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How Long After a Car Accident Can You Sue in Illinois?

If you have suffered injuries and other losses in a Chicago car accident, you can seek compensatory damages. Your first option is to file a claim with the insurance company of the at-fault person or party. This is because Illinois is an at-fault state. If the insurer doesn’t offer fair compensation, you can then file a lawsuit with the help of a Chicago car accident lawyer.

When suing for a car crash in Illinois, you must adhere to various legal requirements. The most notable among these is the designated time during which you must bring the lawsuit.

Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents

A statute of limitations is the legal period for bringing a legal claim or lawsuit. For Illinois car accidents, the statute of limitations is two years. This means that if you choose to sue the negligent party, you must do so within two years from the date of the crash.

If your car crash claim involves only property damage, the statute of limitations is more extensive. In such a case, you have five years from the date of the crash to file for damages.

Your lawsuit will fail if you don’t file a claim within this period, and you will not be able to recover any compensation. This is why you must observe the statute and make sure you file your claim on time.

First, you will need to file a claim with the insurance company and give the insurer some time to settle your claim. If your claim is not settled, you can launch a lawsuit. This is why you must have enough time to file a claim, wait for the outcome, and then prepare for a lawsuit if need be.

Damages Available in an Illinois Car Accident

You can recover different types of compensation in a car crash lawsuit. These include:

Medical Costs – These cover the full medical costs of your crash-related injuries including doctor’s fees, hospital bills, expenses for treatment-related travel, therapy and rehabilitation costs, medication expenses, and more.
Lost Wages – If you are unable to resume your work due to the injury, a personal injury lawsuit entitles you to recover the full amount of these lost wages.
Property Damage – Your vehicle may need repairs or replacement following an accident. You can seek these losses in your claim.
Pain and Suffering – Pain and suffering pertain to the non-economic losses you may have endured due to the injuries from your accident.

Sue for a Chicago Car Accident with a Lawyer’s Help

You need expert legal advice and help when pursuing a claim for damages in a car accident. A qualified car accident lawyer can help you negotiate a fair deal with the insurer and may even be able to prevent the hassle of going to court. When you file a lawsuit, an experienced attorney’s help is invaluable.

Here at Lane Brown, LLC, we help you seek full and fair compensation for your crash-related losses. Call us today at 312-332-1400 or submit the form at the bottom of this page to discuss your Chicago crash claim.