Talking to a GEICO adjuster?
Before you sign anything or give a recorded statement, call (312) 222-0202 or start a free case review. You will speak with an attorney, not a call center.
The trap of the quick settlement offer while you are still in pain
An early offer from the at-fault driver's insurer can arrive within days of a crash, often before you've had imaging or seen a specialist. A check that covers the ER bill can feel like relief.
But accepting almost always means signing a release, and a release generally ends your claim for good, including injuries that show up later. Back, neck, and head injuries often aren't fully understood for weeks. Once you sign, you can't reopen the claim when the MRI comes back.
- Don't sign anything until your doctors can say what your recovery looks like
- Ask for any offer in writing, and don't accept one over the phone
- Keep records of missed work and out-of-pocket costs from day one
- The two-year Illinois filing deadline keeps running while you wait
How GEICO can use Illinois comparative fault to shift blame onto you
Illinois uses modified comparative fault (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, and if you're found more than 50% responsible, you recover nothing. That makes the fault split one of the most negotiated points in any claim.
Expect an adjuster to look for anything that moves a few points of blame onto you: your speed, a late brake, a phone in the cupholder, a statement that you “didn't see” the other car. Every 10% of fault assigned to you can take 10% off what you recover.
We work to set the record straight early: getting the crash report, finding traffic and business camera footage before it's overwritten, taking witness statements, and bringing in accident reconstruction experts when the case calls for it.
Filing a lawsuit against a GEICO driver at the Richard J. Daley Center
In Illinois, you generally sue the at-fault driver, not their insurer. GEICO then provides that driver's defense and pays any settlement or verdict up to the policy limits. In Cook County, personal injury lawsuits seeking more than $30,000 are filed in the Law Division of the Circuit Court, based at the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St.
Filing doesn't mean you'll end up at trial. Most cases still settle. But a filed case has deadlines, a judge, and discovery, and that changes how an insurer evaluates it.
If the GEICO driver's limits are too low to cover your injuries, underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy may make up part of the difference. We review every available policy at the start.
Frequently asked questions — GEICO claims
Should I accept GEICO's first settlement offer?
Not before you understand the full extent of your injuries and have talked with a lawyer. Accepting typically means signing a release that ends your claim permanently.
Where is a Chicago car accident lawsuit filed?
Cook County cases seeking more than $30,000 are filed in the Law Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, based at the Richard J. Daley Center. Smaller claims go to the court's Municipal Department.
Sources
LawMachine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by GEICO. GEICO is a trademark of its owner and is used here only to identify the insurer. This page is general information, not legal advice, and every case is different.