You know what happened. You were stopped, or you had the light, or you were already through the intersection when the other car came at you. Then you hear the other driver’s version, and it sounds nothing like what you lived through. That’s a sickening feeling, especially when you’re hurt and the bills are already starting. That’s when evidence matters most.
When Your Word Is Against Theirs, the Evidence Has to Speak
When two drivers tell different stories, we look past the competing accounts to the crash report and the physical evidence, and once Maadi Law is hired, we handle the insurers on behalf of injured clients. Here’s how that evidence fits into a disputed claim, and why a careful review matters.
Why does a disagreement about fault matter so much?
A serious crash leaves more than physical injuries. It leaves medical bills, missed paychecks, and an insurance company whose job is to pay you as little as possible. When the other driver’s account conflicts with yours, the question of what really happened becomes the center of the claim. So we start with the evidence, not with either driver’s story.
What role does the crash report play?
The crash report is the foundation of the claim. If your collision happened inside the village, the Orland Park Police Department is usually the responding agency. On the larger routes, it may be another department or the Illinois State Police.
You’re entitled to a copy of the report from the agency that responded. When you hire us, we obtain it and read it against the physical evidence. That second part matters. A report is a starting point, and comparing it to what the physical evidence shows helps us see where the accounts line up and where they don’t.
What other evidence can show what really happened?
Evidence such as camera footage, vehicle data, and witness accounts can help establish what happened in a crash. These are the kinds of evidence that can matter most when accounts conflict, and witness statements are part of the paperwork we work with on these claims.
Your own medical records matter too, along with any lost wages documentation and insurance correspondence you’ve received. Keep it all together, even if it feels like a messy pile right now. Getting from chaos to clarity is the whole point of how we work.
Why can’t I wait to see how it plays out?
Because evidence doesn’t wait. Camera footage, vehicle data, and witness memory start disappearing much sooner than the legal deadline. Illinois generally allows two years from the date of a crash to file an injury lawsuit, but if the other driver is disputing fault, the evidence you’d need to answer that dispute could be gone long before then. Reaching out early gives us an opportunity to review the available evidence and discuss the filing deadlines that may apply.
Does where the crash happened make a difference?
Yes, in more than one way. Most of the serious crashes we see in Orland Park happen on a handful of corridors. La Grange Road through 143rd Street, 151st Street, and 159th Street produces left turn collisions across multiple lanes, rear end crashes on backed up approaches to the shopping centers, and drivers moving faster than the signals allow. Harlem Avenue through Orland Park and Tinley Park sees rear end and left turn collisions too. Knowing exactly where your crash happened helps us figure out which agency responded and what evidence to look for.
Location also affects where a case is heard. Orland Park sits in Cook County, and many surrounding southwest suburbs reach into Will County. Where the crash occurred and where the at fault party lives or does business can be relevant when determining the appropriate court for a lawsuit. We consider those circumstances when evaluating a claim.
What happens once you take the case?
Maadi Law handles the legal details of your claim so you can focus more on your recovery. After we obtain the crash report and review it against the physical evidence, we deal with the insurers from that point forward.
What does it cost to have a lawyer look at this?
Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee for car accident cases. Our fee is a percentage of what we recover for you, and if we recover nothing, you owe us no fee. The consultation is free and carries no obligation.
Let’s Find Out What the Evidence Shows
Hearing a version of events that doesn’t match yours is frustrating. It can also make you wonder whether anyone will believe you. You don’t have to win that argument on your own. Whether you were a driver, a passenger, a pedestrian, a cyclist, or riding in an Uber or Lyft, tell us where the crash happened and what the other driver is saying. We’ll look at the report, the evidence, and the timeline, and give you an honest read on where things stand.
Call 312-312-7558, or use our Free Consultation or Tell Us What Happened form. A free consultation costs nothing and protects the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if the other driver is blaming me?
Reach out early. Camera footage, vehicle data, and witness accounts can become harder to obtain over time, so it’s important to discuss the available evidence and applicable deadlines as early as possible.
How do I get the crash report?
You’re entitled to a copy from the agency that responded, often the Orland Park Police Department for crashes inside the village. When you hire us, we obtain it and review it against the physical evidence.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Illinois?
Illinois generally allows two years from the date of a crash to file an injury lawsuit.
How much does a car accident lawyer cost in Orland Park?
Nothing up front. Maadi Law works on a contingency fee, and if we recover nothing, you owe us no fee. The consultation is free and carries no obligation.