Our Lawyers
Cicero Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or someone you love has been hurt in an accident in Cicero, Illinois, you are probably dealing with a lot right now. Medical bills are piling up. You may be missing work. And the insurance company is already calling, trying to settle your claim fast and cheap. You deserve better than that. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we help injured people in Cicero and across the Chicago area get the full compensation they deserve under Illinois law. Here is what you need to know about your rights and how we can help.
Table of Contents
- Why Cicero Residents Face Serious Personal Injury Risks
- Illinois Personal Injury Laws That Protect You
- Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Cicero
- What Compensation Can You Recover After a Cicero Accident?
- Where Cicero Personal Injury Cases Are Filed and What to Expect
- FAQs About Cicero Personal Injury Claims
Why Cicero Residents Face Serious Personal Injury Risks
Cicero is a busy, densely populated town sitting just west of Chicago’s city limits. It borders neighborhoods like Austin and North Lawndale, and its main roads, including Cermak Road, Ogden Avenue, and Cicero Avenue, handle heavy traffic every single day. That traffic creates real danger for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Cicero Avenue connects Midway Airport and high-traffic industrial areas, and in 2024 alone, it saw 2,585 car accidents with 618 injuries and 2 fatalities. That is a significant number for a single roadway, and it does not even account for the many other accidents that happen on side streets, in parking lots, and at local businesses throughout town.
Cicero is also home to major industrial employers and warehouses. Workers in these environments face risks every day, from slip and fall hazards to heavy machinery accidents. The Hawthorne Race Course on South Laramie Avenue brings additional traffic and activity to the area. Meanwhile, the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) borders Cicero to the south, adding another layer of high-speed traffic risk for anyone commuting through the area.
Accidents in Cicero happen in many ways. Car crashes, truck accidents, workplace injuries, slip and falls on commercial properties, and dog bites are all common. If someone else’s carelessness caused your injury, you have the right to pursue compensation. The question is whether you have the right legal team in your corner. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg today for a free consultation. We serve Cicero residents and communities throughout the greater Chicago area, including clients who need a Joliet personal injury lawyer or representation elsewhere in the region.
Illinois Personal Injury Laws That Protect You
Illinois has specific laws that govern personal injury claims, and understanding them can make a real difference in your case. Two of the most important are the statute of limitations and the comparative fault rule.
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the Illinois statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years. That means you have two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit. If you miss that deadline, you could lose your right to recover any compensation at all. Do not wait. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better your chances of building a strong case.
Illinois also follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. Here is how it works: if you are found partially at fault for your accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover anything. So even if you think you may have contributed to the accident, you may still have a valid claim. Insurance companies love to argue that you were mostly at fault. That is exactly why having an experienced attorney matters.
Another key law is Illinois’s joint and several liability rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117. This law says that all defendants found liable are jointly and severally liable for a plaintiff’s past and future medical expenses. If a defendant is found to be 25% or more at fault, they can be held jointly and severally liable for all other damages too. This is important in multi-party accidents, such as crashes involving multiple vehicles or a negligent property owner and a contractor. It means you may be able to recover full compensation even if one defendant cannot pay.
If you have questions about how these laws apply to your situation, a Chicago personal injury lawyer at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can walk you through your options clearly and honestly.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Cicero
Personal injury law covers a wide range of accidents and incidents. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we handle many different types of cases for Cicero residents and their families. Here are some of the most common.
Car and Truck Accidents. With Cicero Avenue, Cermak Road, and the Stevenson Expressway all running through or near Cicero, vehicle accidents are a daily reality. Whether you were rear-ended at a stoplight on 31st Street or sideswiped near the Hawthorne Race Course, we can help you pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Slip and Fall Accidents. Property owners in Illinois have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. If you slipped on an icy sidewalk outside a Cicero business, fell in a poorly lit parking lot, or tripped on a broken step, the property owner may be liable for your injuries.
Workplace Injuries. Illinois’s Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305) covers most employees who are injured on the job. If you were hurt at a Cicero warehouse, factory, or construction site, you may have a workers’ compensation claim. In some cases, a third-party personal injury claim may also be available if someone other than your employer was responsible.
Dog Bites. Illinois has a strict liability dog bite law. If a dog bites you in Cicero, the owner is generally responsible for your injuries, regardless of whether the dog had bitten anyone before. Our team also handles dog bite cases beyond the Chicago metro area. If you need an Indianapolis dog bite attorney, we can help there too.
