Chicago Car Accident Lawyer | No Fee Unless We Win | Staver
How We Can Help

Our Chicago Attorneys Fight for Max Compensation after a Car Accident

We understand you’re under financial pressure. To recover from a Chicago car accident, you’ll need a substantial settlement to cover all your expenses, including non-monetary damages like pain and suffering. That’s where Staver steps in. Let us strengthen your accident claim and pursue EVERYTHING you’re owed.

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Jared Staver
Ally. Advocate. Advisor.
How we can help

We Eliminate Risk for Chicago Car Crash Victims

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:

Free case evaluation
$0.00 out of pocket expenses
No fee unless you win

Average Payout Amount*

w/attorney $1,600 on your own $1,600
Difference of $1,000.00

*According to the 2017 Martindale-Nolo Research.

Car Accident Experience Equals More Money; Faster

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 Chicago, IL 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.

Experience Taking Car Insurance Companies to Trial

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.

Building Your Case

Chicago IL Car Accident Laws & Info

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.

Building your case

Types of Auto Accidents, Injuries & Damages

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.

We Handle a Wide Range of Auto Accidents in Chicago

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:


Common Chicago Car Accident Injuries

The severity of your car accident injuries ultimately determines your claim’s value. Be sure to attend follow-up treatment and record any medical bills, treatment documents, and insurance info.

Here are some of the most common injuries we see after auto collisions:

  • Head and Brain Injuries — This involves concussions, skull fractures, or other traumatic brain injuries.
  • Neck and Back Injuries — This includes Whiplash, herniated or bulging discs, or spinal injuries.
  • Burn Injuries — Whether minor or fatal, burns might leave cause serious disfigurement and require skin grafts.
  • Soft Tissue Injuries — Some accidents cause ligaments or muscles to tear causing lasting damage.
  • Broken Bones — These injuries require surgery and a long recovery period.
  • Spinal Injuries – These are devastating injuries that could alter someone’s life entirely and may result in permanent wheelchair use due to a loss of movement in the lower extremities.
  • Knee Injuries — The knee is one of the body’s biggest joints. Car crashes can damage them, causing anything from discomfort to lifelong impacts.
  • PTSD — Not all injuries are visible. Car crashes can cause post-traumatic stress disorder, which can have long-term effects on a victim’s life. The at-fault driver can be held accountable for PTSD-related expenses.

Compensation for Damages & Losses in Car Accident Cases

When someone else is liable for your injuries, you have the right to pursue compensation. Your final settlement should consider all the ways your life was affected by your accident, including both monetary and non-monetary damages.

Calculating monetary damages is pretty straightforward and easily proven with proper documentation. These damages include:

Non-economic damages are not as easy to value, but should be considered, nonetheless. These damages include:

Punitive damages are also available in car accident cases, but only in extreme situations. Reckless and drunk driving are common examples.

Determining the Cost of Your Car Accident Claim

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.


Negligence, Fault, & Liability after a Car Accident in Chicago

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.

Car Accident Evidence & Documentation

It may seem obvious who’s at fault in your car accident. However, you must prove that someone was speeding, distracted, or intoxicated to have a successful claim.

The burden of proof for a civil lawsuit is based on a preponderance of the evidence, which means that enough evidence exists to prove that the other party is more likely than not to have caused your injuries. Photos, eyewitness testimonies, and other forms of evidence could be used to prove fault.

Liability & Fault in a Chicago Car Accident

Your injuries alone aren’t enough to prove liability. To determine liability, you must establish the four elements of negligence. Someone must owe you a duty of care, fail to uphold that duty, and cause your damages, which require monetary compensation.

Illinois is an at-fault state for 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.

However, insurers aren’t likely to give you the compensation you need to recover. That’s why you need car insurance lawyer to look out for your best interests.


Time Limits, Car Insurance Claims & Defenses

Car accident claims are complex. Insurers will quickly brush off your damages, try to blame you, or use other tactics to limit their liability.

Illinois Car Accident Statute of Limitations

You must act fast when you or someone you love were hit by a negligent driver. 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.

Although this may seem like a lot of time, you’d be surprised how much evidence gets lost the longer you wait, making it harder to collect the compensation you need.

