A Chicago crash doesn’t give you any warning. One moment you’re inching through traffic near the Loop or turning onto your block, and the next you’re hit hard by a driver who wasn’t paying attention. Suddenly, you’re hurt, and your car is damaged.
When another driver’s carelessness leaves you hurt, you deserve someone who will stand up for you and push back when the insurance company tries to pay you less than what your case is worth.
A Chicago car accident lawyer at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates can take over the legal and insurance burden from day one. We’ve spent more than a century fighting for accident victims across Illinois, and we’re ready to fight for you.
Call (800) 985-1819 for a free consultation.
Why choose Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates after a Chicago car accident?
When you hire our experienced legal team, we approach your case with the preparation and attention it deserves. We build claims thoroughly because that’s what helps our clients, whether the case settles or needs to move toward trial.
Here’s what sets our firm apart:
- We know how to prove negligence, document damages, and build the kind of case insurance companies take seriously.
- We have a long history of major results, including record-breaking settlements and verdicts for accident victims in Illinois.
- We work on a contingency fee, which means you pay nothing up front.
- We handle everything, the paperwork, the insurance calls, the investigation, so that you can focus on healing.
- We keep you informed. You’ll always know what’s happening with your case and what comes next.
Illinois law gives most people two years to file a lawsuit, but important evidence can disappear long before then. If you want a law firm that stands up for you and handles the insurance company directly, we’re here to help.
How car accidents happen in Chicago
Car accidents in Chicago happen for many reasons, but nearly all of them come down to carelessness or failure to follow Illinois traffic laws.
Common causes of car accidents include:
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Distracted driving, especially near downtown intersections and CTA bus routes
- Failure to yield when turning left
- Running red lights at busy corridors like Western Ave., Irving Park Rd., and Ashland Ave.
- Rear-end collisions in stop-and-go traffic
- Drunk or impaired driving, particularly late at night or after major events
- Dangerous winter conditions, including ice, snow, rain, and fog
No matter how your crash happened, you have the right to pursue compensation when another driver violates their duty of care and causes harm.
Who may be responsible for a Chicago car accident?
Figuring out who’s responsible after a car accident is one of the most important parts of your case. Illinois law allows more than one person or company to share responsibility for a crash, and each one may have insurance coverage that applies. Our job is to uncover the full picture so you’re not stuck paying for the consequences of someone else’s negligence.
The at-fault driver
Many Chicago crashes happen because a driver ignored traffic laws or wasn’t paying attention. Maybe someone sped through a yellow in the Loop or got distracted by their phone. Illinois law allows you to hold drivers responsible when they violate their duty of care.
Commercial drivers and company vehicles
Commercial drivers (delivery services, contractors, or companies with fleet vehicles) operate under additional rules and expectations. When a commercial driver causes a crash, their employer may also be liable if the driver was working at the time. That includes situations where a company failed to provide proper training or required unsafe schedules. These cases often involve higher insurance limits and more complex investigations.
Rideshare drivers for Uber or Lyft
Rideshare accidents have become increasingly common throughout Chicago. Whether the driver was waiting for a ride request or transporting someone at the time of the crash, each stage triggers different layers of insurance coverage. These cases require a detailed look at trip data and driver conduct.
Employers of negligent drivers
Even if the vehicle wasn’t marked or commercial, an employer may still share responsibility if the driver was performing job duties when the crash occurred. Many Chicago workers use personal vehicles for deliveries or errands assigned by their employer. When an on-the-clock driver causes a crash, Illinois law may allow injury victims to pursue compensation from both the driver and the employer.
Vehicle and parts manufacturers
Some crashes result from mechanical failure instead of driver behavior. Brake defects, steering problems, faulty airbags, and tire failures can all contribute to serious injuries. In these cases, vehicle manufacturers, parts suppliers, or repair facilities may be responsible for the role their defective product played in the collision.
Government entities and public agencies
Chicago’s roadways are maintained by multiple city and state agencies. When a crash happens because of broken traffic signals, missing signage, dangerous road design, or unrepaired hazards, a government entity may be liable.
When several parties share responsibility
Many Chicago car accidents involve more than one source of negligence. A distracted driver may strike you in an intersection where the traffic signal malfunctioned, or a commercial driver may cause a crash because they were pressured by an employer to work unsafe hours. When responsibility is shared, identifying every liable party helps maximize available compensation and strengthens your case.
How we prove fault after a Chicago car accident
Insurance companies often try to shift blame or minimize your injuries. We move quickly to gather evidence that shows exactly what happened and why you’re entitled to compensation.
