Illinois Car Accident Attorney

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A serious car accident doesn’t end when the vehicles stop moving. In the days that follow, you’re trying to understand your injuries, keep up with medical appointments, and figure out how you’ll pay the bills if you can’t work. Before long, the insurance company is calling with questions—and every conversation feels like it matters.

An Illinois car accident attorney can help protect your rights from the very beginning. Since 1984, Robert J. Rooth has represented thousands of injured clients across Illinois, guiding them through the legal process while pursuing the compensation they deserve.

Whether your collision happened on an interstate, a suburban roadway, or a neighborhood street, an Illinois car accident attorney can help you stand up to insurance companies that often look for ways to limit what they pay. Robert J. Rooth provides straightforward advice, personal attention, and experienced representation focused on helping injured people move forward. Call our firm now to get started with a free consultation.

Common Causes of Illinois Car Accidents

Whether you’re driving on I-90 through Chicago, commuting along I-294, or traveling through your own neighborhood, serious crashes can happen in an instant. The Illinois Department of Transportation recorded more than 303,000 motor vehicle crashes in 2024, including more than 63,000 crashes involving injuries. Nearly two-thirds of those collisions occurred on urban roads, with Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and Will Counties accounting for a significant share of the state’s crashes.

Many of those accidents were preventable. Illinois car accident attorney Robert J. Rooth has seen firsthand how one careless decision behind the wheel can leave someone facing months of medical treatment, lost income, and an uncertain future. Some of the most common causes of these incidents include:

• Distracted driving: Looking at a phone, adjusting a GPS, eating, or anything else that takes a driver’s attention off the road. This is especially hazardous in heavy traffic or in poor weather conditions, when drivers have less time to react.
• Speeding: Driving too fast gives drivers less time to react and increases the severity of a crash. In 2024, speed was a factor in nearly one-third of all Illinois crashes and almost half of all fatal crashes.
• Impaired driving: Alcohol, illegal drugs, and certain prescription medications can impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time.
• Failure to yield: Many serious collisions occur when drivers fail to yield while turning, merging, or entering an intersection.
• Following too closely or driving aggressively: Tailgating, weaving through traffic, and other aggressive driving behaviors leave little opportunity to avoid a collision.

One careless decision behind the wheel can change someone’s life in an instant. Holding the at-fault driver accountable starts with understanding exactly what happened and why. That’s often easier said than done, especially when the insurance company has its own version of events.

Why So Many Injured Illinois Drivers Turn to Robert J. Rooth

After a car accident, it’s easy to feel like you’re expected to know what to do next. You may be hearing from the insurance company, trying to keep up with medical treatment, and wondering whether accepting a settlement offer is the right decision. An Illinois car accident attorney can help level the playing field by protecting your interests and helping you make informed decisions throughout the claims process.

A Personal Approach to Every Case

When you hire Robert J. Rooth, you work directly with Robert J. Rooth. As a solo practitioner, he doesn’t pass clients from attorney to attorney or hand their case off to someone they’ve never met. From your first conversation through the resolution of your claim, you’ll have direct access to the attorney representing your interests.

Questions don’t always come up during business hours, and they don’t always have simple answers. Robert takes the time to explain where your case stands, what your options are, and what you can expect as your claim progresses. His goal is to make sure you always understand what’s happening and why.

Guidance Built on Four Decades of Experience

Since 1984, Robert J. Rooth has represented thousands of injured clients throughout Illinois. That experience allows him to anticipate the challenges that often arise in car accident claims, whether it’s an insurance company disputing liability, minimizing injuries, or making a settlement offer that doesn’t reflect the full impact of the crash.

Throughout the process, Robert focuses on giving clients practical advice they can actually use. He explains the legal issues in plain language, answers questions honestly, and helps clients make informed decisions based on what’s best for them—not what’s easiest for the insurance company.

If you’ve been injured in an Illinois car accident, speaking with Robert J. Rooth early in the process can help you better understand your rights and your options. Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation and learn how Robert can help with your claim.

What Goes Into the Value of a Car Accident Claim?

After a car accident, it’s natural to wonder what your claim is worth. Unfortunately, there isn’t a calculator that can provide an accurate answer. Every injury affects someone’s life differently, and the value of a claim depends on much more than the first stack of medical bills or the insurance company’s initial offer.

A settlement should reflect the full impact the accident has had on your life. That’s where an Illinois car accident attorney can make a real difference. Robert J. Rooth takes the time to understand how your injuries have affected you so your claim reflects the full extent of your losses, including:

• The cost of medical treatment
• Time away from work
• Pain and suffering
• The costs of future care
• Vehicle or other personal property damages
• Any other economic or non-economic losses tied to your injuries

Just as important is what lies ahead. Some injuries heal within a few weeks, while others require months of treatment or leave lasting limitations. Accepting a settlement before you understand the extent of your recovery can leave you responsible for expenses that should have been included in your claim.

Robert J. Rooth takes the time to understand how an accident has affected each client’s life before placing a value on a case. That means reviewing medical records, understanding how the injuries have impacted work and daily activities, and considering both the financial and personal consequences of the crash. The goal isn’t to reach a settlement as quickly as possible—it’s to pursue one that fairly reflects what you’ve lost.

You’re Hurt, I’m Here After Your Car Accident.

After a car accident, you probably have questions about your injuries, the insurance process, and what comes next. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own.

If you were injured because another driver’s negligence caused the crash, Robert J. Rooth is here to listen, explain your options, and help you decide on the best path forward. For more than four decades, he has represented injured people throughout Illinois with straightforward guidance and personal attention.

Contact Robert J. Rooth today to schedule a free consultation with an Illinois car accident attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Recover Compensation if I Was Partly at Fault for the Accident?

Yes. Being partly at fault doesn’t automatically prevent you from recovering compensation. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which allows you to recover damages as long as you were less than 51% responsible for the accident.

Shared fault is more common than many people realize. For example, you might have been driving a few miles over the speed limit when another driver ran a red light and hit your vehicle. Or maybe you were changing lanes when another driver was texting and failed to brake in time. In situations like these, more than one person may share responsibility for the crash.

Insurance companies often try to place more blame on injured drivers than they deserve because it can reduce—or even eliminate—the amount they have to pay. That’s why it’s important to have someone looking out for your interests and presenting the evidence needed to tell the full story of what happened.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Illinois?

In most cases, Illinois law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. While that may sound like plenty of time, it’s usually best to speak with an attorney much sooner.

The sooner an investigation begins, the easier it is to preserve evidence that can strengthen your claim. Surveillance footage may be erased, vehicles are repaired or scrapped, and witnesses’ memories naturally become less reliable over time.

Just as importantly, you don’t have to wait until you’ve fully recovered to get legal guidance. Robert J. Rooth can begin investigating your case, gathering evidence, and dealing with the insurance company while you focus on your medical treatment. By getting started early, you’re putting yourself in the strongest possible position if a lawsuit becomes necessary.

Will My Case Go to Trial?

Probably not. Most Illinois car accident claims are resolved through settlement negotiations before reaching trial.

That said, a fair settlement doesn’t happen automatically. Insurance companies evaluate every claim based on the available evidence and the likelihood that the injured person is prepared to take the case further if necessary. Building a strong case from the beginning—with medical records, witness statements, expert opinions, and other evidence—can strengthen your position during negotiations.

If the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable offer, filing a lawsuit and taking the case to trial may be the best way to pursue fair compensation. Robert J. Rooth has decades of trial experience and prepares every case as though it could end up in court, even while working toward an efficient resolution whenever possible.