The short answer
In Illinois you generally have two years from the crash to file an injury lawsuit — but claims against the City of Chicago, the CTA, or another local public body can have a one-year deadline, and evidence like traffic-camera footage is often overwritten in days. If you were hurt, call (312) 222-0202 or use the form for a free review. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover.
When you should call a lawyer — and when you may not need one
Not every fender-bender needs an attorney. If no one was hurt and the other driver's insurer is paying for your repairs, you can usually handle the property claim yourself. Talk to a lawyer when any of these are true:
- You needed an ER visit, imaging, physical therapy, or missed work
- The insurer is disputing fault or says you were partly to blame
- The other driver was uninsured, underinsured, or left the scene
- A rideshare, delivery, commercial, CTA, or city vehicle was involved
- An adjuster is asking for a recorded statement or a medical records release
- You were offered a quick settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries
What working with us looks like
You talk to your attorney
Calls and questions go to the lawyer handling your case, not a rotating intake team.
Contingency fee
No attorney fee unless we recover. The fee percentage and how case costs are handled are spelled out in a written agreement before you sign.
We take over insurer contact
Once you hire us, adjusters deal with us — including recorded-statement and records requests.
Evidence first
We request crash reports, preserve video and vehicle data, and document injuries early, while they still exist.
Meet your attorney to see who would handle your case.
Illinois rules that decide most car accident claims
Two-year filing deadline
Most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash (735 ILCS 5/13-202). Claims against local public entities generally must be filed within one year (745 ILCS 10/8-101).
Fault is shared — up to a point
Your recovery is reduced by your share of fault, and if you are more than 50% responsible you recover nothing (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). That is why insurers argue fault so hard.
Minimum coverage is low
Illinois requires at least $25,000 in bodily-injury coverage per person (625 ILCS 5/7-203). Serious injuries often exceed that, which makes your own underinsured coverage important.
Your own policy may pay
Illinois policies must include uninsured-motorist coverage, which also applies to hit-and-run crashes (215 ILCS 5/143a).
What compensation can include
Every case is different, and no lawyer can honestly promise a number before reviewing the facts. Illinois injury claims commonly seek:
- Medical bills, past and expected future treatment
- Lost wages and reduced ability to earn
- Pain, suffering, and loss of normal life
- Disfigurement or permanent impairment
- Vehicle repair or replacement and rental costs
For how insurers actually value these items, read what your injury case may be worth.
Crash scenarios that need extra care
- Uber and Lyft crashes — which policy applies depends on whether the driver was logged on, en route, or carrying a passenger.
- Hit-and-run crashes — a prompt police report matters for your uninsured-motorist claim.
- Passenger injuries — passengers can often claim against more than one driver's insurance.
- Disputed fault — how the 51% bar works in practice.
Dealing with a specific insurance company
How a claim plays out depends partly on who insures the other driver. Our carrier guides cover what to expect from the most common insurers in Illinois:
Just had a crash?
Follow our step-by-step checklist: what to do after a car accident in Illinois.
Sources
- 735 ILCS 5/13-202 — two-year personal injury limitations period
- 735 ILCS 5/2-1116 — modified comparative fault (51% bar)
- 625 ILCS 5/7-203 — minimum liability limits
- 215 ILCS 5/143a — uninsured and hit-and-run coverage
- 745 ILCS 10/8-101 — one-year deadline for claims against local public entities
This page is general information, not legal advice. Updated October 15, 2026.