Why Choose Midwest Injury Lawyers?
At Midwest Injury Lawyers, we believe everyone deserves access to skilled, knowledgeable, and dedicated legal representation. When your injuries result from another driver’s careless actions, you have the legal right to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and other effects caused by the collision.
Our Joliet car accident attorneys have experience fighting for our clients’ rights in the face of tight-fisted insurance companies and their high-powered legal teams — and our results speak for themselves.
We’ve secured tens of millions of dollars in compensation for our personal injury clients, helping them regain the solid financial footing that will help them recover from a car accident.
Our goal is always to pursue total compensation as efficiently as possible, whether by negotiating a settlement with the insurance company or fighting for your rights in court.
Midwest Injury Lawyers take pride in having strong values that inform our approach to every case.
Why trust us with yours? Because:
- You’re Our Top Priority – We’ll treat your case with care, respect, and attention. We’re committed to an honest approach and will always keep you informed of our progress. We’re here to work for you.
- We’ll Work Fast – The legal process is complex and time-consuming. There’s no need to drag it out unnecessarily. We work efficiently from the free initial consultation until the resolution of your case. We’re always here to provide updates, answer your questions, and take the necessary actions to move your case forward. And while we prioritize efficiency, we never put it ahead of results.
- We’re Committed to Service – Our firm serves people in need. This mission goes beyond our clients to include our whole community. We’re proud to donate to local organizations benefiting children, schools, and other groups in need.
- No Fees Unless We Recover Funds – We’ll never collect a fee unless we win your case. We cover your legal costs upfront and get paid out of your settlement. This makes securing our services affordable and incentivizes us to recover every cent possible.
Our attorneys assist car accident injury victims like you every day. We know the law and will always clearly explain your legal rights and options. When you’re injured and looking for help, your case is our cause.
Compensation for Joliet Car Accident Cases
Following an auto accident, you likely face considerable expenses. Fortunately, with help from a knowledgeable car accident attorney in Joliet, you can seek compensation for the costs arising from the accident — both dollars-and-cents expenses and less tangible harm.
Compensation comes in two primary forms:
- Economic damages for medical expenses, lost income, loss of future earning capacity, property damage, and other quantifiable losses associated with the accident
- Non-economic damages for physical and mental pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, loss of companionship, and other intangible effects
The amount of compensation we may recover depends on a variety of factors. The specifics of the collision will affect how much you might be able to receive, including whether you bear any fault.
Courts and insurers also take the severity of any injuries into account. If you suffered extensive injuries that require long-term medical treatment, the at-fault party likely owes you more than they would if your injuries were relatively minor.
Joliet Car Accident Statistics
Located just southwest of Chicago, Joliet is Illinois’s third-largest city. A longtime transportation hub, Joliet is locally known as the Crossroads of Mid-America, a reference to the intersection of Interstates 55 and 80. With a number of major roads, a sizable population, and its proximity to Chicago, Joliet sees a lot of traffic, as well as its share of auto collisions.
In one recent year, there were 3,251 motor vehicle accidents in Joliet, which killed 13 people and injured 1,127. These accidents included 798 rear-end collisions, 27 head-on collisions, 415 angled collisions, and 28 pedestrian-involved accidents.
Here are some other details of note:
Roughly three of every four collisions occurred in dry road conditions
Fridays saw the most collisions, with 573
Out of 3,251 total accidents, 2,241 (more than two-thirds) occurred during daylight hours
Alcohol was a known factor in 63 accidents
Vehicle malfunctions factored into at least 62 accidents, with brakes accounting for 29
Common Types of Car Accidents
Car accidents can occur anywhere, at any time. You could wind up in a pileup on I-55, get rear-ended in stop-and-go traffic driving around town, get backed into in a parking lot — there are so many different ways accidents can happen, but the one thing they all have in common is their potential for severe injury and property damage.
Some of the most common types of auto collisions in Joliet include:
- Rear-End Collisions – These occur when one vehicle is following too closely behind another. When the vehicle in front suddenly stops, or the driver behind them takes their eyes off the road, the latter can’t stop in time to avoid a collision.
- Sideswipes – Sideswipes happen when drivers attempt to pass or merge without checking their blind spots. They also occur when drivers become distracted or impaired or engage in reckless behavior, such as drifting or weaving from one lane to another.
- Head-On Collisions – These often deadly crashes occur when drivers drift into oncoming traffic, travel in the wrong direction, drive while impaired, or get confused due to unfamiliarity with the area, poor signage, or unexpected changes in the traffic pattern due to construction.
- T-Bone Collisions – T-bones occur in intersections, typically because a driver ran a red light or stop sign, failed to yield before attempting a left turn, or became distracted. These accidents can cause severe injuries.
