A serious crash on Route 31, Route 14, Route 47 or Randall Road can change your life: medical bills, missed work and an insurance company that wants a quick, low settlement. Stavros Law Offices represents injured people in McHenry County. Our personal injury work includes car, truck, motorcycle, premises and construction injuries. Our attorneys are both former Lake County Assistant State's Attorneys, with about 20 and 15+ years of experience. See our attorney profiles to learn more.
Deadlines That Matter
Illinois generally gives you two years from the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wrongful death actions also generally must be filed within two years of the death. Claims against a city, village, township or other local public entity can have a much shorter one-year deadline. Waiting can hurt your claim because evidence disappears, so call early.
How Fault Affects Your Recovery
Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule. If a jury finds you more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover. If you are 50% or less at fault, your damages are reduced by your share. Insurers often use this rule to shift blame, so we gather the police report, photos, witness accounts and records early. Read more in our comparative fault guide.
Insurance in Illinois
Illinois requires minimum liability limits of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for injuries, and $20,000 for property damage. Those limits can fall short after a serious injury, so we look at every available source of recovery, including your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. See who pays medical bills after a crash and what to do after a car accident.
Where Your Case Could Be Filed
A lawsuit may be filed in the county where a defendant lives or where the accident happened. For a McHenry County crash, that is often the 22nd Judicial Circuit at the Michael J. Sullivan Judicial Center, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue in Woodstock. Our practice areas include car accidents, truck accidents and premises liability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file an injury lawsuit in McHenry County?
Generally two years from the date of injury under Illinois law. Claims against local government entities can carry a one-year deadline, so confirm your deadline as soon as possible.
What if I was partly at fault for the crash?
You can still recover if you are 50% or less at fault, though your award is reduced by your percentage. If you are more than 50% at fault, Illinois law bars recovery.
How much does it cost to hire you?
Consultations are free, and you pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. We will explain the fee agreement and any case costs in writing before you sign.
Can you help if the other driver has no insurance?
Often yes. Illinois requires uninsured motorist coverage on auto policies, so your own policy may provide protection. We review your policy and all other sources of recovery.
Talk to Our Team
Call (847) 520-4810 (our phone line is available 24/7) or request a free consultation online. Our office is at 433 N. Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090, open Monday–Friday 9–5 and closed Saturday. Bilingual staff can assist; se habla español.
This page is general information about Illinois law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, no lawyer can guarantee a result, and past results do not predict future outcomes.