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Chicago Car Accident Attorneys 

Fighting For Car Accident Victims in Illinois

Car accidents are incredibly common, especially in a city as busy as Chicago. Unfortunately, wrecks often leave people with thousands of dollars in medical bills and property damage. To make matters worse, many of those stuck with these expenses did nothing wrong and were victims of another’s negligence. 

If you were hurt in a crash where another driver was speeding, using their phone, disobeying traffic laws, or otherwise acting recklessly, call Driscoll Law Group. Our Chicago car accident attorneys have a wealth of experience handling injury cases and a track record of helping people secure just compensation. In fact, our firm has recovered over $250 million.

Schedule a free consultation to discuss whether we are the right fit for your case and what we can offer. Call (312) 626-3008 or contact us online to get started with our car accident attorneys in Chicago. 

Choose a Firm That Gets Results

A Proven History Of Success
  • $1,450,000 Auto Accident

    A 58-year-old male suffered multiple injuries when his vehicle was struck.

  • $621,000 Auto Accident

    56-year-old woman suffered bodily injuries.

  • $208,000 Auto Accident

    Man is injured when rear-ended in vehicle collision.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Common causes may include:

  • Distracted Driving: This often includes texting, talking on the phone, using GPS, or even eating while driving.
  • Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit reduces a driver's capability to react to sudden changes, such as road hazards, sharp turns, or other drivers' actions. Speeding also increases the severity of collisions, making it a significant factor in car accident cases.
  • Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, response time, and motor skills, increasing the likelihood of serious accidents.
  • Reckless or Aggressive Driving: Aggressive behaviors such as tailgating, weaving between lanes, and road rage incidents often lead to dangerous situations. Reckless drivers put themselves and others at risk by failing to follow traffic laws and safety protocols.
  • Weather Conditions: Chicago’s unpredictable weather can also contribute to car accidents. Rain, snow, ice, and fog reduce visibility and make roads slippery, increasing the risk of collisions.
  • Fatigue: Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as driving under the influence. Fatigued drivers have slower reaction times and could even fall asleep at the wheel, causing accidents that could have been prevented.
  • Mechanical Failures: Sometimes, car accidents occur due to mechanical failures like brake malfunctions, tire blowouts, or engine problems. Holding the manufacturer or mechanic responsible may be possible when a vehicle defect is involved.

Common Injuries in Car Accidents

Common injuries may include:

  • Whiplash: Whiplash is the most common injuries in rear-end collisions. It occurs when the neck is jerked forward and backward suddenly, causing damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
  • Head and Brain Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can occur when a person’s head hits the steering wheel, dashboard, or windows. Even mild concussions can have lasting effects, while severe TBIs can result in permanent cognitive and physical impairments.
  • Broken Bones: The force of impact in a car accident can easily result in broken bones, especially in the arms, legs, ribs, and facial bones. Some fractures heal relatively quickly, but more severe breaks may require surgery or long-term rehabilitation.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries: Harm to the spinal cord could lead to partial or full paralysis, drastically affecting a person’s quality of life. Even less severe back injuries, such as herniated discs, could lead to chronic pain and disability.
  • Internal Injuries: Internal bleeding and organ damage could occur when the body is violently thrown against the seatbelt or steering wheel during a crash.
  • Cuts and Lacerations: Broken glass, sharp metal, and debris can often cause deep cuts and lacerations, which could require stitches and leave lasting scars.
  • Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, strains, and bruises are common in car accidents. While they may seem minor, soft tissue injuries can lead to long-term pain and discomfort, sometimes requiring physical therapy for recovery.
  • Psychological Trauma: Physical injuries are not the only outcome of a car accident. Many victims experience psychological effects such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and phobias related to driving or riding in vehicles.

Is Illinois an At-Fault State?

Illinois is an at-fault state, meaning injured parties have the option to pursue claims with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The amount of compensation someone can receive depends on their fault in an accident. This is known as comparative negligence. 

Under comparative negligence laws, if an injured party is found partially at fault for an accident, courts can reduce their compensation proportionally. For example, if a person is deemed 20% at fault, their compensation will be 80% of the maximum total.

Elements of Auto Accident Cases 

Making a car accident claim generally requires demonstrating the following elements:

  • The at-fault driver had a legal duty to enact care while operating their vehicle. This could include signaling while turning or stopping at a red light. 
  • The at-fault driver failed to uphold their duty of care. To the examples above, this can look like turning or merging without a signal or running a red light. 
  • The at-fault driver’s breach of their duty of care caused an accident that led to the victim’s injuries. 

