Car Accident Lawyers in Chicago, IL
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, auto accidents are one of the leading causes of personal injury in the USA, with over 32,000 people dying due to motor vehicle crashes in the average year. Statistics also show that over 2 million people every year are injured as a result of car accidents, and for many of those the injuries are serious, often causing permanent, life-changing problems.
Car crashes can occur in a number of ways. Usually, they happen because a driver makes the wrong decision, and when this happens when traveling at speed, the result can be devastating. While some auto accidents occur as a result of drinking and driving, because the driver was distracted by their cell phone or because they were exhausted and unable to concentrate, others take place because of a vehicle breakdown due to a defect in the car's manufacture or because of poor road conditions. Whatever the cause of the incident, auto accident lawyers in Chicago are here to help.
If you have been involved in a vehicle accident and have suffered from a personal injury that has left you disabled, in pain or unable to work, you need assistance from a highly experienced car accident lawyer in Chicago who can help you to obtain the compensation you deserve.
How Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
It can be hard to make ends meet after suffering an injury in an auto crash. Having to pay for expensive medical treatment and being unable to work can mean that covering your everyday living expenses becomes impossible. That's why our auto accident lawyers in Chicago are here to ensure you get the essential compensation to cover your losses so you can recover without having to worry about money.
William S. Wojcik, Ltd. – Auto Accident Lawyers in Chicago
Here at William S. Wojcik, Ltd. in Oak Lawn, Illinois, we are here to help you with your auto accident compensation claim. With more than three decades of experience in representing the victims of car crash personal injury, we have a deep understanding of personal injury law and are dedicated to helping you to recoup your losses.
We know how stressful it can be when you are injured in a car crash through no fault of your own, and that is why we represent clients who have suffered an injury through auto accidents throughout Cook County, including Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, Alsip, Burbank, Chicago Ridge, Blue Island, Bridgeview, Palos Hills, Palos Heights, Palos Park, Hickory Hills, Worth, Western Springs, Crestwood, Orland Park, Oak Forest, Tinley Park, Homer Glen, Mokena, New Lenox and Frankfort.
Is It Possible To Settle An Auto Claim Without Hiring A Lawyer?
While it is possible to negotiate a settlement for your car accident without using the services of a lawyer, this is not the recommended course of action. It is possible to settle your claim directly with the insurance company, however as they have a team of lawyers working on their behalf, you will often find that you will only receive the minimal amount as a settlement payment. If you are injured in an auto accident, you should certainly consider scheduling a consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer in Chicago who will be able to discuss your options with you and help you to determine the amount of compensation that you may be entitled to. Here at William S. Wojcik, Ltd. we have more than 35 years of experience in dealing with claims of this nature and we are well qualified to give you a truthful assessment of the value of your case.
Was My Car Accident Someone Else's Fault?
All drivers have a duty of care for other road users, and if a driver breaches that duty and is then involved in a crash which causes an injury to another motorist, the driver who was negligent may be held liable for all damages in the case. There are several ways in which driving can be considered to be negligent. Some of these include:
Being distracted while driving (for example while using a cell phone or texting)
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Failing to yield at a stop sign
Tailgating another vehicle
Driving while tired
Driving the wrong way down a street or highway
Road rage incidents
Disobeying a traffic light
Speeding
What Do I Do About My Medical Costs If I'm Unable To Work?
One of the biggest problems faced by victims of car crashes is that they find that they must take time off work to recuperate, or even worse, find that they may not be able to return to work at all. When this happens, it can be difficult to meet the costs of any ongoing medical treatment that is required. If you engage the services of Chicago car accident lawyers, they will be able to speak to your healthcare providers on your behalf and will be able to let them know that a claim for compensation in respect of your treatment is pending. Your attorneys will then be able to deal with any queries about bill payments so that you will no longer need to worry about handling these stressful enquiries.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I WAS HIT BY AN UNINSURED DRIVER?
Although all drivers are required to have vehicle insurance by law, if you are hit by a motorist who does not have the required level of insurance, it may still be possible to pursue them for a compensation claim. If your own vehicle insurance covers you for underinsured or uninsured motorist claims, it may well be possible to turn to them to obtain compensation in respect of your injuries instead.
What Do I Do If The Insurers Offer A Settlement?
