If you’ve sustained injuries in a car accident in Chicago, IL, you may be able to file a claim against the at-fault party and recover total compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call the experienced Chicago car accident attorneys at Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers at (312) 929-2884.
Our lawyers have more than 30 years of combined experience, and we’ve collected tens of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients to date. If you choose us to represent you after a car accident, we’re confident in our ability to help you determine and achieve a successful outcome.
To learn more, contact us online or give us a quick call. Our law firm offers a free consultation to review your case as well as to provide legal advice. We are also fluent in Spanish and Arabic.
How Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Recover Compensation After a Car Accident
When it comes to car accidents, an insurance company usually features prominently on the other side. This is especially true in an at-fault car insurance state like Illinois. Insurance companies, at the end of the day, are for-profit businesses. It’s important to understand that, as a result, insurance adjusters are incentivized to reduce the liability of their insured drivers whenever possible.
If you don’t have an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer on your side, you might walk away with significantly less compensation than what your claim is worth. Instead, consider selecting our attorneys to help you from start to finish. We can help you get the results you need to move forward and avoid the pitfalls that might happen if you are unrepresented.
Our award-winning legal team can assist you after an auto accident by:
- Launching a comprehensive internal investigation into your accident to collect evidence and evaluate your claim
- Identifying any at-fault drivers or other parties
- Demand fair compensation from at-fault drivers and aggressively negotiate on your behalf
- Hire professional experts along the way as necessary to further strengthen your case
- In the event that the other party refuses to settle your claim, file a lawsuit and bring your case to court
These are just a few of the ways our car accident lawyers can help you. Reach out to our law office serving Chicago, Illinois, today to begin forming an attorney-client relationship or for further information. There’s no obligation to choose us, even after your no-charge initial consultation.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Depending on the facts of your case, hiring a car accident lawyer could be the best decision available to you after a collision. Even after our attorney’s fees are taken out (keep in mind we only get paid if we obtain compensation for you, and we charge you nothing upfront), you will likely end up with much more money than you would otherwise.
Car accident cases almost always entail going through an insurance company. Insurance companies have their profits in mind, not your best interests. They’ll do whatever they can to avoid their liability for your claim. A lawyer will level the playing field, as you’ll have a professional negotiator on your side who knows insurance company tricks as well as anyone.
If you decide to hire a lawyer, they can provide you with expert witness assistance as well. Oftentimes, this type of help is required to get full compensation for your claim. Personal injury attorneys also have access to other resources that can bolster your case against at-fault drivers.
Under Illinois law, your compensation can be reduced based on the percentage of responsibility for the collision that is assessed to you. You also could be barred from recovering any money from at-fault drivers at all if your percentage reaches 51% or higher. If you have an attorney, they can work to minimize the amount of blame given to you so that you can recover the full value you are due.
We encourage you to reach out to us for a free consultation if you’re not sure whether getting a lawyer makes sense in your case.
How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?
Each car accident case will be worth a different amount, as each involves different results, facts, and circumstances. Simply stated, the accidents that involve the most severe injuries are usually worth the most – as are those that will impact your life the most now and in the future.
However, there are many other important considerations that can factor into the equation, such as:
- The age of the victim at the time of the crash
- Whether there is sufficient evidence available to prove the claim
- The terms of any insurance policies, such as health insurance and auto insurance
- The extent to which the victim shares blame for the accident (comparative negligence)
Working to fully evaluate a claim can take some time, and it is best to contact a Chicago car accident attorney in order to arrive at an estimate. A lot depends on the quality of your legal representation as well, as an experienced lawyer can increase the value of your claim substantially.
How Long Do I Have To File a Claim After a Car Accident in Illinois?
In most instances, you will have two years from the date of the collision to file a claim. This is the deadline set by the state’s statute of limitations for personal injury. If you only intend to file a claim based on property damage, however, you will have five years. If you file your lawsuit past when it is due, you may be unable to recover compensation and pursue your case.
There are some exceptions to these deadlines, so it is possible that you have additional (or less) time to file. It depends, in part, on the specific facts of your case. Ultimately, it is best to contact our law office as soon as you can if you are unsure of the deadline that applies to your case. This will ensure you maintain your ability to pursue compensation.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover After a Car Accident?
