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Cicero Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer

Getting hit by an uninsured driver is one of the most frustrating things that can happen to you on the road. You did everything right. You have insurance. You stopped at the light on Cicero Avenue. And then, in an instant, another driver crashes into you and has no coverage to pay for your injuries. Now what? If you were hurt in an uninsured motorist accident in or around Cicero, Illinois, you need to understand your rights under Illinois law, and you need a legal team that knows how to fight for you. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we help accident victims across the Chicago area recover the compensation they deserve, even when the at-fault driver has no insurance.

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 Cicero
The Deadline to File Your Claim in Illinois
FAQs About Cicero Uninsured Motorist Accidents

The Uninsured Driver Problem in Illinois Is Real

You might assume that most drivers on Illinois roads carry insurance. The law requires it. But the reality is very different. 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 when you think about it. On any given street in Cicero, Berwyn, or along the Eisenhower Expressway, roughly one in seven drivers around you may have no coverage at all.

The problem is even more pronounced in Illinois. In Illinois, the number of people driving without insurance is slightly higher than the national average, at 16.3%. That means on busy corridors like Cermak Road, 31st Street, or the stretch of I-290 that cuts through the western suburbs, you face a real and measurable risk every time you drive.

In 2023, more than one in seven drivers nationally were uninsured, and more than one in six were underinsured. Across all fifty states and the District of Columbia, one in three drivers were either uninsured or underinsured in 2023, a 10 percentage point increase in the combined rate since 2017. This trend has real consequences for accident victims who are left holding the bill for injuries they did not cause.

Cicero sits just west of Chicago’s city limits, bordered by neighborhoods like Little Village and Pilsen. The area sees heavy traffic on Austin Boulevard, 26th Street, and the Stevenson Expressway extension. Accidents happen here daily. When the at-fault driver has no insurance, victims often feel helpless. But you have options, and a Chicago personal injury lawyer at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help you use them.

What Illinois Law Says About Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Illinois does not leave you without protection when an uninsured driver hits you. The state has built a legal framework designed to give you a path to compensation. Under 625 ILCS 5/7-601, no person may operate, register, or maintain registration of a motor vehicle on a public highway in Illinois without a liability insurance policy. Every driver is required to carry coverage. When they do not, you can turn to your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.

Illinois law requires uninsured motorist limits of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. These are the minimum amounts your insurer must offer. Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage covers you for injuries caused by a hit-and-run driver or an at-fault driver who has no auto liability insurance.

It is also worth knowing what UM coverage does not automatically include. Uninsured motorist coverage required by Illinois only covers bodily injury. To have your property protected, you must purchase uninsured motorist property damage coverage separately. So if your car is totaled on 16th Street in Cicero by an uninsured driver, your basic UM policy may not pay for the vehicle repairs unless you bought that additional coverage.

Illinois also requires underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage in certain situations. Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage pays the difference between your UIM limits and the liability limits of the at-fault driver, if lower than your UIM limits. Illinois law under 215 ILCS 5/143a-2 requires this type of coverage if you purchase higher limits of uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage. This matters because even insured drivers sometimes carry only the state minimum, which may not come close to covering a serious injury.

If you were injured in Cicero or anywhere in Cook County, understanding these coverage layers is critical. The team at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can review your policy and identify every source of compensation available to you.

What Damages Can You Recover After an Uninsured Motorist Accident?

When an uninsured driver causes an accident and injures you, the financial impact can be severe. Medical bills pile up fast. Emergency room visits, imaging, surgeries, physical therapy, and follow-up care can easily run into tens of thousands of dollars. You may also miss work while you recover, which adds lost wages to the total. And then there is the pain and suffering, the anxiety, and the disruption to your daily life that no insurance policy can fully put a number on.

Through a UM claim against your own insurer, you can typically seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and future medical costs. Under Illinois joint liability law at 735 ILCS 5/2-1117, all defendants found liable are jointly and severally liable for a plaintiff’s past and future medical and medically related expenses. While this provision applies more directly to multi-defendant cases, it underscores the broad scope of recoverable damages under Illinois law.

Keep in mind that your insurer, even though it is your own company, may not simply hand over the full value of your claim. Insurance companies have financial interests in minimizing payouts. They may dispute the severity of your injuries, question your medical treatment, or argue that some of your damages are not covered. This is exactly why having an experienced legal team in your corner matters so much.

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has handled countless uninsured and underinsured motorist claims across the Chicago area. Whether your accident happened near the Cicero Sportsdrome, on the Stevenson, or at an intersection in Berwyn, we know how to build a strong claim and push back when insurers try to shortchange you. Our attorneys also serve clients injured in other communities, including those who need a Oak Lawn car accident lawyer or representation after a crash in the south suburbs.

Steps to Take After an Uninsured Motorist Accident in Cicero

What you do in the hours and days after an accident can make or break your claim. Here is what you should do if you are hit by an uninsured driver in Cicero or the surrounding area.

Call the police. Always get a police report. Officers who respond to accidents in Cicero will document the scene, gather driver information, and note if the other driver lacks insurance. That report becomes a critical piece of evidence for your claim.

Get medical attention right away. Even if you feel okay, see a doctor. Some injuries, like whiplash or a traumatic brain injury, do not show symptoms immediately. Delaying treatment can also give your insurer a reason to dispute the connection between the accident and your injuries.

Document everything. Take photos of the vehicles, the road, and your injuries. Get contact information from witnesses. Write down everything you remember about the crash while it is fresh.

Notify your insurer. Report the accident to your own insurance company and let them know the other driver was uninsured. This starts the UM claims process.

Contact an attorney before giving a recorded statement. Your insurer may ask for a recorded statement. You are not required to give one without legal guidance. What you say can be used to reduce your payout.

