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Car Accidents in Rochester

Car Accidents Trial Lawyers
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Over $50 Million in Recoveries

Jeff Bier – Personal Injury Lawyer At Carlson Bier Associates
Personal Injury Lawyer Orland Park Illinois | Carlson Bier Associates

About Carlson Bier Associates

In the unfortunate circumstance of a car accident, your protection is paramount. Choosing Carlson Bier as your representative ensures you’re guided by experience and expertise in the complex domain of personal injury law. We understand how altering an event such as a car accident can be, which is why our team defends your rights tenaciously to secure fair compensation for all related damages, medical expenses, lost earnings and emotional distress associated with such incidents. Our relentless pursuit in advocating favorable outcomes has solidified their reputation far beyond the borders of Illinois – extending even to Rochester city. Regardless if you navigate unforeseen circumstances or are struggling with insurance companies unwilling to compensate justly; at Carlson Bier we regard complexity not as a hindrance but an opportunity to fight against unjust practices within the auto accident scene – upholding resilience and justice on behalf of those whose voices have been silenced by misfortune’s cruel impact on one’s life trajectory.

About Carlson Bier

Car Accidents Lawyers in Rochester Illinois

At Carlson Bier, we are committed to fiercely representing victims of car accidents in Illinois as a leading personal injury attorney group. Our dedicated team is comprised of accomplished attorneys who carry a profound sense of duty towards securing the justice and compensation our clients rightfully deserve. Possessing an extensive track record successfully handling personal injury cases rooted in car accidents, we understand the emotional challenge and daunting legal complexities these scenarios can inflict on those injured.

Car accidents can vary greatly both in cause and impact – ranging from minor fender-benders to catastrophic collisions resulting in serious injuries or even death. They are often caused by factors including distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, reckless driving, poor road conditions or weather conditions, vehicle defects amongst others—all contributing to disastrous outcomes that are life-altering for victims involved.

Whether you were hit by a commercial truck on the highway or became entangled in a multi-vehicle collision at an intersection due to another driver’s negligence; your primary focus should be recovering from your physical and psychological trauma. This could range from minor burns and fractures to severe brain and spinal cord injuries – each requiring different timelines for healing along with varying financial implications:

• Medical bills: Emergency care services such as hospital visits, surgery fees, medication costs.

• Rehabilitation & therapy: Physical therapy sessions required over time aiding recovery.

• Lost salaries: Missed workdays leading to income loss during recuperation period.

• Future expenses: Long-term medical treatments/care rendered essential owing to sustained damage.

Meanwhile at Carlson Bier we will strive relentlessly to remove the burdensome legal layer off your shoulders by pursuing rightful compensatory damages on your behalf—including economic losses such as medical expenses or out-of-pocket costs related directly/indirectly with the accident—helping you get back on track towards regaining normalcy.

Understanding ‘Fault’ within Illinois Car Accident Law is crucial too—an aspect effectively handled by our seasoned team. As it follows Modified Comparative Fault—50% Rule; an injured party can claim damages in a lawsuit only if they were less than 50 percent at fault. Crucially, the amount of compensation is reduced by the percentage that the victim was found to be at fault.

Insurance companies often attempt to construe circumstances favoring their policyholders or even push accident victims into accepting subpar settlements—an unfortunate reality which underscores how vital legal representation becomes in such trying times. At Carlson Bier, our legal advocacy goes beyond mere representation—reflecting a staunch conviction towards leveling the playing field against influential insurance bodies and ensuring your voice doesn’t merely echo but resonates within courtroom walls until justice has unfolded.

We encourage you to utilize resources available on our website for gaining general insights about Illinois’ laws pertaining to car accidents—a beginning step aimed towards empowering you with useful knowledge whilst embarking upon this journey seeking rightful reparation.

By clicking on the button below, we offer you an initial direction towards evaluating your case’s worth enabling an oversight into possible compensatory damages that could be recuperated—if proven less than 50% liable within given scenario parameters as per Modified Comparative Fault guidelines prevalent across Illinois.

Remember – while these online resources provide a broad understanding—they are no substitute for professional counsel—a specialized realm where our attorneys bring years of expertise addressing unique intricacies translating every personal injury case tied with automobile mishaps. Hence feel free to connect with us anytime—we are here ready and prepared—for holding accountable those responsible for causing unwarranted distress in your life due to their negligent driving behavior thus instilling peace through pursuit of rightful justice providing closure amidst chaos stirred by such unforeseen incidents disrupting lives.