Two forms of compensatory damages are available to car accident victims: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages compensate you for things such as:
- Medical bills (current and future)
- Lost wages and decreased earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Repair costs
Non-economic damages compensate you for other types of harm you might have experienced, including:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Decreased enjoyment of life
- Mental conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression
In rare cases, punitive damages may be available in addition to compensatory damages. However, punitive damages are only available in cases involving extreme conduct, such as if the driver’s conduct was intentional or reckless. For example, if at-fault drivers are under the influence of a high amount of alcohol, punitive damages may be more likely.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Our car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Under this form of payment, you pay us zero fees upfront. You also only pay us attorney’s fees if we get you compensation at the conclusion of your case. In other words, we are only paid if you are as well.
If we secure a settlement or monetary award for you, we will receive a percentage as payment. The percentage varies based on the particular case, but will usually be around 33%. We’ll agree to the exact percentage with you ahead of time.
With the contingency fee arrangement, you can get top-rated legal representation even if your accident has left you in a difficult financial situation. Further, we will be incentivized to increase the value of your case as much as we can. Call a legal professional with our team to learn more.
Can I Get Compensation if I Was Partly at Fault For My Accident?
In Illinois, you can still recover compensation even if you are partly responsible for the accident — but only up to a point.
The state currently uses a standard called modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar to recovery. So if you are found to be mostly at fault for the car accident, you will not be able to recover damages for your injuries.
If your percentage of fault is less than 51%, you may still recover compensation – but your total monetary award could be reduced. For instance, $200,000 awarded by a jury could be reduced by 25% to $150,000 if you are assigned 25% of the blame. Having a lawyer on your side can make an important difference, as they’ll be working to ensure as little fault is assessed to you as possible.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Chicago?
Taking the following steps after a motor vehicle crash can go a long way toward the future success of your claim, as well as protecting your health and safety:
- If you can, move your vehicle to a safe spot off the side of the roadway.
- Call 911 to report the accident. This is often required by state law, and having a police report for your crash could benefit your case.
- Exchange information with the other person or persons involved in the crash.
- Collect evidence if it is safe to do so, such as taking photos and video of the accident scene as well as collecting contact information from any eyewitnesses.
- Receive medical attention, regardless of whether you’ve suffered an obvious injury. Not all injuries present symptoms immediately, and medical records can be key evidence for your claim.
- Avoid apologizing to anyone about the accident, and do not accept blame. If you do, the success of your claim could be jeopardized.
From there, setting up an initial consultation with an experienced lawyer is important. Your attorney can advise you on what you should do next to protect your legal rights and interests.
Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
With three decades of combined experience, our attorneys can help you with just about any type of car accident case. Some of the kinds of claims we’re equipped to handle include, but are not limited to, the following.
Rear-End Crashes
Rear-end crashes can range significantly in terms of severity. While some might be minor fender benders, others can cause life-changing harm or even fatal injuries. Contact our Chicago rear-end crash attorneys to learn about your best course of action after this type of accident.
Head-On Crashes
Head-on car accidents are among the most dangerous and terrifying; the results can be devastating. If you were involved in an accident of this kind, you deserve to be compensated in full, including all of your medical bills. Reach out to our experienced Chicago head-on crash attorneys to start on the path to justice.
Single-Vehicle Crashes
A single-vehicle car accident can leave you wondering about your future options for financial recovery. While insurance coverage may be a possibility, there may be other avenues to pursue as well in some cases. Our single-vehicle accident lawyers can help you evaluate your best next steps.
Multi-Vehicle Crashes
Establishing liability in multi-vehicle crashes can be difficult, especially if more than one person shares some of the blame. If you contact our multi-vehicle accident lawyers, we’ll work hard every step of the way to secure full compensation for your case and prove the responsible party’s negligence. Call today to determine your next steps.
Intersection Crashes
A high number of crashes occur at intersections, as there is a lot that can go wrong at these locations. Motor vehicle owners owe a responsibility to others in terms of driving safely, and it’s possible you have a substantial claim for compensation. Call our intersection crash lawyers for help.
Highway Crashes
Highway accidents can be especially severe and are often fatal, considering the speed at which the vehicles are traveling. If you’ve sustained injuries and damages in this type of crash, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Contact our highway crash lawyers today.
These are just a few examples of cases we can help you with. Reach out to us to schedule a complimentary initial consultation if you’ve been hurt in any type of crash.
