Illinois Car Accident Lawyers

Experienced Illinois Car Accident Lawyer – Patrick A. Salvi, Salvi, Schostok, & Pritchard

Patrick A. Salvi is the founding member and partner in Salvi, Schostok, & Pritchard, one of Illinois’s premier personal injury law firms. He specializes in serious accidents and injuries, often those related to vehicle crashes. Founded in 1982, his firm now includes a team of 19 lawyers, additional staff, and two offices to serve clients all over the state. Salvi has won billions of dollars for his clients who suffered terrible injuries in car accidents.

Illinois residents and victims of car accidents have several reasons to turn to the law offices of Salvi, Schostok, & Pritchard:

• Decades of experience working on car accident cases
• More than 258 case wins resulting in more than $1 million
• Record-setting wins, including $33.2 million for a car accident victim in Lake County
• Free consultations for new clients
• No fees until they win for clients

When to Talk to an Illinois Car Accident Lawyer

It’s not easy for non-lawyers to understand state laws and when it is and is not appropriate to take legal action. This is why you need Illinois car accident lawyers for advice following an incident. Any time you suffer significant injuries and have major expenses after an accident, you should talk to a lawyer.

Law firms specializing in car accidents and other types of personal injuries offer free initial consultations. There is no reason not to call and set up a free meeting to get your questions answered. You may find out you don’t have a case, or you may learn that there is more you can do to get compensation.

These are some of the situations in which it is particularly important to talk to a lawyer after an accident:

• Your injuries are serious, long-term, or even permanent.
• You have a disability or are disfigured because of the accident.
• Your medical bills are high, and you expect more in the future.
• The injuries prevent you from working or earning as much as you did before the accident.
• The insurance company is not offering adequate compensation or any at all.
• You are sure that another driver was negligent and should be held liable for your expenses.
• You lost a loved one in the accident.

What Your Car Accident Lawyer Needs from You

An Illinois car accident lawyer or firm can do most of the work of getting you compensation after an accident. To do so, they will need some help from you, the client. When you meet with your lawyer, answer all their questions honestly. They need the truth, even if it incriminates you. Your lawyer will also need several other things to help make your case:

Car Accident Laws in Illinois

The laws can be confusing, and they vary by state when it comes to filing and proceeding with personal injury cases. These are a few of the Illinois state laws that may impact your case:[1][2]

Statute of Limitations

All states put a time limit on filing a civil lawsuit. In Illinois, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, which includes those involving car accidents. If the defendant is a city or county, you have just one year. If it is the state, you have two years. To sue the government, you must first file a formal claim. You have one year to do that.

Comparative Fault

Illinois follows a comparative fault rule in car accident and personal injury cases. This means that a judge will reduce any amount a jury awards if you are found to share in the blame for the accident. If your fault is more than 50%, you cannot recover any amount.

At-Fault Auto Insurance

Illinois is one of several states with a fault system for auto insurance. It gives you options for getting compensated after an accident. You can file a claim with your own insurer or the at-fault driver’s insurer. You can also sue the at-fault driver.

Get a better outcome after a car accident by working with Illinois car accident lawyers. They have the expertise and experience to find evidence, work with experts, and prove that someone else is liable for your expenses. The right lawyer will give you the best chance of recovering maximum damages.