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Algonquin and Chicago Car Accident Lawyers

If you suffered injuries in a car accident that was caused by someone else, you may have a valid injury claim that allows you to recover compensation for your losses. 

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At Shindler & Shindler, our car accident lawyers in Algonquin and Chicago have over 65 years of combined experience in personal injury law. 

  • We offer free consultations
  • We have a track record of success in car accident cases
  • There is no fee unless we win 

We are the attorneys the people of our community trust to help them recover compensation after motor vehicle crashes. 

Let Our Family Fight for Yours. Call 847-93-FIGHT.

How Our Car Accident Attorneys Can Help Maximize Your Claim

When you file a car accident claim, the insurance company is going to ask you a lot of questions about what happened, and they’re going to pretend to be worried about your well-being. Without an experienced attorney on your side, that simple conversation can turn into a case-jeopardizing nightmare. 

See, in reality, the insurance representatives are going to be looking for opportunities to deny or minimize the payout on your claim. They are trained to manipulate unsuspecting claimants. Simple phrases like, “I’m sorry”, “I didn’t see the other car”, or even “I’m fine” when they ask how you’re doing today, can be used against you to misdirect fault or make your injuries seem minor. 

When you hire our car accident lawyers to handle your injury claim, we’ll deal with the insurance company for you, protecting your rights and making sure you don’t fall prey to the insurer’s deceitful tactics. We’re trained negotiators, and we’ve been handling injury cases like yours for a long time. We know what to look out for, we know how to counter their defense strategies, and we know how to help you get full and fair compensation for your losses. 

As your car accident attorneys, we will:

Investigate Your Accident

At Shindler & Shindler, we don’t depend on the information provided to us in police reports. We’ll investigate your accident ourselves. Our attorneys will personally review photos and videos of the accident scene and vehicle damage. We will talk with witnesses. We will review dashcam footage and the footage from nearby security cameras, if available, and we may visit the crash site in person to take a look around. If necessary, we might even work with accident reconstruction specialists to determine what caused your accident.

Determine Who Is Liable for Your Injuries

Our attorneys have over 65 years of combined experience handling car accident cases in Algonquin and throughout Chicagoland, and we’ve earned a reputation for proving liability in even the most complicated scenarios. When we evaluate liability for your losses, we’ll consider the behavior of other drivers, mechanical failures, defective traffic signals, problems with road and bridge designs, and even whether a property owner or business played a role in your accident. Identifying all parties who are responsible for your injuries allows us to maximize your recovery

Negotiate With the Insurance Company

When you’re trying to recover from your injuries, and you’re shaken up from the trauma of a serious car accident, the last thing you need is to be harassed by the insurance company about your injury claim. When you hire our attorneys, we’ll deal with the insurance company on your behalf, and we’ll work to reach a satisfactory settlement agreement out of court. In Illinois, over 95% of car accident cases are settled outside the courtroom. 

Represent You in Court if Your Case Goes to Trial

If the insurance company refuses to budge on their settlement offer, we’ll be ready to face them in the courtroom. As true trial lawyers, our team prepares every injury case as if it’s headed to trial. This approach ensures we’re prepared for any outcome, and puts us in a strong negotiating position. In court, we’ll present a compelling case to the jury on your behalf. Throughout the trial process, we’ll keep you informed, ensuring you understand each step and feel confident in your representation. Our goal is to secure the best outcome for you, whether that’s through settlement negotiations or a court verdict.

Car Accident Statistics: You’re Not Alone

Across the country, there are millions of crashes that take place annually. While some accident victims walk away without much more than a scratch or a few bruises, others suffer severe injuries or death. 

According to Traffic Safety Facts, released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in July 2024, there were 25,420 occupants of passenger vehicles who lost their lives in fatal traffic accidents in 2022. Approximately 1,900,539 passenger vehicle occupants suffered injuries in crashes that year. 

While 60,501motor vehicles were involved in deadly accidents in 2022, only 76% of those were passenger vehicles. These included cars, SUVs, vans, and light trucks under 10,000 pounds. 

Roughly 25% of drivers in passenger cars and light trucks who were involved in fatal traffic accidents were determined to have been impaired by alcohol consumption.

Although the accident, injury, and death rates all decreased from 2021, more needs to be done to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes that occur. Our car accident attorneys believe that filing personal injury claims and holding negligent parties accountable for their actions plays an important role in accident prevention. 

Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Illinois

If you were involved in an injury accident in Illinois, the steps you take in the moments, days, and weeks after your crash will impact your ability to recover compensation for your losses. Additionally, taking the right steps after your crash could save your life. 

  1. Move to Safety: Your well-being and the safety of others is priority after an accident. If you are in the line of traffic, one or more vehicles are smoking, or you are at risk of getting hurt if you remain where you are, move away from the hazard to prevent further injury. Do NOT leave the scene of the accident, however.
    Immediately assess your own injuries and quickly evaluate the condition of other victims. In doing so, you’ll be able to prepare emergency responders for what they’ll encounter upon arrival at the scene.
  2. Report the Accident: Under Illinois motor vehicle accident statutes, you must file an accident report if your crash resulted in over $1,500 in property damage, or if it caused injuries or death to anyone involved – as long as all parties are insured. The reporting threshold is just $500 if any driver is uninsured.
    Reporting your accident is not just a legal requirement for serious accidents. Calling 9-1-1 also gets emergency medical services on the way so that severe injuries can be treated promptly and victims involved in the accident can be evaluated.
    To report a non-emergency accident (if a police officer does not report to the accident scene), contact the Illinois State Police as soon as possible.
  3. Gather Evidence: If you are able, take pictures or record videos of the accident scene. Be sure to capture the damage to your car and the other vehicles involved in the accident. Also take photos of the conditions of the road, skid marks, accident debris, and damaged landscaping that might demonstrate the path the vehicles took.
    Additionally, photograph inside cars that had airbags deployed, the location and juxtaposition of the vehicles with respect to traffic lights or signs, and anything else that shows the aftermath of the accident.
    Make sure to speak with witnesses and obtain the names and phone numbers of anyone involved or who may have seen the accident happen. Your car accident attorney may need to interview them if you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit.
  4. Seek Medical Care: Get checked out by emergency responders and accept ambulance transport if recommended. Alternatively, go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital if your injuries are severe. If emergency medical treatment is not required, make sure you see a doctor for an evaluation as soon as possible after your accident – even if you don’t have symptoms of serious injuries.
    The adrenalin rush that often occurs after a traumatic event like a car accident can mask pain and other injury symptoms. Getting a medical evaluation can help identify injuries that may be serious, but not obvious. Examples include traumatic brain injuries (TBI), organ damage, and internal bleeding.
    Additionally, going to the doctor or hospital after a car accident serves as documentation of your injuries, which will help support your injury claim.
  5. Call an Algonquin car accident attorney at Shindler & Shindler: Before you speak to any insurance adjusters, including your own, call our experienced attorneys. We will make sure your rights are protected, and we’ll guide you through the legal process to help you recover maximum compensation for your losses.

Damages Available in a Car Accident Claim

You may be able to recover compensation for your economic and non-economic damages if your car accident claim is successful. These might include your:

  • Medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent disfigurement
  • Lost wages
  • Funeral and final expenses
  • Loss of consortium

Meet With an Algonquin Car Accident Attorney at Shindler & Shindler

After a car accident in Algonquin or Chicago, connecting with the car accident lawyers at Shindler & Shindler is an important step towards helping you protect your rights and secure maximum recovery from your car accident claim.

Our firm handles car accident cases on a contingency basis, so there are no out-of-pocket fees for our clients. We only charge attorney fees if we recover compensation on your behalf. 

Call Shindler & Shindler for a free consultation at 847-93-FIGHT

Other Types of Cases Our Firm Handles

Shindler & Shindler also handles these types of cases:

Car Accident FAQ’s

What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?

The most common causes of car accidents are: distracted driving, reckless behavior, impaired driving, ignoring traffic signals, driver fatigue, tailgating, inexperienced drivers, and vehicle defects. 

Do Car Accident Claims Have a Statute of Limitations?

In Illinois, car accident claims for bodily injuries generally have a statute of limitations of just two years from the date the accident happened. Exceptions exist which may increase or decrease the amount of time you have to take legal action, however. Contacting our car accident lawyers right away can help ensure you meet the deadline to file your car accident claim.

How Will Your Car Accident Lawyer Help With the Insurance Company?

A car accident lawyer handles communications with the insurance company on your behalf. He or she will negotiate for fair compensation to cover your medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Auto accident lawyers will ensure you are not pressured into accepting a low settlement. They gather evidence, assess damages, and build a strong case to support your claim. Your lawyer will navigate complex legal procedures and deadlines, ensuring your rights are protected and maximizing the chances of a favorable outcome in settlement negotiations or court proceedings.