With about 3 million people residing in Chicago, accidents are going to happen. If you or a loved one suffers serious injuries from one of these unfortunate events, you may deserve compensation for your losses.
The process of getting that compensation involves meeting strict legal standards to prove liability and damages. When you need help with that process, Collins Law Group's Chicago, IL, personal injury lawyers are here to guide you every step of the way.
Hiring a qualified attorney for your injury claim can be the difference between getting the maximum payout and not getting enough to cover your losses. Because the outcome has a direct impact on your family’s well-being, you need to trust the legal advice and assistance you receive.
Our attorneys at Collins Law Group have over 175 years of combined legal experience. Founded by Shawn Collins, and now led by Edward J. Manzke, John D. Risvold and Robert L. Dawidiuk, the firm has built a reputation for taking on the toughest cases and winning. For that reason, we’ve won over $1.5 billion in verdicts and settlements.
However, we don’t just focus on money or the facts of a case – we focus on you. Our team delivers a client-centered approach and will prioritize your needs and concerns if you work with us. Each case is unique, and we’re ready to give you the personalized attention you deserve. For instance, we offer you 24/7 access to our team to ensure you have the legal support you need when you need it.
Road accidents are the most common type of personal injury case, and Collins Law Group has been fighting for Chicago residents, workers, and visitors injured in these crashes for years. The latest data from the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) shows why these cases remain critical.
In 2024, Chicago recorded 109 traffic fatalities, including 38 pedestrians, 2 cyclists, and 69 vehicle occupants, based on Chicago Police Department provisional data. That is a meaningful drop from the IDOT-finalized 2023 count of 131 total traffic deaths in the city.
The statewide picture is more troubling. Illinois recorded 1,103 fatal crashes in 2024, resulting in 1,196 deaths, a 3.5% decline from 2023. But pedestrian fatalities moved in the opposite direction, rising 9.5% to 219 deaths statewide. In the six-county Chicago metro region alone, pedestrian crash fatalities totaled 144 in 2024, up from 135 the year before. Speed, distracted driving, and the growing dominance of large SUVs and pickup trucks on city streets are driving that number up.
Certain areas are more prone to accidents. A heat map published by the Chicago Department of Transportation shows that most crashes cluster in the Central Business District, particularly the Near North Side, the Loop, and the Near West Side.
On the West Side, Austin, West Garfield Park, East Garfield Park, and North Lawndale see elevated crash rates. Greater Grand Crossing on the South Side is also a recurring problem area.
Specific streets with consistently high crash rates include:
The city is investing in safety improvements at these locations. Those improvements matter, but they do not compensate victims or their families. If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash on Chicago roads, call Collins Law Group.
Collins Law Group handles catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases. Not fender-benders. Not minor claims. Cases where the stakes are a person's life, livelihood, or long-term function, and where the other side has significant legal and financial resources to fight back.
That focus shapes everything we do.
Crashes involving semis, delivery trucks, rideshare vehicles, and other commercial operators cause some of the most devastating injuries on the road. These cases are legally and factually complex. The trucking companies, their insurers, and their lawyers move fast after a crash to protect the company's interests. We move faster. Our practice is built around these cases, and we know how to go toe-to-toe with commercial carriers and their defense teams.
When an injury is life-changing, the legal fight has to match. We handle brain and spinal cord injuries, severe orthopedic trauma, burns, and other catastrophic harm caused by someone else's negligence. We work with the right medical experts, economists, and life-care planners to make sure the full value of your case is on the table.
Losing a family member because of someone else's carelessness or recklessness is devastating. We handle these cases with the care they demand and the aggression they require. Our job is to hold the responsible party accountable and to fight for the full compensation your family deserves.
Healthcare providers and hospitals carry powerful legal teams. We match that firepower. Whether the case involves a surgical error, a missed diagnosis, or a birth injury, we know how to build and try these cases.
