Chicago Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
Losing a loved one in a fatal car accident is a life-altering experience that can leave families in Chicago dealing with grief, financial strain, and an uncertain future. Funeral expenses and hospital bills add up fast, leaving families with mounting expenses they shouldn’t have to absorb.
At Ankin Law, we don’t deal in excuses. We hold reckless drivers, dangerous trucking companies, negligent employers, and careless municipalities fully accountable. If your family is facing the aftermath of a deadly crash, you deserve a fatal car accident lawyer who fights with the same intensity you bring to protecting your loved ones.
Insurance companies know who we are. They know we don’t just settle for pennies, and they know we will take your case to trial. They know we will do what it takes to protect your rights when the insurance companies refuse to do the right thing.
Your family deserves justice. We’re here to deliver it. Call (312) 600-0000 for Ankin Law.
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“I’ve spent decades representing Chicago families after fatal crashes. What they need most is someone who will take control, tell them the truth, and fight for accountability when no one else will.”
How Our Chicago Fatal Car Accident Lawyers Help Protect Your Family
Dealing with the aftermath of a fatal car accident on your own can leave you emotionally and financially drained. You need time to grieve, not pressure from insurance companies. This is where our fatal car accident attorneys in Chicago step in.
We take over the legal process from the start, gathering evidence and documenting medical bills, funeral and burial costs, vehicle damage, and the income your family lost after your loved one’s death. Your lawyer also handles all communication and negotiations with the insurance companies, so you are not forced to relive the loss while trying to protect your rights. This support gives families the time and space they need to focus on healing.
When a fatal crash occurs on the Kennedy, the Dan Ryan, Lake Shore Drive, I-290, or any road in Cook County, the fallout hits families instantly. Medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income, and emotional trauma create a storm no family should navigate alone. Our fatal car accident lawyers take control of the legal burden, protect your claim, and pursue full accountability while you focus on your family.
Does a Fatality Accident Warrant a Wrongful Death Claim in Illinois?
Yes it can. A wrongful death claim is a lawsuit filed by a deceased person’s family members to recover damages incurred by the sudden, preventable loss of their loved one. These lawsuits are filed against parties deemed negligent in the actions or inaction that lead to the deceased’s untimely demise. After a fatal car accident, family members can claim compensation for expenses such as funeral costs, medical bills, lost financial support, and damages like pain and suffering.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death claim in Illinois must be sought by a representative of the deceased’s estate. Compensation goes to the deceased’s surviving spouse (if applicable) and/or next of kind (children, parents, siblings).
What Damages Can You Recover in a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatality Accident?
Families may receive compensation for economic losses, emotional suffering, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and more.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim After a Fatality Crash?
Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, families typically have two years from the date of death to file.
Who Is Most Commonly Held Liable?
Drivers, trucking companies, employers, auto manufacturers, and government entities may all be responsible for causing a fatality accident.
Call (312) 600-0000 for a free consultation.
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Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in Chicago
Many factors lead to fatal car accidents in Chicago. Irresponsible, dangerous, or careless drivers, road conditions, and malfunctioning vehicle parts can all contribute to a fatal crash.
Leading Factors in Fatal Crashes
Speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving, and aggressive driving remain top causes of fatal crashes across Cook County.
- High-speed collisions
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Distracted driving or cell-phone use
- Red-light or stop-sign violations
- Wrong-way driving
- Fatigued or overworked commercial drivers
Fatal Accidents Involving Commercial Vehicles
Truck fatalities in Illinois often stem from negligence by large trucking companies. Common factors include:
- Overloaded or improperly loaded trucks
- Hours-of-service violations
- Poor vehicle maintenance
Fatal Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare drivers are just as at risk for causing a fatal car accident as any other driver.
Fatal Pedestrian & Bicycle Collisions
Chicago remains one of the busiest cities for foot and bike traffic, and fatalities continue to rise.
How Do I File a Fatal Car Accident Lawsuit in Illinois?
Illinois law requires fatal car accident lawsuits to follow a specific legal process. While compensation is intended for surviving family members, the claim itself must be filed correctly, or it can be delayed or dismissed. This is where experienced legal guidance matters.
