In the tragic event of a fatal car accident in Chicago, the loved ones left behind are not only dealing with immense emotional pain but also facing financial burdens. In such cases, seeking legal assistance from a skilled and compassionate Chicago fatal car accident lawyer from our car accident law firm, The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, can help ease the burden and provide support during this difficult time.
In this Article
What Are the Most Common Causes of Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents in Chicago?
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, in 2021, there were 1,217 fatal crashes in the state. Some of the most common causes of these fatal car accidents include:
When is a Fatal Car Accident a Wrongful Death in Illinois?
Under Illinois’ Wrongful Death Act, a wrongful death occurs when someone’s negligence or intentional act results in the death of another person. In the case of a fatal car accident, if the other driver was at fault for the car accident injuries and their actions led to the victim’s death, then it can be considered a wrongful death.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
In a wrongful death lawsuit following a car crash, Chicago car accident lawyers can seek compensation for the loved ones of car accident victims:
Medical expenses related to the accident
Funeral and burial costs
Loss of future income and financial support from the deceased
Pain and suffering endured by the victim before their passing
Loss of companionship
And more
How Will My Chicago Car Accident Attorney Prove Wrongful Death?
Your Chicago car accident attorneys will gather evidence and build a strong personal injury claim to prove wrongful death. This may include:
Police reports and witness testimonies
Accident reconstruction experts
Medical records and expert testimony
Photos/videos of the accident scene and damages
Employment/income documentation to establish financial loss
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in a Fatal Car Accident?
Under the Wrongful Death Act, only certain individuals are eligible to file a wrongful death car accident lawsuit. Wrongful death lawsuits must be brought by the “personal representatives” of the deceased person.
Those who may recover financial compensation may be different from the personal representative. Typically, the surviving spouse and “next of kin” are entitled to recover damages.
Who Is Next of Kin?
In car accident cases resulting in wrongful death, the next of kin are the deceased person’s close family members and is defined by the Illinois Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/). Typically, the surviving spouse and the deceased person’s children are considered next of kin.
How Can a Chicago Fatal Accident Attorney Help Me?
A Chicago car accident lawyer will help you with every step of the filing process and beyond. Your experienced car accident attorney will:
File your lawsuit
Present evidence
Interview witnesses
Manage communications
Negotiate and handle communication with the insurance company
Guide the motor vehicle accident case to completion
Contact The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers
We offer a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer to discuss your car accident claim. This no-obligation meeting allows you to understand your legal options and how we can assist you in seeking justice and compensation for your loved one’s tragic auto accident.
Seeking legal assistance from a Chicago fatal car accident lawyer can help ease the burden and provide support.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Britt C.
Andrew Kryder went above and beyond to help me out with a case that I brought to him. He was prompt, attentive, and extremely thorough. It was a pleasure to work with him!
(312) 223-1700