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Illinois Bad Weather Car Accident Lawyer

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4.9 rating of 147 reviews
michelle stump avatar

michelle stump

12 days ago

Working with Ed and Amber has been a true pleasure. They handled my claim efficiently and professionally, ensuring the process moved smoothly from start to finish. Their responsiveness, expertise, and effectiveness in working with the insurance carrier contributed greatly to a successful resolution. I sincerely appreciate their efforts, dedication, and guidance throughout the matter, and I am grateful for the outstanding service they provided.

Johanna Bukowski avatar

Johanna Bukowski

1 month ago

Ed and Maggie have both been a pleasure to work with! They keep you up to date on your case, clearly explain the process and next steps along the way, respond quickly to any questions and always offer different options to discuss details (email, phone, text, Zoom, etc.). What I appreciate more than anything, is their genuine compassion and concern for you as a person. They both demonstrate true empathy for what is most likely one of the most unexpected and traumatic events in a person’s life and do everything they can to ensure justice is served. I highly recommend Collins Law!

Jeff Matticks avatar

Jeff Matticks

2 months ago

I became aware of Collins Law Group after I was involved in a motorcycle, several years ago. Since that time I have reached out to Ed Manzke, at Collins Law Group, for assistance in a couple of other areas. In each instance, I have found Ed and his team to be very helpful with great communication, keeping me informed every step along the way. Everyone who I have interacted with, at Collins Law Group, demonstrated that they are interested in building relationships so that you know who you can turn to for any of your legal needs.

Ella Folson avatar

Ella Folson

3 months ago

Chris and John were attentive and thorough to my needs throughout my entire case. I appreciate the all the time and effort they took. I will be recommending their services going forward to family and friends! Thank you so much for all your help!

J. Savv avatar

J. Savv

3 months ago

Ed Manzke was very patient and kind with helping me and my sister with our mom’s case. He often took the time out his day to explain everything to ensure we understood what was going on. The law firm itself is organized making our whole process run smoothly. I appreciate Ed and his team.

Unique Morris avatar

Unique Morris

3 months ago

Ed Manzke was very informative, clear and honest when it came to my mother and father’s case. He took his time with all of my questions and concerns, making sure that no questions went unanswered and that there was no room for confusion with our case. I’m forever grateful for Ed and everyone at the law firm.

Nick Erlenbaugh avatar

Nick Erlenbaugh

3 months ago

Collins Law was recommended to me after I was involved in an accident with a semi-truck. Amber Blevins was exceptional to work with. She is a total pro at what she does and made the process as easy as she could for me. Ed ensured I received the best outcome possible and exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone who might be shopping around for an attorney!

Dwayne Kurfirst avatar

Dwayne Kurfirst

3 months ago

I want to take a moment to recognize John at Collins Law for the incredible work he did in helping my mom secure her settlement. It wasn’t a quick or easy process—it took time, patience, and persistence—but John stayed committed every step of the way. What stood out most was his professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine care for getting the best possible outcome. He kept us informed, navigated the complexities with confidence, and ultimately delivered results that truly made a difference for our family. If you’re looking for someone who will put in the work, stand by you through a long process, and follow through, I highly recommend John and the team at Collins Law.

Helen Montague avatar

Helen Montague

5 months ago

We are fortunate to have had the chance to work with John Risvold as he represented my brother in his case. Professional, personable and authentic in his manner, John kept us informed throughout the long process, and was always available to respond to my many questions. Having never been involved with a law suit, I really appreciated John's patience (especially since I am 1,000 miles away) and his genuine care for my brother's well being. We are forever grateful, John. Thank you.

Matthew Malone avatar

Matthew Malone

6 months ago

I had an excellent experience being represented by Collins Law Firm. Ed Manzke and Amber Blevins were amazing to work with and truly helped me in my time of need. Both were extremely personable and knowledgeable throughout every step of the way. I would absolutely recommend them for anyone’s legal needs.

Ronnie Sanchez avatar

Ronnie Sanchez

6 months ago

I had an excellent experience with The Collins Law firm. Amber was extremely helpful, kind, and friendly throughout the entire process. She took the time to explain everything clearly whenever I didn’t understand something, which meant a lot to me. I truly felt supported and informed. I will absolutely seek Collin’s help again if I ever need legal assistance in the future. Thank you again :)

Maddie Scheele avatar

Maddie Scheele

6 months ago

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Ed Manzke and Amber Blevins. They are truly the best of the best. The efficiency and professionalism throughout the entire process of my case has been unmatched. What I really want to point out, though, is the empathy and compassion both Amber and Ed hold. That was the true difference maker. I knew they both prioritized my well-being and made that their number one priority. They represented me to their highest capabilities through every step of my case, and I cannot thank them and Collins Law Firm enough.

