Peoria Car Accident Lawyer

If you were hurt in a car crash near Peoria, or anywhere else in the Chicago area, you may be wondering what your next steps should be. The roads in and around Chicago, from the busy stretch of I-55 near Bridgeport to the congested interchange at I-290 and the Eisenhower Expressway, see thousands of crashes every year. A serious collision can leave you with medical bills, lost income, and pain that changes your daily life. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we understand what you are going through, and we are here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Table of Contents

• Car Accidents in Illinois: What the Numbers Tell Us
• Illinois Laws That Protect Car Accident Victims
• How Illinois Fault Rules Affect Your Claim
• What Damages Can You Recover After a Car Accident?
• Why You Should Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg After a Crash
• FAQs About Peoria Car Accident Claims in Chicago, IL

Car Accidents in Illinois: What the Numbers Tell Us

Car accidents are a serious problem across Illinois, and the numbers make that clear. In 2024, there were 303,913 crashes involving motor vehicles in Illinois. These crashes resulted in thousands of injuries and significant loss of life, meaning tens of thousands of people went through the pain, confusion, and financial strain of a car accident in just one year.

The total estimated cost of crashes in Illinois for 2024 was $8.3 billion. That figure includes medical care, property damage, and lost productivity. For the individual families behind those numbers, the impact is even more personal. Whether a crash happens on Lake Shore Drive, near the Kennedy Expressway, or on a surface street in Logan Square or Pilsen, the aftermath can be overwhelming.

According to government safety data, speeding is a significant factor in crashes, contributing to approximately 26% of all traffic fatalities nationwide. Distracted driving is another major factor. People texting, adjusting their GPS, or eating behind the wheel cause crashes that could easily be avoided. If someone else’s careless behavior caused your crash, you have the right to hold them accountable under Illinois law.

The Chicago area, including Cook County, is one of the most crash-heavy regions in the state. Busy corridors like the Dan Ryan Expressway, I-94, and the stretch of US-30 running through the south suburbs all see significant accident volumes. If you were hurt in one of these areas, speaking with a Chicago car accident lawyer at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help you understand your options right away.

Illinois Laws That Protect Car Accident Victims

Illinois has several laws in place that directly affect your car accident case. Understanding these laws helps you know what to expect and why acting quickly matters.

Mandatory Insurance: Under 625 ILCS 5/7-601, every driver in Illinois must carry liability insurance. This requirement exists to make sure that if a driver causes a crash, there is coverage to compensate the people they hurt. If the at-fault driver was uninsured, other options may still be available to you, and an attorney can help you explore them.

Accident Reporting: Under 625 ILCS 5/11-401, any driver involved in a crash that causes injury or death must stop immediately and remain at the scene. If a driver leaves the scene without stopping, they can face felony charges. Failing to comply with the reporting requirements when someone is injured is a Class 2 felony, and if the crash results in a death, it becomes a Class 1 felony. This law protects victims and ensures crashes are documented properly.

Statute of Limitations: Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois. For property damage claims, 735 ILCS 5/13-205 gives you five years. Missing these deadlines can end your right to compensation entirely. Do not wait to get legal advice.

If a crash results in a death, the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/1) allows surviving family members to pursue damages. The law makes the at-fault party liable for damages, including punitive damages when applicable, even when death has occurred. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help families understand their rights under this important law.

How Illinois Fault Rules Affect Your Claim

One of the most important things to understand after a car accident in Illinois is how fault is determined and how it affects your compensation. Illinois has adopted modified comparative negligence under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. Under this rule, an injured party may recover damages only if they are less than 50% at fault for the injury or damages. The recovered amount may be reduced in proportion to the degree that the injured party was at fault.

Here is a simple example. Say you are driving on Pulaski Road and another driver runs a red light and hits you. The other driver is found 80% at fault, and you are found 20% at fault for driving slightly over the speed limit. You can collect for your damages because you were less than 50% at fault. However, the other driver’s insurance company might only offer to pay for 80% of your damages.

Illinois also has rules about joint and several liability under 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. Any defendant whose fault is 25% or greater of the total fault is jointly and severally liable for all other damages as well. This matters when multiple parties share responsibility for your crash.

