O'Fallon is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Metro East area, and with that growth comes more traffic, more construction, and unfortunately, more car accidents. If you've been in a crash in or around O'Fallon, Illinois, there are some specific things you should know about how car accident cases work in this part of the state.
First, car accident cases in the Metro East are filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court. This matters because different counties have different reputations when it comes to jury verdicts. St. Clair County has historically been a strong plaintiff's county, meaning juries there tend to be sympathetic to injured people. Insurance companies know this, and they adjust their settlement offers accordingly. A case that might settle for $50,000 in one county could be worth $75,000 or more in St. Clair County simply because the insurance company doesn't want to go to trial there.
Second, O'Fallon sits right near I-64 and Route 50, which are both high-traffic corridors. Accidents on these roads tend to be more serious because of the higher speeds involved. Interstate accidents also sometimes involve commercial trucks, which makes the case more complex because you may be dealing with a trucking company and their insurance in addition to a regular auto insurance policy.
One thing I always tell O'Fallon clients: even though my office is in the Chicago area, we handle cases all across Illinois. We've represented plenty of clients in the Metro East and we know the courts, the judges, and the local insurance adjusters. The fact that we're a larger firm with resources actually benefits our downstate clients because insurance companies know we have the capacity to take a case all the way to trial if needed.
If you were in a car accident in O'Fallon and you're wondering whether you have a case, call us at 312-500-4500. We'll review the details of your accident for free and give you an honest answer about what your case might be worth. You don't pay us anything unless we recover money for you.
If you've been involved in a car accident or some other accident resulting in injury you probably have lots of questions. Most people who get hurt have a lot of questions.
Some of those case questions probably include who should I see for a doctor? How will I pay my medical bills? Who will be found responsible for my injuries? What if my injuries never heal? What if I'm missing time from work? Who is the right personal injury attorney to help me with my car crash case?
These sorts of questions are normal and are to be expected. My firm has helped thousands of car accident victims over the years. We make sure that our clients get a full recovery for their injuries. We make sure that they get paid for their lost wages and we make sure that all of their medical bills are paid for. And, most of our cases settle quickly and with zero fuss and hassle for our clients.
Thanks to the power of technology, we can see people in any O'Fallon, IL location for any O'Fallon, IL car accident or other kind of injury. It is rare indeed that anyone needs to see me in my office. And I travel and visit people in their homes or in nearby restaurants. We also leverage the power of the Internet and zoom and doc you sign and other technologies so that collecting information on your case and resolving it for maximum value is fast and easy for you.
Find Out What YOUR Case Might Be Worth...for free.
After a car accident, neck and back injuries are the most common. Rear-end collisions and side impacts are the most common causes. They will occur if you move violently backwards, forwards, or sideways. Those over 35 or those with a history of back or neck injuries are more likely to suffer new injuries in an O'Fallon, IL car accident.
Injuries to the neck and back begin similarly, whether they are short-term muscle strains or longer-term and more severe injuries. Any injury, no matter how minor or serious, should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible.
The ideal doctor to choose after a car accident is one who knows how to handle car accident injury claims. Therefore, your doctor will record all of the necessary information in your medical record that an insurance company will need to proceed with your claim. A doctor should be honest and communicate well with you. It is not fair for you to be treated by a physician who does not spend time with you, who does not explain the injuries or treatment protocol. You want a doctor who communicates with you and your attorney so that the three of us can cooperate to make your case a success.
Your car accident injury case value is directly affected by how serious your injuries are and how much medical attention you receive. Your case may be more valuable if your injuries are serious and permanent, and if you receive more medical care. The value of your case will likely be lower if you were injured for a short period of time and received little medical care.
You should not let that discourage you. The best thing you can do after a car accident is to seek medical treatment and legal representation. Because you can never predict how serious or how long your injuries will be at the start of a case. I have represented hundreds of clients who waited too long to talk to a lawyer and it ultimately hurt their case. They didn't think they were that hurt, or they thought their neck or back pain or their shoulder or knee pain would just go away on their own, so they didn't want to go to a doctor. They were wrong. Ignoring legal counsel is also a mistake.
Insurers who cover people who cause injuries in a car accident hire lawyers and claims adjusters to fool injured people into saying or doing things that damage their case. There are times when I run into a person who has signed away their rights without even knowing it. I am horrified.
In order for people to fully understand their rights and determine whether or not they have a strong case, I offer a free consultation.
Here is what I would tell you based on my over 20 years of experience helping victims of car accidents in O'Fallon, IL:
Even a very small case can settle for four or five figures. Most middle-of-the-road car accident cases settle for high five figures or lower six figures. In a serious car accident case, the settlement can reach the mid- to high six figures, or even seven or eight figures, depending on the amount of insurance and the severity of the injuries.
During the early stages of a case, you will not know how big the case will be. Doctors will take some time to determine the severity of your injuries, and whether you are likely to recover or suffer long-term consequences. You should however hire a lawyer right away so they can make sure your case is positioned for maximum value and maximum strength right from the start. When you're involved in an O'Fallon, IL car accident, failing to consult with a lawyer is one of the worst things you can do.
Don't be fooled by tricks from insurance companies. Call 312-500-4500 right away for a free consultation.
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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
Scott DeSalvo founded DeSalvo Law to help injured people throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1998, IARDC #6244452, Scott has represented over 3,000 clients in personal injury, workers compensation, and accident cases.
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Main Office:
1000 Jorie Blvd Ste 204
Oak Brook, IL 60523
New Cases: 312-500-4500
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