What Should You Do After a Serious Car Accident in Chicago’s Loop?

The Chicago Loop draws many workers, tourists, residents, and shoppers throughout most of the day and much of the night. All these attractions create opportunities for car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, and other types of accidents. Tragically, some accidents are fatal. Taking the proper steps after an accident can strengthen your legal claim and help with your medical recovery.

At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, we have more than 20 years of experience holding drivers and others accountable for the accidents they cause. We seek compensation for all your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, the inability to enjoy life’s pleasures, and all other financial and personal damages. We file wrongful death claims if a Chicago Loop accident is deadly. Call us today if you were injured in a Loop accident in Chicago.

What is the Chicago Loop?

The Chicago Loop, according to Skydeck in Chicago, is commonly described as the area bounded by the Chicago River to the north and west, Lake Michigan to the east, and Harrison Street to the south.

The region is known as “The Loop” due to the loop the L train makes around the area — around “Lake Street, Wabash Avenue, Van Buren Street, and Wells Street.” Some of the main attractions in the Chicago Loop include the following:

• The Chicago Riverwalk is frequented by pedestrians for shopping, eating, boating, and the beautiful view of the Chicago River. Attractions include Public art on the Chicago Riverwalk.
• Millennium Park is home to Lurie Garden, the Pritzker Pavilion, Cloud Gate, and other attractions.
• Maggie Daley Park is for skaters, rock climbers, picnickers, and others.
• Willis Tower is one of the largest skyscrapers in the world, with more than 100 companies and a beautiful viewing platform known as The Ledge.

What types of vehicle accidents are common in the Chicago Loop?

At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, we handle all types of car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, bicycle, and Uber and Lyft accidents.

Common types of vehicle accidents in and near the Loop include accidents on the local streets, the Kennedy Expressway, and the Dan Ryan Expressway.

These accidents include:

• Rear-end collisions. These accidents happen because many drivers drive while distracted (such as while looking at their GPS, using their mobile phone, or looking at the scenery). Rear-end accidents may cause spinal injuries, brain injuries, whiplash, and other serious injuries.
• T-bone/broadside accidents. These accidents are common where there are intersections in areas of heavy traffic. They may occur if a driver drives through a stop sign or red light, doesn’t yield, or drives while intoxicated.
• Head-on accidents. These accidents generally occur when a driver enters the wrong road due to intoxication, confusion, driver distraction, or other reasons.
• Sideswipes. These accidents are common when there’s heavy traffic in the Loop, when cars pass, or when cars merge.
• Multiple-vehicle accidents. These accidents can occur when there are chain reactions (such as sequential rear-end collisions) or accidents involving three or more cars at the same time. Multi-vehicle accidents are more likely to occur when traffic is congested, at work zones, and when vehicles merge.
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents. The Loop area includes many restaurants, retail stores, professional offices, and other attractions. Drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians or bicyclists when required by law should be held accountable.
• Other types of accidents in the Chicago Loop. Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers also represent the victims of the following types of common Chicago Loop accidents:

o Rideshare accidents and taxi accidents. Many people use Uber, Lyft, and taxis instead of driving in the Loop.

o Bus accidents. These include public buses and private buses.

o Delivery vehicles. Large and small trucks are constantly delivering supplies, inventory, and food throughout the Chicago Loop.

The mix of vehicles, walkers, and bikers increases the risk of accidents because drivers need to be constantly aware of the different types of users of the Chicago Loop roads. Dense roads and construction work increase the risk of accidents, too.

What steps should victims of Chicago Loop accidents take?

There are many steps that Chicago Loop accident victims should take, according to Consumer Shield, depending on how the accident happened and the seriousness of your injuries.

Some of the important steps to take include:

Call the police

The police should ensure that the accident site is safe, so that nobody else is hurt. They’ll obtain everyone’s vehicle registration, driver’s license, insurance information, and contact information. The Chicago Police Department should investigate what happened and prepare an official police report. They may issue citations for traffic violations or other offenses, such as drunk driving.

Seek medical care for yourself and any passengers

The police should arrange for emergency medical transport to a local emergency center (such as the University of Chicago Medicine). If they don’t, then you should seek medical attention as soon as possible at an ER or with your family doctors – even if you feel fine. Some injury symptoms may be delayed. If you wait, the insurance company for the defendant may argue that you couldn’t have been hurt much if you didn’t seek medical care.

Contact our personal injury lawyers

Our Chicago Loop accident attorneys will answer your questions, explain your rights, and explain how the claims process works. We’ll hire investigators to examine the accident, speak with witnesses, and inquire about any video of the accident. We’ll work with liability experts, formally question everyone involved, discuss your injuries with your doctors, and fight for all the compensation you deserve.

Notify your insurance company

You generally need to notify your own insurance company about the accident. They have the right to be informed and conduct their own investigation.

Contact a member of your family

Many accident victims call a spouse, parent, adult child, or another relative. Your relative can arrange to meet you at a hospital or where you are in the Chicago Loop and provide for any other family members while they visit with you.

Take photos or videos

If it’s safe to do so and you feel well enough, you could take images of the accident site, including the layout of the road, the damage to the vehicles, and your injuries. Normally, the police and our investigators will identify the accident site.

Don’t speak with the insurance companies for any of the other drivers involved in the accident

The insurance carriers for the defendants aren’t your friends. They want to pay you as little as possible. Our vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle accident lawyers will speak to the defendant’s insurance company for you.

Don’t drive away

Don’t leave the accident scene before fulfilling your legal duties under Illinois law.

Get help from our respected Chicago Loop accident attorneys now

At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, we help injury victims restart their lives. Our downtown Chicago car accident lawyer team anticipates the arguments insurance companies make to try to deny or limit your claim. We’ve earned the trust of our clients and the respect of the insurance industry and the legal community.

Call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. Our firm represents Chicago Loop accident cases on a contingency fee basis.