Naperville Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers
Did you suffer injuries in a crash that was caused by someone else?
Don’t get stuck paying for your medical care and lost wages.
Let our experienced Naperville motor vehicle accident lawyers help you recover maximum compensation.
Why Hire Us?
- Se Habla Español
- Risk-Free Consultations
- 50+ Years of Combined Experience
- You Don’t Pay Unless We Win
- Call Now. (312) 775-0042
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Table of Contents
ToggleDon’t Accept That Settlement Check Without Speaking to Our Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers
You’re probably getting pressured to accept a quick settlement from the insurance company after your accident. They’re probably pretending to care about your well-being, and telling you that you don’t need a lawyer. They are promising to pay your claim fast if you’ll just sign right now, and they’re making the offer sound really good.
- Before you accept that settlement offer, call our attorneys at (312) 775-0042.
“Everyone was outstanding, great communication and helpful in explaining how this process would work. I highly recommend Tom and his team.”
Why Is the Insurer So Eager to Write You a Settlement Check?
Insurance companies prioritize profits over people. If they can convince you to sign on the dotted line before you realize the true extent of your injuries and losses, they’ll save thousands, or even millions, of dollars.
Here’s why a lowball offer could be a major mistake:
Hidden Costs
Accidents often lead to unforeseen medical expenses, rehabilitation needs, and lost income due to missed work. An insurance company’s initial offer probably won’t account for the full impact of your injuries.
Vulnerability
Insurance companies will prey on your vulnerability. You’re injured, in pain, and eager to resolve your case quickly to prevent draining your finances. They’re counting on you to be desperate to receive a payout, inexperienced, and ready to settle.
Long-Term Effects
Some injuries, like concussions or whiplash, can take weeks or even months to fully manifest. Accepting a low offer early may leave you financially responsible for your future medical bills.
Lost Wages
Missing work due to injuries can put a significant strain on your finances, especially if you’re off work for a long time, or can’t return to your old job. An initial offer won’t account for all your lost wages and future earning potential.
Meet the Attorneys Who Will Help You Recover Maximum Compensation
Client Testimonials
“Very efficient, professional and accurate. Great client service and communication”
“The team at Chute O’Malley, Knobloch and Turcy was phenomenal. They kept me well-informed about my case and explained in detail the various situations and procedures of a personal injury lawsuit. I worked with Thomas Chute and Phil Turcy. They both were great in the handling of my case and were able to get a superb settlement for me. I highly recommend the firm and its professional team. They are knowledgeable and well-educated in handling any case. I can’t thank them enough.”
“After a severe injury, major surgery and extensive physical therapy, my case was dropped by one of the largest law firms in the Chicagoland area because they weren’t sure the financial reward would be worth the fight. I had pretty much given hope and thought I had no options till someone recommended Mike Knobloch, and I reluctantly called him, still in my mind thinking I would get the same response I had already gotten. However, from the first call, I could tell Mike and his firm were different from the rest. Mike took on the case right away and kept me informed throughout the process. In the end, I received a settlement that was substantially larger than I ever anticipated. Make the call I almost didn’t and get the support you truly deserve when you’re in these kinds of situations.”
What Is Considered a Motor Vehicle Accident?
The term “motor vehicle accident” encompasses a wide range of accident types that involve motorized vehicles. Examples include:
Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Naperville, IL
Motor vehicle accidents happen for a variety of reasons, but the most common cause of accidents in Naperville is negligence on the part of one or more drivers/operators. Negligence includes behaviors such as:
- Driving or operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Operating a motor vehicle at excessive speeds or in excess of speed limits posted
- Distracted driving, including cell phone use, eating, or drinking behind the wheel, or performing any action that takes the person’s attention away from the act of operating the vehicle
- Aggressive driving, or the reckless operation of a motor vehicle
According to the most recent report by the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 1,876 traffic accidents in Naperville in 2021. This included 469 injury accidents involving 627 victims, and six accidents that were fatal.
Rear-end accidents were the most common type that occurred in Naperville in 2021 (44%), followed by crashes that occurred while one or more vehicles was turning.
Infographics By: Marketjd
www.marketjd.com
How Do Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Work in Illinois?
Illinois follows an “at-fault” system when it comes to motor vehicle accidents. The driver whose negligence caused the accident is financially responsible for the damages of the other party. If the at-fault driver has motor vehicle insurance, that person’s insurer is responsible for paying your injury claim, up to the policy limits.
What if the other driver has no liability insurance, doesn’t have adequate coverage to pay for all your losses, or the driver left the scene of the accident? You can file a claim against your own uninsured motorist policy to recover compensation.
In a perfect world, the claims process would be straightforward and recovering fair compensation after an accident would be simple. Unfortunately, that’s rarely the case. Most of the time, injured victims have to hire motor vehicle accident lawyers and fight for the compensation they deserve.
How Can a Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney Help?
Hiring an experienced injury attorney is beneficial in numerous ways. For starters, working with a lawyer lets the insurance company know you mean business. They’re going to take your claim more seriously when they know you have an attorney on your side, because now the vulnerability factor is gone. This is especially true if you hire a well-known law firm with a track record of standing up to the insurance giants.
