From the second your accident occurs all the way through your personal injury claim settlement, you are tasked with the need to prove your degree of fault. This percentage, determined by a judge or jury, is especially important in Illinois as it determines how much of the maximum settlement you receive – if any.Some things you can avoid that can potentially increase your degree of fault are:
- pointing blame at the others involved while you are at the accident site
- saying too much during interviews with insurance adjusters
- admitting to anything without advice from your Chicago personal injury lawyer
The less you say, the better, as you run a lower risk of incriminating yourself. You may come across as the guilty one if you rant and rave about the negligence of the other driver in a car accident. Stick to simple facts when police ask about your accident and do not speak to any other drivers at the accident scene beyond obtaining their insurance and contact information.The insurance companies are going to want to make sure you don’t have a lower degree of fault than their client. In Illinois, if you are found more than 51% at fault, their client wins and you lose any potential settlement related to your claim.Remember that the lower your degree of fault, the higher your settlement can be. Read our article on comparative negligence in Illinois for more information on proving your degree of fault.An experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you make sense of your Illinois personal injury claim, contact us today. (312) 263-1080