Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Most drivers experience a car accident at some point in their lives, regardless of how carefully they drive. But when a crash is caused by someone else’s negligence, the aftermath can be especially frustrating. Beyond the physical injuries and emotional toll, many people are shocked to discover that insurance companies often try to avoid paying what’s fair. Victims may face high medical bills, lost income, and lasting pain, only to be met with delays, denials, or pressure to settle for less than their claim is worth.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, Power Rogers can help you pursue the compensation you need to recover. For over 30 years, our firm has represented clients in some of the most tragic and complex car accident cases in Illinois, many of which have resulted in millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. Contact us today for a free consultation.

What Can a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer at Power Rogers Do For You?

Power Rogers has secured over $5 billion for clients injured in motor vehicle accidents, and our track record includes some of the largest and most significant verdicts and settlements in Illinois:

• $100 Million Recovery: A Chicago family lost six children in a fiery crash caused by an unqualified truck driver. The case led to a sweeping federal corruption investigation and remains one of the largest personal injury settlements for a single family in U.S. history.
• $39.9 Million Recovery: A father was killed and his family severely injured when a commercial truck rear-ended their vehicle during highway construction traffic. His young daughter required multiple amputations due to burn injuries.
• $16 Million Settlement: A pickup truck passenger was killed in a multi-vehicle crash caused by a freight truck driver who failed to stop for construction traffic. The vehicle exploded on impact, trapping and fatally burning the victim.

But results aren’t everything. We understand that behind every case is a person and family facing pain, uncertainty, and financial stress. Our team will guide you through the entire process, including:

• Investigating the accident by gathering police reports, witness statements, expert opinions, and other key evidence.
• Coordinating with medical professionals to document your injuries and care needs
• Negotiating with insurance companies to maximize compensation
• Preparing for trial if a fair settlement can’t be reached

When you work with Power Rogers, you benefit from a firm that pairs deep experience with genuine client care and attention.

What Types of Damages Can You Recover After a Chicago Car Crash?

Car accidents often cause serious injuries that can affect many areas of your life. At Power Rogers, we fight to recover all possible damages after a car accident, which may include compensation for:

• Medical bills: Past, current, and future treatment costs
• Lost income: Wages lost while you’re unable to work and potential future earnings.
• Disfigurement: Visible scars or other lasting physical changes
• Emotional trauma: Anxiety, depression, and other mental health effects
• Disability: Permanent impairments that limit your day-to-day life
• Loss of enjoyment: Inability to participate in activities you once loved

Our goal is to hold negligent parties accountable for the full extent of the harm they cause.

What Factors Can Affect the Value of Your Auto Accident Claim?

While the damages listed above are typical in car accident lawsuits, the settlement amount you may be eligible for depends on how the car accident has specifically affected you and the level of evidence that supports your claim. In other words, the more severe your injuries are and the more supporting evidence you and your lawyer are able to recover, the higher your settlement is likely to be.

Common Types of Car Accident Claims Our Firm Handles

Our car accident law firm has spent years representing clients who were seriously injured or killed in crashes caused by all types of negligent and reckless behavior. We understand what it takes to secure the maximum compensation possible, no matter your situation.

• Distracted driving – Drivers who take their eyes off the road and/or hands off the wheel are among the most dangerous hazards to everyone else on the road.
• Drunk driving crashes – It’s legal to drive a car with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) as high as 0.08 percent, but even a slight amount of alcohol can impair a driver’s ability to function at the highest level.
• Head-on collision – Head-on collisions cause some of the most devastating injuries because of the sheer speed involved, even at low speeds, victims can suffer serious injuries. At high speeds, these crashes can easily claim the lives of anyone, and even everyone involved. These crashes are almost always caused by reckless actions, including driving under the influence, distracted driving, and road rage, but they can also be caused by poor road design.
• Hit-and-run collisions – Driving away from a crash may be against the law, but that doesn’t stop people from attempting to avoid responsibility when they cause a serious crash.
• Tire blowouts – The number one cause of tire blowouts is under-inflated tires, which also negatively affect the vehicle’s handling and braking ability. While tire manufacturers keep most data about tire blowouts out of the public, these companies have reported that May through October is the most common time of year for this issue to occur.
• Wrong-way driving crash – Alcohol is the single biggest contributor to these types of crashes. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), 59 percent of drivers traveling the wrong way before the crash had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.15 percent or higher, and 69 percent of these drivers had a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher.

Whether you were involved in one of these or another type of accident, our Chicago auto accident attorneys are prepared to help. We’ve assisted clients whose cases involved serious car accident injuries, including:

• Broken bones
• Spinal cord damage
• Brain injuries
• Lacerations and cuts
• Neck injuries
• Paralysis
• Severe burn injuries

How Do You Prove Fault in a Chicago Car Accident Case?

To succeed in a car accident claim, you’ll need to prove that the other driver’s negligence directly caused your injuries. This starts with building a strong foundation of evidence. Key pieces of evidence may include:

• Police reports
• Medical records and evaluations
• Witness statements
• Dashcam or security camera footage
• Photographs of the vehicles and the scene of the accident
• Expert analysis of the crash reconstruction or your injuries

This evidence helps establish what happened, how the crash occurred, and who was responsible.

