After a Crash, the Insurance Company Is Not on Your Side
Within days of a car accident, you'll likely hear from the at-fault driver's insurance adjuster. They may sound friendly. Their job is to pay as little as possible. Common tactics include asking for a recorded statement, requesting access to all your medical records, and making a fast settlement offer before you know how serious your injuries are.
Phil Lorenz has handled car accident cases for more than 20 years. He takes over communication with the insurers, documents the full extent of your injuries, and pushes for a settlement that reflects what you've actually lost.
Car Accident Cases Phil Handles
- Rear-end collisions and whiplash injuries
- Intersection and left-turn crashes
- Distracted driving and texting crashes
- Drunk and impaired driver crashes
- Hit-and-run and uninsured or underinsured drivers
- Rideshare (Uber and Lyft) accidents
- Pedestrians and bicyclists hit by vehicles
- Accidents with multiple vehicles or multiple injuries
Uninsured or underinsured driver? Illinois requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage on their own policy. If the driver who hit you had no insurance, or not enough, your own policy may pay. Phil can review your coverage with you.
What to Do After a Car Accident
- Call 911 and get a police report, even if the crash seems minor.
- Get checked by a doctor the same day or the next. Neck, back and head injuries often show up later.
- Take photos of both vehicles, the scene, road conditions and your injuries.
- Get names and numbers of the other driver, their insurer and any witnesses.
- Don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer, and don't post about the crash on social media.
- Call Phil before you sign anything or accept an offer.
What You Can Recover
Illinois law lets injured people recover compensation for the full harm someone else's negligence caused. Depending on your case, that can include:
- Medical expenses, past and future: ER visits, surgery, therapy, medication and ongoing care
- Lost wages and reduced ability to earn in the future
- Pain and suffering, including physical pain and emotional distress
- Loss of normal life: the activities, hobbies and independence the injury took from you
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Property damage, such as vehicle repair or replacement
"Best personal injury lawyer around, from Aurora to Palos and Chicago to Joliet. Got me maximum insurance policy value on multiple car accidents with back, spine, shoulder and neck, and foot and ankle injuries. Highly recommend"
Jennifer A., Google review
Common Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Illinois?
In most Illinois personal injury cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Claims against a city, county, park district or other local government can have a much shorter deadline of one year, and some require notice even sooner. Talk to a lawyer as early as you can so a deadline does not quietly end your case.
What if I was partly at fault?
Illinois uses modified comparative fault. You can still recover as long as you were 50% or less at fault, but your award is reduced by your share of the blame. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing. Insurance adjusters know this rule and often try to push more blame onto you, which is one reason to have a lawyer before you give a recorded statement.
Should I accept the insurance company's first offer?
Usually not before you talk to a lawyer. Early offers often come before the full cost of your medical care is known. Once you accept and sign a release, you generally can't reopen the claim, even if your injuries turn out to be worse.
What if the other driver has no insurance?
You may be able to recover through the uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy. Illinois requires this coverage. Underinsured coverage may also apply if the other driver's limits are too low to cover your losses.
How much does it cost to hire Phil?
The consultation is free. Phil handles injury cases on a contingency fee, which means his fee is a percentage of what he recovers for you. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee. Phil will explain the fee agreement in writing before you sign anything.