Getting Maximum Compensation for Injured Victims
The City of Chicago confirms that 90% of traffic fatalities within the city are a direct result of reckless behavior committed by drivers. Even when an accident doesn't result in a fatality, one driver's carelessness can cause a whole lifetime of losses for the injured victim.
If you or a loved one was involved in a car accident that was caused by another driver in Chicago, you need a trusted car accident attorney to ensure you get favorable results during your settlement. If the insurance company refuses to provide adequate compensation, you may be eligible to take legal action for your car accident injuries.
With over 30+ years of experience, our team at DJC Law has the legal knowledge, negotiation skills, and compassionate legal counsel you need to successfully navigate your car accident claim. You can lean on our experience and expertise to identify who caused your crash, document your losses fully, and negotiate a fair settlement.
Without the help of the right Chicago car accident lawyer, you could miss out on your one opportunity for financial compensation to cover your losses. Learn more about Chicago car accidents, the legal aspects of filing a claim, and how our firm can help you recover the compensation you're entitled to under the law below. Call (888) 853-8169 to schedule a free consultation where you can discuss your car accident injuries and make a plan with an Illinois car accident lawyer at DJC Law.
What are the Common Causes of Car Accidents in Chicago?
The first thing Chicago car accident attorneys will do when you reach out about your case is attempt to determine what caused your car accident. Identifying who or what is at fault will aid you in determining your legal options.
Typically, if the other driver or another third party was at fault, then you can recover damages by filing a legal claim for compensation. Car accident claims in Illinois are handled on an at-fault basis, so whoever caused the crash will be legally responsible for paying for the losses. Car accident claims in Illinois also utilize a modified comparative negligence standard, which means injured victims can file a claim as long as they are less than 50% at fault for the collision.
If you were primarily to blame for your accident, then your options for recovery will be limited. Similarly, if the cause wasn't someone else's negligence, then you may not have recourse. Some of the most common causes of car accidents include road conditions, weather conditions, mechanical failures, and driver negligence.
Your Illinois car accident lawyer can help determine why your crash happened and will discuss whether your scenario could lead to a claim or not. Call DJC law now for a free case evaluation where we can discuss the details of your unique case.
Road Conditions
Road conditions often contribute to car accidents here in Chicago. Poor road infrastructure, like poorly maintained roads, potholes, or a lack of proper signage, can lead to a serious car wreck. Uneven surfaces and construction zones also heavily contribute to accidents in the city. Since government agencies are responsible for road upkeep, it might be possible to seek coverage from the government if you experience a crash caused by poor road conditions.
Weather Conditions
Another common cause of traffic incidents in Chicago is weather conditions. Rain, snow, ice, and heavy fog all contribute to thousands of crashes every year. Unfortunately, your options for recovery after an auto accident that's caused by adverse weather will be limited. You might have some form of coverage under your own car insurance policy, but that would be one of your only options unless something else contributed to the crash.
Mechanical Failures
Mechanical failures, like tire blowouts, engine malfunctions, or break failure incidents, contribute to hundreds of motor vehicle accidents in Chicago each year. When car parts do not operate as intended, the driver can lose control of the vehicle. This loss of control often leads to rear-end accidents but could also cause a serious rollover, front-end crash, or another type of incident. Under these circumstances, the part manufacturer might be responsible for covering your losses.
Other Factors
One crucial factor to consider is your own percentage of fault in the crash. In Illinois, comparative negligence means you'll only be able to file a claim if you were less than 50% to blame.
Some car crashes are the result of intentionally violent incidents. In a recent shocking case, a car directly collided with an apartment building that was housing seniors and people with disabilities, causing a full-scale evacuation. The driver was reportedly fleeing from gunfire at a nearby gas station, and his panicked state led to the incident.
Road rage can also lead drivers to make mistakes and get into accidents. In these situations, a personal injury attorney can help you determine your legal options. Aggressive driving is negligent driving.
