Justia Badge
Badge 1
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6

|

Chicago is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country, but it is also one of the busiest. With the rapid growth of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, cyclists face increasing risks on already congested streets. When a rideshare driver is distracted, rushing to pick up a passenger, or unfamiliar with bike lanes, serious accidents can happen.

If you are hit by an Uber or Lyft driver while biking in Chicago, knowing what to do next can protect both your health and your legal rights. This blog explains the steps to take, the unique legal issues involved, and what you need to know to pursue compensation. Continue reading

|

Roadway defects are a common hazard on Chicago streets and highways. For motorcyclists, however, even relatively small pavement irregularities can lead to catastrophic crashes. A recent case handled by our firm highlights how dangerous these conditions can be and why municipalities have a duty to maintain safe roadways. Continue reading

|

After a car accident, many drivers expect the police to arrive, investigate the crash, and create an official accident report. However, in a large city like Chicago, police officers do not respond to every crash, especially minor collisions with no life-threatening injuries.

If you call 911 after a crash and are told that officers will not come to the scene, it can feel confusing and frustrating. Fortunately, there are still steps you can take to protect your rights, document the accident, and preserve your ability to pursue an insurance claim or injury lawsuit.

Understanding what to do in this situation can help ensure you gather the evidence needed to support your case. Continue reading

|

When a loved one dies because of someone else’s negligence, the emotional toll can be devastating, but the legal and financial aftermath can compound that burden. Hiring the right wrongful death lawyer is one of the most important decisions a family will make in the wake of such a tragedy. In Chicago, where roadway fatalities, workplace deaths, medical malpractice cases, and other fatal accidents occur with measurable frequency, securing effective legal representation can be the difference between fair compensation and a settlement that falls far short of real needs.

This guide walks you through how to choose a Chicago wrongful death attorney, what to look for, questions to ask, common pitfalls to avoid, and how lawyers approach these complex cases under Illinois law. Continue reading

|

Chicago is one of the busiest cities in the United States, with millions of people navigating its streets on foot every year. While the grid system and expansive network of crosswalks are essential for urban mobility, certain locations consistently stand out as high-risk areas for pedestrians. These danger zones, often major intersections with heavy vehicle traffic, complex signal patterns, and multiple turning movements, are where pedestrians are most likely to be injured or killed.

Understanding which crosswalks pose the greatest risk and why can help Chicago residents, commuters, and visitors make safer choices and, when accidents do occur, pursue compensation and accountability. Continue reading

|

Car accidents impact thousands of people every year, and the area surrounding Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is no exception. With heavy traffic on major expressways like I-90 and I-294, complex airport access roads, rideshare pickup zones, and constant vehicle movement around terminals, collisions are unfortunately common. In this blog, we’ll explore accident statistics near O’Hare, contributing factors, real local examples, legal insights, and what to do if you or a loved one is involved in a crash. Continue reading

|

Chicago winters are iconic: lake-effect snowstorms, bitter winds, and icy sidewalks are part of everyday life from late November through early March. While Chicagoans are accustomed to navigating snowy streets and frozen lakeshore breezes, winter walking hazards present a serious risk of injury for pedestrians, especially in high-traffic areas like downtown Chicago where foot traffic mixes with uneven surfaces and variable snow removal. Sidewalk conditions that many people dismiss as an inconvenience can lead to life-altering injuries when ice and snow create slippery surfaces.

In Chicago, property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their properties within specific deadlines. Yet inconsistent compliance, late removal, and rapidly refreezing conditions can leave dangerous patches of ice that cause slip and fall accidents. Understanding how and why these accidents occur, the injuries they cause, and the legal landscape for victims is crucial for residents, visitors, and business owners alike. Continue reading

|

Dog attacks and bites are not rare occurrences in the United States. Every year, thousands of people are injured by dogs, often in situations that were preventable with responsible pet ownership and proper precautions. Recent data shows that Chicago ranked third among all U.S. cities for dog attacks on postal workers in 2024, underscoring how common and serious these incidents can be even in major urban centers.

This blog provides a detailed look at the statistics behind Chicago’s ranking, the broader context of dog attacks, contributing factors, and legal implications. Continue reading

|

Hit and run accidents are a troubling and unfortunately common occurrence in Chicago’s busy streets. A hit and run crash happens when a driver involved in a collision leaves the scene without stopping to provide contact information, rendering aid, or reporting the incident to law enforcement. Illinois law strictly prohibits leaving the scene of an accident, and doing so can carry both criminal penalties and civil liability. In 2021, Illinois saw a significant increase in fatal hit and run crashes, with 117 reported incidents statewide, nearly 48 percent occurring in Chicago alone, a clear indication of the disproportionate impact on the city’s roadways. Hit and runs often leave victims feeling shocked, vulnerable, and unsure where to turn next, especially when injuries, medical bills, and property damage are involved. The actions a victim takes immediately after the incident can deeply affect their health outcomes, insurance coverage, and ability to recover compensation. Continue reading

|

Rideshares (Uber, Lyft, and other Transportation Network Providers, or TNPs) are an entrenched part of Chicago’s transportation network. They offer convenience, reduced need for parking, and often a safer alternative to drunk driving. But rideshares also create unique safety and legal issues: from verifying that the vehicle picking you up is the right one, to understanding who’s liable if a crash or assault occurs. In this blog, we discuss practical, Chicago-specific safety tips for riders, summarize the legal and insurance landscape you should know, and explain what to do if you’re injured in a rideshare crash. Continue reading

Contact Information
Naperville Office
1730 Park St #201
Naperville, IL 60563
Phone: (630) 527-4177Fax: (630) 527-4178
St. Charles Office
1700 Lincoln Hwy #G
St. Charles, IL 60174
Phone: (630) 524-2323

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. The contact form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Copyright © 2016 – 2026, John J. Malm & Associates Personal Injury Lawyers
JUSTIA Law Firm Blog Design