Illinois Auto Insurance Claim Attorneys

Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company's bottom line, not yours. From the moment a claim is filed, they are building a case to minimize what they pay out. The most common tactics our attorneys see include:

• Requesting recorded statements early, before you fully understand the extent of your injuries, and then using your own words to dispute the claim later.
• Pressuring you to sign a quick settlement that releases the insurer from any future liability, even if your medical treatment is not yet complete.
• Disputing fault in shared-liability accidents to reduce or eliminate your recovery under Illinois' comparative fault rules.
• Delaying responses or requesting excessive documentation to wear you down into accepting less than you deserve.

If any of these situations sound familiar, you are not alone. Attorney Al Salvi and the litigation team at Salvi & Maher have dealt with these tactics for decades, both at the negotiating table and in courtrooms throughout Northern Illinois.

Watch this video to learn more.

How you handle the period immediately after a crash can significantly affect the outcome of your personal injury claim. A few steps that matter most:

• Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance adjuster, including your own, without first speaking to an attorney. You are not legally required to do so.
• Document everything as quickly as possible. Photos of the scene, your injuries, and vehicle damage are far harder to dispute than written descriptions alone.
• Get an independent medical evaluation rather than relying solely on a referral from the insurer. Your treating physician's records are separate from any insurer-directed exam.
• Do not sign any settlement offer or release before you understand the full scope of your injuries and future medical needs. Once signed, most releases permanently bar further recovery.

Even in car accidents where fault is shared, or injuries seem relatively minor at first, insurers will often argue against extended lost wages or ongoing care. Serious injuries involving the spine or head require especially careful handling given the long-term care costs involved.

Illinois requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage, but minimum coverage often falls short when injuries are serious. Underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage disputes are among the most frequently contested claims our attorneys handle, particularly in cases involving truck accidents and motorcycle accidents where injuries tend to be severe.

Illinois also recognizes bad faith insurance claims under the Illinois Insurance Code, which can allow injured victims to recover additional damages when an insurer unreasonably delays or denies a valid claim. If you believe your claim has been mishandled, an attorney can evaluate whether bad faith conduct applies to your situation.

Call 847-662-3303 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation. Salvi & Maher serves injury victims throughout Northern Illinois from offices in Libertyville, Waukegan, Richmond, and Chicago. There are no attorneys' fees unless we recover compensation for you.