Chicago Car Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a car accident in Chicago or the surrounding Cook, DuPage, Will, and Kane County communities, Ori Law Group can help. Joe and Kristen Ori personally handle every car crash claim — you will never be handed off to a junior associate or an intake screen. With more than 40 years of combined trial experience and over $150 million recovered for injured clients, we represent people who were hurt by a negligent driver and we prepare every case to be tried, not just settled.
If you’ve been hurt in a Chicago car accident, you’re probably overwhelmed. The bills are stacking up, the other driver’s insurance company keeps calling, and you don’t know what your claim is worth or who to trust. Take a breath. At Ori Law Group, Joe and Kristen Ori have spent decades representing people in exactly this position — and they handle every case personally, from the first phone call to the final resolution. You won’t be passed to a junior associate or an intake screen. You’ll work with the two attorneys whose names are on the door.
A serious crash can happen anywhere across the region — on the Kennedy or the Dan Ryan during a Chicago rush hour, at a busy intersection in Oak Brook or Naperville, or on I-355, I-88, or I-294 out in the western suburbs. Wherever it happened, the work is the same: figure out exactly how the crash occurred, identify every driver, employer, and insurance policy that may be responsible, and document the full extent of your injuries and losses. We move quickly to preserve evidence — the police report, vehicle data, traffic-camera footage, and witness accounts — because the strongest cases are built in the days right after the crash, not months later when the trail has gone cold. When the facts call for it, we bring in accident-reconstruction and medical experts to show precisely what happened and what it has cost you.
What sets a boutique firm apart isn’t theater — it’s attention. Insurance adjusters know which firms actually try cases and which ones always settle, and that reputation shapes every offer you receive. Because Joe and Kristen prepare every car accident claim as if it’s going to trial, the insurer has to take it seriously. That preparation covers the full range of crashes we handle — rear-end collisions, T-bone and side-impact wrecks at intersections, head-on and rollover crashes, hit-and-run cases, and multi-vehicle chain reactions — and the full range of injuries that follow, from whiplash and broken bones to traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. If you’d like to understand the mechanics of liability before we talk, our writing on who is liable in a car accident — the owner or the driver and what to do after a car accident that’s not your fault is a useful place to start.
You have two years under Illinois law to act, but the practical window is shorter — evidence fades, witnesses move, and government claims can expire in a single year. The consultation is free, there’s no upfront cost, and we work on a contingency basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover for you. Call Joe or Kristen at (312) 621-0000 to talk through what happened and what comes next.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Ori Law Group is responsible for the content of this website.
What to Do After Your Accident
- Call 911 and get medical attention right away, even if you feel fine — adrenaline hides serious injuries, and a gap in treatment becomes the insurer's argument that you weren't really hurt.
- Move to safety if you can, but leave the vehicles where they are until police arrive so the crash scene is documented accurately.
- Photograph everything — both vehicles, the damage, the intersection, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Get the other driver's name, license, license plate, and insurance information, and collect names and numbers from any witnesses.
- Report the crash to police and obtain the report number, but do not admit fault or speculate about what happened.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company before talking to an attorney.
- Keep every bill, record, repair estimate, and note about how the injury affects your work and daily life.
- Talk to a lawyer before accepting any settlement offer — once you sign a release, the claim is closed for good.
Common Causes & Types
- Distracted driving — texting, phone use, navigation screens, and inattention behind the wheel.
- Drunk or impaired driving — alcohol or drugs that slow reaction time and impair judgment.
- Speeding and reckless driving — excessive speed, tailgating, aggressive lane changes, and road rage.
- Drowsy driving — fatigue that delays reaction and causes drift across lanes.
- Unsafe weather and road conditions — ice, snow, rain, and poorly maintained or defective roadways.
- Running red lights and stop signs, failing to yield, and improper turns at intersections.
Who Can Be Held Liable
- The at-fault driver whose negligence caused the crash
- The owner of the vehicle, when a different person was driving it
- An employer, when the at-fault driver was working in the scope of employment
- A bar or establishment that over-served an intoxicated driver under the Illinois Dram Shop Act
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer when a defect — failed brakes, tires, or airbags — caused or worsened the crash
- A government entity responsible for a dangerous road defect or missing traffic control
Injuries We Handle
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord and back injuries
- Whiplash and soft-tissue neck injuries
- Broken bones and orthopedic trauma
- Internal and chest injuries
- Burns and lacerations
- Catastrophic and permanently disabling injuries
- Emotional distress and post-traumatic stress
Illinois Law & Deadlines
Damages You Can Recover
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and loss of a normal life
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Loss of consortium for a spouse
How the Legal Process Works
- Free consultation & investigation
We review your case, gather the police report and medical records, identify every insurance policy in play, and explain your options at no cost.
- Treatment & claim build-up
While you focus on recovery, we document your injuries, calculate your full damages, and handle every call from the insurance adjuster.
- Demand & negotiation
We present a demand backed by evidence and negotiate with the insurer for the full value of your claim.
