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Bloomington Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer
Getting hit by an uninsured driver is one of the most frustrating situations you can face after a car accident. You did everything right. You followed the rules, carried your insurance, and drove carefully. Then someone with no coverage slams into you near the Bloomington Normal Airport, on Veterans Parkway, or while you are passing through McLean County, and suddenly you are stuck with medical bills and a damaged car. What happens next? That is where a Bloomington uninsured motorist accident lawyer can make a real difference for you.
Table of Contents
- The Uninsured Driver Problem in Illinois Is Real
- What Illinois Law Says About Uninsured Motorist Coverage
- What Damages Can You Recover After an Uninsured Motorist Accident?
- Steps to Take After an Uninsured Motorist Accident in Bloomington
- Cómo puede ayudarle Briskman Briskman & Greenberg
- FAQs About Bloomington Uninsured Motorist Accidents
The Uninsured Driver Problem in Illinois Is Real
You might think uninsured drivers are rare. They are not. In 2023, 15.4 percent of motorists, or more than one in seven drivers, were uninsured, according to a 2025 study by the Insurance Research Council. That is a staggering number of people sharing the road with you every day.
The situation in Illinois is even more concerning. In Illinois, the number of people driving without insurance is slightly higher than the national average, at 16.3%. Think about that the next time you are driving on I-55 through Bloomington, merging onto I-74, or heading south on US-51. Roughly one in six drivers around you may not have a valid insurance policy.
The broader trend is troubling too. Across the fifty states and the District of Columbia, one in three drivers (33.4 percent) were either uninsured or underinsured in 2023, a 10 percentage point increase in the combined rate since 2017. That means even drivers who do carry insurance may not carry enough to fully cover your losses. This is why understanding your rights and your options matters so much after a crash.
When an uninsured driver causes an accident in Bloomington, whether near Illinois Wesleyan University, downtown on Main Street, or out on the bypass, you need someone in your corner. The team at Chicago abogado de lesiones personales Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has helped injured people throughout Illinois pursue the compensation they deserve after uninsured motorist accidents. Call us to talk about your situation.
What Illinois Law Says About Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Illinois does not leave you without protection. The law actually requires every driver to carry uninsured motorist coverage as part of any auto liability policy. Under 625 ILCS 5/7-601, no person may operate or register a motor vehicle in Illinois unless it is covered by a liability insurance policy. That policy must meet the minimum amounts set under the Illinois Vehicle Code.
Currently, Illinois law requires uninsured motorist limits of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. These are the minimums. Many people carry exactly these limits and nothing more, which can leave a serious gap when real-world injuries are involved.
Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage covers you for your bodily injury caused by a hit-and-run driver or an at-fault driver who has no auto liability insurance. Illinois uninsured motorist bodily injury minimum limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. If you purchased higher limits, Illinois law under 215 ILCS 5/143a-2 also requires underinsured motorist coverage to be included in the same amount.
Here is something many people do not realize. Uninsured Motorist Property Damage covers damage to your vehicle caused by an identified, at-fault, uninsured driver. This optional coverage may be purchased with or without collision coverage. If you only carry the state minimum, your car repairs may not be covered at all. That is a costly surprise at an already stressful time.
Understanding these rules is one thing. Using them to actually recover compensation after a crash is another. An experienced attorney at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can review your policy, explain exactly what coverage applies to your case, and help you pursue every dollar you are owed.
What Damages Can You Recover After an Uninsured Motorist Accident?
After a crash with an uninsured driver, you are likely dealing with more than just a dented bumper. Serious accidents can produce serious losses, and Illinois law gives you real tools to pursue compensation. Whether the crash happened on Veterans Parkway near Eastland Mall, on the roads around Illinois State University in Normal, or on a rural stretch of McLean County, your losses matter.
Through an uninsured motorist claim with your own insurance company, you may be able to recover for medical expenses, including emergency room visits, surgery, physical therapy, and future treatment costs. You can also pursue lost wages if your injuries kept you from work. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life are also recoverable damages in Illinois.
Illinois law under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117 is also worth knowing. Under this statute, all defendants found liable are jointly and severally liable for a plaintiff’s past and future medical and medically related expenses in cases based on negligence. If there are multiple parties involved in your crash, this rule can affect how much each party owes you.
What about situations where the driver had some insurance, but not enough? Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Insurance pays the difference between your UIM limits and the liability limits of the at-fault driver, if lower than your UIM limits. So if the other driver had only $25,000 in coverage and your injuries cost far more, your own underinsured motorist coverage can step in to fill the gap.