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg also serves clients in the northern suburbs. If you need a Gurnee car accident lawyer or a Mundelein car accident lawyer, our team is ready to help. We also assist clients who need a Orland Park car accident lawyer after a crash in the southwest suburbs, and we serve clients downstate who need a Champaign car accident lawyer.

The Deadline to File Your Claim in Illinois

Time is not on your side after a car accident. Illinois has a strict deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits, and missing it means losing your right to recover compensation entirely. For many personal injury lawsuits, Illinois gives plaintiffs two years to initiate legal action, according to 735 ILCS 5/13-202. The statute applies to motor vehicle accidents, product liability, and premises liability.

Illinois gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. That deadline is set in stone by Illinois statute 735 ILCS 5/13-202, and Illinois courts take it seriously. Miss it by even 24 hours, and the judge will dismiss your case without looking at your evidence, your medical bills, or how badly you were hurt. That is not an exaggeration. Courts in Cook County, including the Richard J. Daley Center in downtown Chicago where many civil cases are heard, enforce this deadline strictly.

There are limited exceptions. The law allows for a variation to the rule for injured persons under the age of 18 when the accident occurred. The two-year time limit will not begin running until the person reaches the age of 18. There is also a discovery rule that may apply if you did not immediately know you were injured, though this is a narrow exception that courts scrutinize carefully.

Beyond the lawsuit deadline, your own insurance policy may have shorter internal deadlines for reporting the accident and filing a UM claim. Waiting too long can jeopardize your ability to recover under your own policy as well. The bottom line is simple: do not wait. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg as soon as possible after your accident so we can protect your rights and make sure no deadline slips by.

FAQs About Cicero Uninsured Motorist Accidents

What happens if the driver who hit me in Cicero has no insurance?

You can file a claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage. Illinois law requires every auto liability policy to include UM coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. You can use this coverage to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You may also have the option to sue the at-fault driver directly, though collecting from an uninsured individual can be difficult. An attorney can help you identify all available sources of recovery.

Does uninsured motorist coverage pay for damage to my car?

Not automatically. Illinois only requires uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage as part of a standard auto policy. Uninsured motorist property damage coverage is optional and must be purchased separately. If you did not add that coverage to your policy, you may need to rely on your collision coverage to pay for vehicle repairs, subject to your deductible. Review your policy carefully, and call us if you have questions about what your coverage includes.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault for the accident?

Yes, in many cases. Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule. As long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault, you can still recover damages, though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20 percent at fault and your total damages are $100,000, you could recover $80,000. The at-fault driver’s lack of insurance does not prevent you from making a UM claim through your own policy.

How long do I have to file a claim after an uninsured motorist accident in Cicero?

Under Illinois law at 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, your own insurance policy may have shorter internal deadlines for reporting the crash and demanding UM arbitration. Missing either type of deadline can cost you your right to compensation. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg right away so we can track all applicable deadlines in your case.

What if the driver fled the scene and I never got their information?

A hit-and-run accident is treated as an uninsured motorist situation under Illinois law. Your UM coverage can apply even when the at-fault driver is never identified. You will still need to report the accident to the police and to your insurer promptly. Documentation is especially important in hit-and-run cases, so gather as much evidence as you can at the scene, including witness contact information and photos. An attorney can guide you through the specific steps needed to protect your claim.

More Resources About Vehicle Injuries

The overall experience I had with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg was the kind that everyone should receive from any firm.

The staff stayed in contact with me via phone and email, they were very knowledgeable, they made sure I understood what was going on at all times, they answered all of my questions, were transparent, and definitely exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend them.

- Brandon Spivey

The level of care, attentiveness, empathy and concern relating to my case when dealing with Briskman Briskman and Greenberg surpassed my expectations.

They were extremely knowledgeable and fair in all matters related. They exemplified excellent customer service and care. They kept me inform and updated every step of the way and any questions I had they answered. I highly recommend using them as I would again.

- Joshua Payton

I was put to ease with the professionalism at Briskman and Briskman.

Paul Greenberg especially put my mind to rest and within a years time I have settled my case and I am very satisfied with the outcome. My injury was devastating but working with this law firm has put a lot of stressful nights to rest.

- Nakia Childs

I needed a personal injury lawyer and Gavin and his team went above and beyond.

They made the process simple and helped me in every step of the way. What I really appreciate is that they are straightforward and are quick to respond to my questions and any issues from a text or phone call. They as well continuously checked up on me. I'm happy with how they handled my case and would recommend giving them a call!

- Ted Zakrzewski

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers (BBG) is a legal team you want on your side.

They handled my case in a professional, sensitive and very competent manner. The staff exhibits expertise in the legal realm and provided excellent customer support and care. Thanks BBG for your help with navigating a very sensitive and challenging case for my family.

- Robin Albritton

If you were in an accident and need an excellent lawyer, talk to Paul!!

Very nice and professional lawyer that extremely cares about their clients. Fingers crossed I'm never in an accident ever again but if so, I' would definitely, 10/10 use Paul again!

- Danny S.

I am so very pleased with the representation from BB&G!

Robert Briskman handled my injury case very well. Funny and understanding personality and he took the time to explain everything in detail of the entire case. It was wonderful working with him. I would recommend BB&G to anyone and for myself again in the future.

- Geneva Vanderbilt

From the moment I contacted this law firm I was treated like family.

Gavin Pearlman was honest and upfront with me throughout the process. No surprises and never kept me hanging. I strongly recommend These attorneys for your needs.

- Ron Gaber

I cannot say enough good things about the attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers.

They were extremely responsive, professional, and compassionate throughout the entire process.Their negotiations skills were exceptional, and they were able to secure a settlement that far exceeded my expectations.I am grateful to have had such a dedicated team