Because Illinois follows a comparative negligence system, it’s not enough to show that the other driver made a mistake; you also need to prove that you weren’t primarily at fault. If you’re found partially responsible, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. And if you’re more than 50% at fault, you may not be eligible for any compensation.

That’s why it’s critical to have an experienced lawyer who can not only gather the right evidence but also present it clearly to protect your claim and challenge any attempts to shift the blame onto you.

How Common Are Car Accidents in Chicago?

Car accidents remain a frequent occurrence in Chicago, and data from the Chicago Data Portal shows the numbers are trending upward. In 2024, there were 112,006 reported crashes citywide, the third-highest annual total since Chicago began tracking this data in 2015. Those crashes resulted in 25,692 injuries, more than any other year on record, and 124 fatalities.

The data also reflects how unpredictable crash trends have become. In 2024, May saw more crashes than any other month in city history, while February recorded the fewest since early 2021. These fluctuations reflect how a combination of traffic volume, construction, weather, and other seasonal factors can significantly affect roadway safety across the city.

What Causes Most Chicago Car Accidents?

Sadly, the vast majority of car accidents in 2024 were highly avoidable and were primarily caused by other drivers. The top causes of car accidents during this period were:

1. Reckless Driving: Speeding, ignoring traffic signals, and other reckless behavior was the cause of 84% of Chicago’s traffic deaths in 2023 and led to 1,254 crashes in 2024.
2. Driving Under the Influence: Chicago reported 530 DUI-related accidents involving drugs or alcohol in 2024.
3. Distracted Driving: In 2024, 867 car accidents in Chicago were due to drivers who were texting and driving or caused by another distraction.

Where Are You Most Likely to Experience a Car Crash in Chicago?

The narrow infrastructure and unpredictable traffic patterns in Chicago can often contribute to the number of rising accidents in the city. Busy shopping areas, school zones, and airport routes are often the most common areas in the city to experience an accident, especially during poor weather conditions and peak traffic hours. In 2024, the most dangerous areas of Chicago for car accidents were:

1. Western Ave: 3,104 accidents resulting in 717 injuries and 2 fatalities.
2. Pulaski Road: 2,755 accidents with 723 injuries and 5 fatalities.
3. Cicero Ave: 2,585 accidents resulting in 618 injuries and 2 fatalities.
4. Ashland Ave: 2,453 accidents, resulting in 633 injuries and 3 fatalities.
5. Halsted Street: 2,089 accidents with 603 injuries and 6 fatalities

What to Do After a Car Accident in Chicago

Enduring a car accident is a jarring and chaotic event, but knowing the right steps to take can ensure your safety and protect the validity of your claim.

• Regardless of how minor you think the auto accident is, you should always report it to the police.
• Write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses in case you need them later, and make sure that the police officer gives you a copy of the driver exchange information form.
• Take photographs of your vehicle and the other vehicle(s) involved as well as the injuries you sustained.
• Call your insurance agent and your insurance company immediately for further instructions. If you do not report the automotive accident, the insurance company may deny payment of any claims that you subsequently file.
• Finally, if involved in an automotive accident, you should call experienced Chicago car accident lawyers, such as those at Power Rogers, who have a proven record of success.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer: FAQs

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

You typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a car accident claim in Illinois. However, it’s important to remember that the process for filing can take several weeks or even months, which is why it’s important to hire a lawyer as soon as possible to make sure you still have the ability to pursue fair payment for your injuries.

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

At Power Rogers, our car accident attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that you don’t owe us anything unless we win your case. If your case is successful, our fees will equate to a percentage taken from your overall settlement.

How Long Does a Car Accident Case Take?

It depends on the nature of your injuries and the details of the accident, as well as court and insurance processing times. Generally speaking, you may wait as little as a few months if insurance quickly responds to your case. However, in other, more complicated cases, you may have to wait longer as the concerned parties investigate how the accident happened and who might be liable.

How Often Do Car Accident Cases Go To Court?

Very rarely. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, only about 3% of personal injury cases go to trial, and many of those cases are resolved in favor of the plaintiff.

Should I Get a Lawyer For a Minor Car Accident?

The majority of car accident cases are more likely to result in a higher settlement when the driver has acquired legal representation. However, hiring a lawyer to handle your case becomes more essential if you have significant injuries, are being ignored or dismissed by insurance, or are being accused of causing the accident. Because of Illinois contributive negligence laws, if you are found even partially at fault for the accident, your settlement can be reduced significantly, which is why hiring a lawyer is often the difference between a failed case and a successful one.

Do You Have a Car Accident Injury Lawyer Near Me?

Power Rogers is located in downtown Chicago at 70 West Madison Street, Suite 5500, near Willis Tower.

Speak With Our Chicago Car Accident Attorneys About Your Case Today

Car accidents caused by someone else’s negligence can be life-changing, but with a skilled and experienced car accident lawyer by your side, your chances of securing fair compensation for your injuries are much higher.

Power Rogers has represented Chicagoans in car accident cases for decades, recovering more than $5 billion for our clients and earning a reputation for both results and personalized service. Whether you have a quick question or are in need of immediate representation, we encourage you to reach out to us today for a free consultation.