Defective vehicles and vehicle components cause crashes and make injuries worse. We handle cases involving defective brakes, steering systems, airbags, tires, and other safety-critical failures. When a manufacturer's decisions put people at risk, we hold them responsible.
Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises safe. When they fail and someone is seriously hurt, we pursue the full claim, including cases involving negligent security, dangerous conditions, and institutional failures.
Families trust facilities to care for their most vulnerable members. When that trust is violated, we represent families in holding facilities accountable. These cases matter for the victim in front of us and for every resident who comes after.
We also represent clients in dog bite cases, sexual assault and abuse claims, and environmental exposure litigation, including asbestos cases, toxic chemical exposure, and birth defects caused by pesticide and weed killer contamination. These cases can be technically complex and politically difficult. We take them anyway.
You might think you have a straightforward case and can handle it without a lawyer, but that mindset can be risky.
As the plaintiff, you bear the burden of proving the defendant's liability and negligence. Presenting a strong case requires meeting technical requirements and managing extensive paperwork. Even when you are sure you’re 100% in the right, a simple mistake could harm your case.
You also have to handle these challenges while recovering from your injuries, often against experienced insurance companies or defense law firms. Instead of taking on these challenges alone or accepting a low offer, contact us for a free consultation. We will review your case and help you understand your options.
Each state sets a statute of limitations for how long plaintiffs have to bring personal injury lawsuits. In Illinois, you have two years from the date of the accident to file your claim. If the case is against a government entity, you only have one year.
However, your claim might fall under one of the exceptions to this rule. For example, sometimes the clock starts on the day you discover the harm. This guideline is likely to apply in cases of environmental harm when you don’t discover the effects of contamination until months or years later.
No matter the situation, it is best to act quickly. Promptly preparing your case helps you collect as much evidence as you can to build a stronger argument.
Are you worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer? Fortunately, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you only pay if we win your case, with our fee coming from a percentage of the settlement or jury award.
Like many other reputable firms around the country, our fee ranges from 33 ⅓% but could go up to 40%. This depends on the work required and whether the case goes to trial.
However, we won’t spring any surprises on you. We explain the terms up front and put them in writing. Then, we do all we can to get you much more than you would typically recover on your own. Remember, you pay nothing if we don’t win your case.
A settlement is usually the quickest and most cost-effective way to resolve your case. Trials require more time, paperwork and rules to follow, which is why we generally have to charge a slightly higher fee for claims that go to court.
Many times, we build such a strong case that the defense or insurance company is willing to settle out of court for a fair value. Rest assured that we won’t default to settlement as the easy way to complete your case. We are fully ready to go to trial if an offer is unfair and we believe we can get a better deal through litigation.
To recover compensation, we need to prove the following:
Damages may include medical bills, lost income and emotional distress. Fortunately, Illinois does not impose limits on the damages you can claim.
The modified comparative negligence standard that Illinois follows means you may be able to recover compensation as long as you are less than 50% at fault for your injuries. If you are partly at fault, the court or insurance company will reduce your compensation by the percentage of fault you bear.
As a result, the other side typically looks for any way possible to prove you had more of the blame for the accident. With our help, you can fight against these accusations and any attempts to minimize your damages.
Damages are either economic, noneconomic or punitive. Economic damages are financial losses that you must prove with bills and estimates. Pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements and work agreements can verify how much income you lost because of your injuries.
Noneconomic damages are subjective intangible losses, such as pain and suffering. They are difficult to assess, but we understand how to help you pursue the highest possible payout.
Punitive damages are less likely but possible when a defendant is extremely negligent. Wrongful death, environmental harm and professional malpractice are some cases that may involve punitive damages.
Accidents are unavoidable, but you shouldn’t have to bear the burden of someone else’s carelessness. Get ready to fight for justice by contacting our team at Collins Law Group. We want to help you explore all your options for financial recovery.
Photo by Neal Kharawala on Unsplash
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