Belleville SUV Accident Lawyer

SUVs often provide the driver and his or her occupants with a feeling of safety due to the larger size and higher power of the vehicle when compared to sedans. However, as any Belleville SUV accident lawyer can tell you, for other roadway users — particularly pedestrians — SUVs present additional hazards, including:

• A higher point of impact when involved in a pedestrian accident, meaning an increased risk of injuries to the head, chest, and abdominal area.
• The vehicle is taller and longer than a passenger car, which makes the driver sit higher and causes increased blind spots resulting in car accidents.
• The additional power that SUVs feature often leads drivers to take unnecessary risks.

When Should I Call a Belleville SUV Accident Lawyer?

If you have been injured in an accident involving an SUV in Illinois that was the result of someone else’s carelessness or recklessness, you should call a Belleville SUV accident lawyer as soon as possible in order to allow him or her the opportunity to begin working on your case. There are a number of reasons for this, including these two important ones:

• The statute of limitations for your case. Individuals who have suffered personal injury as a result of someone else’s actions must file their lawsuit for compensation in court generally within two years in Illinois or they lose the right to seek compensation. While two years seems like a long time, there are a number of steps in the process that need to be accomplished before the paperwork is filed, and there are situations in which the statute of limitations is less than two years.
• Your attorney can handle the insurance adjuster. It is not uncommon for the at-fault party’s insurance adjuster to contact you in an attempt to receive a statement or even make a settlement offer. It is almost always a mistake to speak with the insurance adjuster without talking to an attorney first, as insurance companies have a number of tactics they use to avoid large payouts on accident claims, including using anything you say as a defense against your claim or getting you to agree to a settlement that is far below the value of your case in exchange for a quick resolution. Your attorney will handle the insurance adjuster while you focus on your recovery, and will determine a value for your case that is based on the injuries, pain and suffering, disability, and expenses you have incurred and will likely incur in the future.

What Steps Should I Take After an SUV Accident?

After an SUV accident, you should take the following steps:

1. If you are physically able, obtain the information you are required to exchange with all other drivers involved in the accident, including the driver’s name and contact information; the name and phone number of the driver’s insurance carrier; the policy number and expiration date of the auto insurance policy as printed on the driver’s insurance card; and the make, model, year, and color of the vehicle’s involved. If you are too injured to obtain this information, a passenger can obtain it for you. Additionally, if there is no one available to obtain the other driver’s information for you, the police will gather this information for their report.

2. Seek prompt medical attention for your injuries. Keep copies of all diagnostic information as well as all invoices for injury-related services provided.

3. Avoid making statements about the accident to other drivers at the scene, to the other party’s insurance provider, or on social media.

4. Contact an experienced Belleville SUV accident lawyer for a free case review to learn about your legal option for obtaining compensation for the injuries, pain and suffering, disability, and expenses from your accident.

What Are Some of the Most Common Injuries in an SUV Accident?

SUV accidents can produce some of the most serious injuries a person can suffer, including traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. The brain and the spinal cord make up the body’s central nervous system, which controls all the body’s functions and involuntary responses. Unfortunately, in spite of their importance, neither of these parts of the body are known to heal very well after injury, meaning that both of these injuries often result in permanent deficits.

Other injuries common to SUV accidents include:

• Soft tissue injuries, including whiplash as well as damage to the ligaments, joints, tendons, nerves, and skin.
• Internal injuries, including damage to the lungs, spleen, kidneys, or liver. These injuries often present with delayed symptoms, meaning there is a risk that the individual will not know how seriously they are injured until the damage becomes severe.
• Broken bones, lacerations, and concussions.

Who Is Responsible for My Injuries?

The person who is legally responsible for your injuries is the liable party. In order to prove liability, you must show these elements in your case:

• The at-fault party owed you a duty of care to drive safely and legally.
• There was a breach in the duty of care.
• The breach led to the accident, which caused you to incur injuries and subsequent expenses as a result.

TOP-RATED BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS SUV ACCIDENT LAWYER

Choosing an SUV accident lawyer to fight for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve is an important decision. The Law Office of Jason B Going is experienced and proven when it comes to SUV accidents and other personal injury cases, and they will give you the best chance at a favorable outcome in your case.

If you have been injured due to the negligent acts or omissions of someone else, we can help get you the compensation you truly deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.