Best Chicago Car Accident Attorneys

After a crash, Chicago car accident lawyers take over the calls with adjusters and the paperwork that follows. They handle claims from expressway pileups, Uber and Lyft wrecks, and incidents involving drivers who hit cyclists or pedestrians. Medical bills, lost wages, and a damaged car can all be part of one claim. The attorneys below handle these cases across Chicagoland.

Listed Chicago Car Accident Lawyers are ranked by one score, applied the same way to every firm. It draws on public signals, including:

  • Client satisfaction and overall online reputation
  • The volume and consistency of client feedback
  • How established the firm is
  • Peer recognition within the legal community and across the web

Rankings are calculated independently from public data. Paid placements don't change a listing's score.

Top-Rated Chicago Auto Accident Lawyers Across Cook & Collar Counties

Screenshot of the Ankin Law Website
10 N Dearborn St #500, Chicago, IL 60602, USA

Ankin Law is a Chicago personal injury firm that takes car accidents, work injuries, and medical malpractice cases. Its attorneys often handle crashes with more than one at-fault party. Having workers' comp lawyers on the same team helps when a crash happens on the job.

One result stands out for drivers. The firm recovered $1.26 million from State Farm for a school bus driver hurt in a rear-end collision. It has also won $17 million in a medical negligence case.

In addition to Chicago, Ankin Law serves Arlington Heights, Rockford, Peoria, and Orland Park. Cases are handled on a contingent fee basis.

Screenshot of the Horwitz, Horwitz and Associates, Ltd. Website

Since 1924, Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates has represented injured people across Illinois. Its Joliet office serves auto accident victims in Will and Kendall counties, southwest of Chicago. The attorneys know local trouble spots, including busy stretches of I-80.

Notable results include:

  • $40 million in a truck accident case
  • $16.4 million in an automobile accident case
  • $2.1 million in a bus vs. bicycle case

The firm builds claims under Illinois comparative negligence rules. Those rules allow recovery even when an injured driver shares some of the blame.

Screenshot of the Budin Law Offices Website
134 N La Salle St, Suite 210, Chicago, IL 60602, USA

John Budin has taken on major insurance companies for injured Chicagoans for more than three decades. His firm recovered $10 million for a young man left quadriplegic after hitting a semi-trailer. Another client received the $2 million policy limits. He was struck on the highway while fixing a flat tire.

Budin Law Offices also represents injured railroad workers under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). Workers' comp and construction accident cases are part of the practice too.

Phones are answered 24/7 for anyone who needs a Chicago car accident attorney after hours.

Screenshot of the VanDerGinst Law, P.C. Website
205 W Randolph St #1440, Chicago, IL 60606, USA

VanDerGinst Law is a personal injury practice with offices in Chicago, Moline, and Des Moines. The firm only represents injured people, never insurers or big businesses. As a result, it has no conflicts of interest.

Crash victims who need a Chicago car accident lawyer can work with the downtown Loop office. Attorneys there also take truck and motorcycle cases across Illinois and Iowa.

One motorcyclist received $2 million after a drum fell off a truck and hit him. Another client received $800,000 after a semi struck him on the highway shoulder.

Screenshot of the Phillips Law Offices Website
161 N Clark St #4925, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Phillips Law Offices is a Chicago trial firm that has represented injury victims since 1945. Its attorneys have recovered more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements. That total includes a $25 million record verdict in a drunk driving accident case.

The firm's reputation shows in an unusual way. Opposing lawyers have hired Phillips when their own family members were hurt.

Beyond car crashes, the team handles birth injuries, defective drugs, and brain and spinal cord injuries.

Screenshot of the Shammas Law Website
161 N Clark St #3050, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Clients of Shammas Law reach attorney Michael Shammas directly by office line, cell phone, text, or email. As a personal injury lawyer in Chicago, he keeps each car accident claim moving.

He has secured millions of dollars in settlements. Many past clients mention his clear updates and quick replies.

Screenshot of the William S. Wojcik, Ltd. Website
4550 W 103rd St # 101, Oak Lawn, IL 60453, USA

William Wojcik is an injury attorney in Oak Lawn. He has served Chicago's southwest side and south suburbs for more than three decades. Clients come from Chicago Ridge, Bridgeview, Burbank, and nearby towns.

A Chicago Lawyer settlement survey ranked him among the top 100 Illinois lawyers for $500,000+ settlements. His firm won a $3.4 million car accident jury verdict in Cook County.

Screenshot of the Power Rogers, LLP Website
70 W Madison St # 5500, Chicago, IL 60602, USA

A $229 million car accident and premises liability settlement tops the case list at Power Rogers, LLP. In total, the firm has recovered more than $6 billion. Chicago Lawyer has repeatedly ranked it No. 1 for dollars recovered.

