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Illinois Multi-Car Accident Lawyer

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4.9 rating of 147 reviews
michelle stump avatar

michelle stump

20 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

2 months 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

3 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

4 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.

8 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

9 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

11 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

0 years 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 .

Illinois Multi-Car Accident Attorneys

Automobile crashes can be an unavoidable reality of driving, even when motorists practice safe driving. Adverse weather conditions can cause cars to slide on icy or wet roads, resulting in accidents and chain reaction collisions that are hard to avoid. Crashes may also happen because of vehicle defects, damaged roadways, poor visibility, speeding, or distracted driving. While some accidents involve only two cars, others can involve multiple vehicles, making it challenging to establish liability. This is where Collins Law Group's skilled car accident attorneys can help. Our lawyers help injured parties recreate the accident, determine fault, and seek fair compensation.

Multi-Car Collisions Can Mean Multiple Drivers at Fault

In accidents involving more than two vehicles, several drivers can be responsible. For instance, one car might collide with a second vehicle, which then hits a third car. The first driver could be liable for causing the initial crash, but if the second driver was distracted by texting and could have avoided hitting the third car, they may also share the blame.

Multiple-car collisions often occur on busy roads like the Kennedy Expressway, the Eisenhower, I-88, and other Chicago expressways, and they can be devastating for those involved. If you're a victim of a multiple-car pileup, the damage to your property, serious injuries, and related expenses can be staggering.

Multi-car crashes resulting in fatalities or life-threatening injuries can incur costs that exceed millions of dollars. Moreover, the legal disputes arising from these accidents can be fierce and lengthy, lasting for months or even years. Untangling the facts of the accident and determining fault can be a time-consuming process. This is why we recommend calling our experienced Illinois car accident lawyers to handle your multi-car accident case.

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Assigning "Fault" Is Crucial in Car Accidents

Determining fault is critical to resolving a car accident, as insurance companies need to know who should be held accountable for the damages and injuries. When multiple parties are to blame, the cost is distributed among their respective insurance companies, per Illinois's "comparative negligence" rule. This system compares the fault of each party as a percentage, making each party liable for their corresponding share of responsibility.

It's important to know that even if you're the plaintiff in a multi-car accident case, you may be found partially liable. In that case, your compensation may be reduced proportionally. For example, if you were 10 percent responsible, you may only receive 90 percent of your total payment.

Additionally, Illinois follows the "modified comparative negligence" doctrine, which bars individuals from receiving compensation if they are more liable than other parties. If your fault is 51 percent or more, you will not receive any compensation at all.

To ensure maximum compensation, it's advisable to hire an experienced Naperville multi-car accident attorney who can help you pursue every at-fault party in the accident.

How Fault Is Determined in Multiple Car Collisions

To determine the parties responsible for a car accident, a comprehensive analysis is conducted by the police, insurance investigators, and personal injury attorneys. They thoroughly examine every detail of the accident and reconstruct it to determine precisely what transpired. In some cases, your attorney may find it necessary to hire an accident reconstruction expert to determine fault. Various factors are taken into consideration, such as:

  • The location of the damage on each car
  • Whether any parties were speeding, driving while distracted, or driving under the influence
  • Whether there was equipment failure in any of the vehicles
  • Factors like defective road design, adverse weather conditions, and the role of pedestrians or cyclists

Each of these factors is evaluated to determine the percentage of fault for each driver, which can significantly impact the damages that can be recovered.

Types of Evidence that are Crucial for Determining Fault

Determining responsibility is the main hurdle in a multi-vehicle accident case. When three or more drivers are involved, it is common to encounter a situation where each party blames the other. This requires thorough investigation and data collection, including the following evidence:

  • Witness statements: In a multi-vehicle accident, eyewitness accounts can be extremely valuable. Our car accident attorneys know how to identify and question eyewitnesses properly.
  • Photographs: Pictures of the accident scene and resulting damage provide an accurate visual representation, which can be useful in securing compensation through trial if necessary.
  • Expert testimony: When there is abundant evidence and testimony, statements from an accident reconstruction expert can help promote the credibility of useful evidence and effectively counter harmful evidence.
  • Police investigation: In some cases, law enforcement investigations and reports can help prove which driver is ultimately responsible for the injuries sustained.

When Do I Need to Report a Multi-Car Accident in Illinois?

In Illinois, drivers involved in a traffic accident must file an accident report if the crash resulted in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,500 (or $500 if one of the drivers is uninsured). If a police officer doesn't arrive at the scene, the drivers involved must file a report with the Illinois State Police within 10 days. However, if a police officer does appear on the scene, they will handle the accident reporting as part of their investigation.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Multi-Car Accidents

How is fault determined in a multi-car pileup?

Fault is determined by reconstructing the sequence of the collision using evidence such as the police report, vehicle damage, skid marks, dashcam and surveillance video, and witness accounts. In chain-reaction crashes, more than one driver may share responsibility.

Can more than one driver be liable in a multi-car crash?

Yes. Multi-vehicle accidents frequently involve several at-fault drivers, and each may be assigned a percentage of responsibility. This makes a thorough investigation important for identifying every party who contributed to the crash.

How does Illinois comparative negligence apply to multi-car accidents?

Illinois uses modified comparative negligence under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, and you are barred from recovering only if you are found more than 50% at fault. Fault can be divided among multiple drivers.

What if I was caught in a chain-reaction crash?

If you were pushed into another vehicle after being struck from behind, the driver who started the chain reaction may bear primary responsibility. A detailed investigation is needed to establish the order of impacts and apportion fault correctly.

What evidence matters most in multi-car cases?

Key evidence includes the crash report, photos of all vehicles and their damage, video footage, witness statements, and sometimes accident reconstruction analysis. Because several vehicles are involved, preserving this evidence early is especially important.

What to Do If You Are Involved in a Multi-Car Crash

During the Incident:

  • Activate your hazard lights to signal to others that your vehicle is stopped and they need to slow down.
  • Remain in your car and keep your seatbelt fastened until law enforcement or emergency services confirm it is safe. If there is a major pileup or inclement weather, it may not be safe to exit your vehicle, as cars may continue to collide.
  • Collect your thoughts before speaking to the police. Be truthful but concise. Avoid saying unnecessary information. Always be polite and stick to the facts as much as possible.
  • Take photos of the scene, your car, and the other car(s) involved if possible. Skid marks, traffic obstructions, and surrounding property damage can all aid in determining fault.
  • Look for witnesses and obtain their contact information. They may be valuable in resolving any liability disputes.

After the incident:

  • Seek medical attention for any injuries sustained. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent or may worsen over time. Keep all the receipts and documentation.
  • Notify your insurance company promptly.
  • If another driver caused the accident, seek legal representation from a Naperville multi-car accident attorney.

Multi-car accidents are complex and require an experienced attorney to represent your interests. Our skilled Illinois car accident lawyers will work to ensure that you receive fair compensation while you focus on your recovery. If you have been injured in a multi-car collision, call us at (630) 527-1595 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney who can help you get back on track.

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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