In the state of Illinois, hundreds of car accidents occur every day. In fact, a 2015 report from the Illinois Department of Transportation revealed that 313,316 car crashes were reported that year alone. Of this astonishing number, 21% resulted in injuries for one or more parties.
In other words, 91,675 individuals in Illinois were injured in a car accident, just last year.
With so many people suffering from automobile injuries, it is vital that everyone knows what is necessary if in this difficult situation. As you recover from your injuries, life’s demands don’t always slow down, and the courts are rarely swift in bringing you the help you need. Because of this, knowing what help is available to you is crucial.
Here’s what you need to know if you’ve been injured in a car accident:
1) How to maximize your settlement? - Collect as much information as possible
In order to get the most out of your injury settlement, you will need to have as much information regarding the crash as possible. Everything from police reports, medical treatment records, the insurance policy info for all parties, and even photographs of the crash can and should be gathered so that you’re more prepared to fight for compensation.
2) Know the law - Illinois is a “Fault” State
There are two main types of insurance policies that each state abides by. For some states, it does not matter who is at fault in a car accident, as all drivers are required to have a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance plan to cover medical bills. However, most states, including Illinois, determine settlements based on who is at fault in a car accident.
Car owners of Illinois are required by the state to carry liability coverage of a minimum of $20,000 for the injury of one person and $40,000 for the injury of more than one person in an accident.
3) How can I pay my bills while I wait for my settlement money?
After you have been injured in a car accident or wreck, many people will have to miss work for extended periods of time and life's expenses do not stop because you cannot work. The 1st offer from the insurance company to settle your injury lawsuit will likely be insultingly low, but you might consider it because you cannot afford to wait.
Fortunately, there is a way that you can receive a portion of your settlement now, and that is with a pre-settlement advance from Bridgeway Legal Funding.
In many ways, an “advance” from Bridgeway is similar to a loan. After you’ve applied, you may be eligible to receive a portion of your estimated settlement in as little as 24-48 hours. However, an advance is even better than a traditional loan in that you aren’t required to pay back an advance unless you win your case. This means that you’ll receive cash now to pay for life’s expenses and there not any payments required until your case is finished.
What’s even better is that applying for a pre-settlement advance is quick and simple. All you need to do is reach out to Bridgeway Legal Funding by calling (800) 531-4066, or by sending an email here. From there, a representative of Bridgeway will contact you to talk about the accident and your case to gather as much info as possible. Once this info is gathered, Bridgeway will determine your eligibility for an advance, as well as how much you are eligible to receive.
To learn more about pre-settlement advance, visit Bridgeway's Guide to Pre-Settlement Funding.
- Bridgeway Legal Funding can provide car accident settlement advances in the following counties of Illinois:
Cook, DuPage, Kendall, Tazewell, Macoupin, Sangamon, McHenry, Piatt, Lake, Winnebago, Will, Macon, Kane, McLean, Champaign, Whiteside, LaSalle, St. Clair, Peoria, Kankakee, Rock Island & Coles.