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Peoria Car Accident Lawyer

If you are the victim of a car accident, you can endure serious physical and emotional damage and experience unexpected financial consequences. These accidents range from minor to catastrophic, resulting in millions of dollars in property damage and medical expenses each year.

Under Illinois law, you can collect compensation for your injuries if you were not the one responsible for the collision. Filing a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim against the driver who was responsible for your claim can be a difficult process, but Duncan Law Group can help. Our attorneys have the skills and experience you need to build a compelling case for your compensation.

Why Choose Us for Peoria Car Accident Claims?

  • Our firm values honesty, transparency, and regular communication between us and our clients. We will always inform you of important updates in your case, and help you prepare for each stage.
  • We are committed to providing you with the support you need after a traumatic car accident. Our attorneys strive to form a relationship with our clients to ensure their well-being.
  • Our firm uses a contingency fee system for maximum affordability. You do not have to pay legal fees unless we win your case, and we will take an agreed-upon percentage of your final settlement as payment.

Your Options for Compensation After a Car Crash in Peoria, Illinois

Illinois is a fault-based state when it comes to car accidents, which means the person responsible for the accident must pay for the injuries you suffer. Under this system, you have three choices to collect compensation:

  1. You can file a lawsuit in Illinois civil court.
  2. You can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
  3. You can file a claim with your own insurance company, if you have the appropriate coverage.

In most cases, your first step will be to file an insurance claim. Illinois requires all drivers to carry the following minimum amounts of insurance coverage to maintain this financial responsibility:

  • $20,000 in property damage liability
  • $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person per accident
  • $50,000 in total injury liability per accident

Illinois car insurance policies automatically include uninsured motorist coverage, in case you are in a collision with a driver who does not have insurance. If the insurance company denies your claim or offers you a settlement that is insufficient for your needs, you may proceed to the lawsuit stage.

During the lawsuit process, you and your attorney will exchange potential evidence with the at-fault party during the discovery period. After discovery, you may enter into negotiations with the at-fault party and attempt to come to a settlement. While most personal injury cases settle out of court, the at-fault party may refuse to negotiate or you may not come to an agreement.

If the negotiation is unsuccessful, you will enter the courtroom. During your trial, the judge and a jury will listen to your claims, as well as the at-fault party’s. The court will then decide whether negligence occurred in your case, if you should receive a settlement, and how much that settlement will be.

Common Causes of Peoria, Illinois Car Accidents

Car accidents can occur for many different reasons on Peoria roads — all it takes is for one driver to commit a negligent act. Some common causes of car crashes include the following:

  • Distracted driving: This dangerous driving behavior encompasses more than just texting and driving. Eating while driving, scrolling through social media, daydreaming, talking to passengers, or even having a hands-free phone call can take our eyes, mind, and hands off the act of driving. Any manual, cognitive, or visual distraction can lead to severe accidents on Peoria roads.
  • Driving under the influence: It is highly illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These substances impair your judgment, concentration, eyesight, reaction time, and motor skills — all of which are necessary to drive. If someone is driving while drunk or high, he or she can easily lose control of the vehicle and cause catastrophic accidents.
  • Speeding: Speed limits are in place for a reason. Driving at a reasonable speed is important to keep pedestrians and drivers safe, especially in high-risk areas such as school zones. High-speed car accidents can lead to devastating damage.
  • Dangerous roadways: Potholes, loose gravel, cracked asphalt, and many other dangerous conditions can make Peoria roads hazardous. In these situations, a government agency may be liable for your injuries.
  • Drowsy driving: Sleep is important, and you should never get behind the wheel of a car if you feel sleepy. Drowsy driving can lead to a driver falling asleep, causing him or her to lose control of the vehicle and harm others in the area.

How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit?

If you are seeking compensation for your damages in a car accident, it is important to begin your claim as soon as possible. Waiting too long can cause you to lose your chances of collecting a settlement altogether.

This is due to Illinois’s statute of limitations, a deadline by which you must file your car accident lawsuit in civil court or the court will dismiss your claim. You have two years from the date of the collision to file this lawsuit.

Starting early is important for a number of reasons. Often, the first step to collecting compensation for a car accident is to file an insurance claim, not a lawsuit. If your insurance claim is unsuccessful, you move your case to trial. If you wait too long to file your insurance claim, you might not have enough time to file a lawsuit if you receive a denial or an insufficient settlement offer.

Filing your claim earlier also lends more credibility to your case. Waiting too long can cast doubt on the validity of your injuries, and by the time you file your lawsuit, important evidence may be impossible to find or damaged. If you have witnesses testifying on your behalf, their memories may not be as reliable as they would be if you filed sooner rather than later.

Contact Duncan Law Group Today for Peoria Car Accident Help

If you are the victim of a Peoria car accident, don’t wait to seek help. Contact Duncan Law Group today to discuss your claim and begin planning your next steps.

Our attorneys can provide a number of benefits for your car accident claim, from access to expert witnesses to a suite of investigatory strategies necessary to determine the cause of your collision. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with one of our Peoria car accident lawyers.