In the days following a car accident, you can expect the other party’s insurance adjuster to contact you by phone and request that you provide them with a recorded statement. You should always decline this request. It doesn’t matter if you only plan to tell the truth...
Lamber Goodnow Personal Injury Articles and Posts
Chicago
Should I go to the doctor if I’m only “a little sore?”
When you have been involved in any type of accident, it is important to seek immediate medical care. Even if you believe that your injuries are minor, or that it is just aches and pains associated with the stress of the situation. Having a medical evaluation...
What determines who is at fault in a car, truck, motorcycle, or bicycle accident?
When you are involved in an accident, one of the first things that you will have to determine is who is at fault. When you are in an accident with a vehicle of a different class, you might be lead to believe that one of you is automatically at fault. While it would be...
What are personal injury cases?
Car accidents, dog bites, slip and falls, wrongful death. These incidents happen all the time, but their frequency does not diminish the injury, the pain and suffering, or the confusion that impacts the victim and their loved ones. What is "Personal Injury?" A proper...
What should I do if I think the accident was at least partly my fault?
Car accidents are a part of life, occurring suddenly and without warning. While it may be easy to determine who was at fault in some cases, it may be more difficult in others where the facts may not be so cut and dried. The following is an overview of personal injury...
Should I give the faulty driver’s insurance company a medical authorization?
If you were injured in a car accident and another party is liable, you’re likely going to receive a medical authorization release from that party’s insurance company. By signing this release, you’re giving the insurance company the authorization to inspect your...
What are my rights as a passenger in a car that has been in an accident?
No one plans on being involved in an accident. They typically occur without warning and the results can be devastating. The majority of car accidents are fairly easy to resolve, but some can be more problematic and require the filing of a lawsuit. If you have been...
What benefits may I be entitled to?
Accidents are a part of our lives and happen daily without prior warning. While many accidents do not result in serious injury, those that do may require months or even years to resolve. When these cases arise, it can be confusing to know exactly what your rights are...
What do I need to know to make an insurance claim?
Auto insurance is something that people often purchase because it is required by the law, but most people hope never to use it. You may even have chosen higher deductibles for you to lower your insurance rates, however, as long as you drive your vehicle, there are...
What If The Faulty Driver Has Inadequate Insurance To Cover My Damages?
Car accidents are a fact of life. Statistics show that 30 percent of all drivers will be involved in at least one car accident during their lifetime. In most cases, drivers have insurance to take care of the bill when they are involved in an accident. However, not all...
What Is PIP?
PIP stands for personal injury protection. PIP is extended car insurance that's available in some states in the U.S. The coverage is usually for medical expenses. Sometimes, the insurance will cover lost wages due to an accident and other damages. This type of...
Why do I need a police report (aka Uniform Crash Report)?
If you are involved in a car accident, you may need to file a uniform crash report, also called a police report. Many states require you to file a police report if the damages arising from an accident exceed a certain value. You may also be required to file a report...
Who pays for my medical bills if I’ve been injured in an accident?
No one asks to be injured in a car accident, and no one wants to handle all the medical bills that accrue following the accident. Even if you don’t feel you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s wise to seek medical treatment following the accident. There are so many...
What are the minimum insurance requirements in Chicago?
Illinois used to have some of the lowest mandatory minimum auto liability limits in the country. It stepped up though, and now those limits are consistent with the minimum limits of most other states. If you're going to operate a motor vehicle on a public highway in...
What if the faulty driver had no insurance?
Although it is advisable to have uninsured motorist coverage on your policy, if you are in an accident with a driver that is uninsured, it is too late to add it to your policy. Hindsight is always 20-20. The following are a few of the important things to know about...
When should I settle my case?
Just about any time you’re in a legal dispute, the topic of settling outside of court will come up. While a settlement is often lower than you would receive if you won a case, it can save you the headache of needing to go to court. Settling also presents you with a...
Who determines who is responsible for a traffic accident?
Car accidents are scary, confusing, and often leave people wondering what is going to happen next. You don’t put much thought into car accidents until you’re involved in one, and only then do you realize just how little you actually know about this kind of accident....
What Is Subrogation?
When a person is injured, they will visit a hospital for treatment. A bill for their treatment will then be submitted to the person's health insurance company for payment. The health insurer will provide payment based on the terms of the policy a person has with their...
What Is Pain And Suffering?
The issue of pain and suffering is common during personal injury claims. Of all the damages awarded during an accident, pain and suffering has the largest value. However, since there is no fixed way for determining pain and suffering, payments will vary from case to...
What photographs and other documentation will be helpful to my attorney in pursuing my claim?
Gathering evidence can strengthen your injury claim and help your attorney while negotiating with the insurance company or presenting your case before a jury. Evidence may be physical -- such as photographs of physical damage and injuries -- or non-physical, which...