Chicago Car Accident Lawyer | The Super Lawyer
Been in a car accident in Chicago? You’re likely dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, insurance calls, and mounting bills. We understand how overwhelming this time can be.
At The Super Lawyer, we help Chicago car accident victims get the compensation they deserve. Our experienced personal injury attorneys handle every detail of your claim—from negotiating with insurance companies to taking your case to trial if needed.
You pay nothing unless we win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What To Do After a Car Accident
The steps you take immediately after a car accident can significantly impact your health and your ability to recover compensation. Here’s what you should do:
Immediate Steps at the Scene
- Check for injuries – Make sure everyone is safe. Call 911 if anyone needs medical attention.
- Move to safety – If possible, move vehicles out of traffic to prevent additional accidents.
- Call the police – Always file a police report, even for minor accidents. This creates official documentation.
- Exchange information – Get names, phone numbers, insurance details, and license plate numbers from all drivers involved.
- Document everything – Take photos of vehicle damage, the accident scene, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries.
- Gather witness information – If anyone saw the accident, get their contact details.
- Don’t admit fault – Be polite, but avoid saying “I’m sorry” or accepting blame at the scene.
Medical Attention and Documentation
Seek medical care immediately, even if you feel fine. Some injuries like whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries don’t show symptoms right away. Delayed medical treatment can:
- Worsen your health condition
- Give insurance companies reason to deny your claim
- Reduce the compensation you receive
Keep all medical records, bills, and receipts. Document every doctor’s visit, prescription, and treatment. This evidence is crucial for building a strong negligence claim.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury in the United States, making proper documentation essential for recovery.
Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
Every car accident is unique. At The Super Lawyer, we have experience with all types of motor vehicle accident claims in Chicago and throughout Cook County.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
If a driver flees the scene, you may feel helpless. We help you pursue compensation through:
- Your uninsured motorist coverage
- Police investigation and witness testimony
- Traffic camera footage and accident reconstruction specialists
Multi-Vehicle Collisions
When multiple cars are involved, determining liability becomes complex. We investigate all parties involved and use evidence gathering techniques to establish who was at fault.
DUI-Related Accidents
Drunk driving accidents often result in serious injuries and damages. We pursue maximum compensation from impaired drivers and explore additional recovery options like dram shop liability.
Rideshare Accidents
Accidents involving Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare services involve complicated insurance policies. We navigate these claims and determine whether the driver’s personal insurance or the rideshare company’s coverage applies.
Other cases we handle:
- Rear-end collisions
- Intersection accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Pedestrian accidents involving vehicles
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck accidents
How Car Accident Settlements Work in Chicago
Understanding the settlement negotiation process helps you know what to expect when you work with us.
Damages You Can Recover
In Illinois, car accident victims can pursue two main types of damages:
Economic Damages (calculable financial losses):
- Medical bills and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage and vehicle repair costs
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-Economic Damages (subjective losses):
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium (impact on relationships)
The value of your settlement depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost income, degree of fault, and how the accident impacts your daily life.
Settlement Negotiation Process
Here’s how we handle your car accident claim:
- Investigation – We gather evidence including police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony from accident reconstruction specialists.
- Demand Letter – We send insurance companies a detailed demand outlining your injuries, damages, and the compensation you deserve.
- Negotiation – Insurance adjusters often start with low offers. We negotiate aggressively to maximize your compensation.
- Settlement or Lawsuit Filing – If negotiations fail, we file a lawsuit and prepare for discovery process and trial or mediation.
Most insurance companies prefer to settle rather than face a jury. Our job is to secure the best possible outcome without unnecessary delays.
Timeline to Settlement
Most car accident settlements in Chicago resolve within 3 to 6 months. However, several factors affect timing:
- Severity of injuries (serious injuries require longer treatment)
- Clarity of liability (disputed fault takes longer to resolve)
- Insurance company cooperation
- Whether lawsuit filing becomes necessary
Complex cases involving permanent disability or disputed liability may take a year or more. We balance speed with getting you full compensation—we won’t rush a settlement that shortfalls your needs.
Chicago Car Accident Laws & Your Rights
Illinois has specific laws that affect your car accident claim. Understanding your rights helps you make informed decisions.
Comparative Negligence in Illinois
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 50% bar. This means:
- You can recover damages as long as you are less than 50% at fault
- Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault
- If you’re 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing
Example: You’re awarded $100,000 but found 20% at fault. Your final award is $80,000.
This law is why insurance companies try to shift blame onto victims. We protect your rights by gathering strong evidence that proves the other driver’s liability.
According to the Illinois Courts, comparative fault is one of the most contested issues in personal injury cases.
Statute of Limitations
In Illinois, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline means losing your right to compensation forever.
Some exceptions apply:
- Accidents involving minors
- Cases where injuries weren’t immediately discoverable
- Claims against government entities (shorter deadlines may apply)
Don’t wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and insurance companies become harder to deal with over time. Contact us as soon as possible after your accident.
Insurance Requirements
Illinois requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $20,000 per accident for property damage
These minimums often don’t cover serious accidents. That’s why uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is critical. We explore all available insurance policies to maximize your recovery.
Illinois is not a no-fault state, but drivers can purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for immediate medical expenses regardless of fault.
Why Hire a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer
Many accident victims wonder if they really need an attorney. Here’s why hiring The Super Lawyer makes a difference.
