350 S. Northwest Highway, Suite 300, Park Ridge, IL 60068
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Recent Blog Posts
Who Is Liable If a Falling Object Injures Me on the Road?
You are driving through Illinois minding your own business when something unexpected happens: An object crashes onto your car from above. Whether it is debris from a passing truck, a tool dropped from an overpass, or cargo that fell off another vehicle, it can be terrifying and lead to serious injuries. You might soon find yourself asking who is responsible for your injuries, medical bills, or vehicle damage.
In Illinois, several parties could be held liable for a falling object accident, depending on how and why it happened. If you were injured, you may have a valid personal injury claim. Speak with a qualified Park Ridge, IL personal injury attorney for help protecting your rights and uncovering who should be held accountable.
What Are Common Sources of Falling Object Accidents?
Falling object incidents on Illinois roads are more common than most people realize. They can be caused by many things, including:
Why Do I Need a Lawyer to Deal With Insurers After an Accident?
Whether you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, premises liability incident, construction accident, by a defective product, or through medical malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers and trained adjusters whose goal is to protect the company’s profit margins. They sometimes accomplish that goal by not paying fair amounts for claims. Handling insurance claims on your own can lead to mistakes that reduce or eliminate your compensation.
Our knowledgeable Glenview, IL personal injury attorney can level the playing field and handle your claim from start to finish. With our skilled legal guidance, you can ensure that all insurance requirements are met and your rights are protected.
Why Is My Insurer Fighting My Hit-and-Run Accident Claim?
Although Illinois law requires drivers to remain at the scene of an accident, many do not. Motorists, passengers, pedestrians, and motorcyclists can be hurt in these crashes and left to wonder who is responsible for paying their damages. After a hit-and-run crash, most people expect their own uninsured/ underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage to help.
Among other situations, this type of coverage is supposed to pay damages when the at-fault driver cannot be identified. Many people do not realize that once you file a UM/UIM claim, your own insurance company can become an adversary. Our experienced Des Plaines, IL car accident lawyer can advocate on your behalf to help you get as much compensation as you deserve.
Why Would Your Own Insurance Company Be Your Adversary in a UI/UIM Claim?
No insurance company wants to pay claims. When you file a UM/UIM claim, your insurer takes the place of the missing driver. That means the company may dispute your injuries, question your version of events, and otherwise try to reduce what they pay for your claim. Other common tactics designed to minimize your payout include offering an insultingly low settlement amount and attempting to trick you into making an admission of fault. Your insurance company may fight your claim just as vigorously as the other driver’s insurer would have if he or she had stayed at the scene.
Does a Personal Injury Lawsuit Cover Lifeflight?
After a major car crash, you may have no say in how you are transported. If paramedics determine your injuries are life-threatening, they may call in a medical helicopter — often called a "lifeflight" — to get you to a trauma center as quickly as possible. You survive. You stabilize. And then the bill comes.
Emergency air transport is one of the most expensive medical services in the United States. And in Illinois, especially near high-speed corridors like I-90 and I-294, serious accidents are common enough that many victims find themselves relying on this kind of care. The question is: Who pays? Our Park Ridge, IL car crash injury lawyer can help you answer that.
The Cost of Lifeflight in Illinois
A lifeflight or air ambulance trip typically costs anywhere from $12,000 to $50,000, but it is not unheard of for lifeflights to cost as much as $100,000. If the company providing the flight is out-of-network, insurance may cover only a portion of the cost, or refuse to cover it at all. Many victims are left with bills totaling tens of thousands of dollars just for the flight itself.
Can I Be Compensated for a Car Accident if I Am Also at Fault?
Fault determination is a critical element of a car accident case. You can recover compensation for damages in Illinois, but only under certain circumstances. If you were involved in a crash that resulted in significant damages, a Des Plaines, IL auto accident attorney will evaluate your case to determine your eligibility for compensation and explain what legal options are available.
How Is Fault Determined in an Illinois Car Accident Case?
After a car accident, multiple parties can independently investigate the case to determine who is at fault and, therefore, liable for the resulting damages. The first to investigate are the police who arrive at the scene. They will document facts about the crash, such as the position of the vehicles, property damage, statements from everyone involved, and any citations issued. Receiving a citation for a traffic violation is a strong indication of fault.
