A car accident injury turns a victim’s life upside down in ways they didn’t expect. The survivor can experience emotional trauma, physical suffering, and the risk of losing a job. Overall, the situation creates confusion and makes it difficult to think of the next steps. Our car accident lawyer in Chicago will investigate your case, file your claim, and take the required legal action.
How Can A Car Accident Lawyer Help?
Unlike other law firms, Chicago Injury Lawyer finds comprehensive solutions to problems outside the law. Our goal is to provide the guidance you need to get justice. Here is how we can help:
Free Consultation
Our car accident lawyer offers consultation without a fee so you can comfortably talk about your case. It creates an opportunity to ask detailed questions about your rights. This friendly conversation will also explore legal options for you and explain what you can expect in the process.
Evidence collection
Solid evidence builds a strong case. So, a lawyer gathers information about car accident evidence, like police reports, medical records, witness statements, etc. We collect everything to support your claim and prove facts surrounding the accident. Our friendly advocacy defends your rights and maximizes your compensation.
Information processing
Filing a claim requires pinpoint information processing to determine the value of your case. However, it is challenging after a car accident because you must focus on your recovery. Our lawyers take the responsibility of managing necessary paperwork and keeping track of important deadlines. It reduces the victim’s stress and ensures an effective case strategy execution.
Negotiation
A lawyer will negotiate on your behalf to get fair car accident compensation for your injury and suffering. Our lawyers face insurance companies that often try to offer low settlements. However, they fight for rightful compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Litigation Support
The goal of a personal injury lawyer is to secure justice and the financial recovery you deserve. If the insurance company doesn’t offer a fair settlement, we don’t delay representing your case in court. We’ll fight for your rights until ensuring compensation for your sufferings.
Why do you Deserve Compensation After a Car Accident?
Under Illinois personal injury laws, 735 ILCS 5/13-202, victims have the right to seek compensation for their injuries caused by someone’s negligence.
Since a car accident injury hampers your quality of life, the at-fault party must pay you fair compensation for pain and suffering.
After an accident, the victim goes through physical, emotional, and financial hurdles. In that tragic moment, they also risk losing their wages or jobs but must pay medical bills for treatments, surgeries, and ongoing care.
Fair compensation ensures you’ve got justice and don’t have to bear the costs of an accident that wasn’t your fault. The law protects you and makes the at-fault party accountable for your injuries and losses.
Our Chicago car accident lawyer can help you manage these legal complexities and fight for what you deserve.
Why Is Identifying Liability And Calculating Damage Important?
After a car accident, liability identification, and damage calculation are crucial. They define who is accountable for the accident – a driver, company, or another entity. Our investigation accurately finds out the responsible party for compensating the victim.
Similarly, damage calculation is important to comprehending the accident’s impact on the victim’s life. The analysis represents the actual losses and hardships of the sufferer and ensures fair compensation.
Unfortunately, many lawyers from other firms skip crucial details that weaken the case, and the victim misses full compensation. Our lawyers work on both to picture the accident’s effect and form a strong foundation to take legal action.
Crash Facts and Statistics
Illinois crash statistics for 2023 reveal a total of 1,143 fatal crashes. These incidents resulted in a total of 1,241 deaths.
Source: Fatal Crash Historic Data.
In 2022, thousands of accidents occurred, leading to many injuries and fatalities. This overview highlights data from IDOT, including the total number of crashes, types of injuries, demographics of those affected, and the economic impact.
The crash data overview for Illinois in 2022:
| Crash Category | Total Crashes | Injury Crashes | Fatal Crashes | Percentage of Total Crashes |
| Total Crashes | 298,347 | 59,795 | 1,147 | – |
| Injury Crashes | – | 59,795 | – | 20% |
| A-Injury Crashes | – | – | – | 12.1% of injury crashes |
| Crashes Involving Pedestrians | 4,179 | 3,709 | 193 | 1.40% |
The person data overview for motor vehicle crashes in Illinois in 2022:
| Category | Count | Percentage of Total |
| Total People Injured | 83,783 | – |
| A-Injuries | 8,921 | 10.6% of total injuries |
| Total Fatalities | 1,268 | – |
| Drivers Killed | 793 | – |
| Passengers Killed | 244 | – |
| Pedestrians Killed | 196 | – |
| Pedalcyclists Killed | 35 | – |
| Motorcyclists Killed | 145 | – |
| Teenagers (16-19) A-Injuries | – | 7.8% of total A-injuries |
| Teenagers (16-19) Fatalities | – | 6.4% of total fatalities |
| Total Estimated Cost of Crashes | $8 billion | – |
Types Of Car Accidents in Chicago And Their Reasons
Chicago is known for a higher rate of car accidents. According to various sources, distracted driving, drunk driving, and overspeed are the main causes of these mishaps.
We’ve listed the common types with the car accident reasons.
| Car accident types | How they occur and the reasons |
| Head-on Collisions | One of the most dangerous car accidents – happens when two vehicles hit each other from the front. Poor visibility, distracted driving, or failing to follow traffic signals are common reasons. |
| Rear-end Collisions | In that case, one car hits the back of another. They usually occur when drivers are too close, don’t stop in time, or are distracted. It can cause whiplash and other injuries. |
| Speeding Accidents | These accidents occur due to exceeding the speed limit. They are more dangerous because the higher speed increases the impact and chance of severe injuries. |
| Drunk Driving Accidents | Drunk drivers have slower reaction times and poor judgment, a common reason for road accidents. These crashes can cause serious harm to both the driver and others on the road. |
| Distracted Driving Accidents | They occur when a driver is inattentive. Common distractions include texting, talking on the phone, eating, and adjusting the radio. Thus, the driver can miss traffic signals and hit anything in front. |
| Single-Vehicle Accidents | Only one car is involved in such accidents. They happen when a driver loses control of the vehicle. Speeding, sharp turns, poor road conditions, and obstacles in the road are the reasons for these crashes. |
Common Injuries From Car Accidents in Chicago
Car accidents are dangerous and cause minor to life-threatening injuries. If the survivor is lucky, they may only have a few cuts and bruises. Unfortunately, many suffer severe and long-term damage, even permanent disability.