Illinois Car Insurance Laws and Requirements

In Illinois, all vehicles must be covered by what’s called 25/50/20 coverage:

  • Minimum of $25,000 for injury or death of one person
  • $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people
  • $20,000 for property damage

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.

Other Car Insurance Polices and Claims

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:

  • First Party Claims
  • Third-Party Claims
  • Poor Communication with Carriers
  • Insurance Company Imposed Time Limits
  • Arbitration
  • Subrogation
  • Bad Faith

Disputed Liability & Car Accident Defenses

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.

  • The other side may raise certain procedural defenses based on existing law or failure to comply with a statutory rule.
  • Factual defenses to car accident liability usually revolve around you being wholly or partially to blame for the accident, or that you inflated the severity of your injuries.

Chicago Car Accident FAQs

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:

  • The driver
  • The car owner
  • A passenger
  • A bar who served a motorist too much alcohol (Dram Shop Liability)
  • A social host who served a driver alcohol
  • A government entity that didn’t maintain roads or signs
  • A company that manufactured a defective part

Learn more about getting medical bills paid after a car accident. You may qualify for disability payments, but consult a lawyer to explore your options.

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:

  • a fatality
  • an injury
  • more than $1,500 in property damage when all drivers are insured
  • more than $500 in property damage if any of the vehicles involved are uninsured

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.


Is There a Car Accident Lawyer Near Me?

We cover the whole of the Chicagoland area:

Chicago, Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale, Naperville, Joliet, Waukegan

Our Process

In Your Car Accident Claim, We Focus on YOU

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.

Contact us Today

Or learn more about our process...

Share Your Story with Us
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01

Consultation

02

Case Value

03

Evidence

04

Settlement

If Needed

Trial

Start with a Free Consultation with a Car Accident Lawyer Near You.

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:

  • Your story: In addition to where you were going and the factors that led to your car crash, some specifics will help our investigation. For example, “My accident was near Clark & Lincoln. I was driving Northbound on Clark St by Lincoln Park and was hit trying to turn left onto Lincoln Ave.”
  • Receipts for accident expenses: The aftermath of a car wreck will result in various out-of-pocket costs. These are often overlooked but add up fast. So keep the receipts for any medications, repairs, or bills associated with your car crash and injuries.
  • Insurance Policy Info: To get started, your car accident lawyer will need to know which insurance companies are involved, what coverage applies, and any communication or settlement offer you received.
  • The Police Report: The Chicago Police Department will usually be the agency that responds to your accident, but it may be a municipal department like Berwyn or Lincolnwood. Their documents related to the accident will reference essential factors like speed, road conditions, vehicle position, and any citations issued.
  • Any Photos, Videos, Or Documents: When you’re involved in a car accident, you should take photos of the damage and your injuries. You can also take video at the scene or take notes about your injuries and medical care.
  • Witness & Driver Contact Info: Any information you have about the other driver and their vehicle (name, contact information, employment information, and license plate number) will be helpful. Also, try to keep any potential witnesses’ names and contact information, if applicable.
| Next Step:Determine the Value of Your Accident

We Determine the Value of Your Car Accident & Injuries

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:Evidence

Our Team Investigates Your Car Accident Case

You’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:Settlement

We’ll Reach a Car Accident Settlement If It’s Right

After 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:Trial

We’ll Fight for You in Cook County Court if Necessary

We 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:Consultation
Ready to get started?

It all starts with a free consultation.

Why Staver?

Staver Knows How to Win an Auto Accident Claim

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.

We Fight The Auto Insurance Company, So You Can Recover

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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3500+
Clients Helped
Why Staver?

Our Lawyers Bring Justice for Chicago Car Accident Victims

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.

We’ve made thousands heard, and we’ll do it for you.

Trusted Car Accident Lawyers in Illinois

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

★★★★★

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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.

Read more results

Award-Winning Accident Attorneys Working for YOU

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.

Awards Memberships
Better Business Bureau A+ Rating
American Association of Personal Injury Attorneys
The AV Peer Rating
Top 100 Trial Lawyers of America
The National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates
National Association of Distinguished Counsel
Attorney & Practice Magazine's Top 10 Personal Injury Law Firm
The Chicago Bar Association
The Illinois State Bar Association
The American Bar Association
Brain Injury Association of America ‘Preferred Attorney’

Visit our Awards Page  

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