Category: Auto Accidents Lawyer

As our dependence and addiction to smart devices take over our lives, hit and runs have become a common occurrence. With people glued to their cell phones, people fail to look both ways before crossing the street or see pedestrians in time to slow down. The good news is if you are involved in an accident like this in Illinois, you are protected by law – provided you are not the negligent party. Here are some you should be aware of:

Pedestrian and Driver Rights under Illinois Traffic Laws

In the state, pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks. Oncoming cars must yield to them if they cross a road with a signal. If they cross the road from a point that does not have a crosswalk, they still have this right, even if they are breaking the law by doing so. Drivers must be mindful of pedestrians and avoid a collision.

According to the law, pedestrians have this right over any vehicle that stops at an intersection which has a crosswalk or a red signal. If pedestrians wish to cross the road that does not have a crosswalk or has an unmarked crosswalk at its intersections, they must give right of way to oncoming vehicles.

Pedestrians will break the law if they walk on or along the side of the road when a sidewalk is available to use. Also, if pedestrians are under the influence of alcohol or a drug while crossing and are a hazard, they should remain on the sidewalk.

Drivers who see pedestrians crossing the road have a duty of care to avoid colliding with them and to warn them by sounding their horns. They also must exercise caution in case a pedestrian is a child or an elderly person who may be confused or disoriented.

If a pedestrian is hit by a car, they can file a lawsuit against the driver for damages – if the driver was at fault. However, they have two (2) years from the date of the accident to make their claim or lose their right to sue. By filing a lawsuit as soon as the accident occurs, they can increase their chances of winning their case as long as they have an experienced attorney in their corner.

If you were involved in a hit and run accident and suffered injuries or other damages, get in touch with us at the Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C. We have been fighting for the rights of auto accident victims for two decades and have perfected our negotiation skills.

The attorney on your case will review the events surrounding the accident from the time it happened and ensure you get the full compensation you deserve and need. Insurance companies don’t intimidate us, we intimidate them because we are dedicated to protecting your rights. Call us today for a consultation and get the money you deserve. You can reach us at our offices in Libertyville, Waukegan, Woodstock and Antioch, Illinois.

Auto accidents often happen suddenly and unexpectedly. They often produce an injury that can prevent you from working at your optimum capacity. In fact, car repairs are costly as well. Getting the appropriate compensation for car accidents is important, if you want to ensure that you are not negatively affected by an accident. Hiring an auto accident lawyer in Illinois will help ensure that you get fair compensation, as well as these tips that you can use to ensure that you prepare the best insurance case:

Collect Information

Once everybody is safe after an accident, you should immediately start collecting information that may later help you get fair compensation. Ask witnesses for their contact numbers so that you can contact them later to present their claims that support you. You can also ensure that you get the accounts of the incident from the emergency services that respond to the accident. These services are often the earliest at an accident and they can observe what caused the accident.

You can then hire an auto accident attorney and share your collected information with them. This will help them recreate the important details of the accident and help you obtain the maximum compensation from your insurance company. Remember, insurance adjusters are always trying to save on compensation, and you can only beat them when you are equipped with useful information that shows you were not at fault for the accident.

Call the Police

You should also call the local sheriff’s department. A Deputy will collect information from you and ask about the specific details of how the accident happened. This will give you the maximum chance of obtaining a police report that significantly helps your insurance claims. The police are often the first on the scene and are skilled at producing reports that you may need to claim your compensation from the insurance company. Calling them at the time of the accident will ensure that you have access to all the important contacts that you may need later for producing evidence in the case of a dispute for receiving fair compensation.

Seek a Lawyer

It is important that you seek the help of an auto accident lawyer immediately after you have been engaged in an accident. Failure to obtain legal representation will mean that the insurance agents will try to pressure you into accepting a compensation payment, which is smaller than your losses. You can also create a file, ensure all important information and documents are present in it, and then share it with an experienced accident lawyer in Illinois for your best interests.

Record Expenses

Your auto accident lawyer will work hard to ensure that you get the right compensation, but you should help them by keeping a record of all your related expenses. If you visited a doctor due to a personal injury obtained in an accident, you must maintain the injury’s record in a proper fashion. This will give you the best chance to obtain compensation for all kinds of losses.

If you have been engaged in an auto accident and need a lawyer in Illinois, the Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C. is perfect for your legal needs. Contact us at (847) 395-2200 or online today to schedule your initial consultation.