Testimonials from Clients

Your Success Is Our Success

Notable Illinois Appellate Wins

Moruzzi v. CCC Servs., Inc., 2020 IL App (2d) 190411, 171 N.E.3d 61
Background: Insured motorist filed action against insurer for declaratory judgment seeking construction of automobile insurance policy issued to insured and that was in effect when insured was injured by an underinsured driver. The Circuit Court, DuPage County, Bonnie M. Wheaton, J., granted the insurer's motions for summary judgment. Insured appealed.Holdings: The Appellate Court, Zenoff, J., held that:1 medical payments reduction clause in automobile insurance policy conflicted with underinsured motorist provisions so as to render reduction clause ambiguous, and thus medical payment benefits were deductible from insured's damages;2 law firm representing insured did not create common fund or common funds when it reached settlement with underinsured motorist, and thus law firm was not entitled to recover fees under common-fund doctrine; and3 collateral estoppel did not bar automobile insurers from litigating whether common-fund doctrine applied in insured motorist's declaratory judgment action.Affirmed in part and reversed in part.
Maier v. CC Servs., Inc., 2019 IL App (3d) 170640, 132 N.E.3d 795
Background: After insured, who was injured in automobile collision with another driver, recovered full liability limits of driver's policy, she filed amended complaint for declaratory judgment against her own automobile insurer, alleging that insurer breached contractual duty to pay for insured's damages in accordance with uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage in insured's policy and that insurer acted in bad faith in denying insured such coverage. The Circuit Court, La Salle County, Troy D. Holland, J., granted the insurer's motion to dismiss claims as time-barred. Insured appealed.The Appellate Court ruled that neither the insurer nor the insured could add amended policy provisions to the court record. It was decided that the policy's requirement for a written arbitration demand applied to both uninsured and underinsured motorist claims. The court found that a letter from the insured's attorney to the insurer wasn't a valid arbitration demand nor a proof of loss to toll the statute of limitations. Finally, the insurer was permitted to use the defense based on the two-year statute of limitations period. The court's decision was affirmed.
Econ. Premier Assurance Co. v. Country Mut. Ins. Co., 2021 IL App (1st) 192364-U
Holding: The circuit court's order that granted defendant's motion for summary judgment and denied plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment was proper where defendant had no duty to indemnify its insured with respect to the underlying complaint and therefore plaintiff was not entitled to recover against defendant on its subrogation or unjust enrichment claims; affirmed.
Country Preferred Ins. Co. v. Westerheide, 2023 IL App (5th) 220343-U
Holding: The court affirmed judgment of the circuit court granting summary judgment in favor of the plaintiff where the defendant failed to make a written demand for arbitration within two years from the date of the accident as required by the underinsured provisions of the defendant's automotive insurance policy.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Olsak, 2022 IL App (1st) 200695, 216 N.E.3d 291
In a complex legal case, an insurer sought to avoid defending or indemnifying a hockey player under a policy issued to the player's stepfather after the player was sued for assaulting his coach. The initial Circuit Court ruling favored the insurer, but the Appellate Court reversed this decision, leading to a protracted legal battle. Ultimately, the Appellate Court determined the insurer was liable only up to the $3 million policy limit and found the insurer's four-year delay in seeking a declaratory judgment to be reasonable. This case highlights important aspects of insurance litigation and policy limit liabilities.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Durkin Elec. Co., Inc., 2022 IL App (1st) 210293-U, appeal denied, 199 N.E.3d 1187 (Ill. 2022)
Holding: The circuit court's order that denied plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment and found that defendant was an additional insured under the policy was proper. The circuit court's order that denied defendant's motion for summary judgment and found that plaintiff did not have a duty to defend or indemnify defendant under the policy was proper; affirmed.
Country Preferred Ins. Co. v. Groen, 2017 IL App (4th) 160028, 69 N.E.3d 911
Background: Uninsured motorist (UM) carrier brought action against insured for declaratory judgment that it owed no benefits since workers' compensation received by insured exceeded policy limits. The Circuit Court, Sangamon County, Chris Perrin, J., entered summary judgment in favor of the carrier. Insured appealed.Holdings: The Appellate Court, Harris, J., held that:1 employer's medical payments entitled carrier to setoff, and2 setoff clauses were enforceable.Affirmed.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Frobish, 2021 IL App (3d) 190473-U
Holding: Allegations in the underlying complaint that a township employee caused property damage by excavating and digging out a ditch failed to impose a duty to defend under township employee's individual farm insurance policy.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Jones, 2018 IL App (1st) 173154-U
Holding: The judgment of the circuit court of Cook County is affirmed; plaintiff is entitled to summary judgment on its claim for a declaratory judgment that it has no duty to defend or indemnify its insured against the underlying complaint because the loss claimed in the underlying complaint is subject to an exclusion. The court held that it would also enter judgment for plaintiff because the underlying complaint does not allege an “occurrence” causing bodily injury within the meaning of the policy.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Schmitt, 2021 IL App (5th) 190173-U
Holding: The appellate court reversed and remanded the judgment of the circuit court where plaintiff had no duty to defend its insured and thus was not stopped from raising policy defenses to coverage for the underlying tort action contained in the amended declaratory action.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Livorsi Marine, Inc., 222 Ill. 2d 303, 856 N.E.2d 338 (2006) (the late Keith Carlson)
Liability insurer brought action against insureds for a declaratory judgment based on failure to provide timely notice of lawsuits against them. The Circuit Court, Cook County, Stephen A. Schiller, J., entered judgment for the insurer. Insureds appealed. The Appellate Court, Wolfson, J., 358 Ill.App.3d 880, 295 Ill.Dec. 665, 833 N.E.2d 871, affirmed. Leave to appeal was granted.Holdings: The Supreme Court, Garman, J., held that:1 if the insurer did not receive reasonable notice of an occurrence or a lawsuit, the policyholder may not recover under the policy, regardless of whether the lack of reasonable notice prejudiced the insurer, overruling Rice v. AAA Aerostar, Inc., 294 Ill.App.3d 801, 229 Ill.Dec. 20, 690 N.E.2d 1067, and Cincinnati Insurance Co. v. Baur's Opera House, Inc., 296 Ill.App.3d 1011, 230 Ill.Dec. 624, 694 N.E.2d 593, and2 insured did not need to prove that it was prejudiced by delayed notice of lawsuits.Affirmed.
Education & Information