Inexperienced drivers also contribute to a massive amount of accidents. If the driver is still learning, the licensed driver may be the party who is considered at fault for a collision since they were in charge of coordinating the driving lesson.
Why Is Proving Driver Negligence Important in a Chicago, IL Auto Accident?
Most Chicago car accident cases revolve around driver negligence. A negligent driver is a driver who isn't upholding their proper duty of care towards other motorists. They could be engaging in risky behaviors like drunk driving, or they could simply make an error by committing distracted driving after looking down at a text message.
While no one is a perfect driver, it's necessary to remain as alert and present as possible when driving. Even one mistake could have a tragic and devastating impact. Common examples of negligent driving include speeding, failure to obey traffic signals and signs, failure to give someone else the right of way, and driving while fatigued or distracted. In Chicago, the negligent driver will be considered the at-fault driver, meaning they'll be held legally responsible for the fallout of the crash.
If you are suffering from injuries that occurred as a result of a car accident that was caused by someone else's negligence, then you likely deserve financial compensation. Call an experienced car accident lawyer like the car accident lawyers at DJC Law for help getting maximum compensation for your car accident injuries.
What Are Some Major Consequences of Car Accidents?
Most car crashes result in some form of property damage to both vehicles, but that's only one of the many consequences of the incident. When one or more of the motorists suffer injuries, the consequences of the crash can quickly compound into a serious situation with long-term losses. For those seeking comprehensive legal assistance, consulting with Chicago personal injury lawyers can provide valuable guidance. In these cases, it's a good idea to consider filing a Chicago car accident claim to recover from the ordeal. Below, we'll go over some of the consequences you need to consider after experiencing an accident in Chicago.
Physical Injuries
The most apparent consequence of a motor vehicle accident is the personal injury suffered by you or your passengers. Some of the most common car accident injuries include whiplash, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, fractures, bruises, sprains, strains, and broken bones.
The extent of your physical injuries will play a significant role in your case, and in general, the more severe injuries you have, the bigger your claim will be. When a crash causes a catastrophic injury, like in a truck accident case, the victim may never fully recover from the injury. They could be permanently disabled through amputation, blindness, paralysis, scarring, and other injuries.
Even worse, some motor vehicle and truck accidents lead to fatal injuries. If that happened to your loved one, then you might have the basis to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf.
Emotional and Psychological Impact
Depending on the circumstances under which the accident happened, you could have significant emotional and psychological trauma that prevents you from fully enjoying your life like you did before. Auto accidents that result in life-long or long-term injuries can have a similar mental impact on victims, potentially resulting in the development of conditions like high anxiety and even PTSD.
Financial Burden
On top of the injuries and emotional distress, accidents also result in a significant financial burden on the injured victim. You'll likely incur immediate losses in the form of medical bills and property damage. Then, you might endure significant future medical costs with a serious injury. Your condition might also prevent you from being able to return to work right away, especially if you'll require rehabilitation and significant therapy before getting back to work. This undue financial strain can all be traced back to the other driver's negligent behavior.
What Are the Main Steps in the Legal Process for Car Accident Victims?
After experiencing a car accident that wasn't your fault, it makes sense that you should be able to leverage the law to file a car accident lawsuit and get compensation for your losses. Personal injury law in Illinois allows you to do so, but you need to know what to do after a car accident to ensure your rights are upheld.
Since most Chicago residents aren't legal experts, it's typically worth it to invest in hiring a car accident attorney who can provide you with all the information you need to file a successful claim. The following are some of the main steps during the legal process for injury victims seeking compensation:
Initial Consultation
When you reach out to the advocates here at DJC Law, we'll listen to you, discuss all the details about your car crash and car accident injuries, and provide guidance on how to proceed with your claim. We really want to understand how the collision has personally impacted you and your family and help you move toward a brighter future.
