Successfully dealing with insurance companies, medical professionals, and law enforcement can be challenging for anyone. Having an experienced car accident lawyer can help in virtually every aspect of your recovery. Illinois accident law often poses challenges to car accident victims. Not only do you have to act fast because of the statute of limitations and your financial need, but the insurance company will be trying to pay you as little as possible. That’s why you must call a knowledgeable car accident lawyer as soon as possible after being hurt in a crash.
At Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., our Illinois personal injury lawyers have helped countless accident victims get their lives back on track. We have a long history of securing maximum compensation after car accidents in Illinois, so victims have a real chance at recovery. We understand what you are going through and what it takes to get it from the negligent party.
When your family has been affected by a serious or even fatal car accident, contact Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C today at (217) 528-9955 or online. We offer free initial consultations and don’t charge up-front costs. We are only paid when you recover compensation.
06/28/2019
I was involved in an accident back in February I retained their services. I was immediately helped professionally by their staff setup for physical therapy. They handled all of my paperwork & correspondence between the insurance company. In as little…
Ivan
01/10/2019
Awesome! Everyone I spoke to at the office was very helpful and my phone calls were returned promptly. I was a pedestrian in a hit and run downtown in August 2018 and within 90 days, Staver Law Group was able…
James
10/16/2018
Staver Law Group did an excellent job with handling my injury case! I sustained minor injuries from an automotive accident. I walked away with about $16,000 after the firm took their share of the $25,000 total settlement. I have no…
Yvonne
Serious Car Accidents are a Common Occurrence in Illinois
The Illinois Department of Transportation reports about 325,000 car accidents every year. While some collisions result in minor damage, many lead to serious injuries. Approximately 20 percent of car accidents in Illinois end in one or several people sustaining injuries. As car accident lawyers with decades of experience, we have seen practically every type of wreck. Many of the accidents in Illinois happen on large highways where cars and large trucks share fast-moving lanes, or when drivers carelessly use ramps to access smaller roads. Interstates 90/94 and 294 see some of the most accidents in Illinois. Additionally, some of the most dangerous streets in the state include Chicago’s Belmont Ave, Kedzie Ave, and Mannheim Rd.
Your car injury lawyer must understand that every accident is unique. However, certain accidents happen frequently and cause serious harm. Of the many car collisions that we have seen, some of the most common include:
- Fatal Car Accidents
- Side Impact and T-Bone Collisions
- Rear-End and Head-On Collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Work zone accidents
- Hit and Run accidents
- Vehicle ejection accidents
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Pedestrian accidents
- Truck accidents
- Accidents with uninsured drivers
- Dangerous debris collisions
- Turning and intersection accidents
How An Illinois Car Accident Lawyer Can Help After a Crash
Being in a car accident can be extremely disruptive to your life. You or a loved one may be dealing with a tragic loss or serious injuries. It can be hard to know what to do. Aside from making sure you get the medical attention you need, you will likely be out of work, and dealing with insurance representatives. You will need a car wreck lawyer who has experience helping victims in your position. Car accident injury compensation is meant to get you back to where you were before your injuries. Unfortunately, many victims do not have an experienced car crash lawyer and do not recover everything they deserve.
Do not sign or accept any settlement offer until you speak with a local car accident lawyer. The insurance companies will seek to reduce their liability. Many victims injured in car accidents are surprised at how little their own insurance companies are willing to help them. A car wreck attorney who understands Illinois negligence law can act as an intermediary with the insurer and handle every step of your recovery.
A lawyer can help you through the car accident injury settlement process by:
- Gathering all relevant evidence and witness testimony
- Making sure that you receive the necessary ongoing medical care
- Building a strong case for recovery from the negligent parties
- Negotiating for an acceptable financial settlement
- Taking your case to trial if an appropriate settlement is not offered
At Staver, we have the awards that matter to you.
