As an esteemed Illinois-based law firm, we specialize in personal injury claims related to car accidents. Our experienced attorneys understand the trauma and stress following an accident that often leaves victims with injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. That’s why at Carlson Bier we pledge a dedicated pursuit of justice for you – relentlessly working towards obtaining fair compensation by navigating the complex layers of insurance settlements seamlessly on your behalf. Our comprehensive knowledge about Illinois’s stringent automotive laws ensures efficient handling of car accident cases coupled with our compassionate client-oriented approach which molded us into renowned advocates known across regions for protecting victims’ rights steadily over years. Unexpected wounds, medical bills, lost wages, and unexpected property damage only compound this stress. At Carlson Bier, an established personal injury law firm based in Illinois, we delicately handle these complexities on behalf of our clients because we understand that their main concern during this traumatic period should be recovery. With our expertise in legal litigation involved with car accidents, we offer comprehensive solutions aimed at ensuring your convenience while remaining highly effective. Understanding car accidents is integral to appreciating why legal advice becomes essential when such unfortunate events occur. A vast majority of road accidents result from negligent actions including distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving or reckless behavior behind the wheel. Consequently, victims are legally entitled to compensation for their damages by holding these careless drivers accountable. Our approach at Carlson Bier begins with recognizing the notable impact that details could have on your case’s progression. The key elements may involve:• Evidence collection – We advise immediately collecting evidence from the scene before it gets tampered or subverted. • Medical attention – Always seek immediate examination after an accident even if you feel okay. • Legal support – Contacting a lawyer promptly ensures proper guidance as you navigate through all legal processes. What sets us apart from many other firms is that we don’t just look at your current predicament; instead, we carry out a meticulous evaluation and take potential future expenses into account—medical procedures related to injury exacerbations down the line long and lost wages due to curtailed work abilities—ensuring you get optimum compensation suiting both present needs and future realities. More than representing you in courtrooms alone, our lawyers will help negotiate favorable insurance settlements for you. Having an experienced attorney by your side increases your chances of getting fair compensatory treatment as they equitably match up against cunning insurance company agents determined to pay out less than necessary. Another often-neglected aspect is how applicable laws affect your case. The legal nuances of car accidents in Illinois can get quite complicated. Our lawyers have up-to-date insights into these evolving regulations, ensuring your interests are championed within that legal framework. At Carlson Bier, our wealth of knowledge and experience empowers us to fight tirelessly for the justice you deserve while prioritizing professional engagement with clients’ needs at every step of the litigation process. In essence, we provide our clients with a guiding hand throughout their tough journey towards compensation. Your comfort and recovery is our focus as we deliver responsive service geared towards swift settlements or verdicts sans delaying tactics that could prolong your financial and emotional distress. To highlight this dedication, we operate on a contingency basis – meaning we don’t get paid unless you do. It’s highly essential to know what legal actions apply to your circumstance after an accident. So why not click the button below and let us evaluate the worthiness of your case? By answering just a few questions regarding the specifics of your accident, our team can provide valuable opinion about potential personal injury claims arising from it—completely free! Let Carlson Bier help navigate you through this tough time today by ensuring that your rights are upheld correctly right here in Illinois where our expertise lies untainted by superfluous promises more than proven results. CCC Servs. , Inc. , 2020 IL App (2d) 190411, 171 N. E. 3d 61Background: Insured motorist filed action against insurer for declaratory judgment seeking construction of automobile insurance policy issued to insured and that was in effect when insured was injured by an underinsured driver. The Circuit Court, DuPage County, Bonnie M. Wheaton, J. , granted the insurer’s motions for summary judgment. Insured appealed. Holdings: The Appellate Court, Zenoff, J. , held that:1 medical payments reduction clause in automobile insurance policy conflicted with underinsured motorist provisions so as to render reduction clause ambiguous, and thus medical payment benefits were deductible from insured’s damages;2 law firm representing insured did not create common fund or common funds when it reached settlement with underinsured motorist, and thus law firm was not entitled to recover fees under common-fund doctrine; and3 collateral estoppel did not bar automobile insurers from litigating whether common-fund doctrine applied in insured motorist’s declaratory judgment action. Affirmed in part and reversed in part. Maier v. CC Servs. , Inc. , 2019 IL App (3d) 170640, 132 N. E. 3d 795Background: After insured, who was injured in automobile collision with another driver, recovered full liability limits of driver’s policy, she filed amended complaint for declaratory judgment against her own automobile insurer, alleging that insurer breached contractual duty to pay for insured’s damages in accordance with uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage in insured’s policy and that insurer acted in bad faith in denying insured such coverage. The Circuit Court, La Salle County, Troy D. Holland, J. , granted the insurer’s motion to dismiss claims as time-barred. Insured appealed. The Appellate Court ruled that neither the insurer nor the insured could add amended policy provisions to the court record. It was decided that the policy’s requirement for a written arbitration demand applied to both uninsured and underinsured motorist claims. The court found that a letter from the insured’s attorney to the insurer wasn’t a valid arbitration demand nor a proof of loss to toll the statute of limitations. Finally, the insurer was permitted to use the defense based on the two-year statute of limitations period. The court’s decision was affirmed. Econ. Premier Assurance Co. v. Country Mut. Ins. Co. , 2021 IL App (1st) 192364-UHolding: The circuit court’s order that granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment and denied plaintiff’s motion for partial summary judgment was proper where defendant had no duty to indemnify its insured with respect to the underlying complaint and therefore plaintiff was not entitled to recover against defendant on its subrogation or unjust enrichment claims; affirmed. Country Preferred Ins. Co. v. Westerheide, 2023 IL App (5th) 220343-UHolding: The court affirmed judgment of the circuit court granting summary judgment in favor of the plaintiff where the defendant failed to make a written demand for arbitration within two years from the date of the accident as required by the underinsured provisions of the defendant’s automotive insurance policy. Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Olsak, 2022 IL App (1st) 200695, 216 N. E. 3d 291In a complex legal case, an insurer sought to avoid defending or indemnifying a hockey player under a policy issued to the player’s stepfather after the player was sued for assaulting his coach. The initial Circuit Court ruling favored the insurer, but the Appellate Court reversed this decision, leading to a protracted legal battle. Ultimately, the Appellate Court determined the insurer was liable only up to the $3 million policy limit and found the insurer’s four-year delay in seeking a declaratory judgment to be reasonable. This case highlights important aspects of insurance litigation and policy limit liabilities. Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Durkin Elec. Co. , Inc. , 2022 IL App (1st) 210293-U, appeal denied, 199 N. E. 3d 1187 (Ill. 2022)Holding: The circuit court’s order that denied plaintiff’s motion for partial summary judgment and found that defendant was an additional insured under the policy was proper. The circuit court’s order that denied defendant’s motion for summary judgment and found that plaintiff did not have a duty to defend or indemnify defendant under the policy was proper; affirmed. Country Preferred Ins. Co. v. Groen, 2017 IL App (4th) 160028, 69 N. E. 3d 911Background: Uninsured motorist (UM) carrier brought action against insured for declaratory judgment that it owed no benefits since workers’ compensation received by insured exceeded policy limits. The Circuit Court, Sangamon County, Chris Perrin, J. , entered summary judgment in favor of the carrier. Insured appealed. Holdings: The Appellate Court, Harris, J. , held that:1 employer’s medical payments entitled carrier to setoff, and2 setoff clauses were enforceable. Affirmed. Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Frobish, 2021 IL App (3d) 190473-UHolding: Allegations in the underlying complaint that a township employee caused property damage by excavating and digging out a ditch failed to impose a duty to defend under township employee’s individual farm insurance policy. Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Jones, 2018 IL App (1st) 173154-UHolding: The judgment of the circuit court of Cook County is affirmed; plaintiff is entitled to summary judgment on its claim for a declaratory judgment that it has no duty to defend or indemnify its insured against the underlying complaint because the loss claimed in the underlying complaint is subject to an exclusion. The court held that it would also enter judgment for plaintiff because the underlying complaint does not allege an “occurrence” causing bodily injury within the meaning of the policy. Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Schmitt, 2021 IL App (5th) 190173-UHolding: The appellate court reversed and remanded the judgment of the circuit court where plaintiff had no duty to defend its insured and thus was not stopped from raising policy defenses to coverage for the underlying tort action contained in the amended declaratory action. Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Livorsi Marine, Inc. , 222 Ill. 2d 303, 856 N. E. 2d 338 (2006) (the late Keith Carlson)Liability insurer brought action against insureds for a declaratory judgment based on failure to provide timely notice of lawsuits against them. The Circuit Court, Cook County, Stephen A. Schiller, J. , entered judgment for the insurer. Insureds appealed. The Appellate Court, Wolfson, J. , 358 Ill. App. 3d 880, 295 Ill. Dec. 665, 833 N. E. 2d 871, affirmed. Leave to appeal was granted. Holdings: The Supreme Court, Garman, J. , held that:1 if the insurer did not receive reasonable notice of an occurrence or a lawsuit, the policyholder may not recover under the policy, regardless of whether the lack of reasonable notice prejudiced the insurer, overruling Rice v. AAA Aerostar, Inc. , 294 Ill. App. 3d 801, 229 Ill. Dec. 20, 690 N. E. 2d 1067, and Cincinnati Insurance Co. v. Baur’s Opera House, Inc. , 296 Ill. App. 3d 1011, 230 Ill. Dec. Even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor. Exchange information with the other driver. Get their name, address, insurance information, and license plate number. Take pictures of the scene of the accident. This will help you document what happened and build your case if you decide to file a lawsuit. Report the accident to the police. This will create a record of the accident and help you get help if you need it. Contact a car accident lawyer. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and options, and can represent you in court if necessary. What are my rights as a car accident victim in Chicago? As a car accident victim in Chicago, you have the right to:Seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. File a lawsuit against the driver who caused your accident. Have your case heard by a jury. What types of damages can I recover in a car accident lawsuit in Chicago? In a car accident lawsuit in Chicago, you may be able to recover the following types of damages:Medical expenses: This includes the cost of ambulance rides, hospital stays, doctor’s appointments, and physical therapy. Lost wages: This includes the wages you lost while you were unable to work because of your injuries. Pain and suffering: This includes compensation for the physical and emotional pain you have endured as a result of your injuries. What types of damages can I recover in a car accident lawsuit in Chicago? In a car accident lawsuit in Chicago, you may be able to recover the following types of damages:Medical expenses: This includes the cost of ambulance rides, hospital stays, doctor’s appointments, and physical therapy. Lost wages: This includes the wages you lost while you were unable to work because of your injuries. Pain and suffering: This includes compensation for the physical and emotional pain you have endured as a result of your injuries. Property damage: This includes the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle. Punitive damages: These damages are awarded to punish the defendant for egregious or reckless conduct. How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Chicago? The statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits in Illinois is two years. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. By providing your phone number, you agree to receive text messages from Carlson Bier Associates LLC. Message and data rates may apply.