Your Trusted Chicago Car Accident Lawyer
Understanding Your Right to Compensation After a Car Accident
A car accident can turn life upside down in an instant — from mounting medical bills and lost wages to ongoing pain, emotional stress, and damage to your vehicle and property. Under Illinois law, victims of crashes may be able to recover compensation. However, doing so often involves proving negligence, navigating insurance rules, and meeting strict deadlines. For instance, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years.
Because crash claims may involve complex issues, such as shared fault, dispute over medical causation, or liability limits, it becomes essential to protect your rights, preserve evidence, and negotiate with insurers or litigants. Illinois individuals are entitled to independent legal advice even when insurers push for early settlement.
Furqan is experienced in handling personal injury claims throughout the Chicagoland area. He stands ready to help clients understand their rights and options after a car accident.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Chicago
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Illinois, it may help to understand the most common causes. Knowing how crashes happen can support your claim and clarify who may be at fault. Common causes include:
Distracted driving
Texting, eating, or using in-car tech can divert attention from the road.
Speeding
Driving above the speed limit increases crash risk and injury severity.
Impaired driving
Alcohol or drug use slows reaction time and impairs judgment.
Weather conditions
Rain, snow, or ice can make roads slippery and reduce visibility.
Failure to yield
Disobeying traffic signs or signals often leads to collisions.
Determining Liability in a Car Accident
When a car accident occurs, the issue of liability determines who is responsible for injuries, property damage, and other losses.
In Illinois, liability typically hinges on negligence — that is, that a driver owed a duty of care to others on the road, breached that duty by acting (or failing to act) unreasonably, and that breach caused the collision and resultant harm.
Liability may rest with the driver who violated traffic laws, drove distracted, or acted recklessly. In certain cases, vehicle owners, employers, or third parties (such as maintenance contractors) may share fault under theories like negligent entrustment or agency.
Illinois uses a modified comparative negligence rule. If the person claiming is found to be more than 50% at fault, they cannot recover damages; if 50% or less, their compensation is reduced by their share of fault.
The most critical evidence in proving liability typically includes:
- Crash scene evidence
- Police reports
- Eyewitness statements and driver admissions
- Expert analysis or accident reconstruction
- Medical and repair records
By assembling and interpreting these elements, parties can better understand who is legally responsible and how damages should be apportioned.
Types of Compensation
In Illinois, car accident victims may be entitled to compensation for various losses, depending on the nature and severity of the incident. Common types of compensation include:
Medical expenses
Covers emergency care, hospitalization, therapy, and future medical needs
Lost income
Reimburses wages lost due to injury and diminished earning capacity
Property damage
Repairs or replaces your vehicle and other damaged property
Pain and suffering
Accounts for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of normal life
Loss of consortium
Compensation for harm to spousal relationships
How Furqan Mohammed Can Help
A personal injury lawyer like Furqan Mohammed can provide essential support after a car accident, including:
- Investigating the accident to determine fault and gather evidence
- Calculating damages such as medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering
- Negotiating with insurance companies to seek full and fair settlements
- Filing legal claims and meeting court deadlines
- Representing clients in court if a case goes to trial
Dealing with insurers alone can risk undervalued claims or missed legal protections. Furqan Mohammed guides his clients through personal injury cases, including teaming up to negotiate with insurance companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