Jared Staver: Named 2024 SuperLawyer
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Tyler Kobylski: Named 2024 SuperLawyer
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The National Trial Lawyers - Top 100 Trial Lawyers
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Nation’s Premier Top Ten Attorney
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Martindale-Hubbell - Peer Rated for Ethical Standards & Legal Ability
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The Many Causes of Car Wrecks
Most car accident victims are caught completely off guard when they are hit. A negligent or careless driver can collide with you even if you are doing everything right. Understanding exactly what happened in your accident is essential to recovering damages from those responsible. The insurance companies will be working hard to pay out as little as possible, or sometimes nothing at all. This makes determining the exact causes of your wreck very important for all car accident victims.
Fatal car accidents and other devastating collisions can happen at any time of day. However, most car accidents in Illinois tend to occur during the evening rush hour. There are simply more drivers on the road, so you are more exposed to various types of negligence or reckless behavior that may cause an accident.
Some common causes of car accidents in Illinois include:
Distracted Drivers
People often try to multitask by eating, using their cell phones, or holding in-depth conversations while behind the wheel. A distracted driver is much less likely to notice a hazard or another car with enough time to avoid an accident.
Drunk Drivers
Intoxicated drivers cause many devastating collisions and these result in almost one death per day in Illinois. These wrecks are most common in the evenings and on weekends and holidays. Illinois dram shop laws might apply in specific circumstances.
Many overly aggressive drivers fail to consider safety concerns while traveling on highways or city streets. Accidents can be caused by things like tailgating or failing to properly use a turn signal, among others.
Damaged Roads
Many roads in Illinois are damaged due to failure to properly maintain them over years of harsh weather and busy traffic. A damaged road, or careless maintenance crew, can make driving very dangerous.
Teen Drivers
Young drivers often fail to understand the dangers of being careless behind the wheel. Many teens are simply inexperienced or become distracted by their phones or passengers.
Elderly Drivers
These drivers sometimes have a reduced reaction time. An elderly driver may not be able to stop in time to avoid hitting you.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
Even a relatively minor collision can make for an extremely stressful situation. It’s important to understand that you might still be in serious danger in the immediate aftermath of a car wreck. The first thing that you must do is to seek a safe location if you are physically able to do so. The scene of your accident can be very dangerous. Car debris and even fires often injure or kill accident survivors. Furthermore, passing traffic may fail to slow down, and it’s possible to be struck by another car as you exit your vehicle.
Once you attend to your own safety after a car accident, you may try to help your passengers or others involved to a safe location. It’s important to understand that someone may be pinned in their seat, and it can be dangerous to try and pull them out. However, it’s also possible that their safety on getting away from the wreck as soon as possible. You have to use your own judgment in these circumstances. Illinois law will not allow for you to be held liable for damages by someone whom you helped so long as you used reasonable precautions and did not seek payment for your actions.
Once you reach safety, follow these steps after a car accident:
- Call 911 for police and emergency medical attention
- Give a full report of the accident to law enforcement
- Do not accept fault or make statements that could be interpreted as such
- Call an experienced car crash attorney
- Write down a timeline of events as you remember them
- Share the list of witnesses with your attorney
- Follow through with your medical treatment and your doctors’ orders
Act Fast. The Statue of Limitations after a Car Crash is Ticking
Illinois statute of limitations laws require you to file a lawsuit for damages within two years of your accident. Your case might be thrown out if you wait longer. It might feel as though two years is a long time, but it’s not. The car accident injury settlement process can be complex, and we encourage you to call a lawyer without delay. Recovering adequate car accident compensation requires a strong case, which can take time A skilled lawyer for car accidents will need to investigate every detail of your case.
State law does allow for several exceptions to the statute of limitations. These exceptions are allowed in cases where it would be unfair to dismiss a claim for an accident that happened over two years ago. A knowledgeable lawyer can review the details of your case and determine if your claim will be allowed by the court. Some common exceptions include:
Unnoticed Injuries
The statute of limitations can be delayed only after certain injuries become apparent. The court must find it understandable that you were not able to notice the extent of your injuries until after the accident.
Military Service
Time that you spend on active duty in the United States military cannot count toward the two years statute of limitations in a car accident.
The Other Party Was Out of State
The statute of limitations can be paused while the other party in your case is outside of Illinois.
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If you’ve been hurt, it can be hard to know where to start. We begin every case with a free, no-risk evaluation. We’ll discuss your situation, answer your questions, and determine what comes next. Act now and get the recovery you deserve.
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