Car Accident Lawyers in Bloomington, IL

Roughly 170,000 people call the Bloomington-Normal metro area home. These communities in the heart of Illinois experience their fair share of accidents every year. In many cases, these “accidents” were actually caused by negligence or poor decisions. If your car, pickup, or SUV was in a crash, you may need help on your road to recovery.

Onward Injury Law is here to make sure you keep moving forward. Managing Attorney Josh Rohrscheib and his team want to help in whatever way we can. Clients pay nothing upfront, and our lawyers only get paid if we can secure compensation for you and your family.

If you got into a collision in McLean County, we want to hear what happened. To set up a free consultation with our car accident lawyers in Bloomington, IL, contact our law firm today.

How Common Are Car Accidents in the Bloomington Area?

According to data from the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 303,913 collisions in our state in 2024. That’s 833 collisions statewide every day. In McLean County, there were 3,024 vehicle accidents in 2024, including 649 injury crashes and 11 fatal collisions.

According to Bloomington-specific accident data for 2023 (the most recent numbers available), there were 1,387 collisions in the city. This included 263 injury accidents and 7 fatal crashes.

Where Car Accidents Often Occur in the Bloomington Area

Here are some of the more dangerous roads and highways in the Bloomington area.

• Veterans Parkway: Veterans Parkway is the most dangerous road in Bloomington-Normal. Built in 1941, its expanded into a multi-lane corridor that carries a high volume of daily traffic. There’s a risk of life-altering collisions at major intersections, and Veterans Parkway is particularly dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians.
• Interstate 55: I-55 connects Chicago to St. Louis, which means a lot of big rigs in addition to commuter traffic around Bloomington-Normal. Collisions can occur due to this mix of vehicles and the potential for reckless driving or speeding.
• Interstate 74: I-74 runs through Central Illinois into Indiana and Ohio, which means 18-wheeler traffic in addition to local commuters. Major accidents can occur on the interstate, particularly along the I-55/I-74 split.
• U.S. Route 51: It’s estimated that 18,000 to 20,000 vehicles drive on U.S. 51 each day. That volume of traffic means a potential risk of crashes.
• U.S. Route 150: U.S. 150 runs through much of Central Illinois. Crashes could happen when drivers fail to mind changes in the speed limit as the highway goes through rural and urban areas.

Collision Hazards on Nearby Rural Roads and Highways

If you’re driving in McLean County, take extra precautions while on rural roads outside of the city. Some drivers take unnecessary risks on two-lane rural highways. This could include speeding, intoxicated driving, and texting. When a crash happens on a rural road or highway, it can take a while for first responders to reach the accident site. 

In addition, visibility can be obscured on rural roads. Tall crops can block your view of intersections and oncoming traffic. The lack of lighting at night also means that debris or other obstacles in the road can’t always be seen.

The team here at Onward Injury Law encourages everyone to drive safely while on any rural road outside of the Bloomington-Normal metro area.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

These are some of the most common causes of accidents in and around Bloomington.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

Speeding is one of the primary causes of car accidents in this country. In addition to speeding, many collisions are caused by reckless actions such as refusing to yield the right of way, aggressive merging and lane changes, tailgating, and road rage.

Distracted Driving

Distractions divert attention from the road and take a driver’s hands off the steering wheel. Common forms of distracted driving include texting while driving, adjusting vehicle controls, checking directions, and eating behind the wheel.

Drunk/Impaired Driving

When someone drives under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it puts countless lives at risk. Our lawyers can hold intoxicated drivers accountable by seeking damages for survivors to cover medical bills, repairs, and other losses.

Driver Fatigue

Driver fatigue is a major issue among semi-truck drivers, but it can also affect regular commuters here in Bloomington. Drowsy drivers or people who fall asleep at the wheel can be held liable for the harm they cause to others.

Vehicle Defects or Defective Auto Parts

Some vehicles may be poorly designed or manufactured, causing major safety hazards. Vehicle parts could be similarly flawed. Onward Injury Law can hold companies responsible for endangering local consumers and the community.

Poor Road and Weather Conditions

Ice, snow, rain, and fog can cause dangerous driving conditions throughout McLean County’s city streets and rural roads. Poorly maintained roads can also affect driver safety in the area.

Catastrophic Injuries in a Car Accident

Serious injuries in a car accident can be life-changing. Certain types of injuries can have lasting effects on your career goals and overall quality of life. Some of these catastrophic injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries (SCI)
• Neck and back injuries
• Broken bones
• Damage to internal organs
• Burns from post-crash fires
• Loss of limbs

Illinois Laws Relevant to Your Car Accident Case

If you were hurt in a car wreck in Central Illinois, these state laws matter when you’re filing a legal claim.

Two-Year Deadline to File a Claim

In most car accident cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit (Illinois Compiled Statutes 735 § 5/13-202). You cannot file a claim after the two-year statute of limitations has expired.

Even though there are some exceptions to the two-year statute of limitations, it’s best to speak with our Bloomington car accident attorneys as soon as possible after the collision.

Modified Comparative Negligence and Partial Fault

Illinois is a modified comparative negligence state. This means accident survivors can file a lawsuit as long as they are less than 50% at fault. The percentage of fault is deducted from the total amount of damages awarded.

