Author: By Keith Shindler. Licensed in Illinois since 1990 and Wisconsin since 1991, admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois, and a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, National Creditor’s Bar Association, and Decalogue Society of Lawyers.
The crash on Route 20 happened four days ago. Your neck still aches, your car is sitting at a body shop, and the other driver’s insurance company has already called twice. There is a stack of mail on the counter you have not opened yet. You keep thinking you should call a lawyer, but you have never done this before, and part of you worries it means signing up for a long, stressful lawsuit.
That worry keeps a lot of people in Winnebago County from picking up the phone. It should not. A first call to a lawyer is not a commitment. It is a conversation, and it is free.
When you call a Rockford personal injury lawyer at Shindler & Shindler, you talk with Rob or Keith, not an intake screener or a call center. We listen to what happened, ask how the injury is affecting your work and your family, look at the insurance involved, and tell you in plain English what your options are and whether hiring us makes sense.
What Happens on the First Call?
We start by listening. You tell us what happened, where, and what you are dealing with now: pain, missed work, medical bills, a car you cannot drive. We ask questions to understand who was at fault and what insurance coverage is in play.
Then we tell you straight what we think. Sometimes that means explaining how we would build your case. Sometimes it means telling you that you may be able to handle it yourself. Either way, you get an honest answer from a real lawyer, not a sales pitch.
Here is how the process usually works if you decide to move forward:
- Talk with Rob or Keith. A direct conversation about what happened and what you need.
- We investigate right away. Crash reports, footage, photos, and witness information get secured.
- You focus on healing. We track your medical care and bills and deal with the insurance company.
- We negotiate. We build a demand backed by evidence and push back on lowball offers.
- Settlement or trial. You make the final call on any offer, with our honest advice every step of the way.
How Do We Gather Evidence After Your Accident?
Evidence does not wait. Rain washes away skid marks, businesses record over security footage, and witnesses forget details. That is why we move quickly after you hire us.
- Police and crash reports from Rockford PD, the Winnebago County Sheriff, or Illinois State Police
- Photos of vehicle damage, the scene, and road conditions
- Traffic and surveillance camera footage
- Names and statements from witnesses
- Preservation letters asking companies and insurers to keep key records
We also collect your medical records and bills, because insurance adjusters often question whether your treatment was really necessary. A complete medical record shows the full picture of how the crash hurt you.
Who Deals With the Insurance Company and Your Medical Bills?
We do. Once you hire us, the insurance adjusters talk to us, not you. That stops the pressure calls and the requests for recorded statements that can be used against you later.
We also stay on top of your medical bills and any liens from providers, so collection notices do not pile up while you are out of work. You get updates from us, in plain English, and you always know where your case stands.
What Happens During Settlement or Trial?
Once your medical treatment reaches a stable point, we put together a demand package that shows the insurance company what this crash has cost you: medical bills, therapy, lost wages, and the pain and limits you live with every day.
- Demand: we gather your bills, wage records, and treatment reports and review them with you.
- Negotiation: we push back on low offers and keep you updated.
- Evaluation: we tell you honestly whether an offer is fair or whether you should keep fighting.
- Trial if needed: if the insurance company will not be reasonable, we file suit and take your case to court.
Most cases settle without a trial, but insurance companies know which lawyers are ready to go to court and which ones are not. Under Illinois law, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury, so do not wait too long to make that first call.
Why Do We Take the Cases Other Firms Turn Down?
Some people call us after another lawyer told them they had no case. We look anyway. One family came to us after four firms declined their case, and we recovered $1,175,000 for the wrongful death of their infant. You can see more of our case results across personal injury claims. Every case is different, and past results do not predict future outcomes, but we never stop at the first no.
What Does Direct Access to Rob or Keith Mean?
Keith has practiced law since 1990, and Rob since 1987. When you hire Shindler & Shindler, you work directly with one of us from your first call to your final result. It is the same plain-English approach Rob uses as @DadTheLawyer on TikTok, where he explains people’s rights to millions of viewers.
Ready to Talk With a Real Lawyer?
If you or someone you love was hurt in Rockford, Algonquin, or anywhere in northern Illinois, contact our family-owned firm or call 847-WE-FIGHT (847-933-4448) to talk with Rob or Keith. Call us when you need us. We are ready when you are.
Key Takeaways
- Your first call is free and confidential, and it does not commit you to anything.
- At Shindler & Shindler, you talk directly with Rob or Keith from the first call, not a case manager.
- Evidence like crash reports, camera footage, and witness information needs to be secured quickly, before it disappears.
- Once you hire us, we handle the insurance adjusters so you can focus on getting better.
- Most personal injury claims settle, but if the insurance company will not be fair, we are ready to take it to court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring to my first meeting with a personal injury lawyer?
Bring your police report number, photos of the crash and your injuries, medical paperwork, insurance cards, and any letters or emails from insurance companies. If you do not have everything, call anyway. We can help you track it down.
Will I have to go to court for a personal injury claim in Illinois?
Most personal injury claims settle without going to trial. If the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, we file a lawsuit and prepare your case for court.
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer in Rockford?
Shindler & Shindler works on a contingency fee, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. The first consultation is free.
How can I check that a lawyer is licensed in Illinois?
You can look up any Illinois attorney through the Illinois ARDC lawyer search, which shows their license status and history.