Most Serious Car Accidents Happen Close to Home
Many people are surprised to learn that most serious car accidents occur just a few miles from home — often on familiar roads and at relatively low speeds. Many drivers let their guard down when they are in their own neighborhood or on their daily commute. Unfortunately, these accidents can still result in devastating injuries and long-term consequences.
If you have been seriously hurt in a crash near home and someone else was at fault, you have the right to pursue compensation for your losses. Our Glenview, IL car crash attorney can help you understand your legal options and fight for the financial recovery you need to move forward.
Why Do So Many Serious Car Accidents Happen Close to Home?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the majority of car accidents occur within 25 miles of a driver’s home. Familiarity breeds comfort — and that comfort can lead to distractions, assumptions, and poor driving habits. Some of the most common causes of neighborhood and local road accidents include:
Can a Pedestrian Be Liable in a Car Accident Case?
Most states, including Illinois, have road laws that prioritize pedestrian safety. In theory, a car accident involving an injured pedestrian would likely place the blame on the driver. However, there are incidents where a pedestrian could be at fault.
If you were a pedestrian hit by a car, an Illinois pedestrian accident lawyer will understand the laws that apply to your case, including those that govern recoverable damages. Knowing your rights is crucial in a personal injury case.
What Is Modified Comparative Negligence?
Pedestrians are responsible for upholding traffic laws that apply to them. Therefore, they can be partially liable for a car accident if they contributed to the cause, typically by violating a traffic law. For example, crossing a crosswalk when the signal says not to walk would be a violation of pedestrian traffic law. If a pedestrian was hit by a car while crossing the street illegally, they would at least be partially liable.
What Is a Scott’s Law Violation in Illinois?
On March 20th, 2025, the fourth Scott’s Law violation of the year resulted in an Illinois State Trooper in Itasca being injured. The trooper was in his patrol car while responding to a collision on a ramp heading from I-290 to I-390. The parked police car was on the road’s shoulder with emergency lights flashing when a Saturn hit it. The trooper and the Saturn’s driver were hurt and taken to local hospitals. The Saturn’s driver was cited for failing to reduce speed to avoid a collision, operating an uninsured vehicle, and a Scott’s Law violation.
Although the trooper was seated in his car in the March 20th collision, many other Scott’s Law violations involve officers or others who are outside their vehicles. Pedestrian accidents are very dangerous, often causing extremely serious or fatal injuries. If you are injured in a car or pedestrian accident, our dedicated Park Ridge, IL personal injury lawyer can help you get as much compensation as you deserve.
What Do Illinois Crash Statistics Reveal About Road Safety?
Every year, the Illinois Department of Transportation releases an annual Crash Facts & Statistics report. The newest information was recently released, providing data from 2023 crashes in Illinois. Reviewing this data can give you a sense of how many people’s lives are impacted by some kind of motor vehicle accident.
Some crashes involve only property damage, but many cause injuries and fatalities. Our experienced Park Ridge, IL personal injury attorney is here to help you get the compensation you deserve.
What Are the Highlights of the 2023 Illinois Crash Facts & Statistics Report?
There were 299,133 motor vehicle accidents reported in Illinois in 2023. 61,547 of those accidents caused 87,573 injuries, and 1,142 collisions claimed a total of 1,240 lives. Illinois had 9,175,653 licensed drivers in 2023. Other safety highlights include:
Will the West Dundee I-90 Truck Stop Increase Crash Risks?
In October 2024, the first phase of what will be the largest truck stop in the U.S. opened in West Dundee. Located just off I-90, the 30-acre property is the former site of the Elgin landfill. When complete, the facility is set to include a convenience store, truck maintenance services, office space, and 1,000 semi-truck parking spaces. Along with rapidly expanding industrial development along the I-90 corridor, the truck stop may significantly increase the number of tractor-trailers in the area.
With more truck traffic on I-90, the chances of being injured in a truck accident may also increase. If someone else’s negligence causes your truck crash, a dedicated Park Ridge, IL I-90 accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Quinn Law Group, LLC
847-232-7180
350 S. Northwest Highway, Suite 300, Park Ridge, IL 60068
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