We know the financial toll of a car accident. To recover from a Chicago car accident, you’ll need as much as possible to cover medical bills, your lost income, and your pain and suffering. That’s where Staver steps in. Let us maximize your car accident settlement and pursue ALL of it.
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When you work with Staver’s car accident lawyers, rest easy because there’s no up-front cost for our services. Our contingency fee policy also guarantees you won’t owe anything unless you receive compensation.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, Staver offers:
Average Payout Amount*
w/attorney $1,600 on your own $1,600 Difference of $1,000.00*According to the 2017 Martindale-Nolo Research.
Working with an attorney after a car accident drastically improves your odds of a higher settlement or verdict. But at Staver, our experience and past success in Illinois car accident cases usually mean we can get more money, in less time. It boils down to efficiency and our ability to calculate the total value of what a car accident cost you.
Insurance companies notoriously offer less than enough for car accident injuries. But our car accident lawyers in Chicago know how they operate and what makes them respond. We will negotiate to reach a fair result. But if the insurance company won’t take accountability, we will take them to court.
It’s hard to know what to do after a car accident, especially if you or a loved one are injured. However, by understanding the unique Illinois laws and evidence you’ll need, you can shed light on what happened, identify who’s to blame, and strengthen your car accident claim.
Motor vehicle crashes occur for many reasons and often result in severe injuries. Sometimes establishing responsibility is obvious. Other times, it takes an investigation to determine if a driver was distracted, impaired, or negligent.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, more than half of all car accidents in the state occurred in Cook County. Our experienced Chicago car accident lawyers have been helping people recover physically and financially for over 20 years. In that time, we’ve secured millions and gained incredible insight into how to handle virtually any car accident scenario.
If you or a loved one have been injured in any of the following car accident, contact us:
The severity of your car accident injuries significantly impacts the value of your claim. It’s important to keep up with medical treatment and document your recovery. This includes medical bills, treatment documents, and insurance info.
Here are some of the most common injuries we see after auto collisions:
When someone else is responsible for your injuries, you have the right to be compensated. A full car accident settlement should consider how your life has been affected. It should include both your economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages can easily be proven with documentation such as pay stubs, bank statements, and other financial records. Economic car accident damages include:
Non-economic damages are harder to value, but should be considered, nonetheless.
Punitive damages are also available in car accident cases, but only is egregious situations. Reckless and drunk driving are common examples.
Accident attorney Jared Staver explains how insurance companies try to avoid paying you compensation for your injuries, and the elements of a tort that your car accident lawyer will have to prove in order to receive compensation.
Most car accident cases are based on negligence. This means that another driver or some other party acted unreasonably or failed to act and caused you else harm.
While proving someone’s negligence caused a car accident sounds easy, especially if you believe they were speeding, distracted, or intoxicated, the reality is much different.
The burden of proof is based on a preponderance of the evidence – you need enough evidence to demonstrate that the other party is more than likely responsible for your injuries. This includes photos, medical records, and other documentation.
An injury alone isn’t enough. Someone needs to be held responsible for the harm you suffered. This means physical and financial harm. In legal terms, this is the ‘liability.’ To determine liability, you must typically identify who’s responsible and how they ignored their duty to act responsibly, thereby causing your injury and various losses.
Illinois follows the traditional at-fault approach to liability in a car accident. In most cases, you will file a third-party claim with the responsible driver’s insurance company or their employer if they were working at the time.
But because insurers are businesses, they are reluctant to pay when their policyholders cause accidents. Thus, it’s wise to retain a car accident lawyer to represent your interests.
A car accident claim can get complicated fast. Insurance companies and their lawyers will quickly diminish your injuries, suggest that you’re to blame, and use stall tactics so you give up and accept less than you deserve.
You need to act quickly if you or a loved one were hurt in a car accident in Chicago. In Illinois, you have two years to file for a car accident and many other personal injury cases. However, if the plaintiff is a child or another variable exists, the time limit permitted to file a case may differ.
This sounds like plenty of time, but memories and evidence fade quickly after a car wreck. The longer you wait, the harder it’ll be to recover compensation.
In Illinois, all vehicles must be covered by what’s called 25/50/20 coverage:
If you are in a car crash with someone from another state, their minimum amount of insurance may turn out to be higher or lower.
It’s important to check each relevant party’s insurance coverage. More than one policy may apply, or your own coverage may let you recover if the other driver doesn’t have sufficient insurance.
Some common insurance issues our car accident lawyers near you can help with include:
Aside from using the statute of limitations against you, the other party and their insurer will want to protect themselves and their profits. They do this by refuting your claims and using various defense strategies to reduce or deny your claim.
You should get medical care right away. Whether your injuries are minimal or severe, you should call 911 to ensure that the police arrive to complete a report.
Learn more about what to do after a car accident.
Liability is the legal term for when someone is held responsible for actions that cause people, or property harm. Common parties who may be liable in a Chicago area auto accident include:
Learn more about getting medical bills paid after a car accident.
Contact an auto accident attorney near you as soon as possible. This will ensure that your rights are protected throughout the claim process. You’ll also have better chances of recovering the compensation you deserve.
You have the right to pursue compensation through a lawsuit if you’ve been injured in a car accident because of another driver’s negligence, recklessness or intentional conduct.
Still not sure whether you should file a lawsuit or not? It would be good to speak with a lawyer for car accidents to find out how much your claim may be worth and what your best options are for recovering compensation.
Learn more about the process of filing a lawsuit or claim.
In Illinois, drivers are required to report traffic accidents within 10 days if the crash resulted in:
If you fail to report an accident, you may face fines, jail time, or have your license suspended.
Learn more about why you should call 911 after a car accident, and the potential consequences if you do not contact the police after your accident.
