Cicero Wrongful Death Lawyer
When a negligent driver in Cicero leaves you injured and dealing with an insurance company that does not have your best interests in mind, you need someone in your corner who has been through this fight before.
The Cicero car accident lawyers at Kennedy Watkins Injury Attorneys represent people across the western suburbs and Cook County who are struggling with hospital bills, missed work, financial strain, and pressure from adjusters pushing lowball settlements.
As personal injury attorneys who serve Cicero and the broader Chicago area, we’ve handled claims involving uninsured motorists, hit and runs, drunk driving crashes, Uber and Lyft vehicles, multi-car pileups, and just about every other kind of claim that creates confusing layers of liability and insurance coverage.
Call our team today 24/7 at (312) 448-8181 or contact us online for a free consultation. We will review your case and let you know where your case stands and how we can help. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we will travel to meet you.
Why Cicero Car Accident Victims Trust Kennedy Watkins Injury Attorneys
Attorneys Jack Kennedy and Daniel Watkins work every case together from the first phone call through resolution. That collaborative approach means two experienced legal minds are reviewing your case, challenging the insurance company’s tactics, and looking for every opportunity to strengthen your claim.
We Get the Results Our Clients Need
Our results in personal injury cases include:
- $34,000,000 wrongful death verdict
- $10,000,000 pedestrian recovery
- $7,365,000 verdict for a fatal truck accident on the Dan Ryan Expressway
- $2,100,000 recovery for a pedestrian struck by a motorist
- $1,300,000 recovery from the City of Chicago
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but they do show our commitment to maximizing outcomes for our clients.
We Know How Insurance Companies Operate in Illinois
Car accident insurers in Cook County use a playbook to reduce payouts. We know those tactics because we have been countering them for years, and we do not let adjusters take advantage of our clients. We fight for what your claim is truly worth, not what the insurance company is willing to pay.
We Are Available 24/7 and Will Come to You
If your car accident left you unable to drive or travel, our attorneys will meet you at your home, your hospital room, or wherever works best, anywhere in Illinois. Whether your crash happened at Cermak and Cicero, on 26th Street near the Berwyn border, or on the I-55 ramp, we are ready to help.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
We handle every car accident case on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs, no hourly rates, and no fees unless we recover compensation for you. The consultation is free and confidential.
Our office is at 350 N. Orleans Street, Suite 9000N, Chicago, IL 60654, in River North.
Do I Really Need a Car Accident Lawyer After a Crash in Cicero?
If a negligent driver caused your Cicero car accident and left you with injuries that have affected your life, our Cicero car accident lawyers can help get your life back on track.
Insurance companies do not willingly pay car accident victims the full and fair amount they need to recover. Adjusters are trained to minimize every claim, and they start working against you from the moment the crash is reported.
A Cicero car accident attorney at Kennedy Watkins can deal with the insurer directly and protect you from tactics designed to reduce your payout.
Here is how insurers take advantage of car accident victims:
- Recorded statements. Adjusters ask for a recorded statement early, before you know the full extent of your injuries. Anything you say can be used against you later.
- Quick lowball offers. A fast settlement might seem helpful when bills are piling up. But early offers rarely account for future surgeries or lost earning capacity.
- Disputing treatment. Insurers may argue your medical care was excessive or unrelated to the crash.
- Shifting blame. The insurance company will look for reasons to argue you were partially at fault to reduce what they owe.
A Martindale-Nolo study published by Forbes found that 91% of injury victims with a lawyer received a payout, compared to only 51% without one. Even after fees, represented clients still took home roughly three times more. Our Cicero car accident lawyers at Kennedy Watkins handle the insurance company so you can focus on getting better.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Cicero?
The first priority after a car accident in Cicero is your health. Even if you feel fine at the scene, injuries like concussions, internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage may not show symptoms right away. Getting medical attention promptly creates a record linking your injuries to the crash.
After you have been evaluated by a doctor, the following steps protect both your health and your legal rights:
- Contact a Cicero car accident lawyer before accepting any settlement offer. Once you accept, you cannot go back for more, even if your medical costs turn out to be far higher than expected. The best thing to do is to let your attorney handle all communications with the adjusters.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Gaps in treatment give insurers an opportunity to argue that your injuries are not serious.
