Chicago Car Accident Attorneys

Motor Vehicle Accidents in Chicago

Thank you for visiting My Chicago Motor Vehicle Accidents Attorney. We will attempt to give you as much information about Motor Vehicle Accidents in Chicago as possible on this site. Additionally, you can visit our “Why hire us” page to see what separates us from the other Motor Vehicle Accident lawyers in and around Chicago.

Have you been injured by a negligent driver? Call us at the Motor Vehicle Accident Law Offices of “insert attorney name” in Chicago. We will investigate your automobile accident and make sure the at-fault driver is held accountable.

Chicago Auto Accident Overview

Most automobile accidents are caused by:
- Driver negligence - speeding, distraction, talking to passengers, eating, children in the back
- Drunk while under the influence
- Being tired or sick
- Automobile or mechanical defects
- Road conditions – construction, potholes, obstacles
- Weather conditions – rain, ice on the roads, fog

Auto accident injuries that can occur are:
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Head and/or brain injuries

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
- Auto accidents are the leading cause of personal injury and death
- Over 6 million people are injured in an auto accident every year
- An accident happens every 10 seconds

Fact: You will recover more if you are represented by an experienced Motor Vehicle Accident attorney.

Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents

Head-on crash
Vehicle pile-ups
Rear-end collision
Rollovers – vehicle/SUV
Uninsured or underinsured driver
Blind spot

At the scene of an automobile accident

Call the police – wait for them to arrive.
If car is blocking traffic, move it out of the way.
Do not settle with the other party or their insurance company.
Exchange information with the other driver:
- Name
- Address
- Telephone number
- Driver’s license
- Registration number
- Insurance company name and policy number
- Get all passenger and witness names (if any)
- Get passenger and witness names (if applicable).
Keep a camera, pad and pencil in your car – take photos of your injuries and/or damages.
If your car needs to be towed, get name, license number, phone number, address and registration number of the towing driver/company.

When you leave

Call your insurance company.
Go to your doctor.
Get a copy of the police report.
Contact an attorney.

Insurance Coverage

Chicago law requires the owner of a vehicle to have liability insurance.
- If you are at fault in a car accident, you will be able to provide compensation to any injured persons.
Minimum amount required by law is
- $15,000 for property damage
- $40,000 for bodily harm – 2 or more people
- $20,000 for bodily harm – 1 person
- Two categories of auto insurance:
- first party coverage – you and your property (medical, car damage)
- third party coverage – your responsibility to pay for injured person

Uninsured/Underinsured Benefits

Protects you against a driver who does not have liability insurance.
You can make a claim under your own insurance.
- Will pay up to the limits of your policy.

Are you a passenger?

You are entitled to receive compensation for your injuries.
You can file a claim against the driver of the car you were in plus the other driver.

Personal Injury

Civil wrongs or torts that cause bodily injury in an auto accident.
Over 30 million people are injured in auto accidents each year.
About 100,000 people die as a result.
Personal injuries are severe and can include loss of a limb, disfigurement, scars.
You can suffer mental stress/trauma, embarrassment, disability.
A tort gives the defendant responsibility for causing injury to you (the plaintiff).
Tort law provides damages to you if the defendant is found negligent of the auto accident.
- Preponderance of the evidence – standard of proof
There is a statute of limitations on personal injury cases.

Wrongful Death

The loss of a loved one due to another person’s negligence during a car accident.
In Illinois, the Wrongful Death Act allows the representative of the next of kin to file a claim.
The Illinois court system allows for pecuniary injuries – loss of companionship, mental anguish, financial support, and personal grief and suffering.
Children can also file for loss of instruction and education they might have received if their parent had lived.
Illinois Survival Statute allows the next of kin to be compensated for pain and suffering of the decedent from the time of the auto accident to the time of death.
- If death occurred immediately or the person was unconscious, damages are not recoverable.
The amount of damages awarded depends on your relationship with the deceased.
There is a statute of limitations or notice provision for you to file a lawsuit in Chicago – must be filed within 2 years of the death.
- In some instances, it can be less than 2 years.

Conclusion
Being in a motor vehicle accident can cause a lot of stress and excessive expenses. We will pursue a resolution to your case. We are compassionate towards our clients and we will help you understand what options are available to you. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, contact an attorney at the Motor Vehicle Accident Law Offices of “insert attorney name”.