Wrongful Death. If a loved one died due to someone else’s negligence, Illinois’s Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180) allows the deceased person’s personal representative to bring a claim on behalf of the surviving spouse and next of kin. Recoverable damages include compensation for grief, sorrow, mental suffering, and pecuniary losses. Losing someone is devastating. Let us help your family seek justice.
We also handle cases for clients across the region. If you need a Gurnee personal injury lawyer or help in other Illinois communities, Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is ready to assist.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Cicero Accident?
One of the first questions people ask after an accident is, “What is my case worth?” The honest answer is that it depends on the specific facts of your situation. But here is what Illinois law allows you to recover.
In a personal injury case, you can seek compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages are the measurable financial losses you suffered. These include medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover things that are harder to put a dollar figure on, like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
In wrongful death cases under 740 ILCS 180, surviving family members can recover damages for grief, sorrow, mental suffering, and the financial losses caused by the death of their loved one. Punitive damages may also be available in certain cases involving extreme or intentional misconduct.
The value of your case also depends on how clearly liability can be established, the severity of your injuries, and how well your damages are documented. This is why it is so important to seek medical treatment right away and to keep records of all your expenses and losses. Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company before talking to an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and anything you say can be used against you.
At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we work to build the strongest possible case for you. We gather evidence, consult with medical and financial experts, and fight for every dollar you are owed. If you need a trusted Indianapolis personal injury lawyer or representation anywhere in our service area, we are here for you too.
Where Cicero Personal Injury Cases Are Filed and What to Expect
If you file a personal injury lawsuit arising from an accident in Cicero, your case will generally be handled through the Cook County court system. Cicero is located in Cook County, and the Circuit Court of Cook County handles personal injury and wrongful death claims for residents in the area.
The Fourth District Courthouse, located at 1500 Maybrook Drive in Maywood, handles personal injury cases and other civil matters for western Cook County towns, including Cicero. For higher-value cases, the matter may be transferred to the Richard J. Daley Center at 50 West Washington Street in downtown Chicago, where the Law Division handles major personal injury and wrongful death litigation.
Most personal injury cases settle before trial. Settlement negotiations with the insurance company often begin soon after a claim is filed. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, your attorney must be ready and willing to take your case to trial. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we prepare every case as if it will go before a jury. That preparation is often what motivates insurance companies to settle for a fair amount.
The process typically involves filing a complaint, conducting discovery (exchanging evidence with the other side), depositions, expert witness testimony, and, if necessary, a trial. The timeline varies depending on the complexity of your case. Some cases resolve in months. Others take longer. What matters most is that you have a legal team that is thorough, responsive, and committed to your best outcome.
If you were hurt in Cicero or anywhere in the Chicago area, do not face this process alone. Reach out to a Chicago personal injury attorney at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. We offer free consultations, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
FAQs About Cicero Personal Injury Claims
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Illinois after an accident in Cicero?
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois. If you miss this deadline, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case, and you will lose your right to recover compensation. There are limited exceptions, such as cases involving minors or cases where the injury was not discovered right away. Do not rely on these exceptions. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident so your rights are protected from the start.
What if I was partially at fault for my accident in Cicero?
You may still be able to recover compensation. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. As long as you are found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages. However, your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $80,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate your share of fault to reduce what they pay. Having an attorney on your side helps counter those tactics.
What types of damages can I recover in a Cicero personal injury case?
Illinois law allows injured people to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical bills, future treatment costs, lost wages, and lost earning capacity. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In wrongful death cases under Illinois’s Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180), surviving family members can also seek compensation for grief, sorrow, mental suffering, and financial losses caused by the death. The specific amount you can recover depends on the facts of your case, the severity of your injuries, and the strength of the evidence.
Do I need a lawyer for a personal injury claim in Cicero, or can I handle it myself?
You have the legal right to handle your own claim, but it is rarely a good idea. Insurance companies have experienced adjusters and attorneys working to minimize what they pay you. Without legal representation, you may not know the true value of your claim, and you may unknowingly accept a settlement that does not cover your long-term medical needs or lost income. An attorney can investigate the accident, gather evidence, negotiate with the insurance company, and take your case to trial if needed. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so there is no upfront cost to you.
What should I do immediately after an accident in Cicero?
Your first priority is your health and safety. Call 911 and get medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, like concussions or internal injuries, do not show symptoms immediately. Get the names and contact information of anyone involved in the accident, as well as any witnesses. Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and any property damage. Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Report the accident to the appropriate authorities and then contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The steps you take in the hours and days after an accident can significantly affect the outcome of your claim.
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