Alton Car Accident Lawyers
Skilled legal help when you’re injured in an Illinois car crash
A car accident can change your life tremendously in an instant. One minute you’re driving safely and minding your own business, and the next thing you know, you’re severely injured, facing months of recovery, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Securing compensation to pay for your damages can be an overwhelming experience when you’re simply trying to heal from your injuries. This is where an experienced and knowledgeable car accident attorney comes in.
At Glisson Law, our Alton personal injury attorneys have been protecting the rights of folks just like you for more than 25 years. When you’re injured in a car crash that was someone else’s fault, we work to ensure they’re held accountable. Further, we fight for you – for everything you’ve lost as a result of the accident, including all the expenses you’ve accrued and will accrue in the future. We fight for compensation for your pain, your suffering, and all your other losses. Contact us today to find out how we can help you get started on your claim.
How can we help?
- What types of car accident claims do you handle?
- Who is liable for my Alton car accident?
- How will your attorneys help with my car accident case?
- What if I’m partially at fault for my car accident?
- What is the value of my Alton car accident claim?
- What should I do after a car accident?
- Do you have a car accident lawyer near me?
What types of car accident claims do you handle?
The lawyers at Glisson Law handle a wide variety of car accident cases in and near Alton. If you were injured in a car wreck, come talk to us. The most common types of car accident cases we handle on a regular basis, however, include:
- Drunk driving accidents. Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1,194 people died in drunk driving accidents in Illinois in 2020. The Illinois Department of Transportation also notes that “Driving under the influence is a crime. Aside from concerns for the personal safety of yourself and others, there are severe legal penalties and economic consequences if convicted.”
- Speeding-related accidents. Speeding is a type of reckless driving, as well as a traffic violation, that can cause accidents resulting in catastrophic injuries. Excessive speed reduces the amount of time a driver has to react to a situation, as well as increases the force and impact at which vehicle occupants experience the crash – resulting in more severe physical trauma.
- Uber and Lyft accidents. Accidents involving rideshares like Lyft and Uber often involve complicated insurance and liability issues. Our lawyers can help sort these out and work to ensure the right parties are held accountable for your injuries.
- Dram Shop. A “dram shop” is an old term for something like a liquor store, bar, or anywhere alcohol is sold. If someone injures you – for example, by driving drunk – because someone served them alcohol while they were visibly intoxicated, you may hold them liable under Illinois dram shop law.
Our lawyers are ready to hear about your car accident, how it happened, and how your life has changed because of your injuries.
Who is liable for my Alton car accident?
A variety of parties can be held liable for your accident, injuries, and losses. The at-fault, or negligent, driver is typically the main defendant in the event of a lawsuit. In a multi-car accident, this can get a bit more murky, but our attorneys can investigate to determine all liable parties.
Good To Know: Negligence is the failure to use reasonable care when driving a motor vehicle. For example, a driver can be negligent when driving too fast for conditions, failing to slow down in time to avoid an accident, or failing to keep a careful look out.
In some accidents, an investigation will show an automotive defect caused the car crash. In these cases, we will hold the auto or parts manufacturer liable for your injuries – and work to ensure they don’t hurt anyone else again.
How will your attorneys help with my car accident case?
For a successful outcome for a car accident claim, the injured party (or plaintiff) must demonstrate three points:
- The party you’re alleging is at fault (the defendant) was negligent
- The defendant’s negligence directly caused you injuries
- Those injuries caused you damages and losses
Unlike a criminal trial, you (actually, your lawyer) doesn’t have to prove these three points beyond a reasonable doubt, but simply by what the law calls a “preponderance of the evidence.” At Glisson Law, our job is tip the scales of justice in your favor.
What if I’m partially at fault for my car accident?
With car accidents, many states operate under a doctrine known as comparative negligence. This means the amount of compensation awarded to the plaintiff depends on whether their own negligence contributed to the accident.
Illinois is a modified comparative negligence state, which means the injured party must prove their negligence was 50% or less in order to recover compensation. However, that recovery will be diminished by their percentage of negligence. For example, if you were found 30% responsible for the car accident, your compensation will be reduced by 30 percent.
What is the value of my Alton car accident claim?
Car accident injuries can be severe and life-changing. You may need medical care for the rest of your life and you may not be able to work the way you used to. A personal injury claim can help you recoup expenses for:
- Lost wages, past and future
- Medical bills, past and future
- Pain and suffering, past and future
- Disability
- Loss of enjoyment life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Damage to personal property or vehicle
In the event a car accident takes the life of a loved one, our lawyers can file a wrongful death claim on your behalf. We will also claim damages for funeral and burial expenses as well as loss of support and relationship of the deceased.
In some cases, we make a claim for punitive damages if the at-fault party was guilty of a conscious disregard for the safety of the injured party. This often comes into effect in cases where the person at fault was under the influence of alcohol or drugs or was driving in a reckless manner.
Punitive damages are an additional award in order to punish the at fault driver for his/her reckless actions.
What should I do after a car accident?
After a car accident, it’s crucial to take the right steps to protect both your physical health and your potential legal claim:
- Seek prompt medical treatment. If you are injured – and even if you don’t think you’re injured – make sure you see a physician immediately. Some severe injuries may not show symptoms right away, but can become deadly in an instant. Make sure that you inform the investigating police officer that you are injured. Many police officers will simply write in their police report that there is no injury if one does not speak up. If the report contains “no injury,” this can be used by a defense attorney or insurance company to attempt to prove you were not injured and you are not entitled to compensation.
- Comply with your medical treatment. This means do not delay medical treatment and do not miss any appointments. You have a duty to exercise ordinary care to obtain medical treatment. Insurance companies and, ultimately, jurors will blame you for ongoing injuries that go untreated, or which result from failing to follow your doctor’s orders. Any missed appointments, for any reason, can be used against you to show that you were really not seriously injured, or that your ongoing symptoms are due to your own neglect of medical treatment.
- Seek quality legal representation. And do it quickly. The most important advice we can give you right now is never give a statement to adjusters for insurance companies without having your attorney present. It is the adjuster’s job to attempt to settle the case for the least amount of money possible. Many injured people are unaware of the insurance process and sometimes are intimidated by adjusters when it comes to resolving claims. An experienced attorney can help you through this.
Do you have a car accident lawyer near me?
Glisson Law is located at 111 East Fourth Street, Suite 400, in Alton, IL. We’re a block away from City Hall, and you can find plenty of parking across the street. There’s also a bus stop right outside our office. Glisson Law conducts phone and video conferences when applicable, and makes home and hospital visits if you cannot travel to us.
Get in touch with our Alton car accident lawyers today
If you or a loved one were injured in a car wreck that wasn’t your fault, the attorneys at Glisson Law are here. Our team is here to walk you through the legal process with ease, and work toward securing compensation for your injuries and losses. We’ve been helping the folks in Alton and the surrounding area for more than 25 years – let us help you too. Call our offices or fill out our contact form today to schedule your free consultation. We proudly serve Belleville, Edwardsville, St. Clair and Madison County, and all of Southwestern Illinois.