- Litigation, if needed
If the insurer won't be fair, Joe or Kristen files suit and prepares your case for trial in the county where it belongs.
| At-fault driver's insurer | Your UM/UIM coverage | |
|---|---|---|
| Who pays | The negligent driver's liability policy | Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage |
| When it applies | The other driver carries adequate insurance | The other driver is uninsured, underinsured, or fled the scene |
| What you must prove | The other driver was at fault | The other driver was at fault and lacked adequate coverage |
| Illinois requirement | 25/50/20 minimum liability limits per 625 ILCS 5/7-203 | UM/UIM coverage required on every policy per 215 ILCS 5/143a |
Illinois Car Accident Laws You Need to Know
Illinois is a fault state, which means the driver who caused the crash — and that driver's insurer — is responsible for the harm.
You generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a car accident lawsuit under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. Wait too long and the claim is barred no matter how strong it is. The deadline is shorter when a government vehicle is involved, so a CTA bus or City of Chicago crash needs attention right away.
Illinois follows modified comparative fault under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. You can recover as long as you were not more than 50% responsible for the crash, but your award is reduced by your share of fault. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing — which is exactly why insurers work so hard to pin blame on you.
Every Illinois driver must carry at least 25/50/20 liability coverage — $25,000 per person, $50,000 per crash, and $20,000 in property damage — under 625 ILCS 5/7-203. Those minimums rarely cover a serious injury, and roughly one in six Illinois drivers is uninsured, which makes your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage under 215 ILCS 5/143a critically important.
Dealing with the Insurance Company After a Crash
The other driver's insurer is not on your side. Adjusters are trained to settle for the lowest possible amount, and they often start before you know how badly you're hurt. Knowing the common tactics protects your claim.
- The quick lowball offer — made within days, before the full extent of your injuries is known, and designed to close the claim cheaply.
- The recorded statement request — used to capture words that can be twisted to reduce or deny your claim.
- The early release — a settlement document that permanently closes your case in exchange for far less than it's worth.
- The pre-existing condition argument — blaming your pain on an old injury to avoid paying for what the crash actually caused.
Local Resources
Why Choose Ori Law Group
Ori Law Group is a women-owned, two-attorney trial firm in Oak Brook. When you call, you reach Joe or Kristen — not a paralegal, not an intake AI, not a rotating cast of junior associates. Joe Ori has concentrated in personal injury for more than 25 years and has been named to Super Lawyers every year since 2013; Kristen Ori leads our litigation and was recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star. Together they bring over 40 years of combined trial experience and more than $150 million recovered, and they prepare every car accident case to be tried, not just settled. Our Oak Brook office is convenient to Chicago and the entire Cook, DuPage, Will, and Kane County region.
Case Results
Recovered for the wrongful death of an infant in an interstate trucking collision.
Recovered for a retired Chicago police officer who sustained back and neck injuries in an auto accident.
Recovered for the wrongful death of a victim of a highway trucking accident with disputed liability.
Recovered for a 72-year-old man who sustained head and neck injuries in an auto accident.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See more results →
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Illinois?
You generally have two years from the date of the crash (735 ILCS 5/13-202). If your claim is against a government entity — a CTA bus, Pace, or a City of Chicago vehicle — the deadline is shorter, often one year, with a strict notice requirement. Deadlines for injured minors are generally tolled until age 18. It's best to act well before any deadline so evidence can be preserved.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Often yes. Illinois follows modified comparative fault under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. If you were 50% or less at fault, you can recover, though your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing — which is why insurers try hard to shift blame onto you.
What if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured?
Illinois requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on every auto policy under 215 ILCS 5/143a. When the at-fault driver has no insurance, too little, or flees the scene, you file a claim under your own UM/UIM coverage. Roughly one in six Illinois drivers is uninsured, so this coverage matters more than most people realize.
What does it cost to hire Ori Law Group?
There is no upfront cost. We handle car accident cases on a contingency basis — we are paid a percentage of your recovery only if we win or settle your case, and your consultation is free. You pay nothing out of pocket to get started.
What is my Chicago car accident claim worth?
Every case is different. Recovery typically includes economic damages — medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and future earnings — and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and emotional distress. Punitive damages are rare and require proving willful or wanton conduct. After reviewing your case, Joe or Kristen will give you an honest assessment.
Should I accept the insurance company's first settlement offer?
Usually no. First offers are commonly far below the true value of a claim, and once you sign a release the case is closed for good. Insurance adjusters are trained to settle for the least amount possible. Talk to an attorney before signing anything.
Will Joe or Kristen personally handle my case?
Yes. As a two-attorney boutique firm, Joe and Kristen work directly with you from the first consultation through resolution. Your calls reach the lawyers actually working your file.
Do I have to come to your Oak Brook office for a consultation?
No. We meet clients by phone, by video, at our Oak Brook office, or at your home or hospital — whichever works for you. Joe or Kristen personally handles every consultation throughout Cook, DuPage, Will, and Kane Counties.
What's the difference between a Cook County and a DuPage County car accident case?
Venue depends on where the crash happened and where the parties live. Cook County Circuit Court at the Daley Center handles Chicago-proper cases; DuPage County Circuit Court in Wheaton handles Oak Brook, Naperville, and Downers Grove; Will County (Joliet) and Kane County (Geneva) handle their respective suburbs. We represent clients and file in all four.
Legally reviewed by Joseph and Kristen Ori · Last reviewed June 24, 2026. This page is attorney advertising and is for general information only — it is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship.
Hurt in a Chicago Car Accident? Let's Talk.
Free, confidential consultation — call (312) 621-0000. No upfront cost, and Joe or Kristen handles your case personally.