If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence in Wicker Park, IL you’re not alone—The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers is here to help. Each experienced personal injury attorney in our law offices represents victims of serious motor vehicle accidents in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood, Cook County and across Illinois. We strive to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients, ensuring they get justice and the compensation they deserve to help rebuild their lives.
In this Article
What Causes Car Accidents in Wicker Park?
Car accidents in Wicker Park can result from various causes:
Distracted Driving: Failure to maintain attention on the road due to phone use, eating, or other distractions.
Speeding: Exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions.
Drunk Driving: Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
Reckless Driving: Disregard for traffic laws and safety of others.
Weather Conditions: Poor visibility or slippery roads due to weather.
Failure to Yield: Not allowing other drivers or pedestrians the right of way where required.
Vehicle Malfunctions: Problems with the vehicle’s parts causing unexpected behavior.
Common Injuries in Car Accident Cases
Common types of injuries that car accident victims in Wicker Park suffer from after an accident include:
Whiplash: A neck injury caused by sudden jerking motion during impact.
Concussions: Brain injury resulting from the brain bouncing inside the skull.
Broken Bones: High-impact collisions often result in fractures or broken bones.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spine can cause paralysis or disability.
Internal Bleeding: Unseen injuries that can lead to serious complications.
Psychological Trauma: Mental distress following an accident, including PTSD or anxiety.
What to Do After a Car Crash in Wicker Park
After a car crash in Wicker Park, follow these crucial steps:
Assess your safety: Check if you’re injured and move to safety if possible.
Contact authorities: Report the accident to the police to ensure a police report is filed and request an ambulance if needed.
Exchange information: Gather and share contact and insurance details with the other driver.
Document the incident: Take photos of the scene, injuries, and damage.
Contact a lawyer: Reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer to understand your rights and to get legal representation.
What NOT to Do After Auto Accidents in Wicker Park
Don’t leave the scene: It’s illegal and can result in serious penalties.
Don’t admit fault: This may impact your personal injury claim.
Don’t neglect medical attention: Injuries may not be immediately apparent.
Don’t deal with insurance companies alone: Personal injury lawyers may negotiate a full financial recovery.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Maximize Personal Injury Cases
A skilled car accident lawyer in Wicker Park can help accident victims in various ways:
Investigating the accident: Gathering crucial evidence, conducting witness interviews, and recreating the accident scene to identify the at-fault party.
Calculating damages: Evaluating all past, current and future medical expenses and other losses related to the accident to ensure you receive fair compensation.
Negotiating with insurance companies: Dealing with insurance adjusters to secure a just settlement for another person’s negligence.
Representing you in court: If necessary, advocating for your interests in a trial especially in the rare cases that include punitive damages.
How to Select a Personal Injury Lawyer
When getting legal help from a personal injury attorneys, consider their experience, track record, and communication style. Choose an attorney who is well-versed in Illinois personal injury law with a law firm with a strong history of successful settlements and verdicts. Choose personal injury lawyers who communicate clearly, making you feel comfortable and informed throughout the process. Finally, hire a law office that offers free consultations.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Illinois?
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident.
Do I Have to Go to Court for a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Not always. Many car accident injury claims are settled out of court. However, if a fair settlement can’t be reached or the insurance company is not negotiating in good faith, your attorney may recommend proceeding to trial to seek compensation you deserve.
Types of Compensation for a Car Crash Victim
As a car crash victim, you may be entitled to various types of compensation including economic and non-economic damages:
Medical Bills: Payment for past, current, and future healthcare expenses.
Lost Wages: Compensation for lost income due to emotional or physical injury.
Lost Earning Capacity: Estimated future income loss.
Pain and Suffering: Monetary value for physical discomfort and emotional distress.
Property Damage: Reimbursement for car repairs or replacement.
Wrongful Death: Compensation for certain family members for the loss of a loved one due to someone’s negligence.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
According to the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, close relatives of the deceased, such as the spouse, children, or parents (if there are no surviving spouse or children), can file a wrongful death claim. This claim is generally filed by a representative of the deceased’s estate, on behalf of surviving family members who have suffered damage from the loss.
What Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
The valuation of an auto accident case depends on several factors. A personal injury lawyer will primarily consider the severity of injuries, the extent of medical bills, and any loss of earnings, and and other financial losses due to the accident.
They’ll also weigh the impact on quality of life, including pain and suffering, and any long-term disabilities caused. Finally, considerations like the strength of evidence, the culpability of the other party, and the policy limits of the insurance company involved will also be factored in.
What If I Was Partially At Fault for My Car Accident?
In Illinois, if you injured in an accident and were partially at fault for your car accident, you may still be eligible for compensation due to ‘comparative negligence’ laws (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). This law permits injured parties to recover damages even if they were 50% or less at fault. However, the amount you can recover will be reduced proportionately by your percentage of fault. Consult with a knowledgeable personal injury law firm to better understand how this law could apply to your situation.
Contact a Wicker Park Car Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL, the time to act is now. Call us at the law offices of The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. Our dedication to our clients is unwavering—we listen, we empathize, and we strategize. Expect to review the details of your case, understand the potential legal strategies and outcomes, and get answers to any questions you may have.
$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!