Types of Injuries From Car Accidents
The results of a motor vehicle accident can include injuries that impact the victim driver’s life for many years to come – or longer. The resulting medical care could be significant and ongoing for many injuries as well. Some of the types of injuries our lawyers can help you pursue compensation for include:
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Road rash
- Puncture wounds
- Organ and nerve damage
- Chest injuries
- Leg injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
Whether or not we’ve listed your injuries above, we can help you get compensation for your medical bills and much more. Set up your no-cost, no-obligation consultation by reaching out online or giving us a quick phone call.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Chicago, IL
While accidents can occur for many reasons, some are more typical than others. Among the most common causes of car accidents in the area are:
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving behaviors, such as tailgating or speeding
- Drunk driving
- Intoxicated driving
- Poor weather conditions
- Crashes due to defective roadways or equipment
Our team has the experience and is well-equipped to help you determine your best legal course of action after any form of collision. We can get started today if you’re ready to learn more.
Chicago Car Accident Statistics
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) releases car accident statistics for every city in the state. The latest year from which data are available from the Illinois Department of Transportation is 2021, and the numbers are as follows for Chicago:
- 98,563 crashes involving 199,965 vehicles
- 17,441 injury-causing crashes and 24,078 people injured
- 80,909 property-damage-only accidents
- 230 fatalities
Unfortunately, these numbers show that auto accidents occur at an alarming rate. On average, there are almost a total of 50 injury-causing motor vehicle accidents per day in the city, some of which appear on the news. Although there are efforts to lower the amount of crashes in the future, especially fatal ones, time will tell if these strategies are successful.
Determining Fault in a Car Accident in Chicago
By and large, most auto accidents come down to proving that the at-fault driver was negligent, which means something close to “careless.”
The four legal elements required to prove negligence to a judge or jury are as follows:
- Did the other driver owe you a duty of care? For example, there is a general duty of care to follow the rules of the road, such as speed limits.
- Has that duty of care been breached by the at-fault party? In most circumstances, speeding can satisfy this element.
- Was the accident caused by the other person? Two forms of causation must be met in this context: factual cause and proximate cause.
- Did you suffer damages as a result of the other driver’s breach of duty?
To be successful in your case, you will need to support each of these elements with evidence. The standard of proof you must meet is “by a preponderance of the evidence,” which is much easier to meet than the standard found in criminal law cases, “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Types of evidence you can utilize in support of your claim include:
- Medical records
- Eyewitness testimony
- Photo and video evidence
Proving negligence is not usually easy, but our attorneys have been doing so successfully for over a decade. Give us a call to discuss your case and how we can help you prove that the responsible driver was negligent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will My Car Accident Case Go to Trial?
Car accident cases rarely go to trial. Instead, they are usually resolved through settlement negotiations with the at-fault party or their insurance company. In fact, most cases won’t even make it to court in the first place.
That said, sometimes, it’s your best course of action to file a lawsuit and bring your case to court. Settlement negotiations can still continue after a lawsuit is filed, and we’ll have access to pretrial discovery – an information-gathering process that could reveal critical evidence.
In addition, insurance companies oftentimes do not want to defend cases in court, due to the significant time and resources required. Therefore, they may be willing to increase their settlement offer simply based on the “threat” of litigation.
Contact our law offices for more information regarding your specific case.
Who Could Be Liable for My Injuries Resulting From a Car Accident?
Personal injury law in Illinois permits you to seek compensation (for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and much more) from just about anyone who caused or contributed to the cause of your crash. Liable parties may include the following:
- The other driver(s) involved in the accident
- The insurance company for the at-fault driver
- A government entity, if your crash was caused by poor road upkeep
- The manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of a defective part or machinery that led to your crash
Other parties might be liable as well, depending on the facts and circumstances of your case. If you’re not sure of how to proceed after an accident, contact our law offices to set up a free case evaluation.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With an Experienced Chicago Car Accident Attorney
A car accident has the potential to impact you and your family in a number of different areas. In truth, the results can impact nearly every aspect of your life. Hiring a trusted Chicago car accident lawyer can allow you to focus on your medical treatment as well as your health and well-being. You can count on our experience and track record of success to get you results.
In the meantime, we’ll be able to dedicate the resources and time to help you recover compensation for your injuries. We also work on contingency, which means it won’t cost you anything upfront to hire us – and we only receive attorney’s fees in the event that we win or settle your claim. Contact us at (312) 929-2884 today to begin the process.
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Additional Car Accident Articles & Information
- Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Minor Car Accident?
- What Does Yielding the Right of Way Mean?
- Vehicle and Driver Requirements for Uber and Lyft in Illinois
- FAQs: Car Accident Reports in Illinois
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