Personal Injury at Parker & Parker
Personal injury at our firm covers everything below — accidents that happened on the road, on someone else's property, or in a hospital. Pick where you were hurt.
Injured Through No Fault of Your Own?
Peoria Personal Injury Attorney →Car Accidents
181 ARTICLES
The biggest topic on this site — settlements, coverage issues, UM/UIM, fault, drunk driving, and what to do after a crash.
Truck Accidents
27 ARTICLES
Federal trucking regulations, FMCSR violations, driver fatigue, equipment failures, and the multiple-defendant strategy that distinguishes commercial-vehicle cases from passenger cars.
Motorcycle Accidents
19 ARTICLES
The bias riders face from insurance adjusters, why motorcycle injuries are catastrophically more severe, and how Illinois law handles helmet, lane-splitting, and rider-fault questions.
Bicycle Accidents
6 ARTICLES
Cyclist injury claims in Illinois — fault apportionment, dooring incidents, road-hazard liability, and the special evidence challenges of bike-vs-car collisions.
Pedestrian Accidents
6 ARTICLES
Pedestrian injury claims when a driver hits you in a crosswalk, parking lot, or roadway — and what to do when the at-fault driver's policy can't cover your injuries.
Brain and Spinal Cord Injury
17 ARTICLES
Traumatic brain injury, post-concussion syndrome, paralysis, and the medical and damages questions that distinguish catastrophic injury cases from routine auto claims.
Nursing Home Injury
47 ARTICLES
Abuse, neglect, bedsores, sepsis, falls, medication errors, and the systemic facility failures behind them — plus the resident-rights and arbitration-clause issues families face.
Premises Liability
27 ARTICLES
Slip-and-fall, negligent security, unsafe property conditions, and the visitor-status doctrine that determines what a property owner owed you when you were hurt.
Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
7 ARTICLES
Illinois's strict-liability dog-bite statute, homeowners-insurance coverage questions, and what to do in the first 48 hours after an attack.
Wrongful Death
22 ARTICLES
Wrongful death and Survival Act claims in Illinois — who can file, what damages are recoverable, and how the two causes of action work together.
Medical Malpractice
13 ARTICLES
Misdiagnosis, surgical errors, delayed treatment, and the certificate-of-merit and statute-of-repose hurdles that make Illinois med-mal cases procedurally distinct.
Birth Injury
5 ARTICLES
Cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy, brachial plexus injuries, and C-section delays — claims that turn on fetal monitoring evidence and a longer Illinois statute of limitations for minors.
Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Claims
28 ARTICLES
Stacking, phantom-vehicle claims, bad-faith UM/UIM denials, and arbitration — the under-discussed coverage that often becomes the only path to recovery.
General Personal Injury Articles
Trial Court vs. Appellate Court: How the Two Levels Actually Differ in Illinois
Last Updated: May 12, 2026 Trial courts decide what happened. Appellate courts decide whether the trial court got the law right. In…
Your Hospital Knows You Have Insurance. Here’s Why They Might Not Use It.
You were in a car accident. You went to the emergency room. The doctors treated you, the hospital had your insurance card…
How Medical Liens Reduce Your Net Settlement in Illinois
Medical liens are legal claims that hospitals, health insurers, and government programs like Medicare and Medicaid place against your personal injury settlement…
What Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) Means for Your Illinois Injury Settlement
Maximum medical improvement (MMI) is the point at which your doctor determines your condition has stabilized and further treatment will not produce…
How Long to Get a Settlement Check After Signing a Release in Illinois
Settlement checks typically arrive 2-4 weeks after you sign the release, depending on insurance company processing speed. The defendant’s insurance company must…
What Percentage Do Personal Injury Lawyers Take?
