Chicago Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

Seek Justice for Accidents Involving Hit and Run Drivers

A hit-and-run car crash can turn your life upside down in an instant. When the driver flees the scene, it’s easy to feel powerless, but you don’t have to handle this alone. A Chicago hit and run accident lawyer from our firm can help you hold the responsible party accountable, even if that person hasn’t yet been identified. With deep roots in the Chicago community and years of experience representing accident victims across Cook County, we fight to secure full compensation.

What Makes Us the Best Hit and Run Lawyers in Chicago

As experienced Chicago traffic accident attorneys, our firm has successfully handled a wide range of car accident claims, helping injured victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Our legal team has earned recognition by Super Lawyers and holds a perfect 10.0 score on Avvo, indicators of both legal skill and client satisfaction.

• $350,000 Settlement – Luis was riding his bike near Lincoln Park when a hit-and-run driver cut him off, causing a crash that led to a broken collarbone and back injuries. His own uninsured motorist policy provided compensation after an extensive investigation into the fleeing vehicle’s path.
• $250,000 Settlement – While walking to her office in the Loop, Sarah was struck by a fleeing vehicle in a crosswalk. She sustained a concussion and a broken ankle. Despite the driver never being found, her uninsured motorist coverage helped secure a full settlement through her auto insurance company.
• $250,000 Settlement – James, a Chicago motorcyclist, was sideswiped by a hit-and-run driver near the Kennedy Expressway. He suffered a fractured wrist and road rash requiring surgery and rehab. The settlement reflected the seriousness of his injuries and the hit-and-run nature of the crash.

Types of Hit and Run Accident Cases We Handle

Our personal injury law firm represents victims in all types of hit-and-run accidents throughout Chicago. We handle pedestrian hit-and-run cases where individuals are struck while crossing the street or walking near traffic. We also represent cyclists injured by drivers who flee the scene after a bicycle hit and run. In the most tragic cases, we advocate for families who have lost loved ones in fatal hit-and-run crashes, helping them pursue wrongful death claims. No matter the circumstances, we fight to hold the negligent driver or insurance company accountable and seek the compensation our clients deserve.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Hit and Run Accidents in Chicago?

Hit and run accidents in Chicago often involve uninsured drivers or drivers who make reckless decisions and try to avoid the consequences. Drunk or impaired drivers may flee the scene to escape DUI charges. Others run because they don’t have a valid driver’s license. Commercial drivers sometimes leave after a crash to avoid liability for their employer or risk to their job. Speeding and aggressive driving, especially in downtown areas with heavy congestion, also contribute to many hit-and-run crashes. In some cases, drivers panic after causing a collision and choose to leave rather than face the legal and financial fallout. Regardless of the reason, fleeing the scene of an accident is a crime under Illinois law.

What Are the Most Common Injuries Associated with Hit and Run Crashes?

Hit and run crashes often result in serious injuries, especially when the victim is a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorcyclist. Common injuries include broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and internal bleeding. Victims may also suffer soft tissue damage, lacerations, and long-term complications like chronic pain or mobility issues. These injuries often lead to significant medical expenses and long-term recovery needs.

What Types of Financial Recovery Are There for Hit-and-Run Victims?

Victims of hit-and-run accidents may be entitled to several forms of compensation, depending on the circumstances. Compensation can cover medical bills for emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, and future treatment. If you’ve missed work because of your injuries, you may also recover lost wages or loss of future earning potential. Property damage, including vehicle repairs or replacement, is typically included in a hit-and-run claim.

Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of normal life are also considered when calculating the value of a personal injury lawsuit. In fatal hit-and-run cases, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death damages to cover the mental anguish of losing a loved one, funeral costs, and loss of financial support.

What Is the Average Hit and Run Accident Settlement in Illinois?

According to Law.com’s VerdictSearch, the average settlement or verdict for hit-and-run accidents in Illinois is approximately $2.9 million, while the median is $387,500. Payouts range from just over $6,500 to more than $20 million, depending on the severity of the injuries and other key factors.

