Chicago Rear-End Accident Lawyer

Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable in Rear‑End Collisions

If you’ve been rear-ended on the Stevenson Expressway or while driving down Western Avenue, a Chicago rear-end accident lawyer can ensure you receive fair compensation for serious injuries. We will help you file your car accident claim, appeal denials, and represent you at trial if necessary so that you have the funds you need to recover in comfort. Contact us today for a free consultation about your car accident injuries. 

Rear‑End Accident Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

$1,600,000: Maya suffered a herniated disc that required fusion surgery after a rear-end collision on Lake Shore Drive.

$720,000: Mark thought he was okay after being rear-ended by a semi-truck, but he herniated a cervical disc and required surgery. We secured a fair settlement from the trucking company. 

$385,000: While picking up her kids at Adlai Stevenson High School, Tammy was hit by a drunk driver going 20 miles above the speed limit. She suffered injuries to her back that resulted in chronic pain, making it hard to care for her children.

What Makes Us the Best Rear-End Car Accident Lawyers in Chicago

As members of the American Association for Justice, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are considered the best Chicago car accident attorneys available. We have secured over $450 million in settlements and verdicts, earning us a spot in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Our 98% success rate and 10/10 AVVO demonstrate our commitment to justice for all car accident victims. 

What Are the Most Common Causes of Rear‑End Collisions in Chicago?

Common causes of rear-end car crashes include:

• Distracted driving, such as using the phone or navigational system
• Rear vehicle driver’s failure to maintain a safe following distance
• Speeding and reckless driving
• Stop-and-go traffic, such as on I-90 at rush hour
• Poor weather conditions, including snow and ice
• Faulty brake lights or poor vehicle maintenance

What Serious Injuries Are Associated with Rear‑End Car Accidents?

These auto accidents often result in high medical expenses because of the strong forces involved. Common injuries in rear-end crashes include:

• Broken bones and fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Whiplash and neck injuries
• Herniated discs and back injuries
• Soft tissue injuries like sprains and strains
• Joint damage
• Wrongful death from severe injuries

What Damages Can Rear‑End Accident Injury Victims Recover in Chicago?

Our personal injury law firm will help recover fair compensation for all your medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses. These are separated into economic and non-economic damages.

Financial compensation for economic damages includes:

• Lost wages
• Medical expenses
• Future medical bills
• Property damage

You can also recover compensation for non-economic damages, including:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of normal life

If you file a personal injury lawsuit, a jury may sometimes award punitive damages for extreme recklessness, though this is not guaranteed. 

What Is the Average Rear‑End Accident Payout in Chicago?

The average payout for a Chicago rear-end collision is $492,638, with a range between $1,000 and $23,775,000. Factors that determine what you receive include overall damages, liability, strength of evidence, and whether you have strong legal representation from a Chicago car accident lawyer. 

Example Rear‑End Car Accident Cases Filed in Cook County

James Sauter, an Illinois State Trooper, was performing traffic control along I-294 near Hillside when a tractor-trailer struck his vehicle. The squad car was pushed a quarter of a mile from the impact and burst into flames, killing Sauter. His family was awarded $10,949,938.57 through a mediated settlement.

George F. Harris, a machinist, was carpooling home with coworkers along the Dan Ryan Expressway when they were in a rear-end collision with the tow truck behind them. He died approximately four hours after the accident due to a vertebral subluxation. A jury awarded his family $7,365,000.00. 

Why You Need an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

Insurance companies will do everything possible to reduce your compensation, such as blaming you for the accident or stating that mechanical failure caused the crash. Additionally, you must prove liability, such as distracted driving or failure to brake, which can be challenging if there is no direct evidence of the cause. 

Our team will quickly preserve vital evidence, such as medical records, accident reports, and dashcam footage, and aggressively negotiate with insurance companies to seek compensation for your needs.

How Common Are Rear‑End Collisions in Chicago?

In 2023, there were 23,785 front-to-rear-end collisions in Chicago, making them one of the most common types of collisions in the city. Overall, there were 101,023 car accidents in Chicago that year. 

Where Do Rear‑End Accidents Occur Most Often in Chicago?

