If you were involved in a car accident and were injured as a result, Illinois car accident laws can be complex to navigate. Between the Illinois Insurance Code, the Illinois Administrative Code, and the Illinois Vehicle Code, these laws can get confusing and overwhelming very quickly. A Rockford car accident injury lawyer can help you understand the laws that apply to your car accident injury claim.
At Franks Gerkin Ponitz Greeley, we have a longstanding history of serving Illinois communities. Our firm was established over 40 years ago, which is one thing we are very proud of. It is the mutual dedication to our clients that has sustained our practice. We continue to help clients fight the insurance companies for their rightful personal injury claims. Let us help you achieve a favorable resolution in your case.
In 2023, there were 61,547 car accidents that resulted in injuries in Illinois. Insurance companies are not in business to pay settlements on every car accident injury that comes in. Insurance adjusters are actually trained to deny claims for car accident settlements. This is why anyone who suffers from a car accident injury at the fault of another driver needs a qualified Rockford car accident injury attorney who is skilled in communicating with insurance providers.
The Illinois Insurance Code describes Illinois as a state of modified comparative negligence. This means that when multiple drivers involved in an accident are partially at fault, they may be able to receive compensation for their losses, comparable to their contribution to liability. This is only possible, though, for drivers who are found to be less than 50% responsible for the collision.
The Illinois Administrative Code regulates personal injury claim processing for insurance companies. It provides them with a set of standards to which they must adhere. For instance, it dictates how long an insurance company has to carry out its responsibilities. It serves as protection for those receiving insurance settlements.
The Illinois Vehicle Code includes regulations for vehicle owners and operators. Where it specifically applies to personal injury claims is in regard to the minimum mandatory insurance coverage that Illinois drivers must have.
For example, a driver in Illinois must carry a minimum of $25,000 for the injury or death of one person, $50,000 for the injury or death of more than one person, and $20,000 in property damage coverage. This is relevant to car accident injury victims because if a driver carries the minimum coverage, the highest their settlement can be is $25,000 for each injured person.
In this case, there are other avenues for recovering damages beyond $25,000. These additional resources involve more complicated terms and conditions. Hire a car accident lawyer with experience to explore your eligibility for uninsured or underinsured coverage or PIP payments, if they are covered by your own auto insurance policy. Your attorney may also advise you to file a personal claim against the at-fault driver.
Rockford car accident claims that can’t be settled out of court are handled by the Winnebago County court system. Specifically, the Winnebago County Clerk of Courts hears these types of cases. This court is located in the Winnebago County Courthouse at 400 West State Street in Rockford.
In Illinois, car accident victims can recover both economic and non-economic damages. Non-economic damages cover losses such as emotional distress, pain and suffering, and a loss of enjoyment of life. In contrast, economic damages cover tangible losses, such as lost wages and medical expenses. To maximize the amount of compensation in your settlement, speak with a Rockford car accident injury attorney.
It is tough to give an average settlement amount for a car accident in Illinois. This is because there is no average car accident case. The variables are so different from one accident to another that an average settlement value wouldn’t be an accurate representation of all cases. For example, because injuries are unique, medical expenses are not comparable across all accident claims.
The difficulty of winning a personal injury lawsuit is directly related to the details of the case. If it is a straightforward case in which liability is clear and damages aren’t too significant, an insurance company might be inclined to settle in the negotiation phase. However, more complicated cases—such as those that involve multiple at-fault parties, liability disputes, or require a trial—can be much more difficult to win.
Pain and suffering in a car accident are usually dependent on the severity of the injuries incurred by the victim. It can also compensate for a diminished quality of life and loss of enjoyment of life. If an accident causes permanent disfigurement or emotional distress, a settlement may be inflated to compensate for these consequences, recoverable as pain and suffering.
A reasonable settlement offer is one that covers your medical expenses, replaces property damages, and includes a respectable amount for pain and suffering. A settlement that covers less than this is not considered to be a fair and reasonable offer. To optimize your settlement to an adequate amount, you need an auto accident injury attorney near you who has experience handling similar cases.
The Rockford car accident injury lawyer you need is Franks Gerkin Ponitz & Greeley. Our client reviews are a testament to the quality of legal services we provide. One word that comes up repeatedly when our clients comment on their experience with our firm is ‘communication.’ We believe it makes a difference and invite you to see for yourself. Contact our office to schedule a meeting.
When accidents shatter your life in Poplar Grove or throughout Northern Illinois, you need attorneys who aren’t just skilled legal advocates but also neighbors who genuinely understand this community. At Franks Gerkin Ponitz Greeley, our strong family ties to Marengo and the greater McHenry County area run deep, making us that much more passionate about serving the people who live and work here. With over 50 years of combined experience handling personal injury cases, we bring both sophisticated legal expertise and a genuine commitment to giving back to the Northern Illinois communities we call home.
Based in Marengo with roots throughout McHenry County and serving Poplar Grove and surrounding areas, our firm combines decades of personal injury experience with the personalized attention you simply won’t find at large, impersonal law firms. Our attorneys are heavily involved in local bar associations and actively volunteer with community organizations, from supporting our troops through local Cub Scout initiatives to numerous other charitable efforts. This deep community involvement means we understand the local roads where your accident occurred—from high-speed collisions on US-20 and Route 173 to crashes on smaller county roads—and we’re personally invested in helping our neighbors recover.
Whether you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident on Route 173, struck while riding your motorcycle through Boone County, hit as a pedestrian in downtown Poplar Grove, involved in a complex rideshare accident, or suffered injuries in a truck collision on US-20, partnering with Poplar Grove accident attorneys who take the time to truly understand your individual situation and provide genuinely personalized legal counsel—rather than treating you as just another case number—can be the difference between struggling through recovery alone and having dedicated advocates who fight to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.