Chicago Multi-Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Seek Justice for Car Accidents Involving Multiple Vehicles

If you’ve been in a multi-vehicle car crash along popular routes like I-94 or the O’Hare Expressway, you don’t have to face the claims process alone. A Chicago multi-vehicle accident lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will guide you through your car accident claim while protecting you from deceptive insurance adjusters. Contact us for a free consultation about your personal injury claim. 

Settlements Recovered by Our Car Accident Lawyers in Chicago

$18,500,000: Tyeesha suffered serious injuries after a jackknifing semi-truck caused a chain reaction accident along the Dan Ryan Expressway. Our Chicago car accident lawyers showed that the trucking company had not complied with Illinois Department of Transportation regulations around periodic vehicle inspections (625 ILCS 5/6-410). 

$4,000,000: Ryan was a passenger in a car driving along State Route 120 when a driver caused a pileup, resulting in his death. Through witness statements and police reports, our Chicago auto accident attorneys showed that distracted driving played a role. 

$3,444,000: A family of four was returning home from a hockey game when a semi-truck negligently merged onto the Tri-State Tollway. This led to a chain reaction of crashes, including several large SUVs. Each family member suffered from major injuries, with the youngest daughter, Anna, suffering a serious concussion and spinal injuries. We determined liability through the truck’s black box data and accident reconstructions. 

What Is the Average Payout for a Multi-Car Accident in Chicago?

The average payout for multi-car crashes is $372,562. Factors that influence your legal claim include economic damages like lost income and medical bills, the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, the number of vehicles involved, and the available evidence. 

Example Cases Filed in Cook County

Da’Karia Spicer, 10, was in the back seat of her family’s vehicle around 80th and Halsted Street in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood. A police officer was engaged in an unauthorized chase when the pursued vehicle slammed into another car, which then hit the Spicers’ vehicle. Da’Karia sustained blunt force trauma to the head and chest, and she passed away in the hospital. A jury awarded her family 
$79,850,000.00. 

James Denton, 53, was driving his SUV on I-65 when an elderly driver entered the highway and began driving the wrong way at around 30 mph. Traffic slowed, but truck driver David Lee Johnson did not slow his tractor-trailer. Johnson rear-ended Denton, who then struck two more vehicles. Denton suffered severe injuries and required nine surgeries. Litigation demonstrated that Denton, not the elderly driver, was the at-fault party, and the Circuit Court of Cook County awarded Denton $54,155,900.00. 

What Laws Govern Multi-Vehicle Accidents in Chicago?

Rear-end collisions are one of the most common causes of multi-car motor vehicle accidents. These often happen on the highway when a previous accident occurred up ahead, and traffic has slowed. Illinois statutes require vehicles to move over for emergency responders and to slow to a reasonable speed (625 ILCS 5/11-907). In Chicago, emergency vehicles always have the right of way, and all vehicles must move over (9-24-080). 

Another common reason for multi-vehicle accidents is when drivers do not slow down in inclement weather conditions, such as blizzards along Lake Shore Drive. The Illinois Vehicle Code requires drivers to maintain a speed that is reasonable for current traffic conditions (625 ILCS 5/11-601). This is especially true when visibility is low, such as during foggy weather along Lake Michigan or high winds along the highway. 

Turn signals are not just a courtesy but an invaluable way to protect other drivers. Signaling intent to turn gives other drivers the opportunity to prepare for lane shifts and prevent collisions. The Illinois Vehicle Code requires drivers to signal their intent to stop or turn within 100 to 200 feet of turning (625 ILCS 5/11-804). A Chicago car accident lawyer can use evidence like dash cams, witness testimony, and police reports to determine whether failure to signal played a role in the accident.

Driving while intoxicated significantly increases the risk of severe crashes, often with higher speeds and more vehicles involved. Illinois statutes clarify that a person can be charged with a DUI if they are under the influence of any substance that impairs their decision-making and reaction times, even if that is not alcohol (625 ILCS 5/11-501). 

Under the case law Mohr v. Jilg, our personal injury law firm can recover damages from an establishment that served the negligent driver. These auto accident claims must be made within one year, rather than two years as with other claims (235 ILCS 5/6-21).

Illinois uses modified comparative negligence to determine fair compensation (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). In an auto accident case, this means that every driver is assigned a portion of the blame. If you are less than 50% responsible, you can seek damages, but your responsibility will reduce your compensation. For example, if you were 25% liable, then you would receive 25% less than the maximum compensation. 

A Chicago car accident attorney from our team will negotiate with the applicable insurance companies for both economic damages, like medical expenses and lost income, as well as non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress. 

How Long Do Chicago Accident Victims Have to File an Insurance Claim?

Car accident victims must file a personal injury claim within two years of the accident (735 ILCS 5/13-202). In wrongful death claims, the next of kin has two years from the person’s death (740 ILCS 180/). Contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible for an initial consultation about your claim. 

FAQs

Is speeding considered reckless driving in Illinois?

Yes, speeding car accidents are considered reckless driving. Illinois law states that drivers should not exceed a speed limit that is reasonable and safe for current driving conditions (625 ILCS 5/11-601). In Chicago, the urban speed limit is 30 mph (9-12-070). 

Who can file a wrongful death claim following a Chicago multi-vehicle crash?

Illinois statutes entitle the next of kin or the estate’s personal representative to file a claim (740 ILCS 180/). Many families designate a car accident attorney as the estate’s representative so that they can focus on healing and recovery. 

The next of kin depends on whether the person was married or a parent. The spouse is considered first, then the children, or the children’s representatives if they are underage. If the person did not have a spouse or children, then their parents would be the next of kin. 

You can recover medical costs prior to death, funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and grief. 

A wrongful death attorney from our firm can help you determine if you are eligible to file a claim for your deceased loved one. 

How Our Chicago Law Firm Can Help Your Multi-Car Accident Case

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers are here to support you through the challenging recovery process of a multi-vehicle crash. We will gather evidence, calculate your potential damages, and negotiate with insurance companies to secure full compensation. Throughout the process, we will communicate with third parties on your behalf so that you can focus on your healing journey.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers works on a contingency fee basis: no fees unless we win. We have a 98% success rate and are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, known for securing settlements far beyond the state average.

If you’ve been in a Chicago multi-vehicle crash, you deserve justice. Contact us today at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form to schedule your free consultation. 

Sources: Law.com