So you just got hit by a car in Chicago. You're shaken up. Maybe hurt. And you're wondering what to do after being hit by car in Chicago to make sure you don't mess up your case.

I've handled a lot of these cases over the years. And I can tell you right now—what you do in the next few hours makes all the difference. Do the right things, you protect your case. Do the wrong things, or nothing at all, and you're going to have a much harder time getting what you deserve.

Most of these accidents happen when someone's crossing the street. Best case scenario? You're in a crosswalk, you've got the light, and there are witnesses who saw the whole thing. But even if it's not that clean, there are three things you've got to do after being hit by car in Chicago. These are the things that win cases.

Let Me Tell You What Really Happens

Before I get into what to do after being hit by car in Chicago, you need to understand something. The insurance company is going to say you "darted out" into traffic. That's their go-to defense in almost every pedestrian case.

Does that actually happen sometimes? Sure. But here's what happens most of the time: the driver was distracted.

They're on their phone. Messing with the radio. Eating. Drinking coffee. Looking for an address. Maybe they're screaming at someone on speakerphone. Whatever it is, they're not looking at the road.

And that's how you got hit.

But just because it's the driver's fault doesn't mean they're going to admit it. That's why you've got to do these three things.

1. Be Exact About WHERE You Got Hit

This is everything. Where exactly were you when the car hit you?

Were you in a crosswalk? If yes, your case just got a lot stronger. Illinois law says pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks. Driver hits you there? They're pretty much at fault.

Outside the crosswalk but still at an intersection? You've still got rights. Drivers have to yield to pedestrians at intersections.

In a parking lot? Those cases are trickier, but drivers still have to watch out for people walking.

If you can, take pictures right there at the scene. Get the crosswalk markings. The traffic signals. Any signs. If you're too hurt to do it yourself, ask someone else to take the photos for you.

I've handled cases where everything came down to proving exactly where in the intersection the person was standing. Get this documented now or you'll be fighting an uphill battle later.

2. Get Witnesses

If anybody saw what happened, get their name and phone number. Right now. Don't wait.

The police might get witness statements. They might not. In Chicago, they often don't bother. So you've got to do it yourself.

A witness who can back up your story—that you were in the crosswalk, that you had the light, that the driver wasn't paying attention—is worth their weight in gold. I've seen witness testimony turn a denied claim into a solid settlement.

Ask them:

• What they saw
• Their name and number
• If they'd be willing to give a written statement later

Even if they only showed up after the crash, they might've seen important stuff. How the driver was acting. Whether they seemed distracted. What they said at the scene.

Don't wait on this. People leave. And finding them later is basically impossible.

3. Don't Give a Recorded Statement

Here's the thing insurance adjusters do. They call you within a few hours of the accident. They sound really nice and helpful. And they say they just need you to tell them what happened "for the record."

Do not do it.

They're not trying to help you. They're trying to get you to say something they can use against you later.

They'll ask leading questions:

• "You didn't see the car coming, right?" (They want you to admit you weren't paying attention)
• "But you're feeling okay now?" (They want to minimize your injuries)
• "Were you actually in the crosswalk?" (They want you to doubt yourself)

I've seen insurance companies take one sentence from these calls and use it to deny an entire claim.

You don't have to talk to the driver's insurance company. At all. Tell them you're going to talk to a lawyer first. If they keep pushing, hang up.

A Few Other Things You Need to Know

See a doctor right away. Even if you think you're fine. A lot of injuries from getting hit by a car don't show up for hours or even days. Concussions. Internal bleeding. Soft tissue damage. If you wait to get treatment, the insurance company will say you weren't really hurt.

Keep track of everything. Take pictures of your injuries as they develop. Keep every medical bill and prescription receipt. Write down every doctor appointment. Save records of any time you had to miss work. All of this proves your case later.

Stay off social media. The insurance company is watching your Facebook and Instagram. That picture of you smiling at your cousin's wedding? They'll use it to say you're faking your injuries.

Don't throw away your clothes. The clothes you were wearing when you got hit are evidence. Blood stains, rips, damage—all of it shows how serious the impact was.

You've Got Two Years in Illinois

Illinois law gives you two years from the date you got hit to file a lawsuit. Two years sounds like a long time, right?

It's not.

Surveillance footage in Chicago gets deleted after 30 to 90 days. Witnesses forget what they saw. Your own memory gets fuzzy. Physical evidence at the crash scene gets cleaned up.

The sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better chance we have to lock down the evidence while it still exists.

Location Matters in Chicago

Where the accident happened affects your case. A lot.

If you got hit on Michigan Avenue or State Street, there are probably cameras everywhere and lots of witnesses. That's good for your case.

Neighborhood intersection? Fewer witnesses maybe, but residential security cameras might've caught it.

Parking lot accident? Those are harder because visibility is limited. But drivers still have to watch for pedestrians.

Every location in Chicago presents different challenges. And different opportunities to prove your case.

What I Do for People Who Got Hit

When someone hires me after getting hit by a car in Chicago, here's what happens:

I go back to the accident scene and document everything. I find witnesses before they disappear. I get surveillance footage before it gets deleted. I deal with the insurance companies so they can't trick you into saying something that hurts your case.

I work with doctors to document your injuries properly. I figure out what your case is really worth—not just your medical bills now, but future treatment, lost wages, all of it.

And then I fight to get you every dollar you're owed.

You don't go through this alone. [Learn more about how I handle pedestrian accident cases in Chicago →]

Don't Wait to Get Help

Look, knowing what to do after being hit by car in Chicago can be the difference between getting fair compensation and getting nothing.

If you got hit by a car in Chicago, call me right now: 312-500-4500

Free consultation. We work on contingency—you don't pay anything unless we win your case.

The insurance companies are already working against you. Let me fight for you.

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If you or a loved one is dealing with a situation like this, give us a call any time, day or night.  We are here to help. 312-500-4500

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