Car Accident Lawyers in Bloomington, IL
Local Drivers Can Depend on Our Legal Team
If you were hurt in a car accident in or near Bloomington, Illinois, you can lean on Haxel Law for legal counsel and genuine moral support. Whether you’re dealing with life-changing injuries, a totaled vehicle, or the uncertainty of how to pay your bills, we’re ready to help.
Call a Bloomington car accident attorney from our firm today for a free consultation. We’ll help you understand your rights and your next steps. Just dial (217) 215-4166.
What Did the Other Driver Do to Cause the Car Accident?
Nearly all car accidents don’t happen because of bad luck—they happen because someone made a careless or reckless choice. From ignoring traffic signs to texting while driving, driver negligence is behind the most serious crashes on the road. Part of our role as your Bloomington car accident attorneys will be to figure out what the other driver did to cause your crash.
Common causes of car accidents include:
- Distracted driving (texting, eating, talking to passengers, etc.)
- Speeding or aggressive driving
- Drunk or impaired driving
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Driver fatigue
Proving Liability After a Car Accident
To recover compensation after a car crash, you’ll have to prove that the other driver caused it. You can also expect them to try to blame you, so to this end, you might need to prove that you didn’t do anything wrong.
At Haxel Law, we know how to collect evidence to support your claim and show exactly what happened and who was responsible. Our team has decades of total experience investigating accident scenes, working with expert witnesses, and preparing solid cases with the use of key evidence.
We may use the following types of evidence to prepare your case:
- Police accident reports
- Traffic or dashcam video footage
- Witness statements
- Vehicle damage analysis
- Accident reconstruction reports
When the Car Manufacturer Might Be to Blame
In some cases, a defective part or faulty design may be the true cause of a serious car accident. Such accidents often fall under product liability law, which is a different kind of liability law that lets injured parties seek compensation. Our legal team has the resources and legal knowledge to investigate and pursue claims involving defective vehicles or vehicle parts. If a manufacturing or design defect played a role in your accident, we can discuss how to file a claim against the automaker or parts manufacturer.
Examples of car defects that cause accidents include:
- Faulty brakes or steering systems
- Defective airbags or seatbelts
- Tire blowouts due to manufacturing flaws
- Electrical system failures
- Fuel system defects or fire hazards
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Car Accident Claim?
Every car accident case is different, but the goal is the same: to recover the compensation you need to move forward. We’re ready to fight for every dollar you’re owed.
Compensation in a car accident claim may include:
- Medical bills (current and future)
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage and vehicle replacement
Partial Liability for a Car Accident in Illinois
Under Illinois law, you can still recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the crash, as long as you were less than 51% at fault. This modified comparative negligence rule will reduce your final compensation by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were awarded $200,000 but found to be 10% responsible, you would receive $180,000. If the insurance company is trying to shift more blame onto you, we can push back and protect your rights.
Will the Other Driver’s Insurance Company Offer a Fair Settlement?
It’s common for the other driver’s insurance company to reach out soon after the accident with a settlement offer but be very cautious. Early offers are often very low and designed to limit the insurer’s financial liability, not fully compensate you.
Before signing anything, speak with a Bloomington car accident attorney from Haxel Law. We can analyze the offer to see if it reflects what you need to recover. If the insurer refuses to make a fair offer, we’re ready to take the case to court—something we’ve done successfully for decades.
Call Our Firm for Legal Help After a Car Accident
Car accident cases can quickly become complicated, especially when serious injuries, multiple drivers, or defective vehicles are involved. Eliminate any guesswork by coming to Haxel Law. We have been helping clients across Central Illinois for many years, including people right here in Bloomington. We bring impressive experience, trial-tested skill, and a real commitment to outstanding client service.
Call us today at (217) 215-4166 for a free consultation. Let’s talk about how we can help you move forward after a bad car accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How Much Is My PI Claim Worth?
Determining the value of your claim can be complex. It can be easy to overlook many types of compensation available to you, especially without an in-depth understanding of Illinois law. Seeking legal representation is essential to identify liable parties and calculate the total damages in your claim.