While these three things might seem straightforward, they can be challenging to argue. This is why working with an attorney who has shown their ability to successfully settle auto accident cases is important. 

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The Options for Seeking Damages

Car accident victims have various avenues for seeking damages. 

Below are the most common:

  1. Insurance Claims: The first step for many collision victims is to file a claim with their insurance company or the at-fault party’s provider. The process involves providing documentation of the wreck, medical records, and other evidence. The insurance company then evaluates the claim and offers a settlement based on the severity of the injuries and the extent of property damage.
  2. Lawsuits: If an initial insurance claim does not yield a fair settlement or liability for the accident is contested, auto accident victims can pursue a lawsuit. Doing so requires gathering various kinds of evidence and documentation to make a case and engaging in negotiations with the other party or their insurance provider. While many injury lawsuits are settled outside court, some must go to trial.

In certain cases, injured parties can seek compensation from a liable third party. For example, if a manufacturer made a faulty part that caused a crash, the victim could pursue compensation from them. As another example, if poor road conditions or inadequate signage led to a collision, the victim could file a claim against the relevant government agency.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Car Accident?

Generally, collision victims can recover two types of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages cover quantifiable losses. These can include medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages cover intangible losses and are more difficult to quantify. They can include things like pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life. Driscoll Law Group has tried several cases to verdict and knows how to best present a client’s damages.

In Illinois, the Illinois Jury Instructions outline the types of non-economic damages a person harmed by another’s negligence can pursue. They are: emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of a normal life, disfigurement and disability. An attorney from Driscoll Law Group can fully explain the non-economic damages particular to your case. 

Contact Our Car Accident Attorneys in Chicago Today

Every car accident case is unique. That is why at Driscoll Law Group, our attorneys work closely with clients to understand their stories and develop personalized strategies for seeking compensation. To speak with one of our experienced Chicago car accident attorneys and learn about what they could offer you, schedule a free consultation. We can conduct these in person or virtually, making it convenient to start with us. 

Call (312) 626-3008 or connect online to get started with our Chicago car accident lawyers. We serve clients in Chicago, as well as those in Champaign County and elsewhere across Illinois and the U.S.

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Reviews & Testimonials

Our Firm Puts You First
    "I was very happy with his dedication to me and am very pleased with the result."

    My family and I were provided security for our future as a result of Sean’s hard work.

    - John R.
    "Sean put tremendous efforts into our personal injury case."

    Sean’s knowledge of the Law and procedure was extremely impressive. The way he handled our case throughout the process assured us at all times that he always cared for our wellbeing and best interests.

    - Robert E.
    "His confidence and experience were desperately needed in the midst of the most difficult experience of our lives."

    I have no doubt that his skill as a trial lawyer during the two week trial allowed me and my family to be awarded fair compensation that will last for the rest of our lives.

    - Blaine W.
    "Highly recommend."

    If I even need help again in his area of expertise I am 100% giving him a call.

    - Nicholas R.
    "He will fight tooth and nail for you and your family to get the compensation that you deserve."

    Sean Driscoll is a bull when it comes to getting the justice his clients deserve. He will fight tooth and nail for you and your family to get the compensation that you deserve.

    - Tom S.
    "Communication was frequent and transparent."

    As my lawsuit ended Mr. Driscoll was very helpful and informative in leading me in the right direction that was best for my future.

    - David J.
    "I will always be grateful for my attorney and advocate, Sean."

    Sean fought for me. The case was on the eve of trial when the defense finally paid highest settlement in the county for any case.

    - Randy R.
    "His level of professionalism and fast response times were unparalleled."

    Sean Driscoll is, hands down, a fantastic attorney. He is also a great human. Sean represented me in an auto-accident (I was middle car) and I was thrilled with the outcome. 

    - Jorie J.

The Right Firm Makes a Difference

Why Clients Choose Driscoll Law Group
  • 24/7 Help Available
    Whenever you need our lawyers, we're here to help you.
  • Providing Service in Spanish
    Legal support provided by a Spanish-speaking team.
  • Hundreds of Millions Recovered for Injured Victims
    Work with a law firm that has a history of success.
  • We Provide Free Consultations
    Learn how our injury lawyers can help during a free consult.
  • Personalized Service and Attention
    Our clients work directly with their attorney.
  • A Boutique Firm With Big Results
    We've recovered over $250 million on behalf of our clients.