Car Accidents

Chicago Car Accident Attorneys

Helping You Get the Compensation You Deserve

broken car windshield after a crash Were you injured in a car accident? These situations are often complicated, and you may be dealing with multiple insurance companies and healthcare providers, further muddying the waters. This is where our firm's Chicago car accident lawyer, who is highly experienced in handling car accidents in Illinois, can help. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2019 alone there were over 1,000 traffic fatalities in Illinois. Sadly, 643 fatalities were passenger vehicle occupants. The report showed that over 300 of these fatalities could be attributed to drunk driving accidents, and nearly 400 were a result of speed-related accidents.

At McHargue & Jones, LLC, our car accident attorneys in Chicago have been handling these types of cases for nearly 20 years. We have the knowledge and personal injury experience you are looking for, and we are proud to provide clients with the aggressive legal representation they need.

The sooner you take action, the stronger your car accident case can be.
To discuss your case with one of our car accident attorneys in Chicago, call (312) 739-0000. We are also fluent in Spanish.

What Can I Claim For a Car Accident?
What Is the Cause of Most Car Accidents?
Types of Car Accident Injuries
Types of Car Accidents We Handle
Why You Should Hire a Lawyer
Passenger Compensation After an Accident
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident in Illinois?
Why Hire McHargue & Jones
Related Reading

What Can I Claim For a Car Accident?

After a car accident, many people assume their insurance company will handle everything. However, insurance companies are more focused on saving themselves money than they are on making sure you get the care and compensation you need to recover. By working with a lawyer, you get the peace of mind that comes from knowing someone is on your side, fighting for your rights.

Our car accident lawyers in Chicago can help you seek compensation for:

Lost wages
Medical bills
Pain and suffering
Rehabilitation costs
Funeral and probate costs

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a car accident, it is crucial that the people responsible are held accountable for their actions. McHargue & Jones, LLC is committed to helping clients through this challenging time.

What Is the Cause of Most Car Accidents?

No one seeks out the opportunity to get into an auto collision, because car accidents are stressful, frustrating and painful. Smart drivers try to avoid them anyway they can, and an ounce of education can be worth a pound of experience. One way to avoid motor vehicle crashes is to understand what causes them and how you can avoid them. Here is a short list of just a few of the most common causes that you should watch out for:

Distracted Driving: This is the number one cause of automobile accidents, and should be avoided. Never try to multitask while driving.
Speeding: Being in a rush to get somewhere likely will not get you there any sooner. It’s better to arrive safely than to risk your life to avoid tardiness.
Drunk Driving: A drunk driver is a menace to his/her self and others. Alcohol can dull the senses, slow reaction times, and impair decision-making.

Common Types of Car Accident Injuries

Car accident injuries can range from minor soft-tissue injuries such as whiplash and bruising, to more serious injuries including:

Neck or back injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Amputation injuries
Broken bones
Lacerations
Internal bleeding

No matter how severe your injury is, if you required medical attention you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries.

Common Types of Car Accidents in Chicago

Our team handles a variety of different types of car accident cases:

No matter what type of accident you were involved in, or how severe your injuries, our team is ready to fight on your behalf to recover the compensation you deserve.

Do You Really Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident?

woman signing legal documents with attorney Knowing whether or not to hire a lawyer following your car accident can be difficult. While it may be more expensive to hire a lawyer, there are circumstances where you can save yourself money and protect your settlement by hiring a professional to represent you. While you should always consult with a lawyer following an accident (we offer free consultations!), in general, these are some situations in which you should consider hiring an attorney to represent you:

If you suffered a serious injury in the accident or required multiple treatments/doctor's visits
If your insurance claim was denied by the insurance company
If the settlement you have been offered by the insurance company will not cover your expenses
If you will experience long-term medical complications as a result of the accident

Don't put your settlement at risk by attempting to handle your case alone! Our auto accident lawyers are standing by to fight for the compensation you deserve.

How Are Passengers Compensated After a Car Accident?

Following a car accident, conversations about liability and compensation tend to focus primarily on the drivers of the involved vehicles. However, drivers aren’t always alone when a collision occurs. It’s very common for passengers to be injured in car accidents as well. When a passenger is hurt, how do they recover damages related to their injuries?

As an injured passenger, the way you secure compensation following a car accident will depend on:

The circumstances of the collision
Who is at fault for the incident
The negligence laws in the state where the accident occurred
The involved drivers’ insurance policies

Most insurance policies include passenger coverage that will provide some compensation for your injuries. Passenger insurance should also supply benefits if the accident occurred in an at-fault state and the driver you were with was responsible. Situations in which a claim needs to be filed with the other driver could be more complicated. If the other driver is liable for the accident, you may be able to file your own claim with their insurance provider. Again, the compensation you receive will depend on that driver’s insurance coverage for passenger injuries.

In cases where passenger insurance is not available or not sufficient to cover your injuries, a personal injury case may be necessary. Pursuing legal action can result in just compensation.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident in Illinois?

Each state has their own rules about how long you can wait after your accident to file a car accident lawsuit against the responsible party. In Illinois, injury victims must file a lawsuit within 2 years of the date of your accident. If you wait longer than this your claim will most likely be dismissed. This is known as the "statute of limitations."

Our Goal Is to Provide High-Quality Legal Services

Since 2000, McHargue & Jones, LLC has worked hard to provide premier-level legal services to clients. Our car accident lawyers are driven by honesty and integrity. In addition to providing clients with free consultations, we charge no fees unless we win the case. We have helped thousands of people collect compensation for their injuries, totaling millions of dollars in settlements and awards. Call us today to find out how we can put this knowledge and experience to work for you.

Ready to get started filing your car accident claim? For a free consultation, contact our car accident attorneys at (312) 739-0000.