Leading Chicago Car Accident Lawyers
The aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming. If you were injured, you may be wondering...
- Are my injuries permanent?
- Who will cover these unexpected costs?
- How much work will I miss?
- How will I get my car fixed?
- How much insurance does the other driver have?
- How will I manage the medical bills?
- Will my pain ever go away?
When an accident turns your life upside down, know that you do not have to face these challenges alone. At Abels & Annes, P.C., our Chicago car accident lawyers understand every worry that follows an accident. Our commitment is straightforward - we can guide you through the personal injury legal process, ensure your rights are protected, and fight for the maximum compensation available to help you meet your financial obligations.
When You Need an Experienced Car Accident Attorney in Chicago, Trust Abels & Annes, P.C.
If you were injured in a car accident in the Chicago or Collar County area, partnering with a qualified and experienced car accident lawyer is critical. After a serious crash injury, our skilled auto collision lawyers can help you file a car accident claim or lawsuit against the negligent parties who caused your crash.
Without a dedicated car accident lawyer, some accident victims may:
- Put off pursuing their injury claim until it's too late
- Make mistakes while handling a claim on their own
- Fail to preserve important evidence
- Underestimate the full extent of their damages
- Jeopardize their chance of receiving the compensation they deserve
After an auto accident, most crash victims simply cannot carefully and immediately assess what caused the accident or gather information. While recovering from their injuries, it can be exhausting to deal with aggressive insurance carriers who try to deny or limit every car accident claim.
Let a dedicated car accident lawyer in our Chicago offices shoulder these burdens for you. Our personal injury law firm has built a strong reputation for recovering substantial compensation for auto accident victims throughout the Chicagoland area.
7 Ways the Chicago Car Accident Attorneys at Abels & Annes Can Help You
Immediately after most car crashes, car accident victims should first receive medical care to address any injuries. While you focus on your medical and emotional healing, our trusted and dedicated accident injury lawyers can handle your car accident claim for compensation.
Our job is to protect your legal rights and fight for compensation from the negligent party who caused the accident.
Some of the many ways our skilled team can help you throughout the legal process include:
1. Offering a free consultation to explain:
- Your legal rights,
- The law that applies to your situation, and
- What you can expect during the Chicago car accident claim process
2. Providing sound legal advice such as:
- What a good personal injury claim settlement should include
- When to accept or counter an offer
- When to file a lawsuit
- The probability of success in your case
3. Finding all available insurance coverage
We can perform a thorough investigation to determine who is liable for your car accident injury, whether they have insurance, and whether their coverage limits will provide fair compensation. If the other driver was not insured, we can determine if you have uninsured coverage that may help.
4. Preparing an insurance demand letter
Our skilled Chicago auto accident attorneys can craft a persuasive demand letter by:
- Investigating and gathering evidence such as photos, police reports, medical records, employment details, witness statements, proof of the other driver's negligence, and a summary of your financial losses. Many times, lawyers have access to evidence that non-legal people do not know how to obtain.
- Engaging experts, for example, medical specialists or accident reconstructionists.
- Calculating all possible damages, including both current and future costs, lost wages, and non-economic damages so you have enough money to pay for future expenses.
- Building a persuasive argument for the settlement amount requested.
5. Negotiate with insurers and opposing counsel
Our tenacious car accident injury lawyers can aggressively negotiate with the insurance company and opposing counsel to protect you from their aggressive tactics. We know the majority of car accident claims are settled before trial. However, if the other side does not offer a fair settlement amount, our experienced car accident litigators will be ready to take your case to court.
6. Prepare and file a civil car accident lawsuit
Our litigation team works hard to ensure all car accident cases are filed in the appropriate court system before the applicable statute of limitations runs out. As part of the trial process, your dedicated car accident attorney is responsible for:
- Drafting and filing all required documents
- Engaging in discovery, including depositions and document requests
- Motion filings and hearings
- Trial preparation for a jury or bench trial
- Full trial participation, including delivering the opening statement, presenting evidence, questioning and cross-examining witnesses, making a closing argument, and instructing the jury about relevant laws.
7. Resolving your claim and distributing funds
Finally, your devoted car accident attorney will handle your settlement or verdict payment and all related documentation to disburse the funds, negotiate and pay any liens, and take all actions needed to resolve your case.
Best of all, with our contingency fee arrangement, you won't pay for legal services unless you receive compensation at the end of your case.
Important Tip: studies have shown that injured people who work with a lawyer receive far more money overall than those who try to resolve their cases on their own, even after paying attorney fees.
To learn more about how a dedicated car accident lawyer at Abels & Annes, P.C. can help you, reach out today for a free consultation.