Next, we'll listen to you explain what you think caused the crash. We can help you identify the potentially at-fault party based on your accounts, but we'll later work towards thoroughly investigating the situation and securing evidence to back up who was responsible. Based on all the information we learn during this first meeting, we'll advise you on whether we think you have the basis for a solid car accident claim or not. From there, you can make an informed decision on how to move forward.
Investigation
The next phase our car accident lawyers will take is investigating how the accident occurred and what happened at the accident scene. We'll diligently look to collect as much evidence in your car crash claim as possible. Potential evidence in your car accident case might include your medical records, police reports, dashcam footage, eyewitness accounts, or investigative reports and analysis from experts.
Filing a Claim
Next, our injury lawyers will officially file your claim. Your attorney's assistance from the beginning will help ensure that your claim is as strong as possible, increasing your chances of achieving fair compensation.
In Illinois, statute of limitations laws give you up to two years to file your lawsuit and serve the defendant in personal injury and wrongful death cases.
Insurance Claims
After receiving your claim, the other driver's insurance company may attempt to contact you. Any time you receive a call from an auto insurance company, even if it is your own, after a crash, it's a good idea to have a Chicago car accident attorney advise you on what to say first. A poorly worded statement to an insurance company adjuster could give the agent enough evidence to destroy your chances at compensation. Since an insurance claim requires you to understand policy limits, coverage details, and more, it's best to let your attorney overlook your policy or the other party's liability insurance policy before making a decision on how to answer their questions.
Litigation
Next, your personal injury claim will enter into the litigation phase. This could involve several pre-trial motions. The other party will have ample time to review your claims and look over your evidence. They might provide you with an initial settlement offer, but it's important to run any offers by an experienced car accident attorney before accepting them. Once you accept an offer, you won't be able to go back and collect additional compensation later. For that reason, negotiating a fair settlement is a crucial part of the process.
Most car accident cases are resolved during the negotiation process, but not all of them. If the other party isn't negotiating fairly, then your attorney will help you prepare your case for court.
Settlement Tactics
The right car accident lawyer will know the value of your claim before beginning to negotiate with the other party. Knowing your car accident claim's worth will ensure you properly evaluate settlement offers and only accept a car accident settlement that fully covers the extent of your losses. You can accept either one massive lump sum payment or multiple payouts in a structured settlement arrangement.
What Types of Compensation Available After a Car Accident?
A car crash attorney can help you secure compensation in the form of economic, non-economic, and potentially punitive damages. Let's dive into each of these below:
Economic Damages
Car accident attorneys should thoroughly analyze your economic damages, which include all the financial losses you experience due to the crash. Your medical records will prove your current and future medical expenses, while a repair bill can prove how much it will cost you to repair any property damage. Since lost wages or a loss of earning capacity is another form of economic damage, you'll want a letter from your employer to prove how much income you've lost after your incident.
Non-Economic Damages
An experienced car accident lawyer will also fully consider your non-economic damages, such as emotional distress, pain, and suffering.
In one recent case, a driver was speeding down a road in the Rogers Park neighborhood when they struck a blue Nissan. The driver attempted to flee the scene, but instead, they crashed into a 13-year-old on a bicycle. After that, the culprit fled the scene. Two children and two adults were left in critical condition, and a fifth adult was significantly injured. Since the emotional distress of this type of situation is high, an attorney would push for compensation in the form of pain and suffering and a loss of enjoyment of life after the ordeal.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are a form of compensation that is awarded when the other party's negligence was extreme, grossly negligent, intentional, or showed a complete disregard for human life. When the circumstances of a vehicle accident make it apparent that the driver isn't remorseful, it makes sense for the victim to be awarded maximum compensation and even potentially pursue punitive damages. This type of financial consequence is meant to deter the other party from causing similar accidents in the future.
