Car Accident Lawyer Chicago, IL

A crash on the Dan Ryan, Western Avenue, or a busy downtown intersection can leave an injured driver or passenger dealing with medical bills, missed work, and calls from insurance adjusters within days. A car accident lawyer in Chicago, IL can explain how Illinois fault rules apply, collect evidence, and pursue compensation from the driver who caused the crash. Jacobson Injury Firm represents people hurt in car accidents throughout Chicago. Contact the firm for a free consultation.

How Car Accident Claims Work in Illinois

Illinois is an at-fault state, not a no-fault state. The driver who caused the crash, and that driver’s insurance company, are responsible for the losses that follow. An injured person usually brings a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance rather than first turning to their own policy.

Under 625 ILCS 5/7-601, every vehicle driven on Illinois roads must carry liability insurance. The minimum amounts come from 625 ILCS 5/7-203: $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people, and $20,000 for property damage in a single crash.

Those minimums run out quickly after a serious injury. Under 215 ILCS 5/143a, Illinois auto policies must also include uninsured motorist coverage. This is coverage on the injured person’s own policy that pays when the at-fault driver has no insurance or is a hit-and-run driver who cannot be identified.

Where Car Accidents Happen in Chicago

The Chicago Department of Transportation’s 2024 Chicago Traffic Crashes report counted 130 people killed and 1,896 people seriously injured in crashes on Chicago streets in 2024. CDOT found that 72% of those deaths involved high speeds. The report leaves out crashes on interstate expressways.

In 2025, CDOT identified a High Injury Network: the 100 miles of major streets with the most serious crash problems, based on 2022 to 2024 crash data. Corridors on that list include:

• Cicero Avenuefrom Roosevelt Road to Addison Street
• Pulaski Roadfrom 71st Street to North Avenue
• Western Avenuefrom 74th Street to Grand Avenue
• Ashland Avenuefrom 79th Street to Pershing Road
• Michigan Avenuefrom 9th Street to Oak Street
• Stony Island Avenuefrom 95th Street to 79th Street

Chicago Police crash records on the City of Chicago Data Portal list more than 109,000 crashes on city streets in 2025, with nearly 25,000 people injured. That count does not include crashes on the interstate expressways, such as the Kennedy, Eisenhower, and Stevenson, where Chicago Police are generally not the responding agency.

Common Types of Car Accidents in Chicago

Jacobson Injury Firm handles a wide range of car accident claims, including:

• Angle and turning crashes at intersections, which CDOT found were the most common types of serious car crashes in 2024
• Rear-end collisions in stop-and-go traffic on the Dan Ryan and Kennedy expressways
• Speeding and red-light crashes on wide arterial streets such as Cicero Avenue and Pulaski Road
• Hit-and-run crashes, where the at-fault driver leaves the scene
• Drunk or drugged driving crashes
• Distracted driving crashes involving phones or in-vehicle screens
• Collisions with CTA buses or City of Chicago vehicles

What Compensation Can a Car Accident Victim Recover?

An injured person may seek compensation from the at-fault driver for:

• Medical expenses, including future treatment
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Property damage to the vehicle
• Pain and suffering
• Disability, disfigurement, and the effect of the injury on daily life

The value of a claim depends on the severity of the injuries, the available insurance, and the evidence of fault. Some injuries, such as concussions and back injuries, can worsen in the weeks after a crash. The firm’s article on how car accidents can affect health long after the crash explains why the full cost may not be clear right away.

What If the Injured Person Was Partly at Fault?

Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, a person found more than 50% at fault for their own injuries cannot recover damages.

A person who is 50% at fault or less can still recover, but the award is reduced by their share of fault. For example, a driver found 20% responsible with $100,000 in damages could recover $80,000. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto the injured person for this reason.

A car accident lawyer in Chicago, IL can use photos, video, and witness accounts to push back on those arguments. The firm’s guide on how strong a personal injury case is covers the factors that shape a claim.

What Should You Do After a Chicago Car Accident?

The steps taken in the first hours and days after a crash can affect a later injury claim. If it is safe to do so, an injured driver or passenger should:

• Call 911.Chicago Police respond to crashes on city streets, while the Illinois State Police generally handle crashes on the interstate expressways.
• Get medical care right away.Chicago’s Level I trauma centers include Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Stroger Hospital of Cook County, and UChicago Medicine in Hyde Park. Prompt treatment also creates a record that links the injuries to the crash.
• Document the scene.Take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signals, and visible injuries, and get contact information from witnesses.
• Request the crash report.Chicago Police reports can be requested through the department’s traffic crash reports Reports for expressway crashes come from the Illinois State Police.
• Avoid recorded statements.The other driver’s insurer may ask for a recorded statement early. Speaking with an attorney first can help protect the claim.

How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Illinois?

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, most personal injury lawsuits in Illinois must be filed within two years after the cause of action accrued, which is usually the date of the crash.

Shorter deadlines apply when a government body is involved. A lawsuit against a local public entity, such as the City of Chicago, generally must be filed within one year under 745 ILCS 10/8-101. A personal injury lawsuit against the Chicago Transit Authority must also be filed within one year under 70 ILCS 3605/41. Evidence such as video footage can disappear within weeks, so early action helps.

No Fee Unless We Win

Jacobson Injury Firm handles car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. There is no upfront cost, and no attorney fee is owed unless the firm recovers compensation.

Clients work directly with attorney Adam Jacobson, who is licensed in Illinois, Florida, New York, and Connecticut. He prepares each case as if it may go to trial. The firm’s case results include a $300,000 recovery in a car accident case. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Illinois a no-fault state?

No. Illinois is an at-fault state, so the driver who caused the crash is responsible for the resulting losses. An injured person can bring a claim against that driver’s liability insurance and, if needed, file a lawsuit.

What if the other driver has no insurance?

Illinois requires auto policies to include uninsured motorist coverage. That coverage on the injured person’s own policy may pay when the at-fault driver is uninsured or cannot be identified after a hit-and-run. A lawyer can review the policy and handle the claim with the injured person’s own insurer.

How long does a car accident case take?

Many claims settle within several months to a year, depending on the length of medical treatment and how insurers respond. Cases that go to litigation can take longer.

Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?

The injured person should report the crash to their own insurer as their policy requires. Before giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer, it is wise to speak with a lawyer, because those statements can be used to dispute fault or injuries.

How much does a car accident lawyer cost?

Jacobson Injury Firm works on a contingency fee basis. Clients pay nothing upfront, and there is no attorney fee unless money is recovered.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Chicago, IL

Jacobson Injury Firm’s Chicago office is listed on its Google Business Profile: Jacobson Law Offices, 1 E Erie St Ste 525, Chicago, IL 60611. An injured driver or passenger should not have to fight insurance companies while recovering. A car accident lawyer in Chicago, IL can review the crash, explain the options under Illinois law, and pursue full compensation. Contact Jacobson Injury Firm today to schedule a free consultation.