Our Chicago Car Accident Results
Here is a small sample of some successful case settlements our auto accident injury lawyers negotiated in past motor vehicle accident claims:
- $3 million for the family of a motorist who died when another driver made an illegal U-turn
- $2,750,000 for a driver who received significant head injuries in a rear-end crash on a Chicago expressway
- $905,000 for a passenger in a single-car wreck who required neck surgery
- $855,000 for our client who was badly injured by a negligent driver who ran a red light in the north suburbs of Chicago
- $735,000 for our client who had surgery on a herniated disc after another driver failed to yield
- $617,000 for a passenger who needed surgery on multiple fractures after a crash
- $460,000 from a Chicago area driver who failed to yield at a stop sign and hit our client's vehicle, resulting in lumbar disc surgery
- $600,000 in a wrongful death auto accident claim, where we obtained insurance policy limits of $500,000 from one defendant plus $100,000 from our client's own auto policy because a second defendant was uninsured
- $200,000 in a DUI accident settlement
- $220,000 in a policy limits Uninsured Motorist claim settlement for two minor children injured in a north suburban Chicago car accident.
- $250,000 policy limits settlement for a Chicago area resident who needed disc surgery.
Of course, prior case settlements are not a guarantee of future accident claim resolutions. To learn more about your unique circumstances, call us today for a free consultation. During our confidential meeting, you can ask any questions about your Chicago car accident and learn if we can help you like we've helped many other clients.
Where Can a Car Accident in Chicago Happen?
Whether you drive downtown or in the suburbs, accident risks are everywhere. Chicago's many congested highways clog with impatient drivers who tend to ignore traffic laws to get to their destinations faster. Often, they end up causing more delays due to crashes.
Car accident victims are often injured on these major roadways:
- Kennedy Expressway
- Eisenhower Expressway
- Tri-State Tollway
- Veterans Memorial Tollway
- Stevenson Expressway
- Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
- Chicago Skyway
- Dan Ryan Expressway
- Kingery Expressway
- Edens Expressway
Some dangerous surface roads that have regular crashes include:
- Western Avenue at Peterson Avenue
- La Grange Road at I-80 westbound ramp
- Kedzie Avenue at Belmont Avenue
- Stony Island Avenue and South Chicago Avenue
- Cicero Avenue and 127th Street
- Lincoln and Clark
- Milwaukee Avenue
Whether your accident happens on I-80 or a residential street, you may suffer serious injuries and losses. Trust a dedicated Chicago car accident lawyer at Abels & Annes, P.C., to handle your Chicago auto accident claim and fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
The High Cost of Chicago Auto Accidents
A serious motor vehicle accident can significantly derail your life, possibly forever.
Even minor car collisions can cause the stress of talking to your insurance company, repairing your car, dealing with the opposing insurance company, missing work, losing income, facing growing medical expenses, and more. And that's in addition to coping with the injuries you received in the car accident.
A serious car accident may not just result in expensive emergency care or the medical bills associated with a lengthy hospital stay. It can also snowball into tremendous financial and physical impacts. For example, severe injuries may keep you off work for an extended time. Or, it may be impossible for you to return to your job ever again.
You may require long-term care, such as costly in-home assistance from a professional caregiver or therapist. Further, you may require expensive medical equipment. Finally, you may even suffer a permanent disability. For example, if the accident causes traumatic brain injury or a debilitating spine injury leading to paralysis.
In addition, a significant percentage of vehicles are totaled after an accident because the cost of repairs can be more than the car is worth. As a result, you might temporarily lose your car, need to rent a vehicle or face the additional stress of purchasing another one.
Consequently, even car accidents with relatively minor injuries can be financially devastating. And not only for you but for family members and others who may rely upon your financial support.
When you suffer personal injuries in a vehicle collision caused by someone else’s negligence, you have legal rights. Call an auto accident injury lawyer at Abels & Annes as soon as possible to protect your future.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Chicago?
