Chicago Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers
You didn’t choose to get into a motor vehicle accident. Whether another driver ran a light on Lake Shore Drive, a truck cut you off on the Kennedy, or a rideshare driver looked at their phone instead of the road, someone else’s negligence put you here. Now you’re hurt and an insurance adjuster is deciding what that’s worth.
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“I’m Howard Ankin. The insurance company has its version of what happened. I want to hear yours. We’ll find out who was responsible, what insurance is available, and what it will take to make this right. That’s Injury Law Made Personal. That’s Ankin Law.”
~ Howard Ankin, founder of Ankin Law
Ankin Law has spent decades going up against negligent drivers, trucking companies, rideshare platforms, and their insurers. We know how to find the evidence, identify everyone responsible, and build a case that gets you paid.
Call (312) 600-0000 for Ankin Law. Your consult is free, and there’s no fee unless we win.
Our Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Have Recovered Hundreds of Millions for Our Clients
When a motor vehicle accident causes serious injuries, the insurance company is looking for ways to reduce what they pay, not to make you whole. Our attorneys investigate every angle of the crash and pursue every party responsible, whether that’s an individual driver, a trucking company, an employer, or a rideshare insurer. Here’s what that work has meant for our clients.
We Handle Every Type of Motor Vehicle Accident
Car crashes, truck wrecks, motorcycle collisions, pedestrian and bicycle accidents, rideshare crashes: if a motor vehicle caused your injuries, we’ll handle it. Each type of claim comes with its own insurance rules, deadlines, and liable parties. We know how to build your case and hold the right people accountable.
We Aren’t Afraid to Go Up Against Large Insurance Companies
Our Chicago motor vehicle accident attorneys have taken on some of the largest insurance companies in the country, and won. We’ve developed a reputation strong enough that our name alone often moves the other side toward a fair settlement.
We Have the Resources to Take on Complex Cases
With more than 100 years of combined experience and a team of over 80 attorneys and staff, we have the firepower to investigate multi-vehicle crashes, identify every responsible party, and go up against multiple insurance companies at once.
We’re Available When You Need Us
Accidents don’t happen on a schedule, so neither does our availability. Our clients get 24/7 access to their legal team, a free consultation with no obligation, and no fees unless we win.
Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics
Nationally, traffic fatalities have been trending down, but they remain high. NHTSA reports an estimated 39,254 traffic deaths in 2024, continuing a decline that has brought fatality rates to some of the lowest levels on record. Even so, tens of thousands of people die in motor vehicle crashes every year, and many more suffer catastrophic injuries.
Illinois has followed the same downward trend, but the risk isn’t spread evenly across every type of crash. In 2024, IDOT reported 303,913 total crashes statewide, including 1,085 fatal crashes that killed 1,178 people. Speeding, distraction, and impairment remain the biggest drivers of serious crashes, regardless of what kind of vehicle is involved.
Additionally:
- Speeding was a factor in 31.1% of all Illinois crashes and 45.3% of fatal crashes in 2024.
- Motorcycle crashes made up just 1.1% of total crashes but accounted for 13.1% of fatal crashes.
- Front-to-rear collisions accounted for nearly 23% of all injury-causing crashes.
- 20.4% of fatal crashes in Illinois involved alcohol.
In 2024, 217 pedestrians and 144 motorcyclists were killed on Illinois roads, together accounting for nearly a third of all traffic deaths. Whatever kind of vehicle is involved, the risk of serious injury runs highest for the people least protected in a crash.
Where Do Motor Vehicle Accidents Happen in Chicago?
Some of the most dangerous stretches of road in Chicago see crashes involving every type of vehicle, not just cars.
- The Kennedy and Stevenson Expressways see frequent high-speed, multi-vehicle collisions during rush hour.
- Intersections like Stony Island Avenue at South Chicago Avenue combine heavy vehicle traffic with high pedestrian volume, making them dangerous for everyone using the road.
What Causes Motor Vehicle Accidents?
Most motor vehicle accidents in Chicago come down to a handful of preventable driver behaviors. Regardless of what kind of vehicle is involved, these are the most common causes:
- Distracted Driving – Texting, phone calls, or other distractions behind the wheel
- Speeding – Reduces reaction time and increases the severity of a crash
- Drunk or Impaired Driving – Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and coordination
- Failing to Yield – Not respecting the right-of-way at intersections or crosswalks
- Reckless Driving – Tailgating, weaving through traffic, and other aggressive behavior
Who Is Liable for Motor Vehicle Accidents?
Liability depends on how the crash happened and what type of vehicles were involved. In most cases, the at-fault driver is liable, but other parties may share responsibility depending on the circumstances. Injured victims and families may bring claims against:
- Negligent drivers who sped, drove distracted, or drove under the influence
- Trucking companies or employers if the at-fault driver was on the job
- Rideshare companies if the driver was logged into the app at the time of the crash
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers if a defect contributed to the crash
- Government agencies or contractors responsible for unsafe roads or malfunctioning signals
Because multiple parties may be involved, proving liability often requires accident reconstruction, witness testimony, and legal experience across every type of motor vehicle case.