- Keep records of everything. Medical bills, pharmacy receipts, pay stubs showing missed work, and any communication from the insurance company all matter.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before speaking with a lawyer. Your own insurer may have cooperation requirements under your policy, but an attorney can help you avoid statements that may be taken out of context.
- Refrain from social media. Insurance companies really do monitor social media accounts, looking for photos, videos, and posts on Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and other platforms that they can use to dispute your claim.
Our car accident attorneys at Kennedy Watkins can take over communication with the insurer and begin safeguarding your case immediately.
Call Us 24/7: (312) 448-8181 | 350 N. Orleans St., Suite 9000N, Chicago, IL 60654 | Get in Touch With Us Today
What Types of Car Accident Injuries Should I Take Seriously?
Car accident injuries range from minor to catastrophic, and some of the most serious injuries are the ones that do not feel serious right away. A concussion and other forms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) can take hours or days to notice.
You may not notice internal injuries until they worsen hours or days after a collision, and the Mayo Clinic notes that whiplash symptoms can take 24 hours or longer to appear.
If you were in a crash on Cermak Road, Cicero Avenue, or the Stevenson Expressway interchange, knowing what to watch for can make a real difference in your recovery.
| Injury Type | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) | Symptoms like confusion, headaches, and memory problems may not appear for hours or days after the crash |
| Whiplash and neck injuries | Soft tissue damage can cause chronic pain that limits your ability to work for months |
| Spinal cord injuries | Even partial spinal damage can result in permanent mobility limitations |
| Broken bones and fractures | Complicated fractures may require surgery and extended physical therapy |
| Internal organ damage | Internal bleeding is a medical emergency that often has no visible signs at the scene |
| Herniated discs | Back injuries from a crash can worsen over time without proper treatment |
The key takeaway: if you were in a car accident in Cicero and you feel any pain, stiffness, dizziness, or numbness in the hours or days after, see a doctor immediately. That medical visit is not just about your health. It creates the documentation your car accident attorney needs to connect your injuries to the crash and fight for fair compensation.
Cicero residents injured in car accidents are often treated at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, or Mount Sinai Hospital on the West Side. Your medical records from these visits become the foundation of your injury claim.
Ask Kennedy Watkins About Your Cicero Car Accident Claim
Q: Who pays for my medical bills after a car accident in Cicero?
A: The at-fault driver’s liability insurance covers your medical bills after a car accident in Cicero. Illinois is an at-fault state, so the driver who caused the crash bears financial responsibility.
If their coverage is insufficient, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist policy may apply. Our Cicero car accident attorneys can review all available policies.
Q: What if the other driver does not have insurance?
A: You may still recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Many Illinois drivers carry this coverage, and it exists for exactly this situation. If the at-fault driver fled the scene, the same coverage may apply. A Kennedy Watkins car accident lawyer can review your policy and pursue every available source of recovery.
Q: Should I accept the insurance company’s first settlement offer after a Cicero car accident?
A: No, you should talk to a car accident attorney before accepting any offer. First offers from insurance companies are almost always lower than what your claim is worth. They are designed to close your case quickly before you know the full cost of your injuries. Our Cicero car accident lawyers can evaluate the offer and negotiate for a fair amount.
Q: Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault for the accident?
A: Yes, as long as you were 50% or less responsible. Illinois reduces your award by your percentage of fault, but does not eliminate it entirely. Our attorneys will work to minimize any fault assigned to you using evidence from the crash scene.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Cicero Car Accident?
Illinois law allows car accident victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages. There is no cap on personal injury damages in Illinois, so the value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries and their impact on your daily life and ability to work.
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages |
|---|---|
| Emergency room and hospital bills | Physical pain and suffering |
| Surgery and follow-up medical care | Emotional distress and anxiety |
| Physical therapy and rehabilitation | Scarring and disfigurement |
| Prescription medications | Loss of enjoyment of life |
| Lost wages and reduced earning capacity | Loss of consortium for a spouse |
| Vehicle repair or replacement costs | Lasting fear and anxiety from the crash |
Our Cicero car accident lawyers at Kennedy Watkins will work with medical professionals and economists to calculate the full value of your claim, including future care you have not yet received.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Illinois?
Illinois gives car accident victims two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a car accident caused the death of a loved one, the family also has two years to file a wrongful death claim.
