Hard-Working and Successful Chicago Car Accident Lawyers
Hundreds of thousands of car crashes occur every year in Illinois. That’s hundreds of wrecks every day. Sadly, many of these collisions result in injury or death, and somewhere around 1,000 people in the state lose their lives every year in Illinois car accidents. Additionally, more car accidents happen in Cook County compared to any other county in the state. In fact, somewhere between 20 and 25% of all Illinois car accidents occur in Chicago and Cook County. These statistics are disheartening, but the saddest fact of all about these injuries and deaths is that most car accidents are preventable. They happen because one of the drivers was negligent or reckless in his or her driving – by speeding, texting while driving, driving drunk, or simply not paying attention and driving with care considering the weather and traffic on the road at the time.
Illinois law allows car accident victims who are hurt by another driver’s negligent or distracted driving to recover compensation from the responsible party, but obtaining a full and fair amount of compensation from the other driver or their insurance company can be challenging to say the least. Insurance company adjusters handle car accident claims every day and can put you at a disadvantage regarding how much your claim is worth or who was responsible for causing the accident. At D&W Law Group, we handle car accident claims every day too. Our experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers will help ensure that you are treated fairly and get the full amount of compensation that reflects the true value of your claim.
Car Accidents and Illinois Auto Insurance Law
Illinois drivers are required to carry liability insurance in the event they cause injury or damage to another. The minimum amount required by law is $25,000 for personal injury to one individual, up to $50,000 if more than person is injured, and $20,000 for property damage. In a serious accident causing catastrophic injury, the lifetime costs of the accident victim can greatly exceed this amount, and drivers are typically urged to carry considerably more liability insurance than the mandatory minimum.
Regardless of the amount of coverage, the insurance company will typically offer a very low amount as a quick cash settlement of their liability. This is especially the case if you are unrepresented by an attorney. They are counting on the fact that you are hurting and needing money, and likely not realizing the full extent of the loss and damage this accident has caused and will cause you. At D&W Law Group, our attorneys know how to value your claim and work with the insurance company to obtain an appropriate settlement amount, or take them to court if they don’t agree.
Another important fact to consider is that nearly 14% of Illinois drivers are uninsured. If you are hit by an uninsured driver, you can make a claim with your own insurance company through your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. You should have UM coverage equal either to the amount of liability you carry, or at least the minimum 25/50/20 coverage required under Illinois law. Keep in mind that even though you are filing a claim with “your” insurance company and not the other driver’s, the insurance company will still try to pay you less than your claim is worth, especially if you are not represented by an attorney when you make your claim. Our job is to represent you and see that you get the proper amount of compensation.
Comprehensive Chicago Car Accident Attorneys
Our Chicago car accident lawyers go to work right away after a collision to investigate the accident while it is still fresh. We take the time to visit the scene, talk to witnesses, review police reports and take other appropriate measures. If the other driver was cited, we will likely attend any hearing on the citation, as a guilty plea can be used in a civil suit, and many valuable facts can be learned during a courtroom hearing.
Our accident investigation will also consider whether other parties besides the other driver may bear responsibility for your accident. For instance, tire defects and other automotive design or manufacturing defects can cause an accident or contribute to the extent of injuries, from airbag and seat back failures to deadly rollovers and roof crushes. Manufacturers can be held strictly liable for these defects in a product liability claim. We work to hold all responsible parties accountable to obtain justice and achieve the maximum compensation available.
Let Our Team of Attorneys Help You after a Serious Chicagoland Car Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Chicagoland car accident, call D&W Law Group at 312-888-8888 for a free consultation with a team of experienced and dedicated Chicago personal injury attorneys.