One trucking case exposed the licenses-for-bribes scandal. It led to 76 criminal convictions, including a former Illinois governor. The trial team also takes aviation and medical malpractice cases.

Screenshot of the Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC Website
33 N La Salle St Suite 3500, Chicago, IL 60602, USA

Mark Karno is a car accident attorney in Chicago. His firm has handled injury cases for more than four decades. Results include $2.1 million for two young children hurt on Interstate 80 during a snowstorm. The firm also won $6.32 million in a tavern assault case.

His team stresses the Illinois statute of limitations. Most injury victims have two years to file.

Screenshot of the Schwaner Injury Law Website
111 N Wabash Ave STE 801, Chicago, IL 60602, USA

At 31, David Schwaner became one of Illinois' youngest attorneys to win a seven-figure jury verdict. He has tried cases in Illinois courts for more than two decades.

Schwaner Injury Law has recovered $10 million in a trucking case and $4.2 million in a bus crash. The firm also handles CTA train accidents, dog bites, and work injuries. Case reviews are free.

Screenshot of the Shapiro, Cohen & Basinger, Trial Lawyers Website
180 N La Salle Dr Suite 3050, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Shapiro, Cohen & Basinger is a Chicago trial firm founded in 1978 as Donald A. Shapiro, Ltd. It won the largest medical malpractice verdict in Kane County history, $24.775 million.

Donald Shapiro has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer in his field year after year. The team also takes auto accident claims, and staff speak Spanish.

Screenshot of the Law Office of M. Andrew Hamilton, PC Website
180 N La Salle St Ste. 1922, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Andrew Hamilton runs a trial practice built on direct client contact. His experience covers jury trials, arbitrations, mediations, and pre-lawsuit settlements.

He takes auto crashes, pedestrian injuries, and slip and fall cases of any size. Several of his cases have resolved for over $1 million.

Screenshot of the Kramer Injury Law LLC Website
161 N Clark St #1600, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Kramer Injury Law is a catastrophic injury firm founded in 2018 by R. Joseph Kramer. Before that, he spent over a decade on mass tort and drug cases against major corporations.

The attorney litigating each case also runs it, not a rotating case manager. The firm serves Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, and Kane counties. Results include a $7.925 million bus accident recovery.

Screenshot of the Disparti Law Group Website
121 W Wacker Dr Suite 2300, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Over $2 billion in recoveries backs Disparti Law Group's claim to be Chicago's largest injury firm. Led by Larry Disparti, the team has offices in Chicago, Plainfield, and the Tampa area.

Clients who can't reach the office can have an attorney come to them. The firm handles Uber crashes, boat accidents, and disability claims.

Screenshot of the McNabola & Associates, LLC Website
161 N Clark St #2550-B, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

McNabola & Associates is a Chicago trial firm that has recovered more than $300 million. Ted McNabola secured a $27 million settlement after a fatal motor vehicle collision. He has served as president of the Society of Trial Lawyers.

Screenshot of the Keating Law Offices, P.C. Website
825 N Milwaukee Ave Ste 1, Chicago, IL 60642, USA

Attorney Mike Keating wrote the first draft of Dennis's Law, an Illinois bicycle safety law signed in 2016. Keating Law Offices focuses on bike and walking injuries, including dooring crashes. Past results include a $4.25 million pedestrian wrongful death case.

Screenshot of the LaMonica & Sprague, LLC Website
150 S Wacker Dr Suite 2130, Chicago, IL 60606, USA

LaMonica & Sprague is a Chicagoland injury firm with more than $100 million recovered. Its case record leans on truck, rideshare, and commercial vehicle crashes.

Screenshot of the Rhatigan Law Offices Website

Serving Chicago and suburbs such as Skokie, Palatine, and Naperville, Rhatigan Law focuses on traffic collision cases. Timothy Rhatigan's team has handled crash claims for more than two decades, including Amazon truck and Uber wrecks.

Screenshot of the Heller Trakhtman & Associates Website
707 Lake Cook Road, Suite 316, Deerfield, IL 60015

Heller Trakhtman & Associates is a Deerfield injury firm serving Cook and Lake counties and southeastern Wisconsin. Its attorneys bring more than 75 years of combined experience to car crash and nursing home abuse cases.

Screenshot of the Hofeld and Schaffner Website
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2425, Chicago, IL 60602

Best Lawyers ranks Hofeld and Schaffner a Tier 1 plaintiff's personal injury firm in Chicago. Its attorneys have recovered more than $300 million, including a $12 million trucking recovery.

Screenshot of the The Horwitz Law Group Website
20 N. Clark Street Suite 3300, Chicago, IL 60602

Mark Horwitz is an injury attorney in Chicago who has represented crash victims since 1991. The Horwitz Law Group handles CTA, Metra, and rideshare accidents, plus hit-and-run claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a car accident lawyer cost in Chicago?