Claims against a government entity like the Town of Cicero, Cook County, or the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) carry a shorter deadline of one year. Certain notice requirements, informing the government that you plan to take legal action, may apply even sooner.
Evidence from the crash scene fades quickly. Surveillance footage from businesses in busy areas, such as along Cermak Road or near the Cicero Metra station, gets deleted. Witnesses forget what they saw. Contacting a Cicero car accident attorney at Kennedy Watkins early gives us the best chance to preserve the evidence your case needs.
Talk to a Cicero Car Accident Lawyer at Kennedy Watkins Today
If a car accident in Cicero has left you injured and the insurance company is not offering what your case is worth, our attorneys at Kennedy Watkins are here to help. We will review the facts, deal with the insurer, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call (312) 448-8181 or get in touch with us today for a free, confidential consultation. We are available around the clock and will come to you.
FAQ
About Wrongful Death Claims
What is Wrongful Death in Illinois?
Wrongful death is a legal theory based on another person’s negligent or intentional act that takes the life of another person. Generally speaking, the family members of the deceased can file a claim against the negligent person. Essentially, if a deceased person would have legal grounds to file a claim against the negligent party, family members can file a wrongful death claim.
How are Wrongful Death Settlements Paid?
In most cases, the insurance company that provides liability coverage for the negligent party pays the plaintiff (the family or the estate) the settlement amount that was negotiated between the attorneys. Plaintiffs may receive a lump sum amount minus attorney fees and expenses, or they may receive monthly or yearly payments through a structured settlement.
Who Can Legally Sue After a Wrongful Death in Illinois?
The surviving family members or the estate of the decedent have the legal right to file a wrongful death claim against the responsible party. In Illinois, a wrongful death lawsuit must be brought by a surviving family member who has been appointed by the court as a representative of the decedent’s estate. Surviving spouses, children, parents, and siblings may be considered next of kin who are entitled to share in any damages that are awarded. The specific next of kin will depend on the family situation. For example, a sibling would be considered a next of kin if the person who died did not have any children, but would not qualify if the deceased person had children.
How to Prove a Wrongful Death Claim?
Like other personal injury cases, you must prove certain elements of a wrongful death claim. These are as follows:
- The death of the victim was caused by the accident outlined in the wrongful death claim,
- The accident was caused by the negligent or intentional acts of the defendant,
- Surviving family members or the estate of the victim have been directly impacted by the death of the decedent, and
- The survivors and the estate have suffered losses due to the wrongful death.
Who Receives the Damages from a Wrongful Death Claim?
If the decedent did not have any children but they did have a surviving spouse, the spouse would receive 100 percent of the damages from a wrongful death claim. If the decedent had a surviving spouse and children, any damages awarded would be divided between them.
Are Wrongful Death Damages Taxable?
In most cases, no. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not place taxes on personal injury damages that are compensatory. Compensatory damages are those that compensate the decedent’s family members for their losses. However, if punitive damages are awarded, the IRS will place a tax on those.
What Damages are Available in a Wrongful Death Claim?
Loss of society and grief and sorrow are available in wrongful death cases in Illinois. Loss of society refers to the loss of love, comfort, affection and guidance experienced by the surviving family members. If the decedent provided financial support to the family members, lost economic support would also be an element of damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Like other personal injury cases, you must file a wrongful death claim within two years of the decedent’s death. It is important to note that the statute of limitations, or time limit, starts ticking on the date of the death and not the date of the accident. If you do not file within this time, you will lose your right to claim any damages at all. In some circumstances, such as a case against the City of Chicago or other local governmental entity, the statute of limitations is one year.
TESTIMONIALS
Kennedy and Watkins were referred to myself and my husband by another attorney. From the very first conversation we knew we made the right choice. Everything was always communicated from the beginning to the end which made the process smooth and in the end we were extremely satisfied with the results of our case.
– Trena L. Wallace
Highly recommended! Jack was very attentive to my case after my accident and walked me through each step along the way clear and concise. My case was settled in a timely manner overall I was very pleased.
– Shelby Furcron
I’d want to mention that working with Mr. Kennedy was a pleasure because he was a huge help and support in my case. He was good at communicating and made sure that everything was crystal clear. He also had a great deal of empathy for the circumstances. I would recommend him to anyone who needs legal advice.
– Sheldon Henley
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