After you receive medical attention, protect your legal rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Whether you're still in the hospital or recovering at home, here are key actions you should consider:
- Consult an Experienced Chicago Car Accident Lawyer
One of the most important steps you can take is to contact the skilled car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes. Our experienced attorneys will explain your legal rights, negotiate with insurance companies, and guide you through the process of seeking compensation. We can also investigate the accident and gather evidence if you were unable to act at the crash scene. - Document Your Injuries and Medical Treatment
Make sure to keep a detailed record of your injuries, medical treatments, doctor’s visits, prescriptions, and any therapy you receive. Take photographs of visible injuries and request copies of medical reports. Your injury lawyer will need this documentation to file an insurance claim and seek compensation for your injuries. - Keep a Record of All Accident-Related Expenses
Track all the costs that result from the accident, including hospital bills, medication, therapy, lost wages, and even transportation to and from medical appointments. These expenses can add up quickly, and having an organized record can help us prepare a complete claim for damages. - Avoid Speaking With Insurance Adjusters Without Legal Representation
Insurance companies may try to contact you for a statement or offer a quick settlement. Don't discuss the details of the accident or your injuries without first consulting our team. Insurance companies often seek to minimize payouts, and anything you say could be used against your claim. - Refrain from Posting on Social Media
After a car accident, avoid posting any details about the incident or your injuries on social media. Insurance companies or defense attorneys can misinterpret even seemingly innocent updates or use them against you to undermine your claim.
By taking these steps, you’ll better prepare to protect your legal rights and secure the compensation you deserve after a car accident.
What Damages Can a Chicago Car Accident Attorney Request for Me After a Collision?
In a motor vehicle accident case, our skilled personal injury law firm can file an insurance claim or lawsuit to request compensation from the at-fault party. Illinois personal injury laws allow car crash victims to request payment for various losses, including:
- Medical bills, like hospital visits, doctor appointments, physical therapy, ambulance fees, and other medical expenses.
- “Pain and suffering,” which are forms of non-economic damages and refer to the physical and mental anguish an injured person can seek compensation for in a car accident lawsuit.
- Lost wages and income from missing work after a serious injury. These losses can be some of the most financially damaging aspects of a car accident.
How Much Can I Get for Pain and Suffering?
Pain and suffering compensation (and all other types of non-economic damages) varies greatly depending on the details of your case.
To determine the value of your pain and suffering, our auto accident attorneys will consider how much your quality of life has changed after your accident. The greater the change, the greater compensation you can receive.
For example, if you can no longer pick up your grandchild, drive your children to school, or participate in your favorite hobbies, you have suffered a change in your standard of life.
Pain and suffering is often the focus of negotiations and can be worth significant money, depending on the severity of your injuries.
For a more detailed explanation, you can read more about calculating pain and suffering or ask our team during a free consultation. To recover the damages caused by a car accident, and get what you deserve from your injury claim, don't delay. Seek help from a team of compassionate legal professionals. Get started today by contacting the Chicago car crash lawyers at Abels & Annes for a free consultation.
How Often Do Car Accidents Happen in Chicago?
Illinois has 11.5 million registered motor vehicles and 9.2 million licensed drivers, most of them in the Chicago area. In one recent year, there were almost 97,400 car accidents in Chicago alone. In other words, Chicago sees an average of 267 crashes daily.
Chicago Named One of the Top Worst Cities to Drive In
In a list of the 100 largest cities ranked best to worst to drive in, Chicago ranked in the top ten worst cities. The Windy City came in 94 out of 100, meaning it was only six spots above the worst city.
What Are Some Common Causes of Chicago Car Accidents?
According to the most recent data from the State Department of Transportation (IDOT), nearly 60,000 car accidents injured people in one year in Illinois.
The most common injury-causing accidents were rear-end collisions, with 14,000 injuries. Rear-end accidents were most common at stoplights or in heavy traffic.
The second most common type of injury-causing accident was ‘turning accidents' with 12,890 injuries. Turning accidents most commonly occur at intersections when a person fails to yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
Car accidents injure three million people annually in the United States. Among those suffering injuries after a crash, about two million experienced permanent injuries because of the accident.
Causes of Accidents by Percentage
Data on the exact cause of a car accident is not easy to collect. If you ask two people what caused the car accident, you'll likely get two different answers.
The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) surveyed more than 5,000 collisions over 2.5 years and came up with the best estimates for car accident causes.
They found that the top reasons for car accidents were:
- Driver inattention and distracted driving – 41 percent
- Driver decision (speeding, illegal maneuvers, etc.) – 33 percent
- Overcompensation of the vehicle – 11 percent
- Fatigued driving – 7 percent
- Other driver errors – 8 percent
Fatal Car Accidents in Chicago and Illinois
In recent reports, Illinois saw over 1,241 car accident fatalities in one year.
These deaths represent over one percent of all traffic accidents that occur.
This low percentage is seemingly good news. However, 1,000 people dying in car accidents every year is still devastating.
The majority of fatal crashes in Chicago occur on state roads. The second most common is city streets. County roads and interstates took third and fourth place for road types where fatal accidents occurred.
Many fatal accidents were caused by a collision with a fixed object, like a tree or guard rail. Other common reasons include cars hitting and killing pedestrians, head-on collisions, and turning accidents.
