Every Chicago car accident is different. But all car accident victims share the same problems: they need money for car repairs, medical bills, and pain and suffering. They need time off work to recover. And above all, straight answers and guidance from a lawyer who works for you – not for themselves.
And our lawyers have handled thousands of Chicago car accident claims. We take care of the heavy lifting so you can focus on healing. We keep you informed so you’ll always know where your case stands. And most importantly, we act fast so you can recover what was lost and turn your accident into a distant memory.
When you hire Staver, you’re not getting a lawyer who picks up your case with no care. In fact, you’re getting an advocate. A passionate lawyer who will speak on your behalf, with insurance companies, and in court.
We’ve done it for thousands of clients who were in your shoes, and we’ll do it for you.
We dedicate ourselves to client success and satisfaction. This shows in our 4.95 star Google rating 185+ reviews left by clients on Google.
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
Settlement for a female driver injured in a head-on collision.
settlement for a male passenger injured in a head-on collision caused by an elderly driver.
settlement for a female driver injured when a rear-ended by a large commercial truck.
settlement for a male driver rear-ended at a stop sign.
At Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., we fight hard for our clients. And our case history shows this. Over the years, we’ve seen just about every type of car accident there is.
Sure, it feels like unfamiliar territory to you, but it’s all too familiar to us.
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.
We’ve won awards for over 3,500 clients. And with every award we get, the more it proves our quality. Years of credibility, glowing ratings from the BBB and a place on the top 100 trial lawyers of America.
The recognition we’ve accumulated speaks for itself.
Attempting to represent yourself is a mistake. You’ll struggle because the insurance companies don’t have your back. It’s a profit-driven business that won’t prioritize your needs. Staver can help remove the financial burden that’s resulted from your accident.
If you choose to hire us, rest easy knowing that we work based on a contingency fee. Put simply, if you don’t receive compensation, you won’t owe us anything.
We know that many victims are concerned about finances after an accident, and we don’t want those concerns to keep you from getting the legal representation you deserve.
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 years of experience mean we can get you more money, in the quickest time. It all boils down to efficiency. And we’ve been honing that for years. With legal representation, the average payout is $77,600, while the average is $17,600 without.
If the first offer is not enough, your Staver lawyer will negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf to reach a fair and equitable solution. And if this is not reached, your lawyer won’t hesitate to fight for your case in court.
Our process is people-focussed. It’s designed not only to win but to reduce stress levels and make the whole process easier.
The initial consultation is a chance to discuss your case with one of our attorneys and figure out what your next step is. Use this time to figure out if an attorney is a good fit for your case and how you want to handle it.
When you meet with a personal injury lawyer, you should bring several things to help tell the story of your car accident. These will essentially be used as evidence to determine the value of your case.
What We’ll Need from You
When you decide to work with us, we won’t waste time.
Staver will get straight to work. We’ll help with car repairs and replacement, medical bills, and insurance claims so you can rest easy and focus on healing.
Then we look to the long-term, assessing all types of damages to determine the value of your case. There are four types of damages that you may be entitled to, depending on the circumstances you’ve experienced after the car accident: special damages, punitive damages, general damages, and lastly, survival damages.
For a full run-down of damages, take a look here.
| Next Step: EvidenceYou can back up your damages with a variety of evidence, including bills, photographs, or expert testimony asserting expected future damages.
This stage is vital. It’s simple really, the better your proof, the more compensation you could get.
For example, to prove that you’ve experienced pain and suffering, a testimony from your doctor explaining that you appeared to be in pain during office visits will be helpful. Keeping a diary or a ‘day in the life’ video recording showing how much your pain has affected your life could come in handy too.
| Next Step: SettlementAfter we’ve looked over the damages, we’ll put our research system into action. Following the investigation stage, the insurer may reach out with a settlement offer. But usually, the first offer is too low.
Your Staver lawyer will never settle for an amount that will shortchange you. We’re relentless in the pursuit of the highest compensation possible. We’ll be going back and forth at the negotiation table for as long as it takes.
| Next Step: TrialWe want to get the most out of your case. – and if a settlement can’t be reached, we won’t hesitate take your case to trial. We’ll pull in expert witnesses to reconstruct the car accident scene to help the jury see your side of the story. Every piece of evidence we gather will have one goal: to support the damages suffered.
| Next Step: ConsultationIt all starts with a free consultation.
Every type of personal injury case is different. And although we have the legal side covered, it can be helpful to have a general understanding of some of the unique laws and guidelines, the obstacles and opportunities we may face along the way, and some of the additional details that may impact the outcome of your Chicago car accident case.
There are so many factors that play a part at the scene of an accident – the type of vehicles involved, the location, the time of day the accident occurred, the weather and traffic conditions, and so on. These are all essential pieces to building a car accident case in order to determine who is at fault, and the exact cause of your injury.
Car and commercial truck accident cases are handled very differently. It’s like comparing apples and oranges. For example, commercial trucks are required by federal law to carry a substantial amount of insurance, which can be helpful during your claim. Data can also be collected from the electronic control modules (the black box), right away.
Learn more about Truck Accidents
Vehicle-train collisions also are more complicated, typically, than vehicle crashes. Investigating the train accident can be difficult. It also can be challenging to determine which party was negligent and liable for your injuries. Our personal injury lawyers in Illinois have years of experience handling train accident cases, including those involving Amtrak, Metra, the L, BNSF Railway, Union Pacific Railroad, and other railroad and freight companies.
An injury alone isn’t enough for a case. Someone needs to be held responsible for the actions that caused you or your property harm. In legal terms, this is what’s referred to as ‘liability’. And in order to determine liability, we’ll take a deep dive into all the critical evidence of your accident with the goal of proving that another persons’ actions were negligent.
Find Out More About Personal Injury Liability and Negligence
In Illinois, all vehicles must be covered by:
This is usually written as 25/50/20 coverage.
If you are in a crash with someone from another state, their minimum amount of insurance may turn out to be higher or lower.
One of our car accident lawyers will check each relevant party’s insurance coverage during your case.
We will also thoroughly review your own coverage to see if it can help you before you could get a settlement or court award.
We can help with:
When you meet with us, we will fully discuss insurance issues you may face and how we can help.
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 if there is another variable in your case, that time limit permitted to file a case may differ.
You should get medical care right away. Whether your injuries are minimal or severe, you should call 911 to make sure that the police arrive to complete a report.
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 a personal 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 personal injury lawyer 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 us 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 injuries.
If your insurance claim was denied, the insurer should have told you why, in writing. You should contact an 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 your loved one was killed by the negligence of another driver, 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.
Here are some additional resources that may be of help.
Additional Resources
When you’re fighting for maximum compensation, we know what it takes to get it.