Whatever the injury types are, the scenario is common after a car accident. Nearly all victims go through costly medical care for recovery, which adds a financial burden to their lives.
A consolation in such a distressing moment is that Illinois law protects car accident victims and allows them to claim compensation for their current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Common car injuries our clients usually suffer from are:
- Airbag Injuries
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Organ Damage and Internal Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Whiplash Injuries (neck injuries)
- Leg and Knee Injuries
- Chest Injuries
- Back Injuries
- Pelvic Injury
- Broken Bones
- Burn Injuries
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Psychological trauma
Remember that the severity of your injury can specify the value of your claim. More severe injury signifies more potential settlement.
Chicago Injury Lawyer will always fight for fair compensation based on the severity of your injury.
What To Do After Being Injured In A Car Accident?
Car accidents occur suddenly and no one remains prepared for it. Such mishaps will also make you unsure of what to do next. However, you must move on wisely for an auto accident claim.
We advise taking medical care first rather than thinking of any other things. You can go for the legal options later.
We have a checklist for you on what to do after a car accident injury:
Get Medical Attention: Seek medical treatment immediately to document any injuries for future claims.
Report the Accident to Authorities: Contact the police and report the accident. An official accident report will be crucial for legal action.
Exchange Insurance Information: This step is necessary for filing insurance claims.
Gather Evidence: Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your visible injuries.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer: When you feel well, talk to a personal injury attorney in Chicago to understand your rights and compensation.
Keep Track of Expenses: Maintain a record of all medical bills, repair costs, and any other expenses related to the accident.
We also discourage doing the following things:
Confessing Fault: Avoid making statements that could be seen as accepting fault, even if you feel partly responsible.
Talking to an Insurance Company Without Legal Advice: Insurance adjusters may try to minimize your claim. So it’s best to have legal guidance.
What Evidence Do You Need To Claim Car Accident Injury Compensation?
Evidence is crucial to evaluate your claim. Though many car accident victims don’t realize their importance, you must collect them soon. Your claim can be delayed or even denied without proper documentation.
Strong evidence strengthens the case and helps the injured person get fair compensation. Remember, the more proof you have, the better your claim will be accepted.
We suggest collecting the following evidence for a car accident compensation claim:
- Police report including the details of the incident.
- Medical records including doctor’s visits, treatments, and prescriptions.
- Photos of the damaged vehicle and your injuries.
- Statements from witnesses who saw the accident.
- Vehicle repair estimates
- Lost wages and income if you missed work due to your injuries.
- Contact information for involved insurance companies.
- Property damage and its cost.
Can You Still Claim Compensation If You Were Partly At Fault?
The Illinois Compiled Statutes (735 ILCS 5/2-1116) follow a modified comparative negligence rule. Under the law, you can still claim compensation if you were partly at fault for a car accident.
You can still claim compensation if you are less than 50% at fault for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of your fault. In contrast, you cannot get compensation if your fault is 50% or more.
For example, if the total damages are $10,000 and your fault is 20%, your compensation would be reduced by 20%. So, you will receive $8,000.
This law encourages fair justice based on each party’s level of responsibility. So, providing strong evidence when claiming compensation is essential.
Consulting with a Chicago personal injury lawyer is the best way to ensure compensation is not unfairly reduced based on incorrect fault assessments.
How Long After a Car Accident Can You Claim Injury?
You have a limited time to file a car accident compensation claim. According to the Illinois Compiled Statutes (735 ILCS 5/13-202), the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including car accidents, is 2 years.
If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to claim compensation, no matter how serious your injuries are. Though two years seems plenty of time, you should gather all evidence as early as possible. Delays also may weaken your case because it can be harder to gather evidence.
Contacting a personal injury lawyer early on will help you meet all deadlines and protect your right to compensation under the law.
How Much Money Can You Get From a Car Accident?
The amount depends on several factors. There is no fixed amount, as each case is unique. However, compensation can range from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands, even millions in severe cases.
The highest compensations are paid for deadly damages such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, multiple fractures, etc.
The factors that influence the compensation amount include:
- The severity of your injuries
- The extent of your medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Other damages and costs
What to Do if an Insurance Company Denies Your Claim?
In most cases, insurance companies stand in opposition to the victim and deny fair compensation after a car accident. They try to refuse your claim from every angle and offer a low settlement. However, there is nothing to be hopeless.
A car accident injury lawyer can fight on your behalf if an insurance company offers you an unfair settlement. Attorneys from Chicago Injury Lawyer will gather the necessary evidence to show the true cost of damages and help you appeal the decision. If they still disagree, we won’t be late to take your case to court.
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Want to talk to a Chicago car accident lawyer? Schedule a Free Consultation
We know a car accident is stressful, and you are looking for someone to discuss the incident. We offer a free consultation where you’ll get answers to your questions, learn about your rights, and find your legal options. Contact us today and take a step toward receiving the compensation you deserve.
