AUTO ACCIDENT LAWYERS IN CHICAGO
PRACTICE AREAS
Chicago Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney
As a firm practicing personal injury law since 1957, Curcio Law Offices is here and ready to help those injured in motor vehicle accidents in the Chicagoland area. If you or a loved one gets injured in a crash, bills and expenses pile up while you are off work recovering from your injuries. We understand that you need a legal ally to pursue compensation for your damages so that you can rebuild your life. Contact our auto accident lawyers in Chicago today at 312-321-1111 to schedule a free and confidential consultation with us.
Accident Injury Lawyers Recovering Millions For Clients
Our firm concentrates exclusively on personal injury law, so we can give you the best experience and outcome possible for your situation. We aggressively litigate cases to recover millions of dollars in verdicts for car, motorcycle, and truck accidents.
Chicago Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers That Fight for You
Our compassionate attorneys are skilled at pursuing compensation for all types of motor vehicle accidents. Accidents that happen because of texting or being under the influence while driving has been on the rise for years and can ruin and end lives instantly. Motorcycle and truck accidents can be especially catastrophic because of the size and weight difference between motor vehicles. Our lawyers work hard to investigate accident evidence to build the optimal strategy for your case.
How Do I Determine Liability in an Auto Accident?
Deciding who is liable after car accidents is one of the most critical steps of the process. Except in cases where the fault is evident, a good deal of research goes into figuring out who contributed to an accident. In the following situations, we explain what goes into the determination of fault after a car accident.
The drivers involved in the accident may have no question about who was to blame. They might decide amongst themselves as they exchange information in preparation for the claims process.
With all the adrenaline leftover from the accident, one driver might point fingers at another or even admit fault themselves. We advise against saying too much without first speaking with an attorney, but we also recognize that it just happens sometimes.
Once the police arrive at the scene of the car crash, they will determine if anyone suffered injuries. If they did, they would call for medical help right away. After that, they begin to investigate the scene. Based on witness statements, the positions of vehicles, and other factors, they can determine fault in the police report.
While these documents are not completely foolproof, they are very helpful to a Chicago personal injury attorney. They can corroborate your statements, giving them more weight in a court of law. All insurance companies involved will also read these police reports before deciding how to proceed.
With the help of modern technology, it gets easier and easier to file an insurance claim with your insurance company. In fact, many individuals file claims from a home computer or even through their insurance company’s app.
If your insurance company determines that the other driver is indeed to blame, then they will seek compensation from the insurer of the at-fault driver. This process of asking the other company for reimbursement and then refunding you on your deductible is called “subrogation.”
Bear in mind that, while insurance companies do have set policies and practices, they can often have their own agendas. Some companies are more willing to settle so they won’t have the hassle to deal with. Others want to fight for every penny they can get. When you’re up against a combative insurance company, the most beneficial tool at your disposal is an experienced car accident attorney.
In cases where insurers don’t agree, there’s a very helpful option that many large insurers like to use: arbitration. The process of arbitration involves hiring an arbitrator from a private company who decides both the magnitude of the damage and who will pay for those damages.
This process tends to be quicker, less expensive, and less inconvenient for insurance providers than lawsuits. In many cases, the entire process is done online via computers. That’s much easier than going to court.
If your case goes to court, then the jury will have the final say when it comes to fault and damages. However, only around 4-5% of personal injury cases actually go to court. Lawsuits are lengthy, expensive, and tiring. Therefore, not many people turn to them as a first resort or even as a second resort.
However, hiring the right Chicago car accident attorney can completely change your court experience. Finding a law firm in Chicago, IL, that has extensive experience in motor vehicle, and car accident lawsuit cases is essential. Motor vehicle accident cases can be complicated and stressful, especially if you suffered a serious injury. That’s why you need an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side.
What Happens in an Auto Accident Lawsuit?
Even in a seemingly straightforward case, the process of filing a lawsuit can feel complicated. This is especially true if you have no prior experience with the court system. A good personal injury attorney will take all the pressure off of you and keep you up to date throughout the entire process. Below, we outline the steps that you need to take before the legal process begins.
