Peoria Personal Injury Attorneys
Injured in an Accident in Peoria, IL?
When you’ve been hurt in an accident, you may feel overwhelmed, unsure of your next steps, or pressured to deal directly with insurance adjusters. But the decisions you make, including those shortly after the accident or injury, could make a bigger impact on your chances to recover than you might expect. That’s why it’s so important to speak with a trusted personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
At Haxel Law, our Peoria personal injury lawyers act fast to protect your rights, preserve key evidence, and stop insurance companies from mistreating or disrespecting you and your case. With more than 40 years of legal experience, we know how to pursue the compensation you need to recover and move forward.
Our Peoria personal injury lawyers can work on cases that involve:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bus accidents
- Dog bites
- Premises liability
- Product liability
- Wrongful deaths
- Workers’ compensation
Call us now at (217) 215-4166 for a free, no-obligation consultation. There’s no fee unless we win your case.
Illinois Personal Injury Laws
Understanding Illinois personal injury laws is essential when seeking compensation for your injuries. Illinois follows a fault-based system for personal injury claims, meaning the party responsible for causing your injury can be held legally liable for your damages.
Here are key aspects of Illinois personal injury law:
- Statute of Limitations – In most personal injury cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline could mean losing your right to pursue compensation.
- Comparative Negligence Rule – Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence system. You can still recover damages if you were partly at fault for the accident, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are more than 50% responsible, you cannot recover damages.
- Types of Cases Covered – Illinois personal injury law applies to many accident types, including motor vehicle collisions, slip and falls, defective products, medical malpractice, dog bites, and wrongful death cases.
- Burden of Proof – The injured party (plaintiff) must prove that the other party’s negligence caused the injury. This involves showing duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.
Our Peoria personal injury lawyer from Haxel Law will make sure deadlines are met, evidence is preserved, and your case is built on a strong legal foundation.
Fighting for Every Dollar You Need to Recover
When someone else’s negligence causes you harm, Illinois law allows you to seek financial compensation for the losses you’ve suffered. We take pride in preparing strong, well-supported claims that pursue the full value of your case, not just the first offer from the insurance company.
Depending on your circumstances, your compensation may include:
- Medical expenses (hospital bills, therapy, future treatment)
- Lost wages and lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress or trauma
- Property damage (such as your vehicle)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
- Wrongful death damages (if you lost a loved one due to negligence)
We don’t back down from complex or high-value cases. Whether your injuries are short-term or life-altering, we fight for every dollar you deserve.
Overview of the Legal Process in IL
Many injury victims are unsure what to expect when filing a personal injury claim. While every case is unique, most follow these general steps:
- Initial Consultation – Your attorney will review your case, explain your legal options, and determine whether you have a valid claim.
- Investigation and Evidence Gathering – This includes collecting accident reports, medical records, witness statements, photos, videos, and expert opinions to build a strong case.
- Filing the Claim – Your lawyer will submit a formal claim to the at-fault party’s insurance company, outlining your damages and legal basis for compensation.
- Negotiations – Many cases are resolved through settlement discussions with the insurance company before ever going to court.
- Filing a Lawsuit – If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will file a lawsuit in court to protect your rights.
- Discovery Phase – Both sides exchange evidence, conduct depositions, and prepare for trial.
- Mediation or Settlement Conference – The court may encourage both parties to attempt to settle before trial.
- Trial – If no settlement is reached, your case will be presented before a judge or jury, who will decide the outcome.
- Appeals – If necessary, your lawyer may pursue an appeal to challenge an unfavorable verdict.
At Haxel Law, we guide you through every stage, keeping you informed and involved while handling the legal complexities for you.
Call Today to Start Your Case
You’ve been injured. You’re dealing with pain, bills, and uncertainty. Let us take the legal weight off your shoulders, at least. Our Peoria personal injury lawyers are ready to step in, stand up to the insurance company, and fight for your future, so you can focus on healing and your family.
Call our experienced personal injury attorneys in Peoria at (217) 215-4166 now or contact us online for a free consultation about your options.
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.
Reasons to Choose Haxel Law
Finding the right law firm can help you feel much more comfortable about your personal injury claim as it progresses. Our injury attorneys bring a unique and powerful combination of experience, insight, and courtroom readiness to every case we handle. Clients in Peoria and across Illinois trust us because we take their cases seriously—and we know how to win.
People, including other law firms when they need help, choose Haxel Law because we have:
- 40 years of personal injury experience
- Former insurance defense attorneys on our team who understand how the other side thinks
- We prepare every case as if it will go to trial. Our experience—over 100 combined trials and appeals—ensures we’re ready when it does
- Responsive, compassionate service from the first call to the final outcome
- Local familiarity with Peoria-area courts, doctors, insurance adjusters, etc.
- A proven record of successful verdicts and settlements
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.