Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall, you are probably asking one question above all others: what is the average slip and fall settlement? Any attorney who hands you a firm number before reviewing your case isn't being straight with you. No official average slip and fall settlement figure exists. Because private insurance payouts and out-of-court agreements remain...

No official average motorcycle accident settlement figure exists. Private insurance payouts and out-of-court agreements aren't reported to government agencies, so no federal or state authority publishes a reliable benchmark. Your case value depends on your injuries, medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and available insurance coverage. Most Midwestern states allow two years from the accident date to file a...

If you were hurt at work, you probably have one big question on your mind: what will workers' compensation actually cover? The good news is the system is built to support an injured employee while they recover, and understanding your options is the first step toward getting the help you deserve. Our workers' compensation lawyers can answer your questions about...

After a car accident, an insurance adjuster will likely be one of the first people to contact you. You will probably be wondering, "What does an insurance adjuster do?" Our team of car accident lawyers has put together this article about insurance adjusters to answer questions we often answer for clients. An insurance adjuster evaluates claims to determine the insurer’s...

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), the medical malpractice cases that tend to receive the highest medical malpractice settlements in the U.S. involve improper technique or failure to recognize a complication. Between 2016 and 2025, the average medical malpractice settlement for these claim types reached into the hundreds of thousands of...

There is no central database that tracks every car accident settlement, so there is no true average settlement for whiplash claims, and even if there were, it wouldn't tell you much about your case. Every claim is different. Many car accident victims suffer more than just whiplash. It's common to also experience back injuries, herniated discs, concussions, shoulder injuries, and...

Yes, you can file a claim after an accident with a government-owned vehicle, but the claims process is often harder than the process involving vehicles operated by private citizens. Special rules may apply, deadlines can be shorter, and the steps you take right away can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation. This is where an experienced car accident attorney...

With food poisoning regularly making headlines, you might wonder which foods are the most common culprits. Our Chicago food poisoning lawyers have provided answers to your questions about foods that cause food poisoning. Food poisoning—foodborne illness—usually happens within 1 to 2 days after you eat contaminated or spoiled food. While many bacteria, viruses, and parasites can cause it, according to...

Many drivers may wonder, “How much can you go over the speed limit?” Illinois law is clear: any amount—even just 5 mph over the posted speed limit—is illegal. Speeding is a leading cause of motor vehicle accidents across the country. If you or a loved one was seriously injured by a speeding motorist, an attorney from our personal injury law...

If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite wound, you may want to know if you have to report a dog bite in Illinois. Yes, by Illinois law (510 ILCS 5/13), if an animal bites someone, the owner must have it examined by a vet within 24 hours for a checkup, rabies vaccination, microchipping, and to submit...

Yes, because of legal requirements under the Illinois Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act (UIDDA), you have to respond to an out-of-state subpoena. Our personal injury lawyers explain why. Out-of-State Subpoenas Explained by Andrew Kryder, Esq. What Is a Subpoena? A subpoena is a legal document that is issued for two main reasons: to produce documents or other evidence, or...

If you've been injured because of someone else's negligence, you might wonder if you will be compensated for things beyond medical bills, like pain and suffering. In Illinois, a personal injury lawyer, insurance company, or jury will consider many factors in the calculation of pain and suffering damages, including the severity of injuries, impact on daily life, emotional distress, length...

The Illinois Health Care Services Lien Act applies to both medical providers and injured plaintiffs after an accident. It allows healthcare professionals and providers to claim a portion of a lawsuit settlement for the services they provided, while also capping how much they can take. Understanding the Illinois medical lien act is important for anyone involved in personal injury claim...

Figuring out whether or not signing a release for settlement with the insurance company is a good decision can be complicated. When you sign the form, you accept their settlement offer, and they must make the payment within 30 days. However, keep in mind that signing the form means you are giving up your right to make any future claims...

If you've been in a car accident, you might ask, "Is an unlicensed driver automatically at fault?" An unlicensed driver, even without a valid driver's license, is not automatically at fault for a car accident in Illinois. Many factors contribute to a motor vehicle accident, and fault isn't always clear-cut. If you're a licensed driver injured in an accident involving...

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to the negligence of someone else, you may ask, “Does insurance pay for pain and suffering?” Yes, insurance settlements often include compensation for pain and suffering. Personal injury claims include economic damages, such as lost wages and medical expenses. They also include non-economic damages, like emotional distress...

If you've been seriously injured in an accident, you may find yourself wondering, “What is the difference between bodily injury and personal injury?” Personal injury includes any harm from an accident, like physical, mental, or emotional damage. Bodily injury, however, only refers to physical harm to your body. An experienced personal injury lawyer on our legal team can help you...

You may want to know how many MPH you can go over the speed limit in Chicago and not be ticketed for speeding violations. There is a misconception that as long as drivers stay within five miles per hour (mph) of speed limits, they are within the speeding law. This is not true. If you have been seriously injured by...

A pre-settlement loan—also known as a lawsuit loan, legal funding, or litigation financing—is a type of financial assistance offered to individuals with pending legal cases. Although often referred to as a loan, it is technically a pre-settlement cash advance against the expected settlement or verdict of a lawsuit. When facing financial pressure during the lengthy legal process, a settlement advance...

