Why Choose Us for Your Chicago Car Accident Claim?
Midwest Injury Lawyers has become one of the leading car accident law firms in Chicago by providing assertive and effective representation to individuals and families who suffered serious injuries or tragic losses in motor vehicle accidents caused by someone else.
Our law firm’s founding partners, attorneys Chester “Chet” L. Cameron, Jr. and Samuel “Sam” R. Carl, have decades of combined experience fighting for injured accident victims and their families. We established Midwest Injury Lawyers with a driving mission to help people who suffered injuries or lost close family members due to another party’s actions.
Over the years, we have recovered tens of millions of dollars in total compensation for our clients, including a record-setting verdict for the victim of a motorcycle accident. You can rely on us to negotiate with the insurance company for a more favorable settlement. We are fully prepared to take your case to trial and fight for the full compensation you need and the justice you deserve.
Our attorneys are consistently ranked by our peers as among the top 5% of personal injury lawyers in the country, and we have received dozens of client testimonials for our outstanding professionalism and service. You can count on us to be there when you need us, and we promise to do all we can to help you recover the maximum compensation possible.
To begin, you can contact Midwest Injury Lawyers by calling 312-786-5881, or you can complete our online contact form to request a free consultation from an experienced car accident attorney who has your best interests at heart.
How to Recover Compensation
for Your Car Accident Injuries
Insurance covers almost all car accident claims, and the first step in pursuing compensation from the at-fault driver is to file a car accident injury claim with their auto insurance company. The insurance company will schedule an adjuster to investigate the accident and determine whether the policy covers your injuries and how much they will pay.
Just because you suffered injuries in a car crash doesn’t mean you are entitled to compensation. Your own auto insurance policy may cover the injuries you or your passengers sustained in a car accident you caused. However, you will have to prove the other driver was at fault and liable for your injuries before you can file a car accident claim with their insurance company.
As a car accident victim, filing an insurance claim does not mean you will receive compensation automatically. Sometimes, an insurance company will assert that your injuries are not that serious or that the policy doesn’t cover your injuries. They may agree to pay only a portion of your claim, and the car accident settlement amount may not be enough to cover all your medical expenses and other financial losses.
A car accident attorney can help establish the other driver’s liability and gather evidence to prove the severity of your injuries. A lawyer can also wrangle with the insurance company to hold them accountable for honoring the policy and paying for the claim.
Car Accident Lawsuits in Chicago
Although most car accident injury claims settle outside of court, you may have to take your case to trial if you cannot reach a settlement with the insurance company, or if they act in bad faith regarding your claim. You may also have to take the other party to court and sue for damages if the other driver’s insurance company refuses to fully cover your medical bills and other related expenses.
If the accident and your injuries were the result of defective car components, such as faulty seatbelts, airbags, tires, or brakes, you may need to take the manufacturer to court to hold them accountable and receive the compensation you deserve.
To protect the rights of car accident victims, the state of Illinois has implemented several laws regarding automobile accidents. Even if you partially contributed to the crash, you can seek justice.
However, you generally have two years from the date of the accident in Illinois to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. If you wait too long, you may jeopardize your chances of getting any compensation for your medical expenses and losses, so you need to contact a Chicago car accident lawyer right away.
Our Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Is Here to Help You
The car accident attorneys at Midwest Injury Lawyers understand the complexities of Illinois law.
We will sit with you and respectfully explain your rights and options so that you can make informed decisions, and we are always available to answer any questions you may have. We know what you’ve been through, and we’re here to help you pursue justice with assertive representation and impassioned advocacy each step of the way.
You shouldn’t have to deal with the financial, physical, and mental strain of your injuries alone. Allow our Chicago car accident lawyers to help you pursue maximum compensation to alleviate your stress and financial burdens.
How We Determine Liability
in Car Accidents?
Fault isn’t always as black and white as we’d like it to be—especially in auto accidents. Even if you are innocent, the responsible party may attempt to deflect their liability and place blame on you. We’ve seen insurance companies resort to liability claims to avoid paying victims.
That’s where “modified comparative fault” comes into play. Comparative negligence is a legal concept used to determine the degree of fault of each party involved in an accident and how it affects their ability to recover damages. The purpose of comparative negligence is to allocate responsibility for the accident and apportion damages accordingly.