Car accident victims who have been injured in a hit-and-run may be eligible for punitive damage. In one recent case that showed overt disregard for human life, a person in a Dodge Charger struck a 45-year-old man on a scooter in South Loop. The driver sustained damage to his windshield, so he obviously knew he had struck someone. The driver fled the scene, and police are still investigating what happened. Personal injury attorneys can help similar car accident victims consider whether they're eligible to file for punitive damages on top of their compensatory damages.
How Can I Prevent Car Accidents While Driving on Chicago Roads?
While you can't control how others drive, you can minimize your chances of being in a wreck by driving defensively and taking a few simple precautions. Learning how to prevent a wreck and what to do if you're in a crash can help if one day you experience a collision in Chicago.
To do your due diligence as a motorist, you should always:
- Stay alert behind the wheel
- Maintain your vehicle
- Obey all traffic laws and regulations
- Spread awareness about safe driving
- Advocate for improved road safety and infrastructure in Chicago
Following these basic safety measures and preventative measures can help you avoid an accident in the future. If, after all your best efforts, you experience a car accident, please know that you're not alone. Car accident attorneys in IL handle cases related to car accident injuries on a regular basis, and an experienced car accident attorney like those at DJC Law can help restore your peace of mind by getting you financial compensation for damages. Call (888) 853-8169 to learn how we can help you.
What Types of Chicago Auto Accidents Are the Most Dangerous?
While any car crash can lead to devastating injuries and painful recoveries, certain types of collisions are more likely to cause severe pain and suffering and even death. Some of these incidents include head-on collisions, T-bone crashes, wrecks involving a semi-truck, and drunk driving collisions. If you have experienced any of these or another type of car accident, please get in touch with car accident lawyers in Chicago immediately.
Head-On Collision
Head-on car crashes are some of the most devastating collisions because both vehicles exert tremendous force when they impact from opposite directions. Some examples of places where these crashes happen include one-way streets, highways, and divided roadways. A head-on crash may occur because one driver is intoxicated or extremely distracted. The resulting impact can cause severe property and physical damage to the occupants of both vehicles.
T-Bone Collision
A so-called T-bone crash happens when the two colliding vehicles are perpendicular to each other, forming the shape of a T. These crashes often occur in intersections when one driver fails to obey traffic signals or stop at a stop sign. The impact can cause severe damage to the side of the vehicle and the driver or passenger receiving the blow.
Commercial Truck Crash
Semi-trucks are notoriously dangerous for many reasons. Their size and weight make them difficult for drivers to control, and the truck may not be able to slow down or swerve to avoid a collision. Additionally, the mass of the commercial vehicle easily damages smaller passenger vehicles, resulting in severe physical injuries and death.
What many people don't realize is that commercial truck crashes are also legally complex because of the many potential at-fault parties. Your Chicago car accident lawyer can help determine who was responsible, be it the driver, trucking company, loading crew, or truck manufacturer. If you have experienced a collision with a semi-truck, please don't make any statements or accept any payouts from the truck's insurance company. Call a car accident attorney immediately for adequate legal representation.
Drunk Driving Collision
Finally, a crash involving an intoxicated driver can result in catastrophic damages, making these some of the most deadly traffic incidents. When a person has been drinking, their reaction time slows, making it almost impossible to avoid a crash. For this reason, DWI-related wrecks often happen at high speeds, resulting in devastating injuries.
If you or a loved one was injured by a driver who was drunk or under the influence of mind-altering drugs, you could be eligible for compensation, including punitive damages. Call our auto accident attorneys for help with a personal injury resulting from a DWI car accident.
What Challenges Arise During Commercial Vehicle Accidents?
Some of the most complex car accidents happen when a semi-truck or other commercial vehicle collides with a smaller car. These accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, like amputations, internal injuries, blindness, burns, and death. If you or a loved one has been in an auto accident involving a commercial truck, you should be aware of some of the complications that can make getting compensation difficult.
For example, determining the at-fault party in a trucking accident can be complicated. Some potential parties responsible for the crash include the driver, the trucking company if it failed to train and vet its drivers properly, the mechanical crew for not maintaining the truck, the manufacturer for producing a faulty product, and the loading crew for not evenly and properly distributing the weight of the cargo.