Most charge a contingency fee. The lawyer takes a share of the settlement or verdict. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee. Firms handle case costs, such as filing fees and expert witness fees, differently, so get the fee terms in writing.

How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Illinois?

Two years for most injury claims. Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the clock usually starts on the date of the crash. Claims for vehicle damage alone have a 5-year limit. Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years of the death.

What if a CTA bus or city vehicle hit me?

Your deadline is much shorter. Lawsuits against the CTA, the City of Chicago, and other local government bodies generally must be filed within one year. Local government immunity rules may also limit some claims. Talk to a lawyer well before that year runs out.

Can I still recover if I was partly at fault?

Yes, if you were not more than 50% at fault. Illinois follows modified comparative negligence under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. Your award is reduced by your share of the blame. If a jury finds you more than 50% at fault, recovery is barred.

What if the other driver had no insurance?

Your own policy may pay. Illinois requires liability coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for injuries. Every policy must also include uninsured motorist coverage. That coverage can pay for your injuries when the at-fault driver has none.

What damages can I recover after a crash in Chicago?

Economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages cover medical bills, lost income, and car repairs. Non-economic damages cover pain, emotional distress, and loss of normal life. Illinois has no general cap on these damages in car crash cases.

Do I need a lawyer for a minor car accident?

Not always. A fender-bender with no injuries can often be settled directly with the insurer. But pain from whiplash or a concussion can show up days later. Once injuries or disputed fault are involved, a lawyer can protect the claim's value.

How long does a Chicago car accident case take?

Months to a few years. Clear-liability claims with modest injuries often settle without a lawsuit. Cases filed in the Law Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County take longer. Discovery, depositions, and trial dates all add time.

Types of Car Accident Cases in Chicago

Expressway Crashes. The Dan Ryan, Kennedy, Eisenhower, and Stevenson expressways carry heavy traffic every day. Sudden slowdowns and lane changes cause chain-reaction collisions. These cases often involve several drivers and several insurers.

Rideshare Accidents. Uber and Lyft cars are common across the Loop and North Side. Which policy pays depends on whether the driver was logged into the app or carrying a rider. Coverage limits can be much higher than a personal policy.

Pedestrian Accidents. Busy crosswalks in River North, the West Loop, and Lakeview put pedestrians at risk. Turning drivers who fail to yield cause many of these crashes. Injuries are often severe, including traumatic brain injury.

Bicycle and Dooring Accidents. A driver or passenger who opens a car door into a cyclist can be held liable. Right-hook turns across bike lanes are another common cause. Cyclists often suffer fractures and head injuries.

Drunk Driving Crashes. Victims can pursue the impaired driver and sometimes the bar that served them. The Illinois Dram Shop Act allows claims against businesses that sold the alcohol. These claims have their own damage limits and deadlines.

Hit-and-Run Accidents. When the driver cannot be found, your uninsured motorist coverage may step in. Report the crash to police quickly, since insurers may require a prompt report. Nearby traffic and business cameras can help identify the vehicle.

Motorcycle Accidents. Riders on DuSable Lake Shore Drive and city streets face drivers who misjudge their speed. Insurers often try to blame the rider. Helmet cameras and witness statements can counter that.

Commercial Truck and Delivery Van Crashes. Freight traffic on I-55, I-80, and I-94 brings semi-trucks through the region. Delivery vans crowd city streets as well. These cases can name the driver, the employer, and the vehicle owner.

How to Choose a Car Accident Lawyer in Chicago

Ask about Cook County trial experience. Insurers pay closer attention when a lawyer has tried cases to verdict. Ask how many car crash cases the attorney has taken to trial.

Check experience with public-entity claims. Crashes involving CTA buses, city trucks, or road defects follow one-year deadlines and immunity rules. Choose a lawyer who has handled these claims before.

Find out who will run your case. Some firms hand files to case managers after intake. Ask who returns calls and who will appear in court.

Read the fee agreement closely. Confirm the contingency percentage and how case costs are paid. Ask whether costs come out before or after the attorney's share.

Ask about investigation resources. Strong claims rely on evidence like crash data, video, and phone records. Some cases need accident reconstruction experts or medical specialists to testify.

Car Accident Settlement Factors in Chicago

No two Chicago car accident settlements are alike. Injury severity matters most, and a catastrophic injury is valued far above a soft-tissue strain. The length of treatment and any lasting limits on work also raise value. Shared fault reduces the award under Illinois law. Policy limits often set the practical ceiling, since Illinois minimums are low. Rideshare and commercial policies usually carry higher limits. A local attorney can give you a realistic range once your medical treatment is complete.

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