Several elements can influence the value of a hit-and-run accident claim, including:

• The seriousness of the injuries and whether they are permanent
• The availability of uninsured motorist coverage
• Whether the at-fault driver is identified and can be held personally liable
• Medical expenses, lost wages, and impact on quality of life
• Whether the case resolves by settlement or by verdict
• The strength of the evidence linking the fleeing driver to the accident

Example Cases Filed in Cook County

$20.2 Million Settlement – Fatal DUI Hit-and-Run on the Dan Ryan Expressway

On April 10, 2009, Andrew Cazares, 24, and Fausto Manzera, 21, were killed when off-duty Chicago police officer Joseph Frugoli, driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.26, crashed into their disabled vehicle on the Dan Ryan Expressway and fled the scene. The impact caused the car to catch fire, trapping both men. Their estates sued Frugoli and the city of Chicago, citing the city’s failure to discipline Frugoli despite multiple prior incidents. The case settled during trial for $20.2 million, split between both estates.

$4.2 Million Verdict – Pedestrian Killed in West Loop Crosswalk

On September 30, 2002, Patricia Hartman, 43, an insurance executive, was fatally struck in a crosswalk at North Jefferson and West Randolph streets by a dump truck that fled the scene. Witnesses and video footage linked the vehicle to Premier Waste and Recycling and driver Robert Dabisch, though no criminal charges were filed. A Cook County jury awarded Hartman’s estate $4,200,000 for wrongful death and conscious pain and suffering.

$400,000 Settlement – Interstate Hit-and-Run Caused by Commercial Van

On October 8, 2010, Annabel Avila, 26, was driving on I-88 in Chicago when a white van swerved into her lane, causing her to lose control, flip her vehicle, and collide head-on with another car. The van fled the scene. Witnesses and toll records later identified the vehicle as belonging to ADT Security. Avila suffered a fractured ankle and arm lacerations, requiring surgery and physical therapy. The case settled for $400,000 through mediation before trial.

How an Experienced Attorney Can Help You Recover Compensation

Hit and run cases present unique challenges, especially when the fleeing driver is never identified. Without a name, license plate, or police arrest, proving fault can feel impossible. But with the help of an experienced Chicago car accident lawyer, injury victims still have a path to financial recovery.

Our legal team knows how to work around these gaps in evidence. In many cases, there are no clear eyewitnesses, and CPD crash reports can take weeks to obtain. That delay can impact your ability to file a claim. We act quickly to preserve evidence, including requesting surveillance footage from nearby CTA, traffic cameras, and storefronts before it’s overwritten or lost.

We also handle disputes with your auto insurance company, especially when they question whether your uninsured motorist coverage applies. Our attorneys are familiar with how Cook County courts evaluate these claims, and we build your case using proven investigative methods and legal strategies.

From identifying all available insurance coverage to negotiating aggressively on your behalf, an experienced personal injury lawyer can make all the difference in recovering the compensation you’re owed.

How Common Are Hit and Run Car Accidents in Chicago?

Hit-and-run crashes are a significant problem on Chicago streets, especially for people outside of vehicles. According to city data, drivers are much more likely to flee the accident scene after hitting a pedestrian or cyclist than another motor vehicle.

• 42% of crashes involving pedestrians that caused a serious injury or death were hit-and-run
• 37% of serious or fatal crashes involving cyclists or scooter riders were hit-and-run
• By comparison, only 18% of crashes involving people inside motor vehicles resulted in a driver fleeing

Where Do Hit and Run Accidents Occur Most Often in Chicago?

Hit and run accidents occur anywhere in Chicago, but some areas consistently see higher rates due to traffic volume, pedestrian activity, and poor road conditions. Serious hit-and-run crashes are more frequent in neighborhoods like Rogers Park, the Near North Side, and along West Side corridors, where a mix of dense housing and busy roads increases risk.

Dangerous Chicago intersections, including stretches of Western Avenue, Cicero Avenue, Lake Shore Drive, and major arterial roads with high speeds and limited pedestrian protection.

Neighborhoods with more foot and bike traffic also see higher rates of hit-and-runs. Areas such as The Loop, Wicker Park, and Hyde Park are common sites for pedestrian and bicycle crashes, often involving drivers who flee before police arrive.

Understanding where hit-and-runs occur helps build stronger injury claims, especially when locating surveillance footage or witnesses.

What Laws Govern Chicago Hit and Run Accident Claims?

625 ILCS 5/11‑401 of Illinois’ Vehicle Code requires that any driver involved in a motor vehicle crash resulting in injury or death must stop immediately at the scene, provide their name, address, and vehicle information, and offer reasonable assistance. Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense. In fatal crashes, fleeing can lead to felony charges and long-term license suspension.