Leticia Pink avatar

Leticia Pink

7 months ago

Ms. Maggie Galka is an experienced environmental (radon) attorney who prioritizes her clients' health and safety in her legal practice. She maintains thorough records and offers strategic advice while working with government agencies. Ms. Galka demonstrates key values such as integrity, expertise, respect, empathy, and compassion essential for positive outcomes. Her professionalism, follow-up and communication skills are excellent. Ms. Galka's guidance extends beyond legal issues, and the Collins Law Firm advocates strongly and effectively for clients. We sincerely thank Collins Law Firm, and in particular Ms. Galka, for helping our family reach a successful outcome and for their meaningful impact on our community. I strongly recommend Ms. Galka and Collins Law Firm as an outstanding legal firm.

Megan avatar

Megan

7 months ago

I can’t say enough good things about John Risvold at The Collins Law Firm. From start to finish, John was professional, responsive, and incredibly knowledgeable. He took the time to explain everything clearly, kept me informed throughout the process, and always made me feel like my case truly mattered. His dedication, attention to detail, and genuine care made a stressful situation much easier to handle. John’s expertise and clear communication built a lot of trust, and I’m very grateful for his hard work. I would highly recommend John Risvold to anyone looking for a reliable and skilled attorney.

David Bretti avatar

David Bretti

7 months ago

(Translated by Google) They are very responsible in what they do, they were able to resolve my case quickly and efficiently, I especially recommend Mr. Chris for always being in contact and being honest throughout the process 👏🏻 (Original) Son muy responsables en lo que hacen, pudieron resolver mi caso de forma rápida y eficaz, recomendando, especialmente el Se Chris por siempre estar en contacto y ser sincero en todo el proceso 👏🏻

Jas R. avatar

Jas R.

7 months ago

Amber was very thorough, informative, and made this process very easy for me, which I greatly appreciated considering all the events that led up to this point. Justice isn’t always served, but working with Collin’s Law Firm really me feel that my injuries were tangibly worth something, and that to some degree, justice was served. Would highly recommend this law firm to anyone seeking out a personal injury firm/attorney.

Amy Ressen avatar

Amy Ressen

8 months ago

I wana say a huge thank you to the Collin’s Law firm and Chris Gauthier for helping me with my Complicated case. They helped me put my life back together after a horrible incident that I didn’t think I could over come. Chris was always good about communicating and he made sure I got what I deserved! I highly recommend this law firm they were so kind and reassuring that things would work out. Thank you again for all the hard work and being there to help me through the process when I didn’t know where to turn to for help! Thanks again Chris and The Collin’s Law firm!

Lauren Dryanski avatar

Lauren Dryanski

9 months ago

I had an exceptional experience with Collins Law Firm . A special thank you to Chris, my lawyer, and Patti, the legal assistant. They helped me navigate my car accident proceedings from start to finish, and I always felt like I was in great hands. Chris was incredibly knowledgeable, easy to talk to, and explained everything in a way I could understand. He always made sure I felt informed and supported, especially when it came to legal details I wouldn’t normally know. Patti was also wonderful—very helpful, communicative, and always made sure I had everything I needed throughout the process. I never once doubted this team. They made everything easy and stress-free. I would absolutely recommend Collins Law Firm to anyone in need of legal support!

Will Brooks avatar

Will Brooks

10 months ago

John brings impressive expertise and heartfelt dedication to every matter he handles. His thoughtful approach and clear communication make it easy to trust his advice, and it’s evident he is committed to fighting for what’s right with both professionalism and empathy. John’s balance of insightful expertise and warm, personal attention truly sets him apart.

Icela Hernandez avatar

Icela Hernandez

11 months ago

If ever needed. I will gladly go to the Collins law firm again. They were always quick to respond any questions. Happy to say case is closed and all went well .

Bad Weather Car Accident Lawyers

Illinois Bad Weather Car Accident Attorneys

In the Chicago area, people are used to long periods of cold winter weather. As a result, drivers can encounter hazardous road conditions--caused by snow, freezing rain, or ice--from October all the way through April. Unfortunately, car accidents are much more likely to occur during these winter months when road conditions are not ideal. Most of us have figured out how to navigate winter weather without causing an accident, but sometimes, despite all our precautions, we can end up being struck by another vehicle that has lost control. When that happens, the driver responsible may feel that the collision was caused by the bad weather, but insurance companies need to determine liability regardless of bad weather.

If you have been injured in an accident caused by another vehicle in bad weather conditions, you may think that the insurance company will prove liability for you, but it is not advisable to rely on the insurance company alone. They may be hearing a completely different accident scenario from the other driver's insurance agent who wants to keep his company from having to pay compensation. We recommend that you contact an experienced car accident attorney to help you prove the other driver's liability so that you get compensated for your injuries. So, how is fault determined in a weather-related car accident?

Who is at Fault in a Car Accident Involving Snow and Ice?

When snow and ice are involved in a car accident, the police and the insurance companies will look at all the circumstances that may have contributed to the crash, including wintry weather and hazardous road conditions. However, just because a patch of ice causes a car to slide through an intersection and collide with another vehicle, does not mean that the driver of that car is not responsible. Far from it. Even when bad weather is a contributing factor in an accident, the driver who loses control and hits another vehicle is usually found to be liable. This is because the driver is expected to take preventive actions to avoid an accident. In inclement weather, it is the driver’s duty to slow down, keep a safe distance between his car and other vehicles, and drive in a manner that will allow him to keep control of his car no matter what the weather or road conditions. That is why drivers usually drive so slowly during the first snows of the winter. They are testing their car’s reaction to winter road conditions and being extra cautious to avoid an accident.

