After a car accident, one of the first questions people ask is whether they actually need a lawyer—especially if the crash seems “minor.” No ambulance. No major vehicle damage. No obvious injury at the scene. It is easy to assume the situation will resolve quickly with the insurance company. But what many people learn—sometimes too…
After a car accident, one of the most common diagnoses people hear is “soft tissue injury.” It sounds minor. It sounds temporary. It sounds like something that should go away in a few days. But if you’ve actually gone through it, you know that’s not always true. Neck, back, and shoulder strain injuries can last…
You should hire a lawyer as soon as possible after a car accident—especially if you were injured, the insurance company is involved, or there is any dispute about fault. Early legal help protects evidence, ensures your injuries are properly documented, and helps you avoid mistakes that can reduce your compensation. Many people wait until the…
After a car accident in Chicago, you should call 911, get medical attention, document the scene, exchange information, and report the crash. These steps protect your health, preserve critical evidence, and directly impact your insurance claim and how much your case may be worth. Even small mistakes—like delaying medical treatment or failing to document the…
The value of a car accident case in Illinois depends on several key factors, including the severity of your injuries, the medical treatment required, lost income, pain and suffering, and the available insurance coverage. Some cases may be worth a few thousand dollars, while others involving serious or permanent injuries may be worth significantly more….
Facial injuries from a motor vehicle accident are some of the most devastating injuries a person can suffer. Beyond the pain, they can leave permanent scars, disfigurement, nerve damage, vision issues, and deep emotional trauma. If someone else caused the crash, Illinois law allows you to pursue compensation for everything you’ve lost — medically, financially,…
Catastrophic Injuries After Auto Accidents in Illinois Catastrophic injuries from car accidents are severe injuries that cause permanent disability, disfigurement, or long-term impairment—and often prevent victims from returning to work. These injuries commonly include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, severe burns, and internal organ damage. Because the medical costs and life impact are…
What Are Some Safety Tips for Driving During the Holidays? During the holidays, many people are traveling to visit family and friends and/or to attend holiday parties. More and more cars, motorcyclists, and trucks are on the road, and the increased traffic and number of vehicles aren’t the only danger drivers have to look out…
Sideswipe accidents are a fairly common type of car accident. Because of their commonality, some drivers assume that sideswipes are mostly not that dangerous, especially because they don’t involve a direct impact. However, this is quite far from the truth. Sideswipes can be just as dangerous and devastating as any other collision, depending on what…
No driver wants to hit an innocent animal while they are driving, yet accidents involving a car and an animal happen all the time. If you’re in an accident with an animal, can you hold someone liable for the damage to your car? Can the animal’s owner, if there is one, hold you liable for…
Halloween night often has busy streets that are packed with motorists and trick-or-treaters alike. With so many people on the roads, it is important that you prioritize safety first and foremost if you are heading out on Halloween. Before you drive anywhere, check out this quick list of Halloween driving safety tips. Stay sober: Drunk…
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) tracks and reports on known car accidents throughout the state and as they happen throughout the year. The data that the IDOT collects can shine a light on what type of traffic collisions are happening and possibly why. Although we are only in May, our team from McHargue &…
Speeding is one of the leading causes of serious car accidents in Illinois. Speed limits are not random — they are carefully established using traffic engineering studies designed to reduce crashes and prevent catastrophic injuries. When a driver exceeds a posted or statutory speed limit in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois and causes a collision,…
Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way? It’s a common saying: “Pedestrians always have the right of way.” And while it is true that motorists should always do everything they can to avoid hitting people on foot, there are certain times when Illinois law requires pedestrians to yield to oncoming traffic. In Chicago and…
No, Illinois is not a no-fault car accident state. Illinois follows an at-fault (tort) insurance system, meaning the driver who caused the crash is responsible for paying damages. To recover compensation, injured victims must typically prove the other driver’s negligence. Illinois also applies a modified comparative negligence rule (the 51% rule), which can reduce or…
