Trusted Chicago Car Accident Attorneys

In less than a minute, a motor vehicle accident can derail your life and put your future at risk. If your accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, recklessness or carelessness, you can take legal action. Filing a personal injury claim can be the first step you take to get your life back on track. At Berg & Berg, our attorneys have been fighting for our clients’ best interests since 1991. We have represented countless residents throughout Chicago who have been hurt by negligent individuals or businesses. We are equipped to help you get the results you deserve.

How Can  Berg & Berg Help You After A Car Accident?

Motor vehicle accidents are a common type of personal injury suit. They typically involve one or more motor vehicles (cars, motorcycles, trucks, etc.) crashing into another motor vehicle or an object like a tree or a streetlight. Both drivers and passengers can suffer from injuries. When you are in a wreck, it is important that you talk to an attorney. The costs from medical bills, repairs and insurance will add up, which could put you in financial distress. By filing a suit, these expenses can be mitigated and you can regain your livelihood. Furthermore, you may be entitled to an award based on the pain and suffering you experienced. We can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Why Are Motor Vehicle Accidents So Common In Chicago?

Because we are the largest metro in the Midwest, the streets of the Chicagoland area are always busy with cars, buses, trucks and commercial vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists. All of this activity makes accidents more likely, but congestion alone doesn’t cause accidents. Crashes are most often the result of negligence, including:

• Distracted driving
• Drunk driving
• Speeding and aggressive driving
• Failure to yield to pedestrians and bicyclists
• Failure to keep a lookout
• Illegal U-turns and poorly timed left-hand and right-hand turns
• Inexperienced and poorly trained bus drivers
• Failure to adapt to changing traffic and weather conditions

Illinois is a “fault” state, meaning that the costs of an auto accident must be paid by the person who caused it (typically through their insurance policy). For this reason, it is crucial to determine the cause of the crash and who was at fault. As soon as you hire us, we begin a thorough investigation and build a strong case against the at-fault driver.

What To Do Immediately After A Car Accident

The things you do and say immediately after a crash can make a major difference in your ability to claim compensation later. Here are some important tips to keep in mind following a car accident:

• Check on all drivers and passengers involved in the crash to determine if emergency medical help is needed. If so, call 911 immediately.
• Contact the police and request that an officer comes to the scene to create an accident report (this step isn’t necessary if you already called for an ambulance).
• If you can, get everyone off the road, out of traffic and to a safe location.
• While waiting for police and paramedics, take pictures of the accident scene, vehicles, license plates and anything else that may be important later. Exchange contact information and insurance information with the other driver.
• Cooperate with the police officer and give factual statements about what happened. Do not take blame for the accident or admit that you may have been partially at fault – that can be sorted out later.
• Write down the officer’s name and badge number so you can request a copy of the police report later.
• If you haven’t done so yet, seek medical attention from a doctor.
• After you have left the accident scene, contact an experienced attorney like those at our firm.

Even if you don’t feel hurt or you believe that your injuries are minor, it is very important to consult a medical professional for two reasons. First, some injuries cannot be felt immediately but are nonetheless serious. Second, you will need medical documentation of your injuries when it comes time to seek compensation.

What Types Of Damages Are Available After An Illinois Car Accident?

The legal term “damages” refers to money paid to the victim for the harms and losses they suffered. Our attorneys will work tirelessly to help you pursue maximum damages for your accident, including those related to:

• Medical bills and estimated future medical costs
• Lost wages from time spent unable to work
• Compensation for permanent disability
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Damage to your vehicle and other property
• Compensation for pain and suffering

Losses like medical expenses, wages and property damage are known as economic damages, because they have a direct dollar value that can be objectively calculated. It is more difficult to quantify things like pain and suffering, so attorneys in Illinois usually use one of two methods. The first is the multiplier method. An attorney will take the amount of your economic damages and multiply them by a number from one to five, depending on how severe the accident was. The second method is the “per diem” calculation. The attorney will assign a dollar value to each day of pain and suffering, then will multiply that by the length of time (in days) that you were suffering. Accurately calculating damages isn’t easy on your own, and it is generally unwise to leave this calculation to an insurance adjuster (since they want to settle your case for as little as possible). Our attorneys will carefully and thoroughly assess your damages and help you seek full and fair compensation.

Catastrophic Injuries That Can Result From Car Crashes

Many car accidents result in injuries with lifelong consequences that require fair compensation to cover the costs of living with injuries like broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), nerve damage and paralysis, severe scarring or burns, and death.

The Benefits Of Hiring An Experienced Car Accident Lawyer

As your legal representation, we can act on your behalf to negotiate with insurance companies to maximize the compensation you receive for your injuries while rejecting lowball settlement offers. We can also build your claim by gathering evidence, testimony and documentation to pursue the outcome you deserve. As we handle the legal needs in your claim, you can focus on your health and recovery after your accident.

What Are Common Types Of Car Wrecks?

Depending on the events leading up to the accident, a car accident can happen in many different ways. Typical examples of types of accidents include:

• Head-on collisions
• Read-end collisions
• T-bones
• Rollovers
• Side-swipe collisions
• Blind spot accidents
• Multicar accidents

All of these and other types of accidents can result in different injuries and long-term consequences, and our goal is to help you earn the outcome that covers the costs of those costs and consequences.

How Long Do You Have To File A Car Accident Claim In Illinois?

Each state has its own limit on how long an accident victim can file a claim. In Illinois, a victim has two years to file a claim from the date of their accident. While this may seem like a long time, it is important to not wait when filing a claim, so you can secure the compensation you deserve when you need it.

Contact Us Today To Get Started With A Free Consultation

It is important to hire an Illinois firm that has the knowledge to handle your case. At Berg & Berg, our attorneys have 75 years of combined experience in handling personal injury suits involving buses, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians and other types of motor vehicle accidents. If you or a loved one was hurt in an Illinois car accident, call us for a free initial consultation at 773-596-6654 or complete our online form. We will fight for maximum compensation for you. Se habla español.