Under 215 ILCS 5/143a of the Illinois Insurance Code, all auto insurance policies issued in Illinois must include uninsured motorist coverage (UM), unless the policyholder rejects it in writing. This provision allows hit-and-run victims to file a claim with their own insurance company when the at-fault driver can’t be identified.

How Long Do Victims Have to File a Hit and Run Injury Claim in Illinois?

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the hit-and-run.

If the crash results in a fatality, surviving family members may bring a lawsuit under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/). These cases must be filed within two years of the date of death.

Failing to file a claim within the legal deadline may permanently bar your right to compensation. An experienced car accident lawyer can help ensure all claims are filed on time and handled properly.

Common Challenges with Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage in Illinois law is often the only way hit-and-run victims can recover compensation when the at-fault driver is never identified. Under 215 ILCS 5/143a, drivers must carry uninsured motorist coverage unless they reject it in writing. Still, many injured victims face resistance from their own insurance companies, even when coverage clearly applies.

Common challenges include:

• Denial that another driver was involved, especially in single-vehicle crashes where the negligent driver left no contact information.
• Blaming the victim, with insurers claiming you were distracted, reckless, or overreacted, even with no witnesses to support that.
• Comparative fault arguments; Illinois law bars recovery if you’re found more than 50% at fault.
• Lack of physical contact, which insurers may use to deny your claim, especially if you swerved to avoid a crash without direct impact.
• Delays and low settlement offers, often paired with requests for unnecessary paperwork.

Our firm knows how to handle these tactics. A personal injury lawyer from our team can build your case, challenge unfair denials, and fight for the full payout your uninsured motorist policy should provide.

How to Strengthen Your Hit and Run Case in Chicago

Taking the proper steps after a hit-and-run auto accident can make a significant difference in your ability to recover compensation. Here’s how you can protect your case from the start:

• Report the crash to CPD right away, even if you don’t have the other driver’s information. A delay in filing a police report can raise questions about your hit-and-run claim.
• Preserve video evidence immediately. In Chicago, CTA buses, traffic cameras, and local businesses often capture footage, but it may be deleted within days.
• Seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Medical records are essential when filing a personal injury claim or negotiating with your auto insurance company.
• Avoid giving statements to insurers before speaking with a lawyer. What you say can be used to minimize or deny your claim.
• Contact a lawyer as early as possible. A Chicago hit and run accident lawyer can help secure evidence, manage your uninsured motorist claim, and protect your rights, improving your chances of recovering maximum compensation.

How a Chicago Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Can Help

Hit and run accidents leave more than just physical injuries; they often result in confusion, stress, and uncertainty about how to move forward. An experienced Chicago hit-and-run accident lawyer can step in quickly to protect your rights, even if the driver is never located.

Our firm provides immediate support by launching a thorough investigation. We work with private investigators, review CPD reports, 911 calls, and crash data to find any leads on the fleeing vehicle. We also coordinate directly with the Chicago Police Department traffic units and other local agencies to make sure your case gets the attention it deserves.

We take swift action to preserve time-sensitive evidence such as CTA footage, storefront video, and traffic camera recordings. If needed, we consult phone records or bring in crash reconstruction experts to strengthen your case.

If the at-fault driver can’t be identified, we handle your uninsured motorist claim, submitting documentation, addressing disputes, and negotiating with your insurance company. Whether through settlement or trial in Cook County, our goal is full and fair compensation. Let a trusted personal injury attorney handle the legal process so you can focus on healing.

FAQs

What if the other driver is never found?

You can still recover compensation by filing an uninsured motorist claim through your own insurance policy. Illinois law requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage, which applies in car accident claims where the at-fault driver flees and cannot be identified.

What if the victim saw a partial license plate number?

A partial plate can be helpful. Police and private investigators may be able to match it with vehicle descriptions, nearby surveillance footage, or traffic records. Share any details with your attorney right away; small pieces of information can lead to identifying the at-fault driver.

Contact Us to Explore Your Legal Options

If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit-and-run car crash, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Our experienced Chicago car accident attorneys are here to help you understand your rights, review your insurance information, and pursue every available option for compensation. Whether the driver has been identified or not, we know how to build strong hit-and-run claims and deal with uncooperative insurance companies. Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us help you take the first step toward recovery.