Illinois follows a “modified comparative negligence” standard. In a comparative negligence state, each party involved in an accident can be assigned a percentage of fault for the incident. The amount of compensation a party can recover is then reduced by their percentage of fault.
For example, if you are involved in a car accident and a court determines that you are 20% at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by 20%. So, if your damages were valued at $100,000, then you would be awarded $80,000 ($100,000 minus 20%.)
How Our Lawyers Determine Fault in Car Accidents in Chicago
Understanding the cause of the accident is the first step on the road to injury compensation.
Our lawyers determine fault in a car accident by examining various pieces of evidence and applying legal principles.
Establishing fault is crucial in personal injury claims, as it helps determine liability and the party responsible for compensating the injured party.
Police reports often provide an initial assessment of the accident scene. Law enforcement officers who respond to the scene may interview witnesses, assess damage, and make preliminary determinations of fault. While these reports are not conclusive, they can be a valuable starting point for lawyers.
Medical records can provide information on the severity and nature of the injuries. This information can be relevant in establishing the causal link between the accident and the injuries.
We may interview individuals who witnessed the events leading up to and during the accident to gather additional perspectives and details. And, in some cases, we may consult with accident reconstruction experts to analyze the scene, vehicle damage, and other factors. These experts use scientific methods to recreate the sequence of events and provide opinions on how the accident occurred.
It’s important to consider that fault may be apportioned among multiple parties in some cases, especially in states, like Illinois, that follow comparative negligence rules.
Determining fault is a complex process. If you’re involved in a car accident, a personal injury attorney with Midwest Injury Lawyers can assess the specific details of your case and guide you through the legal process.
What is My
Chicago Accident Claim Worth?
After our initial evaluation, we’ll help you assess the true value of your claim based on how your life has been impacted. The more significant the impact, the higher the compensation should be.
Common economic damages include:
Lost
Earnings
Loss of
Earning Potential
Property
Damage
Medical Bills and
Expenses
Common non-economic damages include:
Pain and Suffering (Mental and Physical)
Lost Companionship or Love
Decreased Quality and Enjoyment of Life
It may seem difficult to put a price tag on some of these damages. Our lawyers use various factors to determine how much compensation car accident victims deserve, including consulting with experts, such as medical professionals, economists, or vocational experts, to provide opinions on the extent of the damages and the impact on the victim's life.
The goal is to ensure that victims are fairly compensated for the losses and damages they have suffered as a result of the accident.
For example, our lawyers consider the actual medical expenses incurred by the victim. This includes hospital bills, doctor's visits, surgeries, prescription medications, rehabilitation, and any other necessary medical treatments.
If the victim is expected to require ongoing medical care or future treatments, our lawyers may work with medical experts to estimate these future expenses.
Compensation often includes lost earnings due to the victim's inability to work because of injuries sustained in the accident. This can also cover future lost earning capacity if the injuries result in long-term or permanent disability.
Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life, are subjective but essential components of compensation. Our lawyers may use various methods, including multipliers or daily rates, to estimate these damages.
with experts, such as medical professionals, economists, or vocational experts, to provide opinions on the extent of the damages and the impact on the victim's life.
Why Should You Hire a
Chicago Car Accident Attorney?
Successfully navigating a car accident claim and obtaining compensation is complex, challenging, and often frustrating. Car accident claims require in-depth knowledge of civil laws, courts, and procedures, as well as how to deal with insurance companies effectively.
An experienced car accident lawyer will understand Illinois law and how insurance companies operate. They can gather evidence to support your injury claim and hold the negligent driver liable for your injuries.
A car accident attorney will understand the defense tactics the insurance company may use to deny your claim or reduce the amount they will pay. A lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company to get a higher settlement, or they can take your case to trial and fight for you to help you get the full compensation you need.
The bottom line is that you have a better chance of achieving fair compensation in your auto accident claim working with an experienced car accident attorney than you do without. The attorneys at Midwest Injury Lawyers not only know Illinois law, but we also know how to go up against big insurance companies and their lawyers.
Our Chicago car accident lawyers ensure that you present the strongest case possible. Some of the services our skilled attorneys can provide include:
-
Investigation
and deep assessment of your auto accident.
1 -
Consultation
with experts and witnesses in a variety of fields.