Accidents Involving Children
Motor vehicle accidents are among the top causes of death to children in the US. Each year, around 700 children under age 13 die in car accidents. Another 100,000 children suffer injuries. Of the children who die in car accidents, 33 percent were improperly secured in a car seat or not wearing a seatbelt. According to studies and tests, properly secured children have a much better chance of surviving the collision
Distracted Driving Accidents
Ten percent of drivers in Illinois admitted to using their phones while driving. This includes using their phone at red lights and stop signs, which is still dangerous because it takes away a driver's attention to the road around them.
As the data above pointed out, distracted driving is a serious issue in the U.S. In one year, 2,800 people died, and over 400,000 suffered injuries in distracted driving accidents.
Distracted Teen Drivers
Distracted driving is even more common for teen drivers.
In a survey of high school students, the Journal of Adolescent Health found that 38 percent of high school students had texted or emailed while driving at least once in the past 30 days.
They also found that students who used their phones while driving were more likely not to wear a seat belt, more likely to ride with a driver who had been drinking, and more likely to drive after drinking alcohol themselves.
Drunk Driving Accidents
When you look at the data collected about accidents in Illinois, you can see that drunk driving is a serious problem. Out of the reported 1,147 fatal Illinois car accidents in one year, 21 percent involved alcohol.
Drunk drivers are also much more likely to kill another driver in an accident than themselves.
What Are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries?
A variety of injuries can result from auto accidents, such as:
- Broken bones. Serious fractures can require surgery to repair.
- Back and neck injuries. Accident victims may sustain herniated discs and require injections or surgery. Extensive back injuries can lead to paralysis and life-long issues.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Whether mild (like a concussion) or severe, TBIs can require years of medical care. They may also cause brain death, vegetative states, comas, and even death.
- Lacerations. Large cuts may require stitches or staples and often leave disfiguring scars. Wounds can also become infected are require further treatment to heal.
- Shoulder injuries, such as a torn rotator cuff or a torn labrum, may require surgery.
- Burn injuries. These can result from fire or airbag injuries. Our team has seen significant scarring from airbag injuries.
- Death. Tragically, hundreds of people die every year in Chicago area auto accidents.
What Factors Can Affect My Possible Settlement?
Determining how much compensation you should expect from your settlement can be difficult since the amount depends heavily on the facts of your case. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C., can help calculate your economic and non-economic damages. They can also help you make the best decision about when to settle or take your case to court.
Your attorney's job is to negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf until they obtain a top offer from the insurance carrier. If that offer is fair, you can choose to settle. If not, your lawyer can file a lawsuit.
Factors that affect settlement value include:
- The severity of your injuries.
- The available insurance coverage. If the responsible driver has little to no insurance, receiving a high settlement from them is much harder, and your claim value may depend on your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
- Whether liability is clear or contested. For example, the other party may not dispute liability in a rear-end accident but might deny responsibility in a red-light accident.
- If your accident involved more than one liable party
- If the at-fault party acted with gross negligence when operating their motor vehicle
- Your total medical expenses and other losses, such as missed income from work.
- Your ability to return to work
- The change in your quality of life before and after your accident
- Your out-of-pocket expenses
Contact our law firm to learn more about the possible value of your case during a free consultation.
What if I Have an Accident With an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver?
If the at-fault driver in your car collision has minimum or no auto insurance, there can be too little or no insurance coverage from the at-fault driver to cover the claim.
If your auto insurance includes Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage, our skilled injury lawyers can pursue an uninsured motorist claim or an underinsured motorist claim against your auto policy.
With this type of claim, your own auto insurance company will step into the shoes of the underinsured driver to pay for the claim. However, recovering from your insurer can sometimes be as difficult as recovering from another party's insurer.
This is where the Chicago car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes can help. If you suffer an injury in a car accident due to a negligent, uninsured driver, our Chicago law firm is ready to handle your unique personal injury claim.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Chicago Auto Accident Lawyer?
The injury attorneys at Abels & Annes work on a contingency fee basis. That means there is no fee unless we successfully resolve your case. You also pay no money upfront. Your lawyer will receive a percentage of the money they collect from the auto insurance carrier or other at-fault parties.
How Can I Pursue a Car Accident Case?
Set Up a Free Consultation With an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Near You
After the crash, you'll want to begin looking for an experienced car accident attorney near you.
Find someone who has experience working with your specific type of case and a history of winning trials and negotiating large settlements.
The Chicago car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. are available to take your call 24/7.