Additionally, a challenge you'll probably face when seeking compensation is facing down against the truck company's legal representatives. You might get insurance companies knocking on your door soon after the incident, hoping you'll take a lowball settlement to close the case. Please don't make the mistake of making a statement about your healing or taking a payment without speaking with your car accident lawyer.
Experiencing a car crash with a semi-truck can be highly traumatic. If your loved one lost their life in a commercial vehicle accident, you have our deepest sympathy. We know that no amount of money can undo the pain and anguish you're feeling. However, seeking financial compensation can help with a serious car accident as it allows you to get back to your life in as normal a way as possible.
By taking action, you can also gain the comfort of knowing the negligent parties responsible are held accountable and will not be able to hurt other people in the future. Call DJC Law for experienced auto accident attorneys who have handled countless cases involving commercial vehicles.
How Can a Chicago Accident Lawyer Help Me Prove Liability?
After an accident, you likely feel overwhelmed about paying medical bills, covering property damage, and other expenses, all while missing time at work. To regain your losses, you'll need to prove liability and show that the other party was responsible for the crash. One of the best ways to prove liability is by hiring auto accident lawyers in Chicago to help.
Your Illinois auto accident lawyer can access evidence to back up your version of how the accident happened, including such items as:
- The police report
- Surveillance footage, including the parking lot and dash camera footage
- Eyewitness testimonies
- Testimonies from expert witnesses, including doctors and accident reconstruction experts
- Medical records
If the court determines that you were partially at fault for the crash, you could lose out on thousands of dollars in compensation. In some cases, a person is believed to be more than 50% at fault and cannot be compensated at all. Please don't risk it with so much at stake. Get the legal representation you need following your serious car accident. Call DJC Law for accident lawyers in Chicago who will fight for your best interests. We have a 99% win rate at trial and will leverage our knowledge, skills, and determination in your favor.
What Are Some Common Injuries Seen in Chicago Car Accidents?
Our Chicago auto accident attorneys have seen every level of injury, from minor back pain to devastating catastrophic injuries. Even so-called minor injuries can lead to painful recoveries that last months and cost our clients time at work and missed recreational opportunities.
If you were in a crash caused by another driver, you could be eligible for compensation. However, your first step should be to get medical attention, even if you don't think you're injured. Finding your injuries early can reduce your recovery time and demonstrate to insurance companies that you really have severe injuries.
Some examples of injuries commonly seen in Chicago car accident lawsuits include:
- Traumatic brain injury - A TBI is often noticeable because of unconsciousness, memory loss, dizziness, and vomiting. These injuries include brain bruises, concussions, and more. If you suspect that you or a loved one has a TBI, please get immediate medical care and legal counsel.
- Neck and spinal cord injuries - Another form of injury that can lead to catastrophic results occurs when the person's neck or spine is hurt. This can include fractures, whiplash, and twisting of the spine. Spinal cord injuries may take months or even years to heal. Severe injuries could lead to paralysis and require multiple surgeries to correct. Contact a Chicago car accident law firm immediately for help getting the compensation you deserve following a spinal column injury.
- Internal injuries - When someone sustains internal injuries in a Chicago car accident, they could risk permanent damage or even death by delaying treatment. Unfortunately, this occurs all too often as accident victims don't get checked because they think they're not hurt. Please get immediate medical attention since the adrenaline rush from the crash can mask the pain and symptoms of internal injuries. Once you've been treated, be sure to protect yourself legally by consulting with the top accident lawyers in Chicago at DJC Law.
- Burns - Burn injuries are among the most painful and difficult car accident injuries to overcome. Burns can occur when an engine ignites, or a vehicle collides with a semi-truck carrying flammable materials. These injuries can require lengthy recoveries, including painful surgeries and treatments. Some burns result in scars that can affect the victim's self-image and enjoyment of life. Reach out to a car accident lawyer in Chicago for legal counsel and representation for your burn injuries.