- Low-Speed Collisions – These accidents happen in a variety of environments, such as parking lots, residential neighborhoods, and in stop-and-go traffic. Low visibility, space limitations, distraction, and inappropriate speed for the environment can all cause these accidents.
This list is far from exhaustive, and a wide variety of factors can cause car accidents. Talk to your attorney to learn more about whether you may be eligible to seek compensation.
Most Common Car Accident Injuries
Automobile collision injuries range from the relatively minor to the catastrophic. Particularly devastating crashes can result in fatal injuries. Many factors can affect the seriousness of your injuries, including the speed at the moment of impact, whether there were any secondary collisions, where you were sitting, and the type of crash.
Some of the most common car accident injuries include:
- Head, Neck, and Back Injuries – These can be among the most serious car crash injuries. Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, in particular, can result in lifelong complications. Whiplash and concussion are other common head and neck injuries.
- Chest Injuries – The force of a collision can result in bruising, broken ribs, and, in particularly severe cases, thoracic trauma, which can lead to respiratory issues and cardiac problems. Thoracic injuries can be life-threatening and require immediate attention.
- Limb Injuries – Broken bones, sprains and strains, bruising, joint dislocation, and limb loss are among the common limb injuries that occur in car accidents.
- Internal Injuries – The impact of a crash can lead to severe internal injuries, such as organ damage and internal bleeding. Penetrating injuries, in which a foreign object pierces the flesh, can also lead to internal wounds.
- Post-Traumatic Stress – Car accidents are stressful experiences, and not all injuries that result from them are physical. Post-traumatic stress is a common effect of car accidents, and an accident doesn’t have to be catastrophic to cause PTSD.
It’s important to seek medical treatment for car crash injuries immediately. It’s not always obvious that you’re seriously hurt — some injuries may not display symptoms right away.
Promptly seeking medical care and following the treatment plan to the letter improve your odds of healing and strengthen your personal injury case.
How an Attorney Can Help You Deal With Insurance Companies
After a car accident, the other driver’s insurance company will likely reach out to you with a settlement offer. While it may seem tempting, you should first speak with a trusted auto collision attorney who can advise you on your options.
The sad truth is that insurance companies aren’t trying to help you — they’re out to make a profit, and they do this by counting on desperate accident victims to accept the first offer of money they receive. Unfortunately, an accident victim who accepts this initial offer cannot pursue additional compensation later on once the true effects of their injuries have become clear.
A Joliet car accident attorney can handle all negotiations with insurance companies so that you pursue fair compensation for your injuries. If the insurance companies won’t make a reasonable offer, your attorney will fight them in court.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
Seeking compensation after a car accident is a complex matter. Thankfully, you don’t have to do it alone. At Midwest Injury Lawyers, we’ll answer the many questions you probably have about what happens next. Here are the answers to some of the questions our clients typically ask.
How Can I Protect Myself After a Traffic Accident?
Following an auto accident, bring all evidence related to the collision — medical records, photographs, and other records — to a qualified car accident lawyer.
Attend all medical appointments and follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Avoid posting about the accident or your injuries on social media to avoid jeopardizing your case.
How Quickly Can I File a Personal Injury Claim?
Illinois law gives you two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit, but it’s important to act as quickly as possible. Prioritize retaining an attorney. They’ll focus on your case, meet all legal deadlines, and timely file your claim to avoid issues with this statute of limitations.
Will My Case Go to Trial?
Your case may go to trial if the other driver’s insurance company refuses to settle. Your attorney will prepare for this possibility from the outset, allowing you to enter into a legal battle from the best position possible.
When Will I Receive My Settlement Money?
How long you have to wait for compensation depends on a variety of factors, including the complexity of your accident case, the quality of the evidence in your favor, whether or not the insurance company cooperates, and whether your case goes to trial.
Midwest Injury Lawyers strives to secure compensation as efficiently as possible, but we’ll never cut corners along the way.
Which Attorney Is Right for Me?
Your choice of a car accident attorney matters. Find a lawyer with experience handling complex collision cases, a passion for justice, and a compassionate but firm approach. You should trust your attorney to understand your needs and worries and to fight vigorously on your behalf.
Contact a Joliet Car Accident Attorney Today
A car accident is a traumatic event, and it can alter your life forever. A Joliet car accident attorney can help you navigate the aftermath and pursue compensation for the injuries caused by another driver’s negligence.
Contact Midwest Injury Lawyers at (815) 714-6131 to get started with a free consultation and find out what your case could be worth.
Joliet Office
210 N Hammes Ave
Unit 205 C
Joliet, IL 60435
(815) 714-6131
A Word from our Work Injury Attorney
Receiving maximum compensation for workplace injuries requires knowledge of workers’ compensation law, as well as the ability to identify any negligent third parties who may share some responsibility for causing an injury. It is crucial to get advice from an attorney who understands how to obtain quick and sufficient compensation for a workplace injury.
– Chester L. Cameron
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.