You can request a copy of the police report from the law enforcement agency that responded to the scene and took the information.
If the Chicago Police responded to your accident, you can contact the Chicago Police Department Records Customer Service Section or get copies of Traffic Crash Reports online.
If you are unsure of how to obtain a copy of the police report for a crash, call our car accident lawyers today.
Learn more about how to get an Illinois traffic crash report.
Basic information regarding the other driver should be on the traffic crash report completed by the responding police officer. You should obtain a copy of the report.
Learn more about what information you should exchange after a car accident.
Your lack of a license or suspended license won’t impact your ability to file a claim for injuries caused by a negligent driver.
If you were not at fault, you might still be able to recover compensation for your car accident injuries.
If your insurance claim was denied, the insurer should have told you why, in writing. You should contact a Chicago auto accident attorney and give them this information so they can advise you on how to appeal the claim.
You may be able to appeal the denied claim with the insurer or pursue compensation through a lawsuit.
Learn more about what to do if the insurance company denies your claim.
If another driver’s negligence killed your loved one, you may have a valid wrongful death claim. Wrongful death claims are somewhat different than typical personal injury lawsuits; however, you can still win compensation for the death of your relative.
Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, you may be able to get money to cover medical expenses, property damage, funeral and burial expenses, estate administration expenses, and more.
When you’re fighting for maximum compensation, we know what it takes to get it.
Your experience being injured in a car accident is unlike anyone else’s. At Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, we understand this. Our process for winning car accident cases begins and ends with you in mind.
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Discuss your case one-on-one with one of our auto accident attorneys and figure out your next step. Let us answer any car accident or insurance claim questions and explain your legal options, including a possible lawsuit.
Your initial consultation is free of charge and has no obligation. Use this time to determine if an attorney is a good fit and whether your case stands a good chance of success.
When you meet with your car accident lawyer during your free consultation, some things you may want to have or be ready to discuss are:
We don’t waste time.
Our Chicago car accident lawyers get straight to work to assess the full financial impact of an auto accident. This goes beyond car repairs and medical bills. While they are important, you shouldn’t also bear the burden of being out of work or a diminished quality of life due to a car accident you didn’t cause.
Our auto accident attorneys look long-term and consider everything you suffered and will have to endure after an accident. Depending on the circumstances, you may be entitled to special damages, punitive damages, general damages, and, lastly, survival damages.
For a full run-down of damages, take a look here.
| Next Step: EvidenceYou’ll need to back up what a car accident cost you with evidence. This can include medical bills, photos of your injuries, expert testimony about what caused the accident, and financial records showing lost wages or future damages.
The better your proof, the more car accident compensation you could get.
For example, to establish your pain and suffering, your doctor may explain that you appeared to be in discomfort or had limited mobility after a car accident. Keeping a diary or video recording describing your pain in your own words could come in handy too.
| Next Step: SettlementAfter we’ve looked over the damages, we’ll put our legal team into action. The insurer may reach out during this time with a settlement offer. This is intentional, but usually, their first offer is too low.
You don’t want to settle a car accident case too fast, only to realize you need an expensive surgery later.
At our car accident law firm, we’ll review their offer and help you decide if it will meet your needs. But our Chicago car accident attorneys won’t let you be pressured or settle for an amount that shortchanges you. We’re relentless in our pursuit of the highest compensation possible. We’ll go back and forth for as long as it takes.
| Next Step: TrialWe want to get the most out of your case. If a settlement can’t be reached, we won’t hesitate to file a car accident lawsuit and take your case to trial. A lot of car accident law firms are afraid of the courtroom, but that’s not Staver.
We’ll pull in expert witnesses to reconstruct the car accident, help the jury see your side of the story, and argue for every bit of compensation you’re legally entitled to.
| Next Step: ConsultationIt all starts with a free consultation.
Every car accident is different, but all victims share one thing: they need money for car repairs, medical bills, and pain and suffering. They need time off work to heal. And above all, straight answers from a Chicago car accident lawyer who works for them – not themselves. Have questions? We have answers.
Our accident attorneys have handled thousands of Illinois car accident claims. We’ll deal with the insurance companies, file the claims, and gather what’s needed so that you can get back to your life. We’ll keep you informed about where your car accident case stands and act fast to recover what you lost. Let us pursue the compensation you need and help make your car accident a distant memory.
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Car accident injuries can change lives. Individuals and their families need someone to give their pain and losses a voice, so insurance adjusters take notice, and fewer people suffer. That’s something every car accident lawyer in our law firm appreciates. It’s what makes us passionate advocates for every client – in and out of court.
Insurers are not worried about your satisfaction or ability to move on after a car wreck. But our auto accident attorneys put you first. It's why we have a 4.95 star Google rating based on client reviews.
Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. represented me after I was hit from behind in July 2017. The staff at Staver were compassionate, understanding, and very professional. I was updated on my case status upon my request, and all of my concerns were addressed in a timely manner. My case was settled, and I received my settlement money within six months. I would definitely recommend Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C.
angela callier-harris
$950,000 Settlement for a female driver injured in a head-on collision.
$896,695 settlement for a male passenger injured in a head-on collision.
$890,000 settlement for a female driver injured when a rear-ended by a large commercial truck.
$887,500 settlement for a male driver rear-ended at a stop sign.
Our Chicago car accident attorneys fight hard every day for those harmed in car crashes. We’ve handled just about every type of car accident, helped good people deal with truly catastrophic injuries, and recovered millions in compensation on their behalf.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
With every award, the more we cement ourselves as leaders in car accident injury law. Our business rating shows our commitment to client care, and a place in the top 100 trial lawyers of America shows we’re tough opponents.
Our Recognition & Rep Speaks Volumes.
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