Insurance companies know these rules well, and they often try to shift blame onto you to reduce what they pay. Having an attorney on your side levels that playing field. You can also learn more about the car accident lawsuit process on our website to better understand what to expect.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Car Accident?

After a car accident, you may be able to recover a wide range of damages. These fall into two main categories: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are the financial losses you can document. These include medical bills, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescription costs, lost wages while you recover, and future lost earning capacity if your injuries are permanent. If your car was damaged or totaled, you can also seek compensation for repair or replacement costs.

Non-economic damages cover the human side of your loss. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact on your relationships all count. These damages are harder to put a number on, but they are real and they matter. An experienced attorney knows how to present these losses in a way that reflects their true value.

In cases involving extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may also be available. The Illinois Wrongful Death Act specifically allows for punitive damages in wrongful death cases where they are applicable.

Whether your crash happened near Millennium Park, along I-290 near Oak Park, or on a side street in Wicker Park, the damages you suffered deserve full and fair compensation. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg will work to make sure every element of your loss is accounted for. Our team also serves clients throughout the region. If you were hurt in another part of the Chicago area, you can connect with our Orland Park car accident lawyer, our Schaumburg car accident lawyer, or our Waukegan car accident lawyer teams as well.

Why You Should Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg After a Crash

After a car accident, the pressure from insurance companies can start almost immediately. Adjusters may call you while you are still in the hospital. They may ask for a recorded statement or offer a quick settlement that does not come close to covering your actual losses. You do not have to handle any of that on your own.

At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we represent car accident victims across the Chicago area, including those injured near Peoria Avenue, in the Pilsen neighborhood, near Midway Airport, and throughout the surrounding suburbs. We know how local courts work, including the Daley Center in the Loop where many Cook County civil cases are heard. That local knowledge matters when building your case.

Our team handles every aspect of your claim, from gathering police reports and medical records to negotiating with insurance companies and, if necessary, taking your case to trial. We work to make sure the fault percentage assigned to you is as low as possible, and that your damages are calculated fully and fairly. You can learn more about our approach as a Chicago personal injury lawyer team on our main website.

We offer free consultations, so there is no cost to talk with us about your case. We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. If you or someone you love was hurt in a car accident, call Briskman Briskman & Greenberg today. Do not let the clock run out on your right to seek justice.

FAQs About Peoria Car Accident Claims in Chicago, IL

How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Illinois?

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you generally have two years from the date of your crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois. For property damage claims, the deadline is five years under 735 ILCS 5/13-205. Missing either deadline can permanently end your right to seek compensation, so it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

What if I was partially at fault for my car accident in Illinois?

Illinois uses a modified comparative negligence system under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. As long as you are found to be less than 50% at fault, you can still recover compensation. However, your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you could recover up to $80,000. An attorney can help fight to keep your fault percentage as low as possible.

Does Illinois require all drivers to carry car insurance?

Yes. Under 625 ILCS 5/7-601, Illinois law requires every driver to carry a liability insurance policy that meets the state’s minimum coverage amounts for bodily injury, death, and property damage. If the driver who hit you did not have insurance, you may still have options, including an uninsured motorist claim through your own policy. An attorney can help you explore all available sources of compensation.

What should I do immediately after a car accident in Chicago?

First, make sure everyone is safe and call 911. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-401, drivers involved in a crash that causes injury must stop and remain at the scene until all legal requirements are met. Document the scene with photos, get contact information from witnesses, and seek medical attention even if you feel fine. Then contact a car accident attorney before giving any recorded statements to insurance companies.

Can a family file a lawsuit if a loved one was killed in a car accident in Illinois?

Yes. Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/1), surviving family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit when a person is killed due to someone else’s negligent or wrongful act. The law allows for recovery of damages, including punitive damages where applicable. These cases have their own procedural requirements, so it is important to consult with an attorney who handles wrongful death claims as soon as possible.

More Resources About Vehicle Injuries

• Dangerous Roads & Intersections in Peoria
• Peoria Bicycle Accident Lawyer
• Peoria Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
• Peoria Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
• Peoria Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
• Peoria Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
• Peoria Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
• Peoria Truck Accident Attorney
• Peoria Uber Accident Lawyer
• Peoria Lyft Accident Lawyer
• Peoria Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer