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Springfield Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer

Getting hit by an uninsured driver is one of the most frustrating things that can happen to you on Chicago roads. You did everything right. You buckled up, you drove carefully, and you carried insurance. Then someone with no coverage runs a red light on the Kennedy Expressway or cuts you off near Millennium Park, and suddenly you’re facing medical bills, lost wages, and a car that won’t run. What happens next? Who pays? That’s where a Springfield uninsured motorist accident lawyer at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg steps in to help you get the money you deserve.

Illinois Law Requires Insurance, But Not Everyone Follows It
What Damages Can You Recover After an Uninsured Motorist Accident?
Steps to Take Right After an Uninsured Motorist Accident in Chicago
How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Handles Uninsured Motorist Claims
Why Illinois Minimum Coverage Is Often Not Enough
FAQs About Springfield Uninsured Motorist Accidents in Chicago, IL

Illinois Law Requires Insurance, But Not Everyone Follows It

Illinois is very clear about what drivers must carry. Under 625 ILCS 5/7-601, no person may operate, register, or maintain registration of a motor vehicle on a public highway in Illinois unless that vehicle is covered by a liability insurance policy. The law is not optional. It applies to every driver on every road, from Lake Shore Drive to I-55 near Bridgeport.

Illinois law requires uninsured motorist limits of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. 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. That means your own insurance policy becomes your safety net when the other driver has none.

Despite these clear rules, many drivers still get behind the wheel without coverage. According to a 2023 study by the Insurance Research Council, over 33% of drivers either did not have insurance or did not have enough insurance to cover accident damages. That is roughly one in three drivers sharing the road with you. Whether you are commuting down the Dan Ryan Expressway or parking near Wrigley Field, the risk is real.

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. Illinois law (215 ILCS 5/143a-2) requires this type of coverage if you purchase higher limits of uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage. Understanding how these coverages work together is key to protecting your rights after a crash. The team at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can review your policy and help you understand exactly what you are entitled to recover.

What Damages Can You Recover After an Uninsured Motorist Accident?

A lot of people assume that if the other driver has no insurance, they are simply out of luck. That is not true. Your own uninsured motorist coverage exists for exactly this situation. And if the at-fault driver has some insurance but not enough, your underinsured motorist coverage can fill the gap. Either way, you should not be left paying out of pocket for someone else’s negligence.

The damages you can pursue in an uninsured motorist claim include medical expenses, both past and future. Think about emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and follow-up care. If you were seriously hurt in a crash near the intersection of Western and Chicago Avenue, your bills could climb quickly. You can also recover lost wages if your injuries kept you from working. Pain and suffering is another recoverable item, along with emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.

Illinois law also protects your rights when multiple parties share fault. 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 in cases where a third party, like a road maintenance contractor or a vehicle manufacturer, may share responsibility for your injuries alongside the uninsured driver.

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 did not add this coverage, your collision coverage may still help pay for your car repairs. A Chicago personal injury lawyer at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can walk through your specific policy and help you identify every available source of compensation.

Steps to Take Right After an Uninsured Motorist Accident in Chicago

The moments right after a crash can feel chaotic, especially when you find out the other driver has no insurance. But what you do in those first hours and days can make or break your claim. Staying calm and taking the right steps protects your health and your legal rights at the same time.

First, call 911. You want a police report on file, especially when the other driver is uninsured. Officers will document the scene, gather driver information, and note the lack of insurance in their report. This report becomes a critical piece of evidence later. Illinois law notes that when any driver involved in a crash does not have insurance, the property damage threshold for filing a report remains at $500, making documentation even more important.

Second, get medical attention immediately. Even if you feel okay, some injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, do not show up right away. A medical record created close in time to the crash links your injuries directly to the accident. Do not skip this step, even if you think you are fine.

Third, gather evidence at the scene. Take photos of both vehicles, the road conditions, any traffic signals, and your injuries. Get names and contact information from witnesses. If the crash happened near a busy spot like Navy Pier or along the Magnificent Mile, there may be nearby security cameras that captured the collision.

Fourth, notify your own insurance company. Your uninsured motorist coverage is triggered through your own insurer. Report the crash quickly and save your claim number. Illinois uninsured motorist bodily injury minimum limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. For additional premium, you may buy higher limits to pay for claims that exceed those amounts. Finally, contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg before giving any recorded statements to the insurance company. What you say early in the process can affect your claim.

How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Handles Uninsured Motorist Claims

Dealing with your own insurance company after an uninsured motorist accident is not always straightforward. Insurers have their own interests, and those interests do not always line up with yours. That is why having an experienced legal team on your side matters so much.

At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we take a hands-on approach to every uninsured motorist case. We start by reviewing your insurance policy in full. We look at your UM and UIM limits, check for any exclusions that could affect your claim, and identify every source of recovery available to you. We then gather all the evidence needed to build a strong case, including medical records, police reports, witness statements, and expert opinions when necessary.

We also handle the negotiation process directly with your insurer. Insurance companies sometimes try to minimize payouts on UM claims by disputing the extent of your injuries or arguing about fault. We push back on those tactics and fight for a fair settlement. If your insurer refuses to offer a fair amount, Illinois law allows UM claims to go to arbitration. We are fully prepared to take that step when needed.

We serve clients across the Chicago area and throughout Illinois. Whether you were hurt in a crash near Grant Park, on the Eisenhower Expressway, or in a suburb like Oak Lawn, we are here to help. We also handle cases for clients in other parts of the state. If you need a Champaign car accident lawyer, a Gurnee car accident lawyer, a Mundelein car accident lawyer, an Oak Lawn car accident lawyer, or an Orland Park car accident lawyer, our team is ready to help you across the region.

Why Illinois Minimum Coverage Is Often Not Enough

Here is something worth thinking about. Even when a driver does carry insurance, the minimum limits in Illinois may not come close to covering your actual losses after a serious crash. Illinois law requires uninsured motorist limits of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. That sounds like a lot, but medical costs can far exceed those numbers after a serious accident.

Think about a scenario. You are driving south on Michigan Avenue when an uninsured driver runs a red light and T-bones your vehicle. You suffer a broken leg, a concussion, and two herniated discs. Your emergency room visit alone could cost $30,000 or more. Add surgery, physical therapy, and months of follow-up care, and your bills could easily reach six figures. If your UM coverage is only at the minimum $25,000 per person, you are left covering a massive gap out of your own pocket.

Illinois law (215 ILCS 5/143a-2) requires underinsured motorist coverage if you purchase higher limits of uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage. This means that buying higher UM limits automatically triggers UIM coverage at the same level. That is a powerful protection, and it is one reason why carrying higher limits makes sense for most drivers.

The bottom line is this: minimum coverage protects you from a legal penalty, but it may not protect you financially after a serious crash. If you were hurt by an uninsured driver and your own coverage falls short, Briskman Briskman & Greenberg will look at every possible avenue to get you the compensation you need. We know Illinois law inside and out, and we know how to fight for our clients. Call us today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we recover money for you.

FAQs About Springfield Uninsured Motorist Accidents in Chicago, IL

What should I do if the driver who hit me has no insurance?

Call 911 and get a police report right away. Seek medical attention, even if you feel okay. Then notify your own insurance company, because your uninsured motorist coverage is what protects you in this situation. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg before giving any recorded statements to your insurer. Early legal guidance can protect your claim from the start.

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois law requires every auto liability policy to include uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage at minimum limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. This coverage applies when you are hurt by a driver who carries no liability insurance or by a hit-and-run driver. You can also purchase optional uninsured motorist property damage coverage to protect your vehicle.

Can I still recover damages if the at-fault driver had some insurance but not enough?

Yes. When the at-fault driver’s insurance limits are too low to cover your losses, you may be able to file an underinsured motorist claim under your own policy. Illinois law (215 ILCS 5/143a-2) requires insurers to offer underinsured motorist coverage when you purchase UM limits above the state minimum. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can review your policy and help you pursue every dollar available to you.

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, which generally applies to uninsured motorist cases as well. However, your insurance policy may have its own deadlines for reporting the claim or demanding arbitration. These deadlines can be shorter than the legal statute of limitations. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg as soon as possible after your accident to make sure you do not miss any critical deadlines.

What if my own insurance company disputes my uninsured motorist claim?

Insurance companies sometimes challenge UM claims by disputing fault, questioning the severity of your injuries, or raising policy exclusions. If your insurer is not treating your claim fairly, you have options. Illinois law allows uninsured motorist disputes to go to arbitration, and you may also have a bad faith claim against your insurer in some circumstances. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg handles negotiations and arbitration on behalf of injured clients and will fight to get you a fair result.

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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