Chicago Car Accident Lawyers

You Don't Pay Until We Win!

At Morici, Longo & Associates, our Chicago car accident attorneys represent clients in Cook County, DuPage County, Lake County, Kane County, and the entire Chicagoland region who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents.

We strive to obtain the highest possible compensation for our clients so they can pay their bills and begin to put the pieces of their lives back together again.

We know that congestion on streets and highways can lead to serious injury and even death. Trucks and tractor-trailers, sometimes with improperly trained and even unlicensed drivers, present a significant hazard. With the advent of cell phones and text messages and the increasing presence of intoxicated or impaired motorists, distraction-related accidents are commonplace.

The consequences of an auto accident can last a lifetime, leaving some victims unable to work in the same capacity as before the accident, and others unable to work at all. When the actions of a negligent driver cause you or someone you love catastrophic injury or even wrongful death, we can help.

Request a free consultation at our Chicago office. Call (312) 779-0366 today.

Liability Laws After a Car Accident in Illinois

Illinois adheres to an “at-fault” rule to determine who is liable for damages following a car accident. This means that the motorist responsible for causing an accident is the one responsible for paying damages, typically paid through an insurance carrier.

An at-fault system is directly opposite a no-fault liability system which some states follow. At-fault states in general allow more opportunities for injury victims to both file a personal injury claim and pursue a wider array of damage types.

While this law is straightforward in situations where only one motorist is responsible for causing an accident, it’s true that many accidents are caused by multiple drivers, no matter how small the less negligent parties’ involvement was. For example, the less negligent party could have been driving a little bit above the speed limit or they may have failed to put on a turn signal.

In these cases, an injured driver can still recover compensation from the more negligent party through Illinois’s “comparative fault” rule. This rule says that an injured party can still file a claim against the negligent party however, whatever percentage of responsibility they are found to be responsible for will be deducted from the overall compensation awarded. For example, if you are found to be 10% at fault for the accident, the total compensation awarded to you will also be reduced by 10%.

What Causes Car Accidents & Who Is Liable?

Most car accidents are caused by some form of distracted, negligent, or wrongful conduct on the part of a driver. This may include texting while driving, drunk driving, speeding, running a red light, or following too closely.

Less frequently, car accidents are caused by defective auto parts and hazardous roadways. Determining the cause of a collision is an essential part of determining liability.

The following are examples of parties who may be liable, or legally responsible for a car accident:

• A drunk, distracted, or careless driver
• A truck driver who falls asleep at the wheel
• The manufacturer of a defective auto part
• The municipality responsible for maintaining a dangerous roadway

Regardless of what you think may have caused your accident, and even if you think you may have been to blame, you have much to gain by involving a legal team that has experience with car accident claims and lawsuits in the Chicago area. A thorough investigation will yield your accident's true cause and, therefore, what party (or parties) should be held responsible.

Compensation for Chicago, IL Car Accident Victims

In Illinois, there is no cap (limit) on the amount of compensation that may be awarded in a car accident lawsuit. This means you may be able to pursue any amount of financial compensation that would compensate you for your accident-related losses and injuries, both now and into the future.

Parties found guilty of causing an accident can be held accountable for damages such as:

• Medical care
• Medication and medical supplies
• Physical therapy and ongoing medical treatment
• Emotional trauma
• Lost earnings
• Loss of future earnings
• Property damage

Our Chicago car accident lawyers pursue all negligent parties and hold them accountable for the injuries they cause. We are aggressive with insurance companies, and we work hard to ensure they pay on valid insurance claims. Even if your case is complex or involves serious injuries, we can help.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit?

In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years. This means you have two years from the date of your car accident to file a complaint against the at-fault party. Failing to take legal action within this time period will mean that you have waived your right to come forward.

Even if there were no statute of limitations on these cases, if you've been injured, we highly recommend that you work quickly to involve our team. Memories can fade, expenses can pile up, and it may seem easier just to accept the settlement offered by the insurance company.

Instead of accepting a payment that doesn't cover all of your expenses, put a seasoned team of Chicago car accident lawyers in your corner, and rest easy knowing that your rights are protected.

We Are Leaders in Auto Accident Law - Call Today!

At Morici, Longo & Associates, we continue to be leaders in obtaining full and fair compensation for individuals injured in automobile accidents in Chicago and throughout the surrounding cities and counties in northern Illinois.

If you or a loved one needs a car accident lawyer due to third-party negligence, we can help. You can view some of our successful verdicts and settlements or review client testimonials to get a better idea of what we have done for others and could do for you.

For more information, call (312) 779-0366 or fill out a case evaluation form. Your initial consultation is FREE, and you owe us nothing until we recover compensation for you.