Car Accident Lawyer Highland, IL

One dangerous car accident—often caused by negligence like distracted driving—can be the determining factor of your future well-being. You may be stuck with temporary or permanent injuries that make life difficult. When you’re not at fault, it is unfair that you have to manage your personal injuries without any help or compensation. Fortunately, a highland car accident attorney will help you recoup your losses by seeking a highland car accident claim settlement on your behalf.

Because the other party was negligent, you are owed compensation for your injuries and other damages you suffered. Your car accident may have been caused by aggressive driving, drunk driving, distracted driving, or other negligent actions. Even if you were partially at fault, you might still be able to receive compensation through the legal process with the help of your experienced car accident attorney who manages your car accident claims. Find out more information by speaking to Highland personal injury attorneys now. Reach out to the law firm of Hipskind & McAninch LLC in Highland for a free consultation.

Types Of Car Accidents in Highland

Head-On Collisions

These accidents occur when one vehicle crosses into oncoming traffic and collides with another vehicle. It often results in catastrophic injuries for both parties involved due to the nature of the collision. You might be left facing costly medical bills and without a vehicle to use while you recover. Dealing with insurance companies and navigating complex issues like uninsured motorist coverage requires an experienced car accident attorney to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Rear-End Collisions

This is the most common type of accident and occurs when a car hits another from behind. These accidents are usually caused by distracted drivers, those driving too quickly, or those involved in drunk driving. If you’ve been injured in a rear-end collision, which forms a common personal injury case, it is important to consult with an experienced car accident attorney right away. Note that while we serve Highland, IL, if the accident occurred across the border, your case might be governed by Indiana law.

Two Light Vehicles In A Rear End Accident

Multi-Car Collisions

Multi-car collisions are serious car accidents that involve a chain reaction of crashes among several vehicles. One car can hit you, which causes the vehicle to lose control and hit other cars. Your highland car accident attorney can find out who is liable for the damage done to your vehicle so that you can get fairly compensated for any damages incurred. They’ll uncover who can be held responsible in such a complex situation and whether or not you are partially liable. Dealing with the other driver’s insurance company can be overwhelming, but your accident lawyer will manage these negotiations. You can receive a percentage of damages from each liable party if necessary. 

Side Swipe

This occurs when the side of one vehicle smashes into the side of another vehicle when they are both traveling in the same direction. These are among the most accidents that commonly happen when a driver changes lanes without properly checking if another vehicle is in their way. The driver may have been falling asleep or not paying attention, resulting in a side swipe due to someone else’s negligence. These accidents can lead to more serious accidents since both cars could lose control and collide with other vehicles or obstacles, causing physical injuries and immense emotional distress. Proving who is at fault for these types of accidents can be tough, which is why you need a highland car accident attorney and their legal team to help with your settlement claim. 

Side Impact Or T-bone Collisions

These types of collisions occur when one vehicle runs into the side of another. Side-impact or T-bone accidents are often the result of a driver running a red light or stop sign. These types of high speed crashes can be devastating. When the car doors and windows are hit, they can get crushed in the impact. Unlike the front or back of the car, there is less protection on the sides. This can leave the occupants with serious injuries. It can also be difficult to escape from the vehicle after it has been involved in an accident because of the damaged doors. Successfully navigating the resulting car accident claims and dealing with aggressive insurance companies requires an experienced car accident attorney.

Common Crash Sites in Highland & Madison County

While accidents can happen anywhere, our analysis of local traffic patterns shows that certain Highland intersections and roadways pose higher risks due to congestion, speed limits, and visibility issues:

  • U.S. Route 40: High-speed collisions are frequent here, particularly where traffic slows to enter the city limits or near the Highland-Pierron Road intersection.
  • State Route 143 (Broadway): As the main artery through town, this sees frequent rear-end collisions during school drop-off hours and rush hour, specifically near Lindendale Park.
  • Troxlker Avenue & Frank Watson Parkway: The increased commercial traffic in these developing areas has led to a rise in T-bone and failure-to-yield accidents.
  • Rural Roads (Route 160): Outside the city center, narrow lanes and lack of shoulders on rural roads contribute to single-vehicle run-off accidents, often involving deer or slow-moving farm equipment.

If You Are Partially at Fault: Illinois’ 51% Rule

Many drivers in Highland hesitate to call a lawyer because they believe they might have slightly contributed to the accident (e.g., you were speeding slightly when someone ran a red light).

Illinois follows a Modified Comparative Negligence standard (735 ILCS 5/2-1116).

  • The Rule: You can still recover compensation as long as you are less than 51% at fault for the crash.
  • How it Works: Your payout is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury awards you $100,000 but finds you were 20% at fault, you will still receive $80,000.
  • The Cutoff: If you are found to be 51% or more responsible, you are barred from recovering any damages. Insurance adjusters know this and often try to pin just enough blame on you to cross that 51% threshold. This is why having an attorney protect your narrative is critical.

Types Of Proof in Highland Car Accidents

Dependable car accident lawyers in Highland will work quickly and efficiently to determine the responsible parties liable for your injuries. They do this by leveraging their deep understanding of accident law. They help you to move on with your life as soon as possible while getting compensated fairly for your injuries. After an investigation, your Highland personal injury attorney will use the following to support your claim:

Police Reports 

When Highland police officers arrive at the car crash, they will make a report on what they see, who was at fault, and which parties need medical attention. This report can help determine liability for your injuries, proving the other party’s wrongful act, and will be useful in your efforts to seek compensation. Be sure you request a copy from the officer or police department when it’s available so that an experienced Highland car accident lawyer can begin building your car crash case. Having this evidence can make a significant difference in your outcome. Unlike cases involving medical malpractice, car accident cases rely heavily on the immediate police report. We invite you to contact us for a free initial consultation and free case evaluation right away.

Eyewitness Testimonies 

Eyewitnesses can provide useful information about how an accident occurred or why it happened. Your highland car accident lawyer, with their proven track record, will use eyewitness testimonies to strengthen your case and provide as many different perspectives of the situation as possible. This robust evidence is crucial when negotiating with the opposing insurance provider to secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve. 

Medical Bills

When personal injury victims are injured in a car accident, it is crucial that you seek medical attention right away so that your injuries can receive proper medical treatment and be documented by medical professionals. This helps prove that your injuries were the result of an accident rather than something unrelated and will help strengthen your case against any liability claims made by the other party, particularly in severe cases, including those resulting in wrongful death. Be sure to collect all of your medical expenses, prescriptions, doctor’s notes, treatments received, referrals for further treatments, and other useful information, as this will all be helpful to your case. Your accident lawyer will find this information very useful in calculating your damages and building your case.

Photographic Evidence

To gather evidence, any photos you took of the traffic accident can be used. They can show how the accident happened, especially when navigating heavy traffic may have contributed to the crash and resulting serious damage. Your attorney might look at things like skid marks, broken glass on the road, or even damaged guardrails. This information is often crucial in determining liability for an accident and can help prove how a driver was at fault for an accident, leading to favorable outcomes in your case.

Traffic Camera Footage

A highland car accident lawyer will use any helpful traffic camera footage that may have recorded your car accident. They can analyze the video to observe where the other driver made errors or broke traffic laws, which is vital for building your accident report. This footage provides essential legal guidance for calculating all damages, including your property damage. By thoroughly reviewing this and other evidence, your lawyer assists you in seeking justice against the negligent party. 

Highland Car Accident FAQ

Q: What if the driver who hit me in Highland doesn’t have insurance? 

Unfortunately, this is common. Illinois law requires all drivers to carry Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage as part of their own policy. If you are hit by an uninsured driver—or a driver with only the state minimum coverage ($25,000)—we can file a claim against your own insurance policy to cover your medical bills and lost wages.

  • Important Note: Filing a UM claim generally does not raise your insurance premiums if the accident was not your fault.

Q: Do I have to go to court in Edwardsville for a minor car accident? 

Not usually. The vast majority of car accident claims in Highland are settled out of court through aggressive negotiation with the insurance company. However, if the insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement that covers your St. Joseph’s hospital bills and long-term recovery, we are fully prepared to file a lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court in Edwardsville to demand what you are owed.

Q: Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance adjuster? 

No. After a crash, you may receive a call from the at-fault driver’s insurance company asking for a “recorded statement” or offering a quick settlement check. Do not agree to this. They are trained to get you to admit fault or downplay your injuries. Tell them to speak to your attorney at Hipskind & McAninch. We handle all communication to protect your claim.

Q: How long does a car accident settlement take in Illinois? 

Every case is different. A simple claim with clear liability and minor injuries might settle in 3 to 6 months. However, if your injuries are severe (requiring surgery or long-term therapy) or if liability is disputed, the process can take 12 months or longer. We never rush a settlement because once you sign the release, you cannot ask for more money later if health complications arise.

Q: What if I was involved in a hit-and-run in Highland? 

Treat a hit-and-run exactly like an accident with an uninsured driver.

  1. Call the Highland Police immediately to file an official report (this is required for your insurance claim).
  2. Seek medical attention.
  3. Contact us. We will work with your own insurance company under your Uninsured Motorist coverage to seek compensation for your damages.

Car Accident Attorneys In Highland, IL

If you’ve been injured in an auto accident that was caused by another’s negligence, be sure to contact an experienced highland car accident lawyers right away. Our law firm will work quickly and efficiently to build your car accident cases to retrieve compensation for any property damage, pain and suffering damages, medical bills, lost wages, and other personal injury expenses. We also investigate alternative recovery options, like accessing uninsured motorist coverage, to maximize your claim. We are dedicated to securing favorable outcomes for clients, and we handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. This way, car accident victims can focus on healing from their personal injury while receiving fair compensation for their wounds.

Contact Hipskind & McAninch LLC in Highland now to learn more about what you can do after being in a car accident.