Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Fighting for Injured People and Families
At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, our personal injury attorneys have seen first-hand the toll that an accident can take on you and your loved ones. We have spent decades representing people who have been injured in car accidents or who have lost loved ones in fatal car accidents because of the carelessness of others.
We have been earning our clients' trust for decades.
We have recovered millions of dollars for injured clients, and we are here for you, too.
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According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), there were over 156,000 car accidents in Chicago in 2021. Of those, 423 resulted in at least one death, while 29,409 caused at least one injury.
IDOT also reports that 1,217 fatal Illinois motor vehicle crashes in 2021 resulted in 1,341 deaths. The majority—63 percent—of these fatal accidents occurred in urban areas, while 37 percent occurred in rural settings. Car occupants accounted for around 37 percent of deaths, compared to just 10 percent of large truck occupants. Pedestrian fatalities accounted for about 16 percent of all traffic-related deaths. Alcohol was a factor in over 500 driver deaths in the state. Of those fatalities, around 27 percent of drivers had a blood alcohol content above 0.08 percent.
Car accident-related fatalities continue to climb in Illinois
A study of available data from 2020 and 2021 reveals a disturbing trend in Illinois and Chicago accident fatalities. Overall, Illinois saw a 12.2 percent increase in traffic-related deaths from 2020. According to DOT, officials saw a 19.8 percent increase in crashes and a 17 percent increase in injuries from 2020 to 2021.
Speeding is one likely cause of this increase in accident fatalities. Speeding was the cited cause for nearly 40 percent of all fatal Chicago car accidents.
Auto Accident Statistics
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Common Chicago car accident injuries
Many types of injuries commonly result from car accidents. They range from minor bumps and bruises to serious, catastrophic injuries such as paralysis or death. No part of the body is immune from injury in a car accident; accident victims can suffer injuries to the brain and head, including concussion or traumatic brain injury, and to the neck and spine, like whiplash or a disc bulge or herniation. Car accident victims can also suffer from psychological injuries and mental distress, which can be as painful and debilitating as a broken bone.
Safety tips to reduce your risk of getting in a car accident in Chicago
Practicing personal injury law, our Chicago car accident attorneys have helped many people who have been seriously injured in preventable accidents. Although we take great pride in winning compensation for our clients, we advocate that everyone do their utmost to stay safe on the road.
Wearing a seat belt and observing a safe speed limit are basic safety tips that are too often ignored. While you cannot prevent other drivers from causing a hazard, you can still protect yourself. According to the CDC, seat belt use can reduce serious injury and death from car accidents by 50 percent.
It should also go without saying that driving while impaired, either by alcohol or by illicit or prescription drugs, is extremely dangerous. However many people do not realize that distracted or fatigued driving can be equally treacherous. According to a study from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, using a cell phone while driving increases the risk of an accident by three times.
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Our Chicago car accident attorneys handle personal injury cases from many types of motor vehicle accidents
Although pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents are less common than car accidents in Chicago (accounting for 1.7 percent, 1.3 percent and 1.5 percent of the total crashes in Illinois, respectively), these accidents are more likely to cause serious injury or death. Similarly, while crashes involving tractor-trailers account for 3.6 percent of overall crashes, they make up 9.1 percent of fatal car accidents, according to statistics from the Illinois DOT.
Having spent decades representing people who have been injured in car accidents or who have lost loved ones in fatal car accidents because of the carelessness of others, we are confident that we will get you the compensation that you deserve. At the same time, as a family-owned and family-operated law firm, our attorneys strive to treat our clients with respect, compassion and empathy — just like we would a member of our family. Although we have successfully represented thousands of clients in Chicago and throughout Illinois, recovering millions of dollars of damages, we have not lost sight of the fact that each client’s case is unique and important, regardless of its size.
Our car accident injury lawyers can handle any motor vehicle accident case.
Do I have a Chicago car accident case?
The auto accident attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg have put together this interactive tool to help you discover if you have a car accident case.
There are three basic requirements:
- Was a driver negligent?
- Did the negligence of the driver lead to an injury?
- Did the injury cause harm?
Our commitment is simple: Our car accident attorneys promise that you do not have to pay attorney’s fees unless we make a financial recovery for you in your motor vehicle accident case. In short, we don’t get paid unless you do.
Identifying fault is not always straightforward, even when one driver was clearly responsible for the crash. This is why having an experienced car accident attorney on your side is so important. The lawyer will protect your best interests, help you understand your legal rights and guide you through the process of recovering compensation from the at-fault driver.
Immediately After a Car Accident in Chicago
If you are involved in a car accident, there are several crucial things you should do:
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How to Deal With Insurance Companies After a Car Accident in Chicago
If you have been involved in a car accident in Chicago or anywhere else in Illinois, you may be wondering whether you should talk to insurance companies. Knowing what information to share and what not to disclose to both your own insurance company and the other party’s insurer can make all the difference to having a successful claim.
The best practice is to notify your insurance company about your car accident as soon as possible. Cooperate with your insurer but do so very carefully and keep your comments to a minimum. If you are asked to provide a statement, be sure to divulge only absolutely necessary information. Do not go into details about your injuries, and avoid admitting or discussing fault. Stick to the following facts:
- Where the accident occurred
- The date and time of the accident
- What type of accident it was (for example, a rear-end collision)
- The names of the people involved
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
Dealing with insurance companies after a car accident can be an extremely complicated process that involves skillful negotiation. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we know exactly how to handle insurers. We make sure that you can focus on getting better while our knowledgeable car accident lawyers conduct investigations and gather valuable evidence to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
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Do not share more information than is necessary
Sharing extra information with your insurance company can weaken your case for compensation. To avoid making any mistakes and ensure your case is in safe hands, consult a Chicago car accident lawyer before speaking to any insurance company.
Remember, insurance companies are for-profit businesses
If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to remember that the insurance company is not on your side. Most insurers are seeking to pay injured victims as little as possible. Even your own insurance company may try to downplay the severity of your accident and injuries in an attempt to pay a smaller settlement amount.
Be polite yet careful if speaking with the other party's insurance company
If the other party’s insurance company contacts you, be courteous but do not provide a recorded statement. Tell the insurer that they should speak with your insurance company or your lawyer for details.
Determining who is at fault for a car accident is the first step in recovering damages.
Car accidents often occur due to someone’s negligence, whether it is speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence or other irresponsible behaviors behind the wheel.
After a car accident, make sure to exchange contact details and insurance information with the other driver. Remember, avoid admitting fault at the scene because your statement can be used against you in the future. If there is a disagreement between parties, several key pieces of evidence can help support your claim and determine fault in the car crash, including the following:
- Police report
- Expert testimony
- Witness statement
- Video footage from surrounding areas like restaurants, local streets and highways
- Photos including the accident scene, physical damage to vehicles, road conditions, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicago Car Accident Injuries
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