At Abels & Annes, your initial meeting or phone call with an auto accident attorney is a free consultation to review your case. You won't have to pay anything at this time, and we only charge a fee if we recover compensation in your case.
Filing a Claim with Your Insurance Company
Our lawyers can file a claim with your car insurance company if you need to pursue an uninsured, underinsured, medical payment, and/or property damage claim. We can also seek compensation for your injuries from the at-fault driver's insurance company or your insurance carrier, depending on the situation.
The at-fault driver's insurance company may contact you and ask for a statement and a signed waiver in exchange for quick cash. Don't give them a statement, sign anything, or accept any money without speaking to one of our attorneys first. This applies to both your insurance company and the other driver's insurance company.
Further Investigation
Once we agree to work together, we will investigate the case, determine liability, and review your medical records. During pre-litigation, we can contact any healthcare providers to obtain your medical records and gather other documents, such as the police accident report.
Once your injuries heal (or you reach maximum recovery), we will use your medical records and bills to begin calculating a settlement demand.
Prepare a Settlement Demand
Next, we will submit a settlement demand to the insurance company. When the insurance company makes an offer, negotiations will begin.
These negotiations will continue until the insurance company refuses to offer a higher amount. If you and your attorney agree on this settlement and accept the offer, your case will be settled and stay out of court.
However, if the settlement offer is not sufficient, you may need to file a lawsuit. We will explain your options so you can carefully consider this decision. Deciding to settle your case can be difficult, especially if the settlement doesn't seem fair. Your attorney can help you make this decision and guide your choices.
Approximately 95 percent of personal injury cases settle pre-trial, but that does not guarantee that yours will. Thus, our lawyer will be preparing for trial while we negotiate a settlement.
Discovery in Preparation for Trial
If you file a lawsuit, a period called discovery begins. During this time, both sides will investigate the case further.
The parties may request documents and take depositions, in which they ask the other parties or witnesses questions under oath with a court reporter present. Lawyers may ask doctors, police officers, or anyone else involved in the case questions about what occurred. Our car crash attorneys will prepare you and represent you at your deposition.
Mediation and Pre-Trial Conferences
Before the trial date, there may be an opportunity for mediation or a pre-trial conference to settle the case. In mediation, a mediator will speak with both parties and attempt to reach an agreement.
They cannot force the parties to settle but can help both sides reach an agreement on an outcome. Many cases often settle during mediation after a lawsuit is filed.
Trial
If mediation and all other negotiations fail, your case may go to trial. In a trial, both sides argue their case and present their evidence. The judge or jury will then hear the evidence and decide who was responsible and how much compensation you should receive.
How Much Time Do I Have to Sue?
In Illinois, the statute of limitations is two years in most car accident cases. However, shorter one-year deadlines apply to certain defendants, such as municipalities.
Minors with accident injuries typically have two years from their 18th birthday to file a lawsuit against most defendants. But again, there are shorter exceptions.
You must file your lawsuit within the statute of limitations. Otherwise, you cannot pursue the case in court or recover any damages.
Do not wait until the last minute to find an attorney. Most lawyers will not take a case that is too close to the statute of limitations.
The Chicago Accident Lawyers at Abels & Annes Are Here to Help You!
If you suffered injuries in an auto accident or someone you love tragically died from a crash, let the car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes help you assess and understand your rights and potential remedies. We can help you obtain the compensation you need to move forward.
Call (312) 924-7575 or use our confidential online case evaluation form to contact us
Your consultation is free, and we will not charge you any fees unless you receive a financial recovery.
The car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes have experience representing Chicago drivers and passengers who suffered injuries in car accidents. We will independently investigate your accident and do what is necessary to help you receive the compensation you deserve. This allows you to concentrate on the important and difficult tasks of healing and getting your life back in order.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Today!
If you have injuries, request a free consultation or call (312) 924-7575 to speak with our Chicago car accident lawyers today.
Chicago Car Accident FAQs
What if my car accident injuries are permanent?
Some people suffer life-altering injuries in crashes, and they have permanent impairments. If you will never recover from your injury, it can keep you from working, require ongoing medical care, and prevent you from your usual daily activities.
Car accident claims involving permanent injuries require skilled legal assistance. The value of these claims is often much higher, and many future and intangible losses are challenging to prove.
Our attorneys often represent clients with catastrophic injuries, and we have successfully obtained the maximum possible compensation for people with permanent impairments.
What if my loved one died in a crash?
Many car accidents are fatal, and this tragedy can leave you and your family with emotional and financial losses.
Our firm regularly handles wrongful death claims for surviving families following fatal crashes. We provide the compassion and dedication your family deserves in this difficult time.