Maximize Your Compensation
Insurance companies are not on your side. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible. Studies show that accident victims with legal representation receive settlements that are, on average, 3.5 times higher than those without lawyers.
We maximize your compensation by:
- Accurately calculating all your damages (including future costs)
- Gathering compelling evidence
- Consulting medical experts and accident reconstruction specialists
- Negotiating aggressively with insurance adjusters
- Taking cases to trial when necessary
You deserve full compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and suffering. We fight to get it.
How We Handle Insurance Companies
After an accident, you’ll face:
- Recorded statements designed to trap you
- Early settlement offers that are far too low
- Requests for unnecessary medical releases
- Delays and claim denials
We handle all communication with insurance companies. You focus on recovery while we:
- Respond to insurance adjuster requests
- Protect you from giving damaging statements
- Counter lowball settlement offers
- Document everything for your claim
- Push back against unfair tactics
Having an experienced personal injury attorney sends a clear message: you’re serious about getting fair compensation.
Our Contingency Fee Guarantee
At The Super Lawyer, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means:
- No upfront costs – You don’t pay anything to get started
- No hourly fees – You’re never billed for phone calls, meetings, or paperwork
- We only get paid if you win – Our fee comes from your settlement or court award
- You risk nothing – If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing
Our fee is typically between 25-40% of your final settlement, depending on case complexity and whether it goes to trial. We discuss all costs upfront so there are no surprises.
This arrangement aligns our interests with yours. The more we recover for you, the more we earn. We’re motivated to maximize your compensation.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Why Choose The Super Lawyer for Your Chicago Car Accident Case
When you choose The Super Lawyer, you get:
Local Expertise – We know Chicago roads, Cook County court procedures, and local insurance company tactics. Our familiarity with Illinois comparative negligence law and state regulations gives you an advantage.
Personalized Attention – You’re not just a case number. We take time to understand your situation, answer your questions, and keep you informed throughout the process.
Proven Results – Our track record speaks for itself. We’ve helped countless Chicago residents recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Comprehensive Support – From accident scene documentation through settlement negotiation or trial, we handle every aspect of your claim. We work with medical experts, investigators, and other professionals to build the strongest possible case.
No Pressure – We explain your legal options clearly and let you make informed decisions. You’re in control.
Fast Response – Evidence disappears quickly after accidents. We start investigating immediately to preserve crucial proof and protect your rights.
FAQs
Most personal injury firms, including The Super Lawyer, work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is typically 25-40% of your settlement or award. You’ll never receive a bill for phone calls, paperwork, or consultations. We only get paid when you get paid.
Move to safety, call 911, document the scene with photos, exchange information with other drivers, get witness contact details, and report to police and your insurance company. Seek medical attention even if you feel fine. Avoid admitting fault or making recorded statements to insurance companies before talking to a lawyer.
In Illinois, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations. Acting quickly protects evidence and strengthens your case. Some exceptions apply for minors or claims against government entities, which may have shorter deadlines.
Yes, under Illinois comparative negligence law. You can recover damages as long as you are less than 50% at fault. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re 30% at fault and awarded $100,000, you’ll receive $70,000. This is why proving the other driver’s liability is so important.
Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, future medical expenses, and vehicle repair costs. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and scarring. In rare cases involving extreme negligence or intentional harm, punitive damages may also be available.
Most settlements resolve within 3-6 months. Complex cases or those that go to trial may take longer. Timeline depends on injury severity, clarity of fault, insurance company cooperation, and whether we need to file a lawsuit. We prioritize fast resolution while maximizing your compensation.
Your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may apply. We’ll pursue all available recovery options, including the at-fault driver’s personal assets or other applicable policies. Don’t assume you’re without recourse—we explore every avenue for compensation.
Look for attorneys licensed in Illinois with proven experience in car accident claims, positive client reviews, transparent fee structures, and a track record of successful settlements or verdicts. They should be familiar with Cook County court procedures and Illinois personal injury laws.
Insurance companies often settle lower with unrepresented claimants. A lawyer negotiates higher settlements, handles complex paperwork, protects your rights, and deals with insurance adjusters on your behalf—especially important if injuries are significant. Research shows represented victims receive substantially higher compensation.
Illinois follows modified comparative negligence with a 50% bar rule. You can recover damages as long as you’re less than 50% at fault. Your final award is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re found 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages. Insurance companies often try to inflate your fault percentage to reduce their payout.
Important evidence includes police reports, photos of the accident scene and vehicle damage, medical records and bills, witness statements, proof of lost wages, insurance correspondence, and any video footage. Accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts may also provide testimony. We help gather and organize all necessary evidence.
Most cases settle out of court because insurance companies prefer to avoid trial costs and unpredictable jury verdicts. However, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This preparation strengthens our negotiating position. If settlement offers are unfair, we’re ready to take your case before a judge and jury.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
Car accidents turn lives upside down. Medical bills pile up, you can’t work, and insurance companies pressure you to settle for less than you deserve.
You don’t have to face this alone.
At The Super Lawyer, we fight for Chicago car accident victims every day. We handle the legal complexities while you focus on healing. Our contingency fee structure means you risk nothing—we only get paid when we win your case.
Don’t let the statute of limitations run out. Don’t accept a lowball settlement. Don’t give recorded statements without legal advice.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and help you understand what your claim is really worth.
The Super Lawyer
Serving Chicago and Cook County
Available 24/7 for Emergencies
The information on this page is for general educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Every car accident case is unique. Outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. Past results do not guarantee future performance.