2 -
Documentation
of the entire legal process.
3 -
Examination
of your relevant insurance policies.
4 -
Negotiation
with auto insurance companies and adjusters.
5 -
Representation
and professional presentation of your case in court.
6
Frequently Asked Questions
About Chicago Car Accidents
Many times, drivers don’t actually know what their insurance company owes them for the accident. Our Chicago auto accident lawyers will help you understand what you’re truly entitled to—and ensure you receive what you’re owed for your damages.
Additionally, we help you if your insurance company denies your claim. Our Midwest Injury Lawyers prevent insurance companies from taking advantage of victims or skimping on their financial payouts.
The statute of limitations in Illinois for filing a personal injury lawsuit arising from a motor vehicle accident is generally two years from the date of the accident. Within that timeframe, you have the option to file a lawsuit in court seeking compensation for any injuries or damages you suffered as a result of the accident.
However, there may be other deadlines and time limits that apply to your specific case, depending on the circumstances. If you need to file a car accident claim with your insurance company, there may be a shorter deadline for doing so.
Consult a Chicago car accident attorney for advice regarding the specific deadlines and requirements that apply to your case. By acting quickly, your lawyer can help ensure that you don’t miss any important deadlines and that your claim is processed expediently.
Yes, you can still pursue compensation for car accident injuries in Illinois, even if you were partially at fault. Illinois uses a modified comparative fault rule, which means that you can still recover damages as long as your percentage of fault is 50% or less. However, insurance companies will often attempt to reduce your settlement value by arguing that your share of the fault was greater than it actually was. In this instance, it’s crucial to have a car accident attorney who can investigate the circumstances of your car accident claim and accurately determine liability.
Determining fault in a car crash can be complex, and there may be multiple factors that contributed to the accident. It’s recommended that you consult a personal injury attorney with experience handling car accident cases who can help you understand your legal rights and ensure that they’re protected.
How long your car accident case takes to settle depends on several factors, such as the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries, and the willingness of the parties to settle.
If the case is relatively straightforward, it may be possible to settle the case out of court with the insurance company within a few months. However, if the case is more complex and involves severe injuries or disputed liability, it may take several rounds of negotiation and a longer window of time to resolve. In some cases, it may be necessary to go to trial, which can add significant time to the process.
Your car accident lawyer can give you a better idea of what to expect based on your circumstances and will keep you abreast of your case’s development as it progresses.
Each case is unique; determining whether you have a valid car accident lawsuit is something that a lawyer can assess based on your individual circumstances. However, generally speaking, car accident victims are eligible to pursue damages if they were injured or sustained damages due to another person or entity’s negligence.
Negligence and liability are related legal concepts that refer to the duty of care and others’ failure to adhere to it. For example, in a drunk driving case, a person who operates a vehicle while intoxicated may be found negligent. Proving negligence and liability usually requires evidence, such as witness testimony, physical evidence, or police reports and documentation.
Our Chicago auto accident lawyers can provide you with insight into your legal options and your case’s potential strength during a free, no-obligation consultation.
You Pay Nothing Unless
We Win
Worried about the expense of filing a car accident lawsuit? Our Chicago car accident attorneys do not charge any upfront fees to work on your personal injury claim. You only pay us if we recover compensation for you.
Client Testimonial
“We are so happy with our decision to utilize the services of Midwest Injury Lawyers. They were so kind and kept us informed and educated on our options to make the best decision for our family.” -Leah C. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read more of our Google reviews.
Midwest Injury Lawyers – Chicago Office
155 N Upper Wacker Drive, Suite 4250
Chicago, IL 60606
P: (312) 786-5881
A Word from Our Car
Accident Attorney in
Chicago
As your personal injury attorney, I realize that behind every accident and injury case, there is a human and a family whose lives have been greatly affected. I firmly believe that legal justice should be available to everyone. That is why I became a personal injury lawyer, to give victims the power to fight for justice for themselves and their families.
– Samuel R. Carl
Request a Free Consultation
Tell our experienced team about your accident and/or injuries. One of our personal injury attorneys will contact you to schedule a free case evaluation. Remember: you won’t pay for anything unless we secure a compensation on your behalf.
Call (312) 786-5881 or send us a message online to get started.