As soon as you can, contact a Chicago car accident lawyer. We recognize that car crashes are often scary and can leave you confused. However, the sooner you speak with a car crash attorney, the sooner you can start your personal injury claim.
After a serious car wreck, it’s extremely important for car accident victims to seek medical attention. This is important not only for your health and to prevent the worsening of injuries but also for your car accident claim. If you suffer serious physical trauma, such as a traumatic brain injury, it’s very important to document those injuries.
The sooner you visit a doctor after the accident occurred, the more closely you can tie the injuries to the accident. Auto accident victims often can’t afford sudden and expensive medical bills. In seeking maximum compensation for your car accident case, your Chicago car accident lawyers will include medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, physical pain and suffering, and other losses from your injuries.
Before speaking with your own auto insurance company, speak with a Chicago car accident lawyer. We have extensive experience handling either driver’s insurance company in car accident cases. It’s important to recognize that while insurance coverage is highly important, many insurance adjusters will try to lowball you or deny you outright.
With the help of car accident attorneys, you can obtain fair compensation from your own insurance company as well as the other driver’s company. Injured victims deserve compensation in their personal injury claims. This compensation covers unexpected expenses, such as lost income, medical bills from car accident injuries, and even fees for legal representation.
While you’re still at the accident scene, it’s important to take thorough pictures and videos of everything if you’re able. Especially in multi-car collisions, some traffic accidents make it difficult to pinpoint who was at fault. The more documentation you have of the scene, the stronger your car accident settlement or car accident lawsuit will be.
It’s important to take pictures and videos of all vehicles involved when car accidents happen. Document the damage as well as the scene as a whole. Additionally, you should take pictures of any visible injuries you sustained, especially after a serious car accident, drunk driving case, or distracted driving case. Lastly, take pictures of any important details. Examples include broken glass, property damage, skid marks, and anything else that might indicate what happened.
What Are Common Injuries in Chicago Auto Accidents?
Whether an accident involves passenger vehicles, semi-trucks, commercial vehicles, or even motorcycles, the range of injuries you might experience is vast. You might only have a few bumps and bruises, or you might be in a non-injury car accident where property damage is the only worry. However, in Chicago car accidents that involve significant injury, there are two broad categories of injuries: impact injuries and penetrating injuries.
Impact injuries involve a part of your body forcefully hitting parts of your car, such as the steering wheel, the dashboard, or even your door. These impacts usually cause some form of tissue damage, such as bruises, muscle strains, and more. The adrenaline in your body might delay when you feel these injuries, so it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. The most common types of impact injuries are whiplash and back injuries.
Penetrating injuries are open wounds such as cuts, abrasions, or lacerations. They often come from broken glass or from objects inside the car hitting your skin. In many cases, this type of car accident injury will heal after a few days. Sometimes, however, they will require immediate medical treatment.
How Do I Know Whether I Have an Auto Accident Lawsuit?
There are many situations in which you can file a lawsuit for car accidents. The three basic requirements for filing a lawsuit as a car accident victim are as follows.
- The at-fault party was negligent. Examples include ignoring traffic signs or texting while driving, and causing a Chicago car crash.
- Their negligence leads to injury or wrongful death. Maybe the at-fault party ran a red light and hit a pedestrian. If the pedestrian accident resulted in a back injury, they can prove that the driver’s negligence caused their injury.
- The accident resulted in damages. Examples of valid damages from the pedestrian’s back injury include lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.
If your case fits these three basic requirements, you more than likely have a case. The best way to know for sure is to contact our personal injury law firm and schedule your free consultation.
Can I File an Auto Accident Lawsuit in Illinois?
Before filing a personal injury lawsuit in Chicago IL, it’s important to understand a few key laws. The first law involves the statute of limitations surrounding lawsuits for car accidents. For most accident injury lawsuits, you have two years from the date of the injury to file. You also have five years to file for vehicle damage from an accident.
Illinois’s modified comparative negligence laws are also highly important for car accident lawyers. If you were partly to blame for the accident, your case would involve a comparative fault rule. This means that your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault for the accident. Additionally, if you are found to be more than 50% to blame, then you may not recover damages. Work with your experienced car accident lawyer to determine whether or not you have a case before pursuing a lawsuit.
