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Illinois Uninsured / Underinsured Driver 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 .

Hit by an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver in Illinois?

Being hurt in a crash is bad enough. Learning that the driver who hit you has no insurance, or only the bare minimum, adds a second problem: who actually pays for your medical bills, lost wages, and everything else? In Illinois, the answer is usually sitting in your own auto policy, in coverage you have been paying for all along. Using it well is another matter, because at that point you are negotiating against your own insurance company.

The problem is bigger than most drivers think

According to the Insurance Research Council, 15.4% of American drivers were uninsured in 2023, and roughly one in three were either uninsured or underinsured. Even drivers who follow the law are often badly underinsured: Illinois requires only $25,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage, an amount one emergency room visit and a surgery can exhaust. If your injuries are serious, there is a real chance the at-fault driver's policy will not come close to covering them.

How UM and UIM coverage works in Illinois

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage steps in when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all, and it also covers hit-and-run crashes. It is mandatory in Illinois: under 215 ILCS 5/143a, every auto policy issued in the state must include UM bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage steps in when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough. Under 215 ILCS 5/143a-2, when your UM limits exceed the state minimum, your policy must include UIM coverage in the same amount. UIM pays the gap between the at-fault driver's limits and your own UIM limits. If your UIM limit is $100,000 and the driver who hit you carries $25,000, your UIM coverage can provide up to $75,000 on top of what their insurer pays.

One detail trips up many drivers: your UM and UIM limits must equal your liability limits unless you specifically rejected the higher amounts in writing. Many people carry more of this coverage than they realize, which is the first thing we check when we review a client's policy.

Your own insurer is not on your side in these claims

A UM or UIM claim feels different from a normal claim, and it should. You are no longer asking your insurance company to defend you; you are asking it to pay you, and it has the same financial incentive to minimize your claim that the other driver's insurer would. Adjusters may question your injuries, your treatment, and your account of the crash. Most policies route disputed UM and UIM claims to arbitration rather than court, and they impose notice and demand requirements with deadlines that can be far shorter than the two years you have to file a lawsuit. Missing a policy deadline can cost you the claim entirely.

What to do after a crash with an uninsured driver

Call the police and make sure a report is filed; for hit-and-runs this is essential to the claim. Get medical care immediately and follow through on treatment. Notify your own insurer promptly that you may have a UM or UIM claim, but decline to give a recorded statement until you have spoken with an attorney, because in this claim your insurer is the opposing party. Keep everything: photos, witness names, bills, and correspondence. And have a lawyer review your policy early, before any deadline passes.

Frequently asked questions

What if the driver who hit me fled the scene?

A hit-and-run is handled as an uninsured motorist claim under your own policy. Illinois's UM statute expressly covers hit-and-run vehicles. Report the crash to police right away; a prompt police report is important to the claim.

How much uninsured motorist coverage do I have?

At least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, because Illinois law requires it. Your UM coverage must equal your liability limits unless you rejected the higher amount in writing, so check your declarations page; you may have substantially more than the minimum.

Can I sue an uninsured driver personally?

Yes, but a lawsuit is only worth what you can collect, and a driver who could not afford insurance often cannot pay a judgment. The practical recovery in most cases comes through your own UM coverage, with a personal claim pursued only when the driver has assets.

How long do I have to make a UM or UIM claim?

These claims are governed by your insurance contract as well as by statute, and policies impose their own notice and arbitration deadlines that can be shorter than the deadline to file a lawsuit. Notify your insurer promptly and have an attorney review the policy language early.

Talk to an Illinois uninsured motorist accident lawyer for free

The Illinois car accident lawyers at Collins Law Group know how insurers handle UM and UIM claims, and how to push back when your own company undervalues your injuries. We will review your policy, identify every source of recovery, and give you a realistic picture of what your case will involve and how long it may take. Call (630) 527-1595 or fill out our contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

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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