Do not assume the minimum settlement offered by an insurance company is fair. Insurance companies protect their bottom line. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg works to protect yours. Contact us to discuss what your claim may really be worth. We also serve clients across Illinois, including those who need a Champaign car accident lawyer.
Steps to Take After an Uninsured Motorist Accident in Bloomington
What you do in the hours and days after a crash can directly affect the strength of your claim. Here is what you should do if you are hit by an uninsured driver in Bloomington or anywhere in McLean County.
First, stay at the scene. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-401, the driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting in personal injury must immediately stop and remain at the scene until all legal requirements are fulfilled. Leaving the scene of an injury accident is a Class 4 felony in Illinois. Make sure you call 911 and get a police report. That report is a critical piece of evidence.
Second, gather as much information as possible. Get the other driver’s name, address, and license plate number. Take photos of the damage, the road conditions, and any visible injuries. If there are witnesses near the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts or at a nearby intersection, get their contact information too.
Third, notify your own insurance company promptly. Even though the other driver is uninsured, your own policy is where your claim will start. Be careful about what you say. Stick to the facts and avoid giving a recorded statement before speaking with an attorney.
Fourth, seek medical attention right away. Even if you feel okay, some injuries, like whiplash or internal trauma, do not show up immediately. A documented medical visit creates a record that connects your injuries to the crash.
Fifth, contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. We can guide you through the claims process and make sure you are not shortchanged by your own insurer. We also handle cases for clients in the northern suburbs who need a Gurnee car accident lawyer o un Mundelein car accident lawyer.
Cómo puede ayudarle Briskman Briskman & Greenberg
Dealing with an insurance claim after an uninsured motorist accident is not simple. Insurance companies have lawyers and adjusters working to minimize what they pay. You deserve someone on your side who knows Illinois personal injury law and understands how to build a strong claim.
At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we take uninsured motorist cases seriously. We know what it takes to document your injuries, calculate your full damages, and push back against lowball settlement offers. We serve clients throughout Illinois, including Bloomington, Chicago, and communities across the state. Whether you were hurt on a local road near Rivian Automotive’s plant, on a highway near the BroMenn Medical Center, or anywhere in McLean County, we are ready to help.
We also understand that timing matters. Illinois has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims, and uninsured motorist policies often have their own internal deadlines for filing claims and demanding arbitration. Waiting too long can cost you your right to recover. Do not let that happen.
Our firm also serves clients throughout the south suburbs. If you are looking for an Oak Lawn car accident lawyer or an Orland Park car accident lawyer, we are here for you as well. No matter where in Illinois you were injured, Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is ready to review your case and help you understand your options. Call us today for a free consultation.
FAQs About Bloomington Uninsured Motorist Accidents
What happens if the driver who hit me has no insurance in Illinois?
You can file a claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage. Illinois requires all auto liability policies to include uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage. Your policy pays for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limits. You may also have the option to sue the at-fault driver personally, though collecting from an uninsured driver can be difficult if they have no assets.
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Illinois?
Yes. Under Illinois law, specifically the Illinois Insurance Code at 215 ILCS 5/143a, every auto liability policy issued in Illinois must include uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage. The minimum required limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Property damage coverage for uninsured motorist accidents is optional but can be added to your policy for extra protection.
What is the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all, or when you are the victim of a hit-and-run. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy limits are not high enough to cover all of your losses. Illinois law requires underinsured motorist coverage to be included in your policy if you purchase uninsured motorist coverage above the state minimum limits.
How long do I have to file an uninsured motorist claim in Illinois?
Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, your specific insurance policy may have its own internal deadlines for reporting accidents, filing uninsured motorist claims, and demanding arbitration. These deadlines can be shorter than the state statute of limitations. It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident to make sure you do not miss any critical deadlines.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule. Under this system, you can still recover damages as long as your share of fault is less than 51 percent. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20 percent at fault and your total damages are $100,000, you could recover up to $80,000. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case to minimize any fault attributed to you.
More Resources About Vehicle Injuries
- Dangerous Roads & Intersections in Bloomington
- Bloomington Bicycle Accident Lawyer
- Bloomington Car Accident Lawyer
- Bloomington Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
- Bloomington Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
- Bloomington Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
- Bloomington Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
- Bloomington Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- Bloomington Truck Accident Attorney
- Bloomington Uber Accident Lawyer
- Bloomington Lyft Accident Lawyer
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