It is very important that you never accept a settlement offer from an insurance company without first seeking advice from a firm of qualified personal injury attorneys. As you may well imagine, it is highly likely that the first settlement offer you receive will be low, and you will probably be able to claim a much higher sum when represented by a skilled lawyer with experience in auto accident claims. Often, people who have been injured in an auto accident agree to a settlement offer before they have a full understanding of the costs involved in dealing with their injuries and therefore seeking professional guidance is paramount. A skilled lawyer will be able to assess the damages thoroughly, document all of the injuries sustained and put together a strong legal case so that you obtain a fair and full settlement.
Have You Been The Victim Of A Car Accident?
Although most people who are involved in an auto accident believe that the first step that they should take should be to get in touch with their insurer, in fact this may not be the best course of action. While your insurer does have the responsibility to reimburse you for any injuries that you have received as a result of the incident, they may not be acting in wholly your best interests. The primary objective for most insurance carriers is to pay the victim as little as possible in compensation, and therefore you may well find that if you make your insurer your first port of call in the event of a car crash, you end up out of pocket, facing high medical bills and costs that you struggle to meet.
If you are unlucky enough to become an auto accident victim in Illinois, you should make sure to contact a highly qualified car accident lawyer in Chicago before entering into any kind of agreement to settle with your insurer which may limit the amount of compensation you receive.
You should always speak to a qualified attorney as soon as possible after being in a car accident as they will be best placed to give you a thorough assessment of your case and give you a clearer idea of the kind of compensation that you should expect to receive for your injuries. By speaking to a lawyer as soon as possible after the event, you will also ensure that the investigation into the crash takes place before any witnesses forget what they observed and any evidence is destroyed.
Being involved in a car accident is also extremely stressful, and dealing with the at-fault party can be distressing and worrying. Using the services of auto accident lawyers in Chicago will help to reduce the pressure as they will be able to manage all of the communications with the insurance carriers and the at-fault party as well as your healthcare provider's billing department.
What Can You Receive Compensation For?
Here at the Law Offices of William S. Wojcik, Ltd., we use our many years of experience in the personal injury field and our knowledge of the law to ensure that you receive adequate compensation to cover your costs in terms of:
Current pain and suffering
Past pain and suffering
Future pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Disfigurement
Disability
Any physical injuries
Your medical bills including any costs associated with your rehabilitation and any costs that you may have to cover in the future due to the injury that you have received
Lost wages or income if you have been unable to work due to your injury or will be unable to work in the future because of the injuries that you have sustained as a result of the crash
Loss of companionship or consortium
Compensation for the repair or replacement of your damaged vehicle
What Happens If I Can't Afford To Hire A Lawyer?
Here at William S. Wojcik, Ltd., we understand that finances can be tight if you have been injured as the result of a car accident. That's why we handle all auto accident claims on a contingency basis. That means that if we are unable to obtain compensation for you with regard to your car accident injury, we will charge you no fee. If we manage to secure compensation for you, we will receive our fee as a percentage of the amount that you are awarded, meaning that you won't need to worry about whether or not you can afford to pay our fees. This leaves you free to pursue your compensation claim safe in the knowledge that you will not have to pay any legal fees upfront.
Some Examples Of Our Successful Auto Accident Settlement Claims
Here at the Law Offices of William S. Wojcik, Ltd., we recently won a settlement claim in the sum of $3.4 million for a female passenger who suffered a cardiac tamponade when the vehicle in which she was traveling was it by a driver who crossed the center line of traffic while allegedly over the alcohol limit. The plaintiff was unable to return to work until 3 and a half months after the accident. The verdict of the jury resulted in an award of $3.25 million as compensatory damages together with $50,000 awarded to the plaintiff's husband for loss of consortium and another $100,000 awarded to the victim in punitive damages.
Another example of one of our successful compensation claims involves a female plaintiff who was driving a 2001 Pontiac Surefire eastbound on 159th street as she headed to her college class when she was struck from behind by a cement truck. The victim suffered from whiplash syndrome and chronic headaches and was awarded a settlement in the sum of $210,000.
If you have been the victim of a motor vehicle accident and believe you have a case for compensation, contact us and find out how we can help you. See some more settlement examples below.
How To Get Help With Your Compensation Claim
If you have been the victim of a road accident in Chicago, you can contact the auto accident injury attorneys at the Law Offices of William S. Wojcik, Ltd. We can offer you a free consultation to discuss your case so that you can determine how much compensation you could be entitled to for your injuries. Our flexible team can schedule an appointment to suit your needs, and can arrange weekend or evening hours as required by appointment.