For example, say that you were in a car accident just outside Bloomington. You are awarded $100,000 but found 25% liable for the crash. Because of modified comparative negligence, you would still receive $75,000.

Dram Shop Liability

Illinois bars, restaurants, and businesses that serve alcohol can be held accountable for a DUI accident under dram shop liability laws (Illinois Compiled Statutes 235 § 5/6-21). These types of laws are in place to prevent establishments from overserving alcohol and contributing to impaired driving collisions.

While some states also have alcohol-related laws that apply to social hosts, there are no such laws in Illinois. However, parents and guardians in the state can be held liable for DUI crashes if they rented a hotel or Airbnb for a party and knew there would be underage drinking.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Car Accident?

Different parties can be held responsible for causing a car wreck. Our accident attorneys will go over the evidence to determine who is liable for the collision or may have contributed to what happened.

• The Other Driver in the Crash: The other driver or drivers who were in the crash may have been speeding, distracted, intoxicated, or otherwise negligent.
• Another Motorist on the Road: Another driver who happened to be on the road may have been reckless, causing others to react and get into a crash as a result.
• Bars, Restaurants, and Businesses That Serve Alcohol: Businesses that overserve patrons can be held liable for a car wreck under Illinois’ dram shop laws.
• Automakers and Auto Part Manufacturers: Auto companies and makers of auto parts can be held liable when they put defective products on the market.
• Local Municipalities: Road authorities in McLean County could be held accountable for neglecting to repair damaged streets or failing to prepare for winter weather.

What Damages are Recoverable Following a Car Accident?

The amount of compensation you receive after a car accident can vary based on the severity of your injuries, your insurance coverage, and other factors.

At Onward Injury Law, we’ll review how the crash has affected your life and help you understand how much your accident claim could be worth.

Economic and Non-Economic Damages

Economic damages are the material and financial losses caused by a car accident. Common examples of economic damages include:

• Past and current medical bills
• The cost of your future health care needs
• Physical rehabilitation and occupational therapy
• Cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle
• Damage to other belongings in the vehicle during the collision
• Loss of income due to medical leave
• Reduced future earning potential because of long-term or permanent disability

Non-economic damages are the subjective changes in your life that were caused by the accident. There are no precise dollar amounts that define them, making these damages more difficult to calculate. Common examples of non-economic damages after a crash include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Physical disfigurement or impairment
• Diminished quality of life

Punitive Damages in Car Accident Claims

Punitive damages are exemplary damages, which means that they punish a negligent party for their actions instead of compensating a survivor for their losses. To qualify for punitive damages after a car wreck in Illinois, there must be clear and convincing evidence that the other party caused intentional harm or acted in a willful and wanton manner.

Punitive damages are rare. The attorneys at Onward Injury Law will let you know if punitive damages are a possibility in your case.

What to Do After a Car Accident in the Bloomington Area

If you are ever in a car wreck in Bloomington-Normal, here are a few tips on what you should do. Taking these steps after a collision can help with your insurance claim or a lawsuit.

• Check If Anyone Is Injured: Check if you’ve been hurt or if anyone else in the vehicle is hurt after the crash.
• Get Yourself to Safety: If you’re able to do so, move your vehicle out of the path of traffic and make sure all vehicle occupants are safe. Turn on hazard lights and set down flares to alert other drivers of the accident.
• Call 911: Notify law enforcement about the collision and make sure they send an ambulance to help anyone injured.
• Exchange Information with Others: Get the contact information from other motorists involved in the collision and any witnesses who saw the crash.
• Take Photos and Videos of the Accident: Document the collision and the accident site. Take photos and video from multiple angles, noting the damaged vehicles, injuries, road conditions, and the surrounding area.
• Cooperate with Authorities: Give factual statements to police officers and any emergency crews that respond to the crash. This will help them file an official report that can help with insurance claims and litigation.
• Seek Medical Attention: See a doctor even if you feel okay after the accident. Injuries aren’t always apparent, so it’s best to get checked out by a professional just in case.
• Notify Your Insurance Company: Tell your insurer that you were in a car accident. Do not admit fault or offer an opinion about what happened. Just give them the facts.
• Speak with a Car Accident Attorney: After a serious collision, reach out to our car accident lawyers here in Bloomington for help.

Why Choose Onward Injury Law for Your Car Accident Claim

There are many law firms that represent accident survivors in Central Illinois, but Onward Injury Law offers strong and reliable legal representation that puts you and your family first.

• We Put People and Healing First: We don’t treat people like case numbers. Our team cares about your recovery and your long-term well-being. We will always prioritize what’s best for you.
• We Simplify Complicated Legal Topics: Insurance coverage and litigation can be complex. We’ll make sure you understand every aspect of your case and your best interests.
• We’re Dedicated and We Give a Damn: As your accident claim progresses, we’ll keep you fully informed with total transparency and honesty.
• We Only Get Paid If We Win for You: We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless or until we secure a settlement or win damages in court.

Contact Our Bloomington Car Accident Attorneys

Onward Injury Law is committed to supporting McLean County families after a major collision. Whether you’re healing or grieving, you can trust our team to provide strong and compassionate counsel.

For a free consultation with Bloomington car accident lawyers who give a damn, contact Onward Injury Law. Our attorneys are here to help and ready to listen.