Chicago Car Accident Lawyers With A Passion For Helping You
Last updated on April 22, 2025
After a car accident, physical pain, emotional trauma and financial strain can quickly become overwhelming. When the medical bills pile up, debt collectors begin to call, and negotiating with the insurance company has gotten you nowhere, it can seem like your life is falling apart. Eames Law Group has Chicago car accident lawyers who actually care. We help victims throughout Illinois put their lives back together when the aftermath of a crash begins to take its toll. Get a free case review by our attorneys to see how much you could be entitled to.
Table Of Contents
- Why Hire Us For Your Chicago Car Accident Case?
- Common Car Accident Causes
- How Fault Is Determined In An Illinois Car Accident
- What To Do After A Car Accident?
- Common Car Accident Injuries
- Illinois Car Accident Statistics
- What Damages Can I Recover After A Car Accident?
- How Long After A Car Accident Can I File A Claim In Illinois?
- How Long Does It Usually Take To Settle A Car Accident Claim?
Why Hire Us For Your Chicago Car Accident Case?
You will find thousands of car accident lawyers in Chicagoland. Of all the options, what sets us apart? The answers are simple:
- Selected for inclusion to Super Lawyers
- Recipients of many other honors and awards
- Rare experience representing first responders, including police officers
- Recovered millions of dollars in compensation
However, we take pride in something even more important than these qualities: the attention and care that we provide to you. At our firm, we do not treat you as just another case file. You work one-on-one with our car accident attorneys as they get to know you and help you through this time.
Common Car Accident Causes
Car accidents continue to be a significant concern across the United States, with several common causes contributing to these unfortunate incidents. Among the leading causes, distracted driving takes the top spot. Others include:
- Distracted driving: This is when drivers divert their attention from the road, increasing the chances of accidents. Distractions could include eating, using a phone or adjusting the radio. It’s believed to contribute to around 52% of car crashes.
- Texting while driving: This specific form of distracted driving contributes to over 1.3 million accidents annually in the U.S. Alarmingly, almost a third of Americans admit to this dangerous practice.
- Bad weather conditions: Failing to adapt to poor weather conditions can lead to accidents. Diverse weather patterns like heavy summer rains and winter blizzards pose additional challenges in Illinois. However, bad weather doesn’t excuse negligent driving.
- Drunk driving: On average, 28 people die daily in the U.S. from DUI-related accidents. In Illinois, nearly a third of fatal crashes involve alcohol use.
- Drugged driving: The rise of legal marijuana and the ongoing opioid crisis have increased drugged driving accidents across the U.S.
- Driver fatigue: Lack of sleep can quadruple the crash risk, similar to driving drunk. It’s estimated that drowsy driving contributes to 6,400 deaths annually in the U.S.
- Speeding: This factor contributes to about a third of all motor vehicle deaths. Driving too fast for conditions in urban areas like Chicago causes 40% of all deadly car accidents.
- Following too closely: Often referred to as “tailgating,” this practice significantly increases the risk of accidents as drivers may not have enough time to stop. Rear-end collisions, often resulting from tailgating, represent about 29% of all U.S. crashes.
- Mechanical failure: Car defects like misaligned steering columns, faulty brakes or worn-out tires can cause accidents. Victims could seek damages from the manufacturer or distributor if a mechanical failure contributes to an accident.
- Improper lane usage: Hasty attempts to overtake another vehicle or drifting across the center line can lead to devastating head-on or sideswipe collisions.
How Fault Is Determined In An Illinois Car Accident
Although determining liability in some accident cases may be cut-and-dry, that isn’t always the case. Sometimes, a thorough understanding of the laws, the ability to interpret police reports and medical records, and even accident reconstruction may be necessary to accurately assign fault. In some situations, multiple parties may play a role in causing an accident. Responsible parties may be other drivers, companies, manufacturers, property owners and even government entities.
In most car accident cases, damages are paid by an insurance company. Payouts can come from a combination of:
- The at-fault driver’s liability policy
- Third-party insurance coverage (trucking companies, manufacturing companies, employer coverage, etc.)
- Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
What To Do After A Car Accident?
After a car accident, it’s important to stay calm and follow these steps:
- Check for injuries: The first thing you should do is check if anyone is injured. If so, call 911 to get an ambulance and police on the scene.
- Move to a safe area: If possible, move your car to a safe, well-lit place nearby, preferably a public one where others can see. If you can’t move your car, keep everyone from oncoming traffic.
- Call the police: Even in minor accidents, it’s essential to have an official report for insurance purposes. The police will also help secure the scene and investigate the cause of the accident.