What Can a Car Crash Lawyer Do for an Auto Accident Claim?
Chicago auto accident attorneys are invaluable, especially in cases involving serious or long-term injury. Many personal injury lawyers handle cases on a contingency fee basis and offer free consultations. That means you can speak with an attorney and find out if you have a case without paying anything upfront. If you decide to move forward and seek compensation, lawyers operating on a contingency basis will only get paid if they secure a recovery for you.
Additionally, Chicago car accident attorneys know the law inside and out. After all, it’s part of our job to know the law as thoroughly as possible. With our experience in handling all sorts of auto accidents, we can advise you of all applicable laws and regulations for your case. If you try to handle a case on your own, the consequences of making a mistake or missing a deadline are serious. You might have your case thrown out completely.
Chicago auto accident lawyers also do all the heavy lifting for you. While you focus on recovery and comfort, we handle all the red tape and litigation. The amount of work that goes into filing a claim, contacting the other driver’s insurance company, and everything else can be overwhelming. Let experienced law firms handle the complicated steps while you recover from your injuries.
Auto Accident FAQs
This greatly depends on the circumstances and complexity of the case. If you decide to settle outside of court, your case will take a much shorter amount of time than a lawsuit. However, even insurance claims and settlements can vary in the amount of time they take. Ask your attorney about their time expectations for your case.
In general, the simpler the case, the shorter your wait time will be. Because every accident is unique, it’s important to speak with an attorney for an idea of how long yours will take. It could last only a few weeks, or it could surpass a year. It all depends on the specific circumstances of your case.
Many accidents result in property damage to one or more vehicles. If your car sustains damage, you’ll likely want to have it repaired as soon as possible. Luckily, there are a few options for repairs and paying for repairs.
- Make an insurance claim with the other driver’s insurance carrier. If the other driver was at fault, you could make a claim with their insurance company to cover the damage to your vehicle.
- Use your personal collision coverage for reimbursement. If the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the repair costs, or if you were responsible for the accident, you can use your own insurance to cover the damages.
- Use your comprehensive coverage if your car was parked at the time of the accident. This covers situations like a tree falling on your vehicle or another driver hitting your car while it’s parked.
Yes, but only if you were less than 50% responsible for the accident. Under Illinois’s comparative negligence laws, your compensation is reduced by the percentage that you are at fault for the accident. If you are found to be mostly at fault, then you will have to either pay for the damages yourself or make a claim using your own insurance coverage.
This is a common question in the legal world. You’re burdened by all these new medical bills and other costs from your accident, so how are you supposed to pay for a lawyer? Luckily, our attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that we don’t accept payment unless we secure a recovery for you. That way, you won’t be saddled with legal fees on top of the stressful payments you’re already making.
It is very difficult to estimate the value of a case without speaking with an attorney. We usually begin our valuation process by asking what injuries you suffered in the accident. Then, we research the average compensation amount for comparable injuries. Most attorneys will add up costs from the following to determine a rough estimate for your case.
- Current, past, and future medical expenses resulting from the accident
- Current, past, and future lost wages resulting from the accident
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of consortium or loss of enjoyment
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
- Wrongful death expenses, such as funeral and burial costs
A multitude of factors can affect the value and progress of your settlement. Factors that affect the multiplier for your case include the following.
- The type of injury you sustain, such as a hard injury (broken bones, nerve damage, vertebral injury, etc.) or a soft tissue injury (bruises, sprains, and strains)
- Medical expenses for treatment, as well as costs of treatment from a medical doctor
- Prescription medications for the injury
- Long-term recovery and injury treatments
- Permanent injuries such as scarring, amputations, disabilities, and more
- Physical, mental, and emotional distress
- Disruptions to your daily life, such as missing school or work or canceling a special event
Types of Auto Accident Cases Our Lawyers Handle
At Curcio Law Offices, our attorneys have a wealth of experience in various types of motor vehicle accident claims. Below, we list the case types we handle at our firm.
Contact Curcio Law Offices For Help Today
If you are injured or a loved one has died because of a tragic motor vehicle accident, call us today at 312-321-1111 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. We operate on a contingency basis, so you only pay after we recover compensation for you.