Illinois personal injury lawyers typically take 33.3% to 40% of your settlement in contingency cases, depending on the complexity and stage of…
Is Peoria, IL Safe? Crime Rates, Safest Neighborhoods & What 47 Years of Local Experience Tells Us
Peoria’s crime rates fluctuate; the city typically ranks above average for property crime but below state average for violent crime. Safer neighborhoods…
Your Case Settled, Here’s What Happens With the Money
Once you sign the release, the insurance company issues a check to your attorney, who pays off medical liens and case costs,…
We’re Filing a Lawsuit, What That Actually Means for Your Case
Filing a lawsuit officially initiates the civil court process and freezes the statute of limitations on your claim. It requires naming the…
Demand Letter Timeline in Illinois: 30/45/90 Days (2026)
In Illinois, most insurers respond to a personal injury demand letter within 30 to 45 days. The first offer usually arrives in…
Why You Shouldn’t Rush to Settle Your Illinois Injury Claim
Rushing to settle before medical treatment is complete or liability is fully established often results in accepting less money than your case…
How to Be Your Own Advocate at Medical Appointments After an Accident
At medical appointments, clearly describe all symptoms and functional limitations to your healthcare provider, as they document your injuries. Ask questions, take…
Your Personal Injury Case: What Happens After You Hire a Lawyer
After hiring an attorney, they begin investigation, medical record collection, and demand preparation. Your lawyer handles communication with the insurance company and…
What to Expect at Your Free Consultation with Parker & Parker
Your free consultation covers case evaluation, liability and damage assessment, fee structure explanation, and next steps. The attorney discusses your injuries, medical…
How Comparative Fault Works in Illinois Personal Injury Cases
Illinois uses modified comparative fault: you can recover damages even if you’re partially at fault, as long as you’re 50% or less…
How Long Does a Personal Injury Settlement Take in Illinois?
Personal injury settlements typically take 3-6 months from hiring an attorney to receiving your final check. Simple cases with clear liability settle…
Loss of Earning Capacity in Illinois Personal Injury Cases
Loss of earning capacity damages compensate you for reduced future income due to injury-related disabilities, even if you haven’t yet lost wages.…
Burn Injury Claims in Illinois: Types, Treatment, and Compensation
Burn injury claims in Illinois are based on the severity, percentage of body surface affected, and resulting scarring or functional loss. Long-term…
Personal Injury Mediation in Illinois: What to Expect and How It Works
Mediation is a voluntary process where a neutral third party helps disputing parties reach settlement. Illinois courts often require mediation in personal…
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Illinois
Most personal injury lawsuits in Illinois must be filed within two years of the date of injury under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. The…
Illinois Tort Immunity Act: Road Defect Claims (2026)
The Illinois Tort Immunity Act can limit injury claims against cities, counties, townships, and other public entities, but it does not end…
Insurance Bad Faith After a Car Accident in Illinois: Know Your Rights
When insurance companies unreasonably deny, delay, or undervalue your car accident claim, they may be acting in bad faith. Learn how Illinois…
Hit-and-Run Accidents in Illinois: Your Legal Options When the Driver Flees
A hit-and-run driver left you injured and the scene. Learn about your legal options in Illinois, including UM coverage, police investigation, and…
Truck Accident Claims in Illinois: Why These Cases Are Different
Truck accidents cause more severe injuries and involve more complex liability than car accidents. Learn about federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and…
Uber and Lyft Accident Claims in Illinois: Who Pays for Your Injuries?
Rideshare accident claims involve complex insurance questions. Learn who is liable when an Uber or Lyft driver causes an accident in Illinois…
Peoria’s Most Dangerous Roads & Intersections (Illinois)
Some Peoria roads and intersections see far more accidents than others. Learn which Central Illinois roads are most dangerous and what makes…
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims in Illinois: Protecting Yourself
What happens when the driver who hit you has no insurance or not enough coverage? Learn how uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage…
Intersection Car Accidents in Peoria: Common Causes and Liability
Intersection accidents are among the most dangerous collisions in Peoria. Learn about common causes like running red lights and failure to yield,…
Rear-End Collision Claims in Illinois: Proving Fault and Getting Compensation
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident. Learn how fault is determined, common injuries like whiplash, and how to…
How to Get a Personal Injury Settlement in Illinois
To get a personal injury settlement, hire an attorney, gather evidence (medical records, police reports, photos), document damages (medical bills, lost wages),…
How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth in Illinois?
Personal injury case value depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and liability strength. Factors include age, occupation,…
6 Myths About Personal Injury Cases in Illinois
Common myths include believing you must be 100% blameless (Illinois allows up to 50% fault), that minor injuries have no value (medical…
What is an Expert Witness? How Experts Strengthen Your Injury Case
An expert witness is a qualified professional (doctor, engineer, economist) who testifies about technical matters beyond a layperson’s knowledge. Their testimony can…
Driving safely in winter weather
Driving safely in winter requires reducing speed, increasing following distance, using appropriate tires, and avoiding sudden movements. Snow and ice reduce tire…
Tips for summer road trip safety
Avoid distractions and fatigue, maintain safe speeds for conditions, keep vehicle maintenance current, and plan breaks on long drives. Buckle up, keep…
Federal Suit Filed Against Hip Maker Stryker
Medical device defects like hip implant failures can result in product liability claims against the manufacturer. If a Stryker product failed and…