In most fatal car accident cases, the lawsuit is brought by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate, who acts on behalf of the family. This representative may already be named in a will, or may need to be formally appointed by the court.
Compensation recovered through the lawsuit is typically distributed to eligible surviving family members, including:
- A surviving spouse
- Children, including adopted children
- Parents of the deceased
If no personal representative has been appointed, your attorney will handle that process and ensure the case moves forward without unnecessary delays.
At Ankin Law, we manage every procedural requirement, file all necessary court documents, and position your claim for full accountability, not a quick or reduced payout designed to benefit the insurance company.
What Compensation Is Available After a Fatal Crash?
Families deserve full justice, not “what the insurance company feels like paying today.
Funeral and burial expenses
Loss of financial support
Loss of future wages
Emotional grief and sorrow
Loss of companionship
Loss of parental guidance
Pain and suffering experienced by the victim before death
A fatal car accident lawyer ensures the insurer doesn’t get away with minimizing your family’s losses.
Call (312) 600-0000 for Ankin Law.
How We Investigate Fatal Car Accident Cases
Fatal crashes demand a relentless, detail-driven investigation. We don’t take what the police report says at face value.
Reconstructing the Crash
We work with accident reconstruction experts to determine exactly how the crash happened.
Collecting Physical and Digital Evidence
- Vehicle data
- Cell phone records
- Black box downloads
- Surveillance video
- Eyewitness statements
- Toxicology reports
Holding Multi-Layered Defendants Accountable
Commercial carriers, rideshare companies, and third-party contractors often attempt to dodge responsibility. We don’t let them.
Assessing Long-Term Economic Losses
Our financial experts calculate the true lifetime impact of your loss, not the discounted version insurers prefer.
Evaluating Non-Economic Damages
We highlight the human cost: the relationships, the memories, the life stolen.
Determining Punitive Damages
When conduct is extreme, we pursue punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and protect others.
What to Expect When You Work With Ankin Law
We make the process straightforward, and we focus on protecting your family’s rights from day one.
Free Consultation
We listen. We evaluate. We create a strategy.
Full Investigation
Our team gathers evidence, expert insights, and documentation.
Demand & Negotiation
We force insurers to face the facts. Your case deserves full compensation.
Litigation
If the insurer refuses to pay you fairly, we file suit and prepare for trial.
Resolution
Your family receives justice through settlement or verdict.
Why Families Choose Ankin Law
When tragedy strikes in Chicago, families turn to Ankin Law because we treat every fatal car accident case with personal commitment, legal precision, and unwavering focus. Your loss is not a case number. It is a family’s future, and we handle it that way.
- Decades of experience handling wrongful death and fatal car accident cases
- A reputation insurance companies recognize and respect
- Deep knowledge of Chicago roads, courts, judges, and local juries
- A proven commitment to pursuing full and fair compensation, not quick settlements
Our Promise to You
We treat your family with dignity, transparency, and unwavering dedication. That’s “Injury Law Made Personal.” That’s Ankin Law.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fatal Car Accident Cases
Families facing the aftermath of a fatal car accident often have questions about compensation, timelines, and what comes next. Below are clear, straightforward answers to the questions we hear most often from families seeking justice after a wrongful death in Chicago.
How much is a fatal car accident case worth?
It depends on income loss, medical bills, funeral costs, and the emotional and relational losses suffered by the family. Many cases reach six or seven figures.
How long does a wrongful death lawsuit take?
Anywhere from several months to two years, depending on complexity and whether the case goes to trial.
Do families have to go to court?
Not always. Many fatal crash cases settle out of court, but we prepare every case for trial to ensure maximum leverage.
What Our Clients Say About Us
I have known Howard Ankin and been a client of his for over twenty years. I feel I was extremely fortunate to have been recommended to Ankin Law, and hopefully you will make the right choice as I did. I also believe there is no finer attorney out there and no one else would have went the extra miles for me that Howard Ankin has.
Get Justice for Your Loved One Today
Your family deserves answers. You deserve justice. You deserve a law firm that fights for you.
Call Ankin Law at (312) 600-0000