Resources For Rochester Residents

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Car Accident FAQ​

The most common causes of car accidents in Chicago include:

  • Driver negligence: This includes distracted driving, speeding, and failing to yield.
  • Road conditions: Potholes, uneven pavement, and other road hazards can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
  • Vehicle defects: Defective vehicles can cause accidents in a variety of ways.
  • Weather conditions: Rain, snow, and ice can make roads slick and dangerous.

If you are involved in a car accident in Chicago, you should:

  • Seek medical attention immediately. Even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor.
  • Exchange information with the other driver. Get their name, address, insurance information, and license plate number.
  • Take pictures of the scene of the accident. This will help you document what happened and build your case if you decide to file a lawsuit.
  • Report the accident to the police. This will create a record of the accident and help you get help if you need it.
  • Contact a car accident lawyer. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and options, and can represent you in court if necessary.

As a car accident victim in Chicago, you have the right to:

  • Seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
  • File a lawsuit against the driver who caused your accident.
  • Have your case heard by a jury.

In a car accident lawsuit in Chicago, you may be able to recover the following types of damages:

  • Medical expenses: This includes the cost of ambulance rides, hospital stays, doctor’s appointments, and physical therapy.
  • Lost wages: This includes the wages you lost while you were unable to work because of your injuries.
  • Pain and suffering: This includes compensation for the physical and emotional pain you have endured as a result of your injuries.

In a car accident lawsuit in Chicago, you may be able to recover the following types of damages:

  • Medical expenses: This includes the cost of ambulance rides, hospital stays, doctor’s appointments, and physical therapy.
  • Lost wages: This includes the wages you lost while you were unable to work because of your injuries.
  • Pain and suffering: This includes compensation for the physical and emotional pain you have endured as a result of your injuries.

     

    Property damage: This includes the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle.

    Punitive damages: These damages are awarded to punish the defendant for egregious or reckless conduct.

The statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits in Illinois is two years. This means that you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.

All Attorney Services in Rochester

Areas of Practice in Rochester

Bike Mishaps

Dedicated to legal advocacy for persons injured in bicycle accidents due to others's indifference or unsafe conditions.

Burn Damages

Extending specialist legal help for sufferers of major burn injuries caused by incidents or carelessness.

Medical Negligence

Providing experienced legal representation for clients affected by clinical malpractice, including wrong treatment.

Goods Obligation

Dealing with cases involving unsafe products, delivering adept legal support to clients affected by faulty goods.

Senior Mistreatment

Defending the rights of nursing home residents who have been subjected to abuse in care facilities environments, ensuring compensation.

Slip & Slip Occurrences

Expert in addressing slip and fall accident cases, providing legal representation to clients seeking justice for their damages.

Childbirth Harms

Offering legal guidance for kin affected by medical malpractice resulting in newborn injuries.

Vehicle Mishaps

Crashes: Concentrated on aiding victims of car accidents receive fair recompense for harms and damages.

Scooter Incidents

Expert in providing legal support for riders involved in two-wheeler accidents, ensuring rightful claims for harm.

Trucking Incident

Extending specialist legal support for persons involved in big rig accidents, focusing on securing rightful recovery for harms.

Worksite Accidents

Engaged in supporting employees or bystanders injured in construction site accidents due to safety violations or misconduct.

Head Damages

Focused on extending specialized legal advice for patients suffering from neurological injuries due to incidents.

Dog Bite Traumas

Specialized in handling cases for victims who have suffered damages from canine attacks or animal attacks.

Jogger Collisions

Dedicated to legal services for pedestrians involved in accidents, providing professional services for recovering damages.

Unjust Fatality

Standing up for grieving parties affected by a wrongful death, delivering understanding and expert legal assistance to ensure restitution.

Vertebral Damage

Committed to defending victims with paralysis, offering professional legal support to secure justice.

Contact Us Today if you need a Person Injury Lawyer