What Should I Do if I Was Hit by a Drunk Driver in Chicago?
Being struck by a drunk driver can be incredibly frustrating and frightening. Drunk drivers typically lack the response time that an average driver would have, which can result in high-speed impacts and head-on collisions. Sadly, many victims of DUI-related crashes suffer permanent injuries or death.
If you or a loved one was in a collision involving a person who was intoxicated or influenced by illegal drugs, you should take immediate action by reporting the incident to the police. The police report can be a valuable piece of evidence when taking action against the at-fault person.
You should also act quickly to get checked by a medical professional, even if you think you're not injured. A medical team can assess whether you have a traumatic brain injury, internal organ damage, or other complications that require immediate treatment. Getting medical attention also demonstrates to the insurance company that your injuries were severe and merit maximum compensation.
Finally, a crucial step to recovering from a drunk-driving car accident is consulting with Illinois car accident lawyers like those at DJC Law. Your Chicago car accident lawyer will be a critical resource for questions about liability, compensation, and legal action against the at-fault driver.
At DJC Law, we will not hesitate to seek justice against drivers who put everyone at risk by driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Unlike other automobile accidents attorneys in Chicago, we will fearlessly represent you in negotiations and in court. Our lawyers will relentlessly pursue the compensation you deserve, including punitive damages.
What Rights Do Motorcycle Riders Have in Illinois?
Many myths surround motorcycle riders, including the false notion that motorcyclists have limited rights compared to automobile drivers and passengers. The truth is that bikers have every right to use the road and seek compensation when another person causes an accident. Drivers have the duty to be aware of other vehicles on the road, including motorcyclists, and should be held liable when they collide with motorcycle riders.
Suffering an accident on a motorcycle can result in serious injuries, especially since bikes offer little physical protection. These personal injury cases can lead to compensation for past and future medical bills, lost wages, emotional suffering, wrongful death, and more.
At our Chicago car accident law firm, we understand the emotional and physical turmoil a motorcycle crash can cause. We are also deeply familiar with personal injury law and how it impacts motorcycle personal injury cases. We have helped countless victims get the compensation they need to fully recover and get back to life as normal.
When you hire our Chicago motorcycle accidents lawyers, you'll get a skilled, compassionate, honest team of auto accident lawyers on your side. You can rely on us for answers, hope, and results as we help you seek compensation for your motorcycle accident injuries. Call today to schedule your free case evaluation.
Should You Hire Our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers?
If you experienced a car accident in Chicago, you may feel shaken, afraid, and frustrated. Please know that you are not alone in feeling distressed by your car accident case. Many victims wonder what they should do following an accident. By taking the simple steps of reporting the incident, getting medical treatment, and contacting our law firm, you significantly increase your chances of getting the compensation you need.
Unfortunately, most insurance providers will not offer enough to cover past and future medical bills, lost wages, and other damages incurred in a crash. However, with our team of Illinois car accident attorneys on your side, you will have powerful negotiators and litigators fighting for you. We're confident you can rely on our team here at DJC Law to litigate your claim. We don't charge any attorney fees until you've won your case, so you don't have to worry about paying us upfront to protect your legal rights.
Our firm's proven record clearly shows that you can rely on our experience and specialized knowledge of state traffic laws to secure a win. Even better, testimonials from our previous clients expose our sincere drive to pursue justice in every case we handle. We take pride in becoming dedicated to each case and personalizing our approach based on your unique circumstances. We'll listen carefully to your story and offer support and answers in terms that are easy to understand. We will help you understand your options so you can make the best choices possible in your car accident case.
Don't let another minute go by without fighting for the compensation you deserve. Protect your family, future, and rights by calling our car accident lawyers in Chicago, IL. Dial (888) 853-8169 to speak with our caring, capable legal team and schedule your free consultation.