- Exchange information: Collect the other driver’s name, contact information, insurance details and vehicle information. Also, note the location, time and conditions during the accident.
- Document the accident: Take pictures of the damage to all vehicles involved, any injuries and the overall scene. These may be crucial for your insurance claim or any potential legal proceedings.
- Notify your insurance company: Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. They will guide you through the process of filing a claim.
- See a doctor: Even if you feel fine, it’s good to get checked out by a doctor after an accident. Some injuries might not be immediately apparent.
- Get legal advice: It is always recommended to talk to an attorney about your accident, even if you don’t think you’re entitled to anything. You can always get a free consultation with Eames Law Group to see if you have a claim.
Common Car Accident Injuries
- Whiplash: One of the most common car accident injuries, whiplash occurs when the neck and head are suddenly forced backward and forward, putting the cervical spine through rapid motions and extreme stresses. This can result in muscle, ligament and tendon injuries.
- Back and spinal cord injuries: These can include herniated discs, fractures, and spinal cord damage. Such injuries can cause pain, limit mobility, and, in severe cases, lead to paralysis.
- Head and brain injuries: Car accidents can cause concussions, contusions or traumatic brain injuries if the head hits a part of the vehicle during the crash. Symptoms can range from headaches and dizziness to cognitive problems and loss of consciousness.
- Bone fractures: The impact of car accidents can break bones, particularly ribs, legs, arms, ankles and wrists. Some victims may also suffer a broken pelvis.
- Soft tissue injuries: These are damages to the body’s connective tissue, which include muscles, ligaments and tendons. Sprains, strains and bruises account for many soft tissue injuries in car accidents.
- Scrapes and cuts: Loose objects inside the car can become projectiles during a crash, leading to scrapes and cuts. While these are generally not life-threatening, they require medical attention to prevent infection and other complications.
- Psychological injuries: Car accidents can also lead to emotional distress, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental health impacts should be addressed alongside physical injuries for comprehensive recovery.
Illinois Car Accident Statistics
The state of Illinois has seen alarming statistics regarding car accidents in recent years. In 2022, the state witnessed a total of 1,280 traffic fatalities, marking a 4% decrease from the 1,334 deaths recorded in 2021, but still significantly above pre-pandemic levels. Cook County, in particular, reported over 159,000 motor vehicle crashes and had the highest number of deaths by car accidents in the entire state, with 285 fatalities. It was also found that out of the 1,151 fatal crashes in Illinois during 2022, 190 involved pedestrians, 166 involved semi trucks, and 146 led to 1,269 fatalities. These statistics underscore the critical need for road safety measures and responsible driving practices in Illinois.
What Damages Can I Recover After A Car Accident?
Car accident damages are based on economic impact as well as personal suffering. It’s typically pretty simple to calculate damages like past medical bills and lost income, but evaluating the cost of future medical care and lost earning potential is often complicated. Sometimes, expert testimony is necessary to sort out the true value of your injuries.
Determining the value of personal suffering can be even more complicated. Assigning a dollar amount to permanent physical impairments, emotional distress or the death of a loved one is never an exact science. To obtain a fair settlement, you’ll need a professional on your side who will demonstrate the impact your accident has had on your life.
If the behaviors that caused your injuries were particularly egregious, you may also be entitled to punitive damages. Unlike compensatory damages that are designed to compensate victims for their losses, punitive damages are imposed to punish the wrongdoer.
How Long After A Car Accident Can I File A Claim In Illinois?
While the vast majority of car accident cases in Illinois are settled through negotiations with insurance companies, it can take months and even years to resolve a claim. In the meantime, the two-year timeframe to file a personal injury lawsuit continues to creep toward the deadline. If the statute of limitations expires while you’re busy negotiating with the insurer, you will lose your right to recover for good.
How Long Does It Usually Take To Settle A Car Accident Claim?
The timeframe for settling a car accident claim can vary considerably based on numerous factors, such as the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries and the clarity of fault. On average, auto accident settlements occur within nine to 18 months. But in many cases, particularly those involving minor injuries, car accident victims can settle their insurance claims with their carrier within a few weeks of the crash. However, in more complex cases or those involving severe injuries, it could take a few months to a year to settle, and if a lawsuit becomes necessary, it may even take a few years.
The Time Is Now: Schedule Your Free Consultation
Before you talk to anyone, you should call our office and schedule a free consultation with our experienced car accident lawyers to determine your rights. They will ensure that your case is set up to receive the maximum compensation that you may be entitled to under law. Please call 312-319-8350 or send us an email to begin.
