Joliet Third-Party Claims Lawyer

Liability of Third Parties in Workers' Compensation Cases

No one plans on being injured in a motor vehicle accident. Insurance companies - and legal requirements that Illinois drivers carry insurance - exist because car accidents happen anyway.

After a car accident in which you were not at fault, you can likely file what is referred to as a "third-party claim" with the at-fault driver's insurance company. A third-party claim is any claim filed by someone other than the policyholder or their insurance company. This is generally true whether you were in another vehicle, walking, or riding a bicycle when you were hit. In some cases, such as when a rideshare driver causes an accident, you may even be able to file a third-party claim if you were a passenger of the at-fault driver.

Insurance companies are often reluctant to pay out any claim, whether it is filed by their own client or a third party who was injured by a client. While recovering compensation is generally possible, it can be challenging to obtain a fair settlement.

Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC is experienced in helping people navigate the claims process and get the compensation to which they are entitled. We understand that after a car accident, you have a lot on your plate. Not only might you be injured and trying to obtain the critical medical care you need, you are also likely missing work and not getting paid. Then, of course, there is the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle. You may be able to recover these expenses and financial losses in addition to compensation for the less easy-to-quantify harms, like your pain and suffering. Our attorneys will represent you aggressively in order to pursue the best compensation package possible.

Car Accident Attorney in Naperville

Generally, anyone who has been injured by an insured driver who was negligent in causing an accident can file a third-party claim for compensation from the at-fault driver's insurance company. (Those who were injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver may need to file a claim with their own insurance company.)

Dealing with the insurance company is often one of the most challenging parts of a car accident's aftermath. You may feel pressured to contact the at-fault driver's insurance company as quickly as possible so that you can begin working out a settlement. However, contacting the other party's insurance company before you are represented by an attorney can be a costly mistake. Remember that the insurance company exists to make a profit, not to make sure that you are fairly compensated.

The insurance company may make you an offer very soon after the accident that sounds good. It can be tempting to accept this offer and be done with the matter. However, this initial offer is made before the costs of the accident have been fully revealed. You may not yet know what type of medical care you will need going forward, or how long you will be unable to work. You would be wise to be wary of accepting an offer made by a company that is motivated to pay as little as possible.

Having an attorney work on your third-party claim can not only take this important task off your plate, but it may lead to a more fair and complete settlement in the end. Our attorneys are highly experienced in negotiating with car insurance companies to see that our clients are receiving what their claims are truly worth.

Contact a Will County Third-Party Claims Attorney

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a careless driver, Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC may be able to help you recover the full value of your claim. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not need to worry about paying for our services unless we recover compensation for you. To begin with a free consultation, please contact us at 815-730-1977 today.