• Make sure your case complies with Illinois’ statute of limitation for personal injury (generally two years from the date of the accident)
• File paperwork
• Negotiate a fair settlement
• Litigate your case in court
• Help reduce medical bills and/or subrogation amounts

Contact a Schaumburg Car Accident Attorney

You may deserve compensation if you were a passenger in a car accident and suffered an injury. Contacting a personal injury attorney is a significant first step in seeking justice. At Vito & Dollenmaier Law, our well-respected and knowledgeable attorneys take pride in assisting clients in pursuing the compensation they may deserve. We serve clients in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, such as Palatine, Schaumburg, and Rolling Meadows. Call us today at 224-539-8821 for a free consultation.