When to Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Chicagoland During Holidays

The holiday season in Chicagoland is a time for celebrations and family gatherings, but it also brings an increase in traffic accidents. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s 2024 Crash Facts & Statistics, December 2022 saw 26,211 crashes statewide—about 5 percent above the monthly average—and 11 percent of that year’s fatal crashes occurred between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. If you're injured in a collision during this busy time, knowing when to contact a car accident lawyer can safeguard your rights and enhance your chances of receiving fair compensation.

Why Are Car Accidents More Common During the Holidays?

Several factors contribute to the rise in accidents during late November, December, and early January:

• Higher traffic volumes. Increased travel for holidays leads to more vehicles on interstates like I-90/94 and I-55.
• Alcohol-related driving. The Chicago Police Department recorded 110 DUI arrests during the 2023 holiday season.
• Winter weather. Snow, ice, or slush contributed to nearly 17 percent of Illinois crashes in 2022.

What Are the Immediate Steps After a Car Accident?

Your health and safety are the top priorities:

1. Move to a safe location if possible and call 9-1-1. Even minor injuries can be serious, so seek medical attention promptly.
2. Exchange driver, vehicle, and insurance information as required by Illinois law.
3. Use your phone to photograph vehicle damage, license plates, skid marks, and surrounding hazards.
4. Collect contact details from witnesses.
5. Notify your insurer, but provide only basic facts until you fully understand your injuries and property damage.

When Should You Contact a Car Accident Lawyer?

Contacting a lawyer early—ideally within days—helps preserve evidence and ensures you meet important legal deadlines (Illinois’ statute of limitations is two years for bodily-injury claims). Consider legal counsel immediately when:

• Liability is disputed. Illinois follows a 51 percent modified comparative negligence rule. An attorney can help if you're accused of being more than 51 percent at fault.
• Severe or catastrophic injuries occur. Serious injuries require careful calculation of long-term medical costs and lost earnings.
• Insurance complications arise. If an insurer delays, undervalues, or denies benefits, a lawyer can address these issues under Illinois’ insurance bad-faith standards.
• Environmental concerns exist. Crashes involving fuel or cargo spills may require legal coordination with environmental agencies.

How Does Car Insurance Affect Your Legal Rights?

Illinois requires a minimum of $25,000 bodily-injury coverage per person, $50,000 per crash, and $20,000 property-damage liability. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is automatically set at the same minimum unless higher limits are rejected. Serious crashes can lead to high medical bills, so many Chicagoans opt for additional coverage. A lawyer can review your policy, explain options, and manage the 30-day timeline insurers have to respond to claims.

What Are the Health Effects on Car Accident Victims?

Even at city speeds, crashes often result in soft-tissue injuries, concussions, and post-traumatic stress. Level I trauma centers like Advocate Christ Medical Center and Northwestern Memorial Hospital report that musculoskeletal injuries account for over 60 percent of holiday-period admissions. Comprehensive medical documentation is crucial for a damages claim.

What Are the Current Legal Developments and Regulatory Changes?

• Distracted driving penalties. Illinois’ hands-free law imposes fines starting at $75 for a first offense. As of January 2024, courts can suspend a driver’s license for up to 12 months if handheld-device use causes significant harm.
• Work-zone enforcement. IDOT and ISP have increased nighttime speed-camera deployments in major work zones on the Kennedy and Eisenhower expressways.
• Vision Zero Chicago. The city’s 2024 action plan aims to eliminate traffic deaths on high-crash corridors like Milwaukee Ave. and the Dan Ryan/79th St. interchange by 2028.

How Can Prevention and Protection Strategies Help?

During the holidays:

• Use CTA or rideshare services after drinking; CPD sobriety checkpoints are common on Lake Shore Drive and I-94 ramps.
• Allow extra braking distance in snow and keep tires properly inflated.
• Carry your insurance card and photograph the declarations page for easy access.

What Are Your Options for Litigation and Settlement?

Most Illinois auto-collision claims settle out of court, but filing a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County may be necessary when:

• The two-year limitation period is nearing expiration.
• The defendant’s insurer disputes liability or causation.
• The at-fault driver’s policy limits are insufficient and an underinsured-motorist claim is contested.

An experienced accident lawyer will draft a complaint, serve defendants, conduct discovery, and, if possible, guide the parties to mediation to avoid trial costs.

How Do Community Water-Contamination Issues Relate to Car Accidents?

Large truck or tanker crashes can release hazardous materials. Under Illinois law, responsible parties must report releases that threaten groundwater within 24 hours. Attorneys coordinate with the Illinois EPA and other agencies to ensure cleanup costs are properly allocated and victims can pursue additional damages if contamination affects drinking-water wells.