What Factors Contribute to Liability?

In every car accident, the insurance company must determine fault regardless of the weather. To do so, they investigate every factor involved: the driver’s speed, evasive maneuvers, distance from other vehicles, vehicle maintenance, brake usage, and whether the inclement weather was known or expected. They will get eyewitness accounts, record the drivers’ accounts of what occurred and who hit who, and look at evidence such as skid marks, position of the cars, and the location of vehicle damage to make their decision. As Naperville car accident attorneys, we will do our own investigation and collect this evidence independently to get a complete picture of the accident from our client’s perspective. This is critical if we want to refute statements made by the other driver and prove that he or she was responsible. If the other driver is found to have acted negligently and failed to use proper precautions in dangerous weather conditions, he or she will be found liable for damages. Some examples of driver negligence would include:

  1. Driving too fast for road conditions
  2. Failing to follow at a safe distance behind other cars
  3. Taking a turn too fast on slippery pavement
  4. Failing to use headlights in weather conditions with poor visibility
  5. Hydroplaning through a stop sign
  6. Driving impaired, distracted, or drowsy
  7. Failing to obey road signs and traffic signals

The driver could also be negligent because of poor vehicle maintenance such as:

  1. Worn brakes failing to stop the car in time
  2. Malfunctioning headlights or tail lights
  3. Missing or ineffective windshield wipers causing poor visibility
  4. Worn tires that cannot grip the road.

If an accident occurs in bad weather and the insurance company can prove that the driver who caused the accident was negligent, then the outcome of the case will be similar to that of an accident that occurs in good weather conditions. If the driver responsible for an accident was using precautions and lost control anyway, the law still holds that driver accountable because he or she chose to drive in inclement weather and should have been able to drive in a way that allowed them to maintain control of the car.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bad Weather Car Accidents

Who is at fault in a snow or ice accident?

Bad weather alone does not excuse a driver from responsibility. Illinois drivers are expected to adjust their speed and driving to the conditions, so a driver who fails to do so and causes a crash can still be found at fault. Liability depends on whether each driver acted reasonably for the conditions.

Is bad weather a valid defense for the at-fault driver?

Generally, no. Drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely given the conditions. Claiming "the weather caused it" usually does not relieve a driver of liability if they were speeding, following too closely, or otherwise driving unsafely for the conditions.

What factors affect liability in weather-related crashes?

Relevant factors include each driver's speed, following distance, use of headlights, tire condition, and whether they took reasonable precautions for the rain, snow, or ice. Evidence such as the police report, video, and witness accounts helps establish what each driver did.

What should I do after a bad-weather accident?

Get to safety, call the police, and document the conditions and the scene with photos and video while it is fresh, since weather can change quickly. Seek medical care and keep records, and contact an attorney to help preserve evidence of the conditions.

Can I still recover if the weather was hazardous?

Yes. Even in hazardous conditions, you can recover if another driver's failure to drive safely caused your injuries. Under Illinois comparative negligence (735 ILCS 5/2-1116), your recovery is reduced by any share of fault assigned to you, and barred only if you were more than 50% at fault.

Get Help from an Experienced Naperville Car Accident Attorney Today

Proving negligence in weather related accidents can be complicated; you need an experienced car accident attorney working for you. The car accident lawyers at Collins Law Group know how to prove negligence in these kinds of cases to ensure our clients are fairly compensated for their injuries. If you have been hit by another car in a weather-related accident and have been injured as a result, call us for a free evaluation of your case. Do not wait; the sooner we can begin gathering the evidence needed to prove the other driver was at fault, the better. Call us at (630) 527-1595 or fill out our contact form to protect your rights.

Related Practice Areas

Serious crashes frequently cause traumatic brain injuries and spine or disc injuries. These cases often connect to our related practice areas:

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Why Choose Collins Law
Environmental & Personal 
Injury Lawyers

No Fee Unless We Win

Collins Law operates on a contingency fee basis for personal injury and environmental cases, meaning clients only pay legal fees if we win your case.

175+ Years of Combined Experience

Our attorneys have years of experience representing clients with personal injury, environmental contamination, and business claims. Understanding the intricacies of these cases allows us to achieve better outcomes.

Proven Track Record

With a history of successful cases, Collins Law proves their ability to get results for their clients.

Flexible Consultations

Understanding the challenges clients may face following an injury, Collins Law offers flexible consultation options, including home and hospital visits. We will come to you.

Client-Centered Approach

At Collins Law, clients always come first. We prioritize individual needs and concerns, recognizing that each case is unique and deserves personalized attention.

Free Consultation - Available 24/7

Collins Law offers free consultations anytime, making legal advice accessible when it's needed.
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