What to Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident in Chicago
What you do in the days and weeks after your accident can shape the outcome of your case. Insurance companies look for any opening to pay you less than you’re owed, and the choices you make early on, what you document, what you say, and who you talk to, can close those openings before they’re used against you.
Document Everything
Photograph the vehicles involved, the road or intersection where the crash happened, and any visible injuries as soon as you’re able. Keep torn or bloodied clothing rather than throwing it out. Write down what you remember while it’s still clear, and get contact information from anyone who saw what happened. This is the raw material your attorney and any accident reconstruction expert will need later.
Keep Your Case Off Social Media
Insurers routinely check claimants’ social accounts looking for anything that contradicts an injury claim. A photo at a family event or a comment about feeling better can be twisted into evidence that you’re exaggerating. The safest move is to stay off social media entirely, or at minimum say nothing about the crash, your health, or your daily routine, until your case wraps up.
Let Your Attorney Talk to the Insurance Company
Insurance adjusters move fast, sometimes calling within hours of a crash. They’ll ask for a recorded statement, push you toward assigning blame, or dangle an early settlement. None of that works in your favor. Route every call and letter to your attorney instead. We deal with these tactics daily, and we won’t let an adjuster catch you off guard.
Contact a Chicago motor vehicle accident attorney at Ankin Law for help with your injury claim. To get your FREE case evaluation, call (312) 600-0000.
Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents We Handle
Whatever kind of vehicle was involved in your accident, the laws, insurance policies, and liable parties can look completely different from one case to the next. Our attorneys handle every type of crash on Chicago’s roads.
Car Accidents
Rear-end collisions, T-bones, sideswipes, whatever the collision type, a car accident can leave you facing serious injuries and an insurance company looking to minimize your claim. We build these cases to recover full compensation.
Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks cause catastrophic injuries because of their size and weight, and these claims often involve trucking companies, cargo loaders, and multiple insurance policies. Our truck accident lawyers know how to identify every party that shares responsibility.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists face a higher risk of severe injury in a crash, and they often face unfair bias from insurers who assume they were at fault. Our motorcycle accident attorneys fight that bias and hold negligent drivers accountable.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians have no protection when a vehicle strikes them, and the injuries are often life-altering. Our pedestrian accident attorneys help victims and families pursue compensation from negligent drivers and, when relevant, the city or contractors responsible for unsafe roadways.
Bicycle Accidents
Cyclists are frequently hit by distracted or careless drivers who fail to yield or open a car door into a bike lane. Our bicycle accident lawyers know how to prove fault and secure fair compensation for cyclists hurt by someone else’s negligence.
Rideshare Accidents
Uber and Lyft crashes bring added complexity, since liability and insurance coverage shift depending on whether the driver was logged into the app, waiting for a match, or transporting a passenger. Our rideshare accident attorneys know how to navigate these layered policies.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims
When the at-fault driver doesn’t carry enough insurance, or any at all, or they leave the scene of the accident, you may still have options through your own policy. Our uninsured motorist lawyers can help you pursue every available source of recovery.
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents
After losing a loved one to a preventable crash, families deserve accountability and support. Our wrongful death attorneys handle these cases with the sensitivity they require while pursuing full compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motor Vehicle Accident Cases in Chicago
Every motor vehicle accident raises its own questions, but a few come up again and again no matter what kind of crash brought you here. Here are answers to the ones we hear most.
How long do I have to file a motor vehicle accident claim in Illinois?
Illinois gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim in most cases. Exceptions apply in some situations, such as when the victim is a minor or was incapacitated after the crash, so it’s worth talking to an attorney early even if you think you have time.
What if my accident didn't involve two cars?
The same legal protections apply whether you were driving, riding a motorcycle, crossing the street, or riding a bike when you were hit. The insurance policies and liable parties may differ depending on what type of vehicle was involved, but you still have the right to pursue compensation from whoever caused the crash.
How much does it cost to hire a motor vehicle accident lawyer?
Ankin Law works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and owe no fee unless we recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is always free.
What should I do if the insurance company already contacted me?
Don’t give a recorded statement or accept a settlement offer before speaking with an attorney. Adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you, and anything you say can be used to reduce your payout.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule, so you can still recover damages as long as you’re found less than 50% at fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, which is why proving how the crash happened matters so much.
Someone Else’s Negligence Shouldn’t Cost You
You didn’t ask for this accident, and you shouldn’t have to fight alone to get what you’re owed. Contact a Chicago motor vehicle accident lawyer at Ankin Law today.
Call (312) 600-0000 for a free consultation. No fees unless we win.