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Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

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Our latest reviews on Google

4.9 rating of 146 reviews
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 .

Sharif Maadi avatar

Sharif Maadi

1 year ago

I’ve had the opportunity to co-counsel with John Risvold and he is a great attorney. He brings a high level of experience, strategic insight, and tenacity to every case. Truly an asset to the personal injury field. Rest assured, your case is in good hands with this firm

Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Illinois?

If you walked away from a minor fender bender with no injuries, you may not need a lawyer. But if you were hurt, missed work, or are facing medical bills, the honest answer is that handling the claim yourself usually costs you more than an attorney's fee ever would. Here is how to think it through, including the Illinois rules that decide what your claim is actually worth.

What you are really up against

The other driver's insurance company is not neutral. Its adjusters handle thousands of claims a year, and their job is to close yours for as little as possible. They do this in predictable ways: asking for a recorded statement early, requesting broad access to your medical history, and making a fast settlement offer before the full extent of your injuries is known.

None of this is illegal. It is simply a negotiation between a professional and, in most cases, someone who has never valued an injury claim before. A settlement has to account for current and future medical treatment, lost income, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and vehicle damage. If you have never calculated those numbers, you have no reliable way to know whether an offer is fair. An experienced attorney does, and the insurance company knows it.

The Insurance Research Council, a research organization funded by the insurance industry itself, has published consumer studies over the years finding that injury claimants represented by attorneys received substantially higher settlements than those who negotiated alone. That is consistent with what we see in practice: unrepresented claimants are routinely offered a fraction of what their claims are worth.

Three Illinois rules that shape your claim

The two-year filing deadline. Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for your injuries. Negotiating with the insurance company does not pause this clock. Only filing suit does. If the deadline passes, your claim is gone no matter how strong it was.

Comparative fault. Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule, 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing. If you are 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance adjusters understand this rule well, and shifting blame onto you is one of the most effective tools they have. A $300,000 claim becomes a $210,000 claim if the adjuster can pin 30% of the fault on you. Pushing back on fault allocation is a core part of what a car accident lawyer does.

Minimum insurance limits. Illinois drivers are only required to carry $25,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage. Serious injuries exhaust that quickly. An attorney will look beyond the at-fault driver's policy to other sources of recovery, including your own underinsured motorist coverage, additional defendants, and umbrella policies you may not know exist.

When you probably do not need a lawyer

We tell people this on the phone regularly. If the crash caused property damage only, you were not injured, and the insurance company has accepted fault, you can usually resolve the claim yourself. The same may be true for a very minor injury that fully resolved with no treatment. Hiring a lawyer makes sense when there are real injuries, disputed fault, significant medical bills, or an insurer that is delaying, denying, or lowballing.

What hiring a car accident lawyer costs

Nothing up front. Like most Illinois personal injury firms, we work on a contingency fee: the fee is a percentage of the recovery, and if there is no recovery, you owe no attorney's fee. The consultation is free, so the only thing it costs to find out whether you have a case is a phone call.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a car accident lawyer cost in Illinois?

Our car accident lawyers at Collins Law Group work on a contingency fee. You pay no fee up front, and no attorney's fee at all until we win your case.

How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Illinois?

Generally two years from the date of the crash under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. Some situations change this deadline, such as claims involving minors or government entities, so confirm your specific deadline with an attorney promptly.

Can I still recover if the accident was partly my fault?

Yes, as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. Under Illinois's comparative fault rule, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. An attorney can challenge an insurer's attempt to overstate your share of the blame.

Should I talk to the other driver's insurance company?

Be careful. You are not required to give the other driver's insurer a recorded statement, and what you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim. It is generally wise to speak with an attorney before giving any statement.

Talk to an Illinois car accident lawyer for free

The Illinois car accident lawyers at Collins Law Group have represented injured people across DuPage County and Illinois for decades. We will tell you candidly whether you need a lawyer at all, and if you do, what your claim may be worth. Call (630) 527-1595 or fill out our contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

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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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