You may be entitled to money if you were hurt in a Rockford, IL car accident. Especially if the person who caused the accident was negligent. A Rockford car accident lawyer can help you assess the merits of your legal case.
Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers are leading car accident attorneys in the Rockford, Illinois area. Our Rockford car accident attorneys have over 30 years of combined experience practicing personal injury law. We aren’t afraid to stand up to insurance companies to get you fair compensation.
Call our office at (312) 929-2884 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your rights.
How Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident In Rockford
Most people will get into a car accident at some point in their lifetime. While some people walk away from car crashes without any injuries, many are left with debilitating injuries. These injuries may affect the rest of their lives.
Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers represent clients who are hurt in car crashes caused by someone’s negligence. We fight for payment for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses caused by the crash.
Since 2011, we have won tens of millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. Our success has earned us recognition including named Super Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, and National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers.
When you hire our Rockford personal injury attorneys to take on your Rockford, IL car accident case, we will:
- Investigate the cause of the accident
- Collect evidence
- File insurance claims
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Review your medical records
- Consult with expert witnesses
- Calculate your damages
- File a personal injury lawsuit
- Keep track of important deadlines
- Fight for you at trial
Choosing a Rockford car accident lawyer is one of the most important decisions you will make in your case. You can trust Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers to handle your case with compassion and zeal.
Call our office to set up a time to learn more about our team and how we can help.
How Common Are Car Accidents In Rockford, IL?
In 2022, there were 3,710 car crashes in Rockford, IL. These accidents caused 14 deaths and 1,137 injuries. Of those injuries, 81 were severe and incapacitating. That means that the injuries rendered the person immobile or incapable of doing the same activities as before the crash.
While this may not seem like a lot, Rockford only has a population of 146,713. That means about 775 per 100,000 people were injured in crashes.
What Is My Rockford Car Accident Case Worth?
Your Rockford car accident case is worth the total of your damages. Damages are the compensation that you are paid for your injuries, both financial and non-financial.
Some common factors may impact its worth. These factors may include:
- The severity of your injuries
- Whether or not your injuries are permanent
- Whether your injuries are disabling
- The cost of your medical bills
- The length of your treatment
- Emotional trauma associated with the accident
- Your ability to enjoy life and participate in the same activities as before the accident
- The effect of your injuries on income and earning potential
A Rockford car accident lawyer can estimate the value of your case in your initial meetings. This value can help guide settlement negotiations to make sure you are fully compensated.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
In general, you can request economic and non-economic damages after a car crash.
Economic damages are financial losses that happen because of an accident or an injury.
Economic damages typically include:
- Medical bills
- Cost of rehabilitation or physical therapy
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Damage to the car
- Lost income
- Lost future earning capacity
Non-economic damages are every other type of loss.
Non-economic damages are usually emotional or quality-of-life losses, for example:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Mental illness (like PTSD or anxiety)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Permanent disfigurement or scarring
Non-economic damages can be just as valuable, if not more valuable, than economic damages. However, they are tricky to prove. An experienced car accident attorney will know how to successfully fight to recover them.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Rockford Car Accident Lawyer?
The cost of a Rockford car accident lawyer will vary depending on how much money you recover.
Most personal injury lawyers charge a contingency fee. A contingency fee means that your lawyer’s fee is contingent upon winning the case. If you don’t recover any money, then you don’t pay your lawyer.
Alternatively, if your lawyer does win the case, you will pay them a percentage of your damages. Usually, the contingency fee is between 30% – 40%. You will discuss the exact fee in your initial consultation before hiring the lawyer.
This arrangement benefits people who cannot afford a lawyer. You won’t worry about paying out of pocket because payment comes directly from the settlement or award.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Car Accident In Illinois?
Yes, you can usually recover compensation even if you are blamed for a car accident.
Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule. Under this rule, a plaintiff can recover damages as long as they are no more than 50% responsible for causing the accident. You cannot recover anything if you are more than 50% responsible.
If you are found to be partially responsible for the accident, your damages are reduced by your share of responsibility. For example, a plaintiff who is 25% responsible for the crash will collect 75% of their damages. You should talk with a lawyer if you are blamed for causing the accident.
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Car Accident Injuries
Our lawyers will fight to recover money for your injuries ranging from the minor to the most severe, including:
- Amputation
- Back injuries
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries
- Brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Chest injuries
We will review your medical records and talk with your treatment team to ensure that we fully understand the extent of your injuries and the treatment plan. Only once we get the full picture of how your injury has affected your life can we fight for fair compensation.
What Causes Most Car Accidents In Rockford, IL?
There are a lot of causes of car accidents in Rockford, IL, including the following:
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield
- Blindspots
- Speeding
- Running stop signs and red lights
- Improper U-turns
- Defective equipment
We can investigate your accident to find out who is responsible. Our lawyers will pursue every path to recovery in your case.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Car Accident In Illinois?
To prove negligence, you must show evidence that the defendant failed to use reasonable care. Reasonable care means using the same level of care that an ordinary person would use in the same situation. Not every accident involves negligence, but many do.
The elements of negligence are:
- Duty
- Breach
- Causation
- Damages
If you can prove each of these elements by a preponderance of the evidence, then you may recover compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident In Illinois?
You have two years to file a lawsuit after a car accident in Illinois. This is the most important deadline in your case. If you miss this deadline, then you will lose your right to ask for compensation through the courts.
You should speak with a lawyer immediately after your accident to make sure you don’t miss the deadline.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
You must file a crash report with the police if the accident caused death, injury, or damage over $1,500. You should immediately seek medical attention if you or anyone on the scene has been hurt.
It is important to have your injuries evaluated right after a crash so that you can create a medical record to use later in your case. If you wait too long, the defense might argue that your injuries were caused by something else.
Assuming you are able, you should take photographs of the scene of the crash. This may include damage to vehicles, positioning of the cars, skid marks on the road, or anything else that may become important.
You can collect the insurance and personal information from the other drivers. If the police are called to the scene, they will also get this information. Additionally, you may want to see if any witnesses saw the accident happen.
Finally, you should reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible. They can help you conduct the investigation, collect evidence and reports, and get connected with medical professionals.
Contact Our Rockford Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Don’t waste time thinking about whether or not you need a Rockford car accident lawyer. Hiring an attorney will be the best decision you make in your case. Your attorney can help you recover the money you deserve and allow you time to focus on healing.
Call Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers to set up a free consultation today after a car accident in Rockford, IL.
