Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of serious car accidents in Illinois. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,308 people died in distracted driving crashes in 2022. If a distracted driver hurt you in 2026, you may have the right to seek compensation. An Orland Park, IL distracted driving accident attorney can help you understand your options and pursue the recovery you deserve.
What Does Illinois Law Say About Distracted Driving Behind the Wheel?
Illinois has strict distracted driving laws. Under 625 ILCS 5/12-610.2, drivers cannot use a handheld electronic device while driving.
Continue Reading What Damages Can You Recover After a Distracted Driving Accident in Illinois?

If you were hurt in a car accident, a slip and fall, or any other incident caused by someone else’s carelessness, you probably want to know: Can I bring a lawsuit or insurance claim? And if so, how long will this take? 
The answer depends on your case, but working with an experienced Cook County personal injury attorney and knowing what to expect can help you make better decisions along the way.
What Factors Affect How Long a Personal Injury Settlement Takes in Illinois?
Several things can speed up or slow down a settlement. The biggest factors include:
Continue Reading How Long Does a Personal Injury Settlement Take in Illinois?

You can sue if you were hit by a car while walking in Illinois if the driver’s negligence caused your injuries. Pedestrians have little protection, which makes these accidents especially serious.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, 195 pedestrians were killed, and more than 4,300 were injured in crashes in Illinois in a recent reporting year. If you were hit by a vehicle in 2026, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim. Our Orland Park, IL pedestrian accident lawyer helps injured pedestrians understand their rights and pursue compensation so they can focus on recovery.
Continue Reading Can I Sue if I was Hit by a Car While Walking?

You may be able to recover compensation for permanent disabilities after a car crash if someone else’s negligence caused the accident. These claims focus on the long-term impact the injury has on your health, ability to work, and daily life.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 2.38 million people were injured in traffic accidents in 2022 alone. Serious injuries remain a major concern nationwide. If you are coping with lasting effects from a collision in 2026, understanding your legal options is an important step. Our Cook County, IL car accident lawyer helps injured individuals pursue compensation…
Continue Reading Can You Recover Compensation for Permanent Disabilities After a Crash?

Many personal injury cases in Illinois benefit from having a lawyer involved. This is especially true when injuries require medical care or insurance companies dispute fault.
Car accidents make up a large share of personal injury claims. In a 2025 estimate, the National Safety Council reported that more than 6,500 people are injured in motor vehicle crashes every day in the United States.
As of 2026, Illinois personal injury law still requires injured people to prove fault, document losses, and meet strict filing deadlines to recover compensation. If you are unsure how to move forward, a Cook County, IL personal…
Continue Reading Do I Need a Lawyer for a Personal Injury Case in Illinois?

If you are injured in a crash with a negligent driver, you may be left with expensive damages and major losses. Filing a car accident claim against the other driver can help you get payment for your losses, but this takes a detailed investigation. For most people, returning to the scene of the crash to find evidence is not possible. This is only part of why seeing a lawyer after a crash is so important.
At the Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C., our Orland Park, IL car accident attorney can help you build a case against the driver…
Continue Reading What Evidence Do I Need for a Car Crash Claim?

Getting in a car accident is stressful enough on its own, but it is made even worse to discover that the driver responsible for the crash has no insurance – an unfortunately common occurrence. However, you may still have options to get paid for your medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses.
At the Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C., our Cook County, IL personal injury attorney can help you explore your options to recover compensation after a crash involving a driver without insurance, whether it was a hit-and-run or not. No case is too big…
Continue Reading Recovering From a Car Crash When the Other Driver Is Uninsured

Auto accidents can happen virtually anywhere. Save for extreme cases, the protection of a car and airbags can protect most motorists from serious injuries. However, motorcyclists are not afforded the same degree of protection, leaving them more susceptible to catastrophic injuries. These injuries are characterized by long-term damage and debilitating aftereffects.
If you or somebody you care about has sustained a catastrophic injury in a motorcycle crash, consider working with an Orland Park, IL motorcycle accident lawyer who can fight for your right to compensation. At Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C., we provide strong advocacy for clients in…
Continue Reading Are Motorcyclists at Greater Risk of Catastrophic Injuries?

Not all car accidents are black-and-white. Sometimes, one driver’s negligence may cause another motorist to make a rash decision, leading to a collision. Both parties may share the blame for the accident, but oftentimes, one party bears a majority of the blame.
If you were partially to blame for a crash, do not assume that you cannot get compensation. A Cook County, IL car accident lawyer can help you take legal action and hold the negligent driver accountable.
At the Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C., our solo attorney is always ready to advocate for your rights. We can…
Continue Reading What Happens if You Are Partially at Fault for an Accident?

Commercial truck drivers have a responsibility to watch out for other drivers on the road at all times. When this responsibility is overlooked, the consequences can be devastating. If you or somebody you care about has been hurt due to the carelessness of a truck driver, an Orland Park, IL personal injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your losses.
At the Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C., we can investigate the cause behind a truck accident and work to hold all parties accountable, including a negligent truck driver. As a solo practitioner, Attorney Jaime Barker provides one-on-one…
Continue Reading Examples of Negligent Truck Driving 

Trick-or-treating is a time-honored tradition on Halloween. However, children and their parents need to exercise extra vigilance when looking out for negligent drivers. Ahead of the holiday festivities, you should know that if you or your child is injured in a pedestrian car accident, you have a right to seek compensation for your damages. A Cook County, IL personal injury attorney can assist you in filing a claim, fighting for your rights with an advanced knowledge of the law.
At the Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C., we handle a wide range of cases, and no claim is…
Continue Reading The Risk of Pedestrian Injuries on Halloween

If you are injured on somebody else’s property, the property owner could be responsible for paying for your damages. However, establishing that the property owner acted negligently is not an easy feat. Proving the property owner’s liability will require a detailed investigation and hard evidence, which an Orland Park, IL personal injury attorney can help with.
At the Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C., no case is too big or small for our firm. Attorney Jaime Barker devotes all of his attention and resources to helping clients one-on-one in personal injury claims, including premises liability cases.
Property Owners Must…
Continue Reading The Responsibility of Property Owners in Premises Liability Cases

Interstate 55 is one of the most densely packed highways in Illinois, seeing tens of thousands of cars pass each day. I-55 is also the site of many dangerous accidents due to the speed of the collisions, sometimes leaving victims with life-threatening complications. If you or somebody you love has been hurt in a crash on I-55, do not hesitate to contact a Cook County, IL car accident attorney.
At the Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C., we provide individualized counsel and representation for victims of car accidents on I-55. As a solo practitioner, Attorney Jaime Barker is…
Continue Reading The Most Dangerous Kinds of Car Accidents on I-55