We use evidence such as:
- Police reports, which document traffic violations, witness statements, and crash details
- Traffic camera and surveillance footage, especially near CTA stations, intersections, and commercial corridors
- Eyewitness accounts from drivers, pedestrians, and passengers
- Photographs and crash-scene evidence showing impact points, debris, and vehicle damage
- Black box data from vehicles, when available
- Medical records showing the injuries caused by the crash
- Accident reconstruction experts, if needed for serious collisions
This evidence helps us prove liability and prevents the insurance company from blaming you for a crash you didn’t cause.
Proven car accident case results in Chicago
Our car accident case results reflect years of work helping injured people rebuild their lives. We’ve secured meaningful recoveries for crash victims across Chicago, including a $1.3 million jury verdict for a woman whose injuries were disputed by the defense and a $16.4 million verdict for a teenager who suffered severe injuries in a catastrophic automobile collision. These outcomes show what thorough preparation and trial experience can accomplish.
What compensation can you recover after a Chicago car accident?
Under Illinois law, car accident victims can recover compensation for the full scope of their damages. Your case may include:
Economic damages
These cover direct financial losses, such as:
- Medical bills (ER visits, surgery, therapy, medication, long-term care)
- Lost wages from missed work
- Reduced earning ability, if injuries affect your future income
- Property damage, including vehicle repair or replacement
- Out-of-pocket expenses, such as transportation and medical equipment
Non-economic damages
These compensate you for the personal impact of the crash:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of normal life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
Punitive damages
In rare cases, such as drunk driving or extreme recklessness. Illinois courts may award punitive damages to punish the at-fault party.
What does a Chicago car accident lawyer do for you?
When you hire us, you’re not dealing with the insurance company anymore; we take that off your plate. Our first job is to investigate what happened and make sure important evidence doesn’t disappear. We talk to witnesses, review police reports, collect video footage, and work with experts when we need to understand the full picture.
We also look closely at your injuries, your medical bills, and the time you’ve missed from work. That helps us determine what your case is actually worth, not what the insurance company wants to pay.
Once we have that information, we handle every conversation and every negotiation with the insurer. Insurance companies recognize when a case is backed by a law firm with a long history of thorough preparation. But if they refuse to be fair, we’ll help you file a lawsuit and prepare your case for trial.
Chicago car accident statistics
According to the 2023 Illinois Crash Facts report, crashes involving an injury accounted for 11.6% of all injury crashes statewide. Cook County reported `almost 30,000 crashes in 2023 that resulted in personal injury.
The most common types of accidents were:
- Front-to-rear collision: 72,706 (25.31%)
- Turning: 53,825 (18.00%)
- Parked: 35,097 (11.73%)
- Angle: 29,271 (9.79%)
- Fixed object: 27,059 (9.05%)
Around 53% of these accidents were in Cook County, and over 68% of car accidents were on urban roads.
FAQs about Chicago car accidents
Should I talk to the insurance company after a crash?
Not without legal advice. Insurance adjusters often look for ways to blame you or reduce payouts. Once you hire us, we handle all communication.
What if I’m partially at fault?
Illinois uses modified comparative negligence. As long as you’re less than 50% at fault, you can still recover compensation. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Do I have a case if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?
Possibly. You may be able to file through your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. We can review your policy and explain your options.
Will my case go to trial?
Most cases settle, but we prepare each one for trial. That approach may lead to stronger settlement offers.
Speak with a Chicago car accident lawyer today
If you were hit on your way to work, driving through downtown, or heading home on a Chicago expressway, we’re here to help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
You don’t have to take on the insurance company alone; let us take that burden off your shoulders. Call (800) 985-1819 or contact us online for a free consultation with a Chicago car accident attorney at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates.
Local resources for Chicago car accident victims
Here are some places people often turn to after a serious crash in Chicago.
Chicago Police Department
3510 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60653
(312) 745-4290
You can request traffic crash reports through CPD’s Records Division.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital – Emergency Department
251 E. Huron St.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 926-2000
Rush University Medical Center – Emergency Services
1653 W. Congress Pkwy.
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 942-5000
City of Chicago – Department of Transportation (CDOT)
2 N. LaSalle St., Suite 1110
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 744-3600
Useful for reporting unsafe intersections, malfunctioning traffic signals, or roadway hazards.
Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates – Chicago Office
25 E. Washington St., Suite 900
Chicago, IL 60602
(800) 985-1819
Free consultation for car accident victims.