One question our Chicago medical malpractice lawyers answer for grieving clients is, "Can you sue a hospital for wrongful death?" Yes, when the negligence of a hospital's employees or affiliated doctors causes the death of a patient, you can sue a hospital for wrongful death. The hospital bears responsibility for this negligence because of the employee-employer relationship or respondeat superior....

An uninsured driver is not automatically at fault in a traffic accident in Illinois. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident by an uninsured driver, or were injured while driving without insurance, our experienced car accident lawyers can help. According to the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI), fault in Illinois is determined based comparative negligence....

If you witness a car accident or you've been in a car crash, it's important to know what makes a good car accident witness. Our experienced car accident lawyers seek witnesses who can accurately describe the accident scene, including who was there and how it happened. Good witnesses to car accidents remain impartial and don't let personal biases or emotions...

One of the most common questions our wrongful death attorneys hear is, "How long does a wrongful death lawsuit take?" Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer as each case is unique and varies in its complexity. However, there are certain factors that can impact the duration of a wrongful death lawsuit. Our wrongful death law firm will explore these factors...

One question our Chicago car accident lawyers often hear from pedestrian accident victims is "when will the Chicago speed limit drop to 25mph?" Chicago could lower its default speed limit to 25 mph from 30 mph starting in January 2026, under a measure advanced by a City Council committee on October 21, 2024. The City Council Committee on Pedestrian and...

If you have lost a loved one due to someone else's negligence in Illinois, you may be wondering how long you have to file a wrongful death lawsuit? In Illinois, wrongful death claims generally need to be filed within two years according to the wrongful death statute of limitations, with exceptions for minors. Our wrongful death attorneys can help you...

If you've been injured in a traffic accident, you are probably asking, "What do I do after a car accident?" The immediate steps that you take after an accident can have a huge impact on whether or not your car insurance claim is successful. Follow these tips from our experienced Chicago car accident lawyers and make sure your injuries are...

As a victim of an auto accident, you might worry about how long do car accident settlements take because medical expenses and lost income can add up quickly. The auto accident settlement timeline to receive your check is unique to your case, and your lawyer can provide the best estimate. Typically, settlements can take anywhere from a few months to...

When determining who is at fault in a rear-end collision, it is most often the rear driver's fault, although there are some exceptions. Every rear-end collision comes with its own set of circumstances. For instance, if you were rear-ended at a light by a distracted driver who didn't stop, the fault for the rear-end accident would likely rest on them....

Though you may wonder, “What is the average semi-truck accident settlement amount?” this question is not especially useful. You should instead ask, “What is the amount of my semi-truck accident settlement in Illinois?” Every victim of a semi-truck accident has different losses, serious injuries, and prognoses. A truck accident lawyer from our firm, The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and...

Comparative fault, also called comparative negligence or comparative responsibility, is a legal principle for personal injury claims that governs when an injured victim is entitled to financial compensation despite sharing in the fault in an accident. Because Illinois is one of the comparative negligence states, it's important to have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side to minimize your...

Our medical malpractice law firm has calculated the average medical malpractice settlement based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). While the average settlement amount can vary greatly depending on the specifics of the case, over the 10 year period of 2014-2023, the average payout for medical malpractice in the United...

Intentional or negligent acts by caregivers that result in harm to patients are considered patient abuse or elder abuse. If your family member or loved one experienced elder abuse in a nursing home facility, a nursing home abuse lawyer from our law firm, The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, may be able to help you determine if...

If you're injured in an accident with a leased car, be aware that more factors may be involved than in a driver-owned car accident. The details of your lease and accident specifics could lead to unexpected obligations. To learn what happens if you crash a leased car, seek legal advice from the car accident attorneys skilled in leased vehicle accidents...

There is no magic number for the “right” truck accident settlement amount after an accident with a truck driver in Chicago. Rather, the amount you should accept will be completely unique and dependent on your semi truck accident case and the severe injuries you suffered. The skilled truck accident attorneys from our law firm, The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury...

If you or a loved one have been injured in a hit and run, you might want to know, "How long do hit and run accident victims have to take legal action in Illinois?" There are two different answers to this question depending on whether you have a civil or criminal case: There is a statute of limitations of two...

If you were hurt in an accident caused by distracted driving, you may be wondering, "How does distracted driving cause accidents?" and if you can seek compensation for your injuries and losses. Distracted driving diverts attention from the road, delays reaction times, impairs judgment, and significantly increases collision risks. You can obtain compensation for a serious accident through a personal...

If you or your loved ones suffered injuries from a house fire, the answer is yes, you should get a lawyer. House fires can become valid personal injury cases when negligence or wrongful actions lead to injuries or fatalities. The Chicago house fire lawyers at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers are dedicated to helping victims of...

The short answer is yes. While insurance companies typically do not offer a settlement that exceeds the coverage they provide, there are certain exceptions that allow a car accident settlement to exceed the policy limits. These exceptions include situations where the at-fault driver was underinsured or uninsured, if multiple policies were involved in the accident, or if additional damages...

Each personal injury case is different, so there is no clear-cut answer when it comes to how long it will take to settle your Chicago personal injury case. Some cases can be be resolved quickly settled in a few days or weeks while others stretch out over months or even longer. At The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury...

If you have settled on compensation from an insurance company, you may want to know, "How long will it take to get my settlement check from a car accident?" All car accident cases are different and may include various circumstances that can affect how long it will take to receive your car accident settlement check. Depending on the complexity of...