Handling a car accident claim yourself is a mistake. These cases are more complicated than most realize, and profit-driven insurance companies want you to accept less. The auto accident attorneys at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. boost the odds of recovering what you deserve by fighting to increase your settlement.
Contact us Today
You have enough to worry about. So if you work with our 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 us anything unless you receive compensation.
Average Payout Amount*
w/attorney $1,600 on your own $1,600 Difference of $1,000.00*According to the 2017 Martindale-Nolo Research.
Our experience with Illinois car accident cases means we can get more money, often in less time. It usually boils down to efficiency and calculating the total value of what a car accident cost you, like your time away from work, pain and suffering, and future medical costs.
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 auto insurance company won’t take accountability, we won’t hesitate to take them to court.
Although we have the legal side covered, if you or a loved one are hurt in a Chicago-area car accident, it can be helpful to have a general understanding of some of the unique Illinois laws and guidelines that may apply. This can shed light on potential obstacles or opportunities that may arise and go a long way in identifying who’s at fault and what to do after a car accident.
According to data from the Illinois Department of Transportation, car accidents in Cook County, IL are common, and some of the most common causes of those accidents are:
Classifying an accident as a T-bone collision, a failure to yield, or a rear-end collision may seem arbitrary. Still, doing so is essential to build a car accident case, identify who is at fault, and confirm the exact cause of your injury. The most common types of accidents are:
Here are some common types of injuries we see in people who have been the victims of auto collisions:
Car accidents with semi-trucks and 18-wheelers are very different from typical auto accidents. They are usually much more complex and involve grievous injuries. For example, commercial trucks have strict insurance regulations, driver restrictions and typically involve large companies with tremendous resources. By working with an experienced Chicago car accident lawyer, you can target these policies, use data from the truck as evidence, and hold negligent parties accountable.
Learn more about Commercial Truck Accidents
Vehicle-train collisions are more complicated than the average car wreck. Investigating a train accident can be challenging, especially determining which party was negligent and liable for your injuries. Our Chicago accident attorneys have years of experience handling train accident cases, including Amtrak, Metra, the L, BNSF Railway, Union Pacific Railroad, and other railroad and freight companies.
An injury alone isn’t enough for a car accident case. Someone needs to be held responsible for the harm you suffered. This means physical and financial harm. In legal terms, this is what’s referred to as ‘liability.’ To determine liability, our Chicago car accident attorneys will take a deep dive into all the evidence to prove that another persons’ actions were negligent.
Find Out More About Liability and Negligence In Car Accident Cases
In Illinois, all vehicles must be covered by:
This is usually written as 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.
Our car accident lawyers will 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.
Common insurance issues we can help with include:
When you meet with us, we will fully discuss insurance issues you may face and how our car accident attorneys can help.
You need to act fast 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, that 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.
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. If you are okay to do so, you should exchange insurance information with the other driver. Afterward, you should try to document the scene of the accident. This can help document vehicle and property damage from multiple angles which can help with your car accident claim.
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:
Contact an injury lawyer 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Contact us Today
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.
Contact us Today
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.
Here are some additional resources that may be of help.
Additional Resources
