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Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Our Chicago law firm can demand the money you deserve

Serious car accidents in Chicago often cause serious injuries. In an instant, you could have whiplash due to a rear-end accident on Wacker Drive. Or perhaps you’re dealing with a concussion or another type of traumatic brain injury due to a distracted driving accident on Wabash Avenue.

Whatever the circumstances of your Chicago crash, it’s critical that you get immediate medical attention right away. If necessary, go to the hospital. Then, as soon as possible, talk to a Chicago car accident attorney at our law firm. We can help you every step of the way.

Our dedicated legal team at Ferrell Young, LLC has years of experience handling complex legal cases involving car accident injury claims in Chicago and throughout Illinois. As a result, we understand how the legal system works here. We know the laws that apply to such cases. And we’re prepared to do the work that needs to be done to do the job right.

Most dangerous intersections in Chicago

Based on car accident data collected by the City of Chicago, Illinois Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some of the most dangerous intersections in Chicago include:

E. Chicago Ave. & N. Lake Shore
E. Wacker & N. Michigan
E. Wacker & N. Columbus
W. Ontario & N. Orleans
W. Hubbard & N. Halstead
W. Cermak Road & S. Western Ave.
W. Madison St. & S. Western Ave.
W. Chicago Ave. & N. Clark St.
N. Halsted St. & W. Division St.
S. Canal St. & Roosevelt Road

Why Chicago car accidents happen

In many cases, collisions involving two or two vehicles in Chicago occur because one driver acted in a reckless or negligent manner. Specific examples include:

Speeding drivers who don’t have time to slow down and avoid a collision.
Aggressive drivers, especially ones who tailgate and cause rear-end collisions.
Reckless drivers, including ones who run a red light or don’t stop for stop signs.
Distracted drivers, including drivers who text while driving, even though it’s against the law in Illinois.
Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Tired drivers who fall asleep at the wheel and crash into other cars.

What should I do after my Chicago car accident?

Injured in a motor vehicle accident? It is important to begin collecting evidence at the crash site as soon as possible – however, this should always come second to your health and well-being. Immediately following a car wreck, do the following as quickly as possible:

Call 911 if you or anyone else involved in the accident is seriously injured. Severe wounds should be tended to before anything else.
Ask the police to respond to your accident, especially if anyone sustained serious injuries or extensive damage to either vehicle occurred.
Take as many pictures of the crash scene as possible.
If someone saw your accident, get their full name and phone number so investigators can interview them later about what happened.
Talk to the other motorist(s) involved in the wreck and ask them to give you their contact and auto insurance information.
Once you have exchanged information with the other driver, don’t discuss your accident. Anything you say could later be used as evidence to deny your car accident claim or lawsuit.
File an accident report with the police and ask for the report number for your records.
Do inform your auto insurance carrier you’ve been in an accident, but do not sign anything yet.
If the at-fault driver’s insurance company contacts you, do not speak with them. Anything you say can later be used as evidence by them.
Contact a Chicago car accident lawyer at our law firm to discuss your rights and learn more about your legal options during a free case evaluation.

Whether you were injured while driving a passenger vehicle or riding in someone else’s car, you can rely on our experienced legal team to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

Common types of car accidents

While no two car accidents are ever alike, certain types of crashes are more common than others. This includes:

Rear-end accidents, in which one car crashes into the vehicle in front.
Head-on collisions, which are among the most serious car accidents on the road.
T-bone accidents or broadside collisions, in which one vehicle crashes head-on into the side of another car.
Hit-and-run accidents, in which one driver flees the scene of the collision.
Drunk driving accidents, which sadly still occur far too often in Chicago.

Common car accident injuries

Like types of car crashes, injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents can cover a wide range. Some of the most common injuries include:

Whiplash, a serious and sometimes misunderstood neck injury, often caused by the sudden forward and backward motion of a rear-end collision.
Concussions and other types of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Head injuries, including cuts and lacerations to the face.
Broken bones, including bone fractures in the neck, back and skull.
Spinal cord injuries, including partial or total paralysis.
Internal injuries, including organ damage and internal bleeding.
Arm or hand injuries.
Leg or foot injuries.

Should I accept a settlement offer?

Many times, car accident injury victims will receive a settlement offer from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If you received such an offer, you might be tempted to take it, especially if you already have a lot of bills and expenses due to your injury.

But before you sign anything, it’s important to understand what happens if you do agree to accept a settlement offer. As the name suggests, a settlement offer is a one-time payment designed to settle your case, once and for all.

If you accept such an offer, you cannot ask for more money in the future, even if your future expenses are more than you expected. Insurance companies know this. That’s why they often make settlement offers. They want you to take it and pay for future expenses out of your own pocket.

That’s not fair. That’s why it’s important to carefully consider any settlement offer before agreeing to accept it.

How much is my car accident claim worth?

It depends on the extent of your injuries and the effects on your life. What you might not realize is just how many expenses your car accident claim or lawsuit should cover. Insurance companies often only take into account short-term expenses. But you should be paid for all future anticipated expenses as well, including:

Cost of all medical care, including follow-up doctor’s appointments, overnight hospital fees, physical therapy, and surgical procedures.
Vehicle repairs or the cost of buying a new car if your vehicle is a total loss.
Replacement income if you need time off from work to recover from your injuries.
Future income if you are unable to return to work or can only work in a reduced capacity due to a permanent disability.
Pain and suffering in certain circumstances.

Add all these expenses up and your car accident claim could be worth thousands of dollars or significantly more.

Should I file a car accident lawsuit?

Sometimes, the best way to get the money you deserve for your car accident-related expenses is to file a lawsuit. This is especially true if the at-fault driver’s insurance company refuses to increase their settlement offer or denies your accident claim altogether.

But if you do decide to file a car accident lawsuit, it’s important to understand that the legal process can be very complicated and confusing. And if you make a mistake at any point in the process, your lawsuit could be dismissed or denied.

This is why it’s critical that you have an experienced Chicago car accident lawyer helping you decide what to do. And if you ultimately decide to take legal action, your attorney can help you file a lawsuit seeking damages, the legal term for financial compensation.

Why should I hire a Chicago car accident attorney?

The clock starts running once you’ve been in a car accident. Usually, you have two years from the date of your collision to file a car accident lawsuit in Illinois. But long before that deadline expires, the evidence you need to build a successful legal case can be lost or destroyed.

We understand the urgency of your legal matter. That’s why we want to meet with you right away. You’ll notice the difference during your initial free consultation. We never take anything for granted. We take the time to find out exactly what happened. And that starts with listening to you.

Once you agree to hire us, we will conduct an in-depth investigation in search of evidence in support of your car accident claim or lawsuit. This can range from carefully reviewing your official Illinois car accident report to consulting with car accident reconstruction experts.

Get the law firm that gets results. Contact us and schedule an appointment with a Chicago car accident lawyer focused on winning your case. You can reach us online or call us today. Se habla Español.