MORE EXAMPLES OF AUTO AND TRUCK ACCIDENT SETTLEMENTS:
$3.4 MILLION DOLLAR AUTO & Truck ACCIDENT Jury Verdict
$3.4 million-dollar jury verdict for female auto passenger who suffered a cardiac tamponade when struck by alleged drunk driver who crossed center line of traffic. Plaintiff returned to full-time work 3-1/2 months after accident. The jury's verdict included $3.25 million dollars in compensatory damages, $50,000 to plaintiff's husband (who did not appear at trial) for loss of consortium, and $100,000 in punitive damages.
$950,000 Auto & Car Accident settlement
42 year old woman injured in 3 car accident near 40th and Western in Chicago, IL. Defendants disputed liability, and the nature and extent of plantiff's injuries.
$710,000 PERSONAL INJURY - MOTOR VEHICLE Settlement
$710,000 settlement to sisters F-13 and F-14 who were traveling in a van owned and operated by deft transportation company on October 30, 2012. Near the intersection of Joliet and LaGrange (Countryside), the driver allegedly collided into two vehicles then rear-ended a stopped garbage truck. The 13-year old suffered a fractured femur (ORIF required) and the 14-year old suffered a pelvic rami fracture ($78,828 medical expenses total for both pltf). Confidential insurer paid $345,000 to F-13 and $365,00 to F-14.
$210,000 TRUCKING ACCIDENT SETTLEMENT
$210,000 settlement plaintiff, female, 20, was driving her 2001 Pontiac Surefire eastbound on 159th Street on her way to attend college classes when she was struck from behind by defendant's cement truck. Plaintiff suffered whiplash syndrome and chronic headaches.
$140,000 AUTO & CAR ACCIDENT SETTLEMENT
Television reporter sustained back injury in auto accident - only $7500 in medical expenses.
$3.37 MILLION DOLLAR TRUCKING ACCIDENT SETTLEMENT
Deft tractor-trailer driver Gary Sucku made a left turn from northbound Archer into the Dolphin Cartage truckyard near Knox. Deft Jason Kondys, driving a Pontiac 70 mph in rainy conditions, struck the rear tandem wheels of Sucku's trailer, causing F-16 backseat passenger to sustain torn descending aorta requiring a Hernashield graft, epidural hematoma, closed head injury causing ongoing headaches, and traumatic Bell's Palsy which has resolved ($235,000 medl. expense). Pltf is currently seeking her GED and plans to attend college. Confidential insurers paid $3,350,000 for Sucku and $20,000 policy limit for Kondys.
$515,000 AUTO & CAR ACCIDENT SETTLEMENT
Deft Durley, waived on by stopped drivers in two of three lanes of traffic on southbound Cicero, made left turn onto westbound 78th St. Deft Talvera, driving a Custom Staffing Inc. (CSI) club wagon van (15-seats), switched to the open lane to bypass traffic and swerved onto 78th St. when he saw Durley, and broadsided pltfs' vehicle as they waited at a stop sign. F-51 sustained C6-C7 herniations with fusion ($53,000 medl., $26,000 LT as computer tech for IRS) and M-5I had two broken ribs ($7,000 medl. expense). Pltf brought willful and wanton entrustment count against CSI based on Talvera's poor driving record and alleged illegal alien status. Joint settlement paid $40,000 by Affirmative for Durley and $475,000 by Progressive for CSI.
$270,000 AUTO & Trucking ACCIDENT SETTLEMENT
$270,000 settlement plaintiff, female 24, driving to work southbound on 1-55 during morning "rush hour" when she was struck by defendant's tractor-trailer, which had jack knifed after allegedly being struck by a "phantom" hit-and-run driver. Plaintiff suffered a torn labrum of the left shoulder and underwent a left partial scapulectomy. Medical expenses totaled $52,000. Video footage of live television coverage from traffic copters of WBBN (CBS), WMAQ (NBC), and WGN was obtained and used by attorney William S. Wojcik to demonstrate pre-impact path of travel of the tractor-trailer and final resting place of the vehicles. $260,000 was paid on behalf of Lee Trucking; the remainder was paid by uninsured motorist carrier on behalf of "phantom" driver.
$200,000 PERSONAL INJURY - MOTOR VEHICLE Settlement
$200,000 settlement on May 21, 2014 one deft struck another deft who struck pltf M-32 at the intersection of 179th Street and Oak Park Avenue (Tinley Park). Pltf suffered aggravation of pre-existing shoulder injury, for which he underwent capsular release and debridement surgery ($41,00 medl expenses). Paid by State Farm: $100,000 for Driver No. 1, $50,000 and $50,000 for Driver No 2 UIM – all policy limits.