While pinpointing the exact value of your claim requires a thorough case evaluation from our attorneys, you should know that you are entitled to compensation for all losses incurred in the accident, including future costs resulting from your injuries. Our firm can negotiate effectively on your behalf to pursue the full compensation available to you.
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How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Claim?
It depends. The timeframe for settling a personal injury claim will vary based on unique factors, such as whether the insurance company is willing to make a fair offer, any potential liability disputes, and whether your case goes to trial. Many claims are settled out of court, but others can take more time to resolve. However, taking longer to settle isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
While preparing for potential litigation may extend the duration of your case, it can also mean the difference between recovering maximum compensation and walking away with much less than you deserve. Our attorneys are familiar with insurance companies to pursue the fastest path to resolution without compromising the just settlement you need to focus on your recovery.
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Should I Talk to the Insurance Adjuster?After an accident, you should avoid discussing the incident with any insurance representative without your lawyer present. Having your attorney speak directly with the insurance adjuster on your behalf is typically best to protect your rights. If you do end up talking with the insurance adjuster, you only need to provide basic information, such as your name, address, and so on. Don’t share any information that may be used against you, such as apologizing or admitting fault.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
At Haxel Law, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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"I will definitely use Haxel Law again!"I’m so grateful for the legal assistance I received from Haxel Law. Martin is extremely knowledgeable and guided me throughout the process. I recommend Martin Haxel. He’s no nonsense and gets the job done. If needed I will definitely use Haxel Law again.- Sally B.
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"Thank you, Martin."When I got injured, I knew I was going to be out of work. I knew I was going to be struggling with my family. I was really worried about the direction my life had turned towards. If I hadn't contacted Martin Haxel. I would still be fighting to get what I deserved. What was owed to me. Mr. Haxel however, stayed with me. He told me the truth. He didn't lie, or manipulate anything. He was honest and informative. He was the hope I didn't have at that time. He struggled with me to get all of it resolved. He did it with integrity, honesty, and a sincere understanding of what I was going through. To anyone considering having Mr. Haxel represent them in similar situations...I would say, you couldn't pick a better person. He's a great lawyer. He does great work. He's a nice person with a lot of experience in this field. If there's anyone you can turn to when no one will listen or even attempt to help you do what is right...Mr. Haxel is the one. I can't say enough good things about him. Now that my case is settled thanks to his work, I'm going to miss having someone having my back. He's a good man and I hope he feels good about what he's done when he lays down to sleep and reflects on his days, weeks, months, and years. People like him, give people hope, and faith that there are good people still roaming around this crazy thing called life. Martin, thank you. You're a beast.- Chris Y.
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"Highly Recommend"Attorney Martin Haxel fought long and hard for a fair and just settlement. I recommend Haxel Law for your Work Comp case.- Karyn S.
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"No One Better"I was referred to Martin by my original attorney. My original attorney didn't want to spend the time and money to represent me because my case was going to be difficult, time-consuming, and against the City of Champaign. I am so glad that Martin was willing to take my case and see it through. If you have a "hidden injury" like me or even an obvious injury Martin will handle it very professionally and give it the attention that you deserve.- John M.
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"What a great experience!"I strongly recommend Haxel Law Firm to everyone. In fact, he has now taken on my fiance as a client. Thanks Marty for what you did for me!- David S.
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"Made Everything Easy for Me"His assistant was very pleasant and helpful as well. If he wasn't available when I called and left a message he was always prompt to respond to my messages and emails. I would highly recommend him to anyone who can use his skills!- David N.
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"Martin Truly Cares About You"I had a life-changing experience 4 years ago. Mr Haxel continually worked with the insurance company to settle the workman comp claim. Mr. Haxel was always available to call if you had any concerns and was always willing to listen to you.- Marvin S.
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"Marty was great to work with!"He kept in communication and made the process as stress-free as possible. Hopefully I never need a personal injury attorney again, but if I do, I wouldn't hesitate to hire Marty.- Kristi D.
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"Very Positive Experience Representing My Daughter"Very responsive and patient answering all my questions. I hope to never be in a situation of needing a lawyer again, but if I did, I would 100% contact Martin again.- Jim P.