Common locations for Chicago rear-end collisions include:

• Expressways like Lake Shore Drive, I-90/94, and I-290.
• Busy intersections like State & Madison or Stony Island Avenue & South Chicago Avenue, and Western Avenue & Peterson Avenue.
• Near construction zones during peak rush hour times.
• Confusing intersections with blind spots, such as the three-way intersection at Armitage, Ashland and Elston Avenues.
• Areas with poor traffic signals or missing red-light cameras.

What Laws Govern Rear‑End Accident Claims in Chicago?

For personal injury claims, every individual involved is assigned a portion of the blame, called modified comparative negligence (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). You must demonstrate that the other party was primarily liable for the accident. For example, they may have violated the Illinois Vehicle Code by following too closely (625 ILCS 5/11‑710), or they may have failed to exercise due care according to Chicago’s municipal code (9-40-160). 

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit in Chicago?

You typically have two years from the date of the accident to pursue compensation (735 ILCS 5/13-202), including for wrongful death cases (740 ILCS 180/). 

Who Is Legally Liable for Rear‑End Accidents in Chicago?

In general, the driver of the rear vehicle is presumed at fault until proven otherwise. However, it is possible to sue other parties as well, including:

• Cities and municipalities, if road defects contributed to the accident.
• Commercial fleet owners are under vicarious liability.
• Car manufacturers, if vehicle defects, like faulty brakes, contributed to the accident. 

Common Defenses in Rear‑End Collision Cases

Insurance companies will use a variety of tactics to keep you from securing compensation, but our attorneys can counter these using evidence. These are just some of the many they may use, and how we will refute them.

Sudden Braking: A common defense is that you stopped abruptly or brake-checked the rear driver. We can use accident reports and witness testimony to refute this argument.

Partial Fault: They may argue that you had faulty taillights, which can be disproven by examining the vehicle and referring to maintenance records.

Mechanical Failure: They could claim the defendant’s car was not in working condition, which can be refuted through accident reports and expert testimonies from mechanics.

How to Strengthen Your Rear‑End Accident Case in Chicago

You must take prompt action to protect your rights. Follow these steps as soon as possible.

• Seek immediate medical attention and follow the doctor’s orders to demonstrate continuation of care; otherwise, the insurance company could argue that you were negligent (Baker v. Hudson).
• Call the police and request an accident report.
• Take photos of vehicle damage, tail lights, traffic signals, skid marks, and your injuries.
• Gather witness contact information, dash cam photos, and nearby surveillance footage.
• Do not admit fault, and do not speak to insurance adjusters without your attorney.

How a Chicago Rear‑End Accident Attorney Can Help

We can assist you with all aspects of your case, including:

• Investigating the crash.
• Securing and preserving evidence like police reports.
• Coordinating with doctors to determine your medical needs.
• Negotiating with the insurance agency to maximize recovery.
• Representing you in court if necessary.

FAQs

How much does a rear-end accident lawyer cost in Chicago?

Our firm works on a contingency fee basis: no fees unless you win. 

What if the rear driver wasn’t the only one at fault for the accident?

The Illinois Joint Tortfeasor Contribution Act allows for blame to be distributed among more than one party (740 ILCS 100/). 

How do I prove the other driver was at fault?

Evidence like accident photos, witness statements, and medical records can demonstrate fault.

Who can file a wrongful death claim in Illinois?

The next of kin can file a lawsuit, which could be a spouse, parent, or surviving child.

Consult a Chicago Rear‑End Accident Lawyer Near You!

If you were hurt in a rear-end collision, you deserve compensation. Our award-winning Chicago personal injury attorneyswork on a contingency fee basis: you owe us nothing unless we win. Call us for a free consultation today. 

I was rear ended and my best friend recommended Mr. Rosenfeld. He and his staff were very attentive, detailed and always there for me when I had questions about the case. They were able to get me a great settlement and quickly. Which was awesome because it helped me pay my bills! I highly recommend them for anyones car accident!

– Lena Cirone

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Our downtown office, near the Richard J. Daley Center, Dirkson United States Courthouse, and the Chicago Workers’ Compensation Commission, offers convenient access from Aurora, Joliet, and Waukegan via I-90, I-94, and I-290.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757

We also serve clients from Buffalo Grove, Champaign, Elgin, Peoria and throughout Illinois.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.