Additionally, if you were injured in an accident in Illinois, you have the right to file a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover compensation. While you can certainly file a personal injury lawsuit on your own, it’s not recommended. In fact, the last thing you want to do is enter the courtroom and go up against the insurance company’s team of experienced defense attorneys without a lawyer to represent your interests. The guidance of an accident attorney with trial experience is invaluable.
- Your attorney will gather evidence and uncover details that may play a vital role in winning your case.
- Your lawyer will have access to a wide range of experts who can provide trusted opinions and testify in court.
- An experienced attorney will know how to negotiate with the other side to maximize your compensation.
- Your attorney will know how to present evidence and your side of the story to the jury if your case goes to trial.
How Do You Know if You Have a Motor Vehicle Accident Claim?
The first step in determining whether you have a valid claim for damages is taking advantage of a free consultation with an experienced accident attorney. Since our injury attorneys accept cases on contingency, you have nothing to lose by asking a few questions.
During your initial case evaluation, your attorney will listen to your side of the story. You’ll discuss how the accident happened and how your injuries have impacted your life, the medical treatment you require, the procedures you’ve already had, and whether you’re expected to return to work.
Next, your lawyer will consider whether the following elements exist in your case.
01 Duty to Exercise Reasonable Care
Whether they’re operating a commercial truck, a boat, a passenger car, a motorcycle, or a bus, people in Illinois owe a duty of care to prevent causing harm to others. This makes the “duty of care” element fairly easy to establish.
02 Duty of Care Was Breached
Failing to maintain a duty of care to prevent harming others is negligence. Establishing that the duty of care was breached can be done by showing that the other driver or operator was distracted, speeding, intoxicated, or failed to yield.
03 Breach of Duty Caused the Injury
Was the other party’s negligence what caused your injury? Your lawyer will look for a connection between the actions or omission of the defendant and the injuries you experienced to establish causation in your motor vehicle accident case.
04 Victim Suffered Harm
For your injury claim to be valid, you must have suffered some type of compensable loss. Did you need medical treatment after the accident? Did your injuries cause you to miss work? Did the accident cause severe pain, PTSD, depression, or anxiety?
How to Win Your Motor Vehicle Accident Claim
While there is nothing and nobody that can guarantee that you’ll win your motor vehicle accident claim, there are various steps you can take to improve your chances of success. Our motor vehicle accident attorneys will guide you through the process to ensure nothing is done to jeopardize your claim. In the meantime, following these tips will help you protect your rights and your well-being.
What to Do Immediately After the Accident
Your well-being, and the well-being of others, should be priority. Call 9-1-1 and get help on the way while you check yourself and any other victims for injuries. Relay any important information to the emergency dispatcher to help ensure first responders are prepared when they arrive.
Allow paramedics to check you over, and accept medical treatment or ambulance transport if recommended. Never downplay your injuries or say you’re okay, even if you don’t think you’re hurt. The symptoms of some injuries, like head and neck injuries, may be masked by adrenaline right after an accident. Be sure to follow up with your doctor or another medical provider if you don’t go to the ER in the ambulance.
Cooperate with law enforcement, but be careful about what you say. Don’t apologize for your actions, and do not make claims about who caused the accident. Just stick to the facts, provide identifying information when requested, and keep your answers short. Keep in mind, the insurance company can and will use anything you say or do against you to avoid paying for your losses.
What to Do in the Days and Weeks Following the Accident
You’re probably going to be contacted by the other party’s insurance company soon after your accident. They may send a representative to the hospital to talk to you, or they might even offer you a settlement right away. Remember – you do not have to answer any of their questions. You don’t have to accept their settlement offer. In fact, you don’t have to talk to them at all. To protect your rights, simply tell them that your motor vehicle accident attorney will be in touch.
Then, as soon as your condition is stable, call our law firm at (312) 775-0042 for a free case evaluation.
Meanwhile, it’s important to keep the details of your accident to yourself. Avoid posting anything, especially pictures or videos, on social media. Don’t talk to anyone about what happened, and don’t, under any circumstances, provide a recorded statement to the insurance company. Allow your attorney to speak about the accident and your recovery on your behalf.
What Damages Are Available in a Motor Vehicle Accident Case?
The damages that are available to you if we win your case will depend on the severity of your injuries, the types of losses you’ve suffered, and the insurance coverages available. Most injury cases in Naperville will involve economic and noneconomic damages. In rare cases, punitive damages will also be awarded.
Economic Damages
- Medical Bills
- Prescription Medications
- Medical Equipment
- Lost Wages
- Other Financial Losses
Non-Economic Damages
- Physical Pain
- Psychological Trauma
- Emotional Suffering
- Loss of Enjoyment
- Missed Opportunities
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are only awarded in cases where the wrongdoer acted intentionally or with obvious disregard for the safety of the victim. Behaviors might involve:
- Drunk driving as a habitual offender
- Road Rage
- Drag Racing
Our Videos Can Help You Learn About Motor Vehicle Accident Cases
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Naperville Motor Vehicle Accidents?
The statute of limitations for motor vehicle accidents in Illinois is generally two years from the date of the accident. If special circumstances apply to your case, the time you have to take legal action could be longer or shorter. Since waiting too long to file a lawsuit could cost you the right to recover compensation for your losses, the best course of action is to contact our attorneys for a free consultation right away.