After a car accident, many injured people expect the other driver’s insurance company to be fair, cooperative, and honest about the claims process. The adjuster may speak kindly, sound helpful, and promise to “take care of everything,” but the reality is very different. Insurance companies have one primary goal: protecting their own financial interests.
Their objective does not align with yours, no matter how friendly the conversation may seem. When we represent injured clients throughout Illinois, we consistently see how insurance companies work to reduce payouts, weaken claims, or deny compensation altogether. Understanding their motivations and the laws that govern their conduct is the first step toward protecting your rights.
Insurance companies operate as for-profit businesses. Their success depends on reducing the amount they pay out in claims. That means the other driver’s insurer is legally obligated to act in the best interests of its own policyholder, not you. Illinois follows a fault-based compensation system under 625 ILCS 5/11-100 and related negligence statutes, meaning the at-fault party is financially responsible for the damages they cause. Because of this, the insurer immediately begins looking for ways to shift blame or minimize your injuries.
From the moment the adjuster contacts you, their goal is to gather information that could later be used against you. Even casual statements can be twisted to suggest you were partially at fault or not seriously hurt. These tactics underline why the insurer is not your advocate; they are preparing a defense.
Illinois uses a modified comparative negligence system under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. This law states that your compensation can be reduced if you are found partially at fault for the accident. If you are 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages at all.
Insurance companies use this law aggressively. Their adjusters often look for small details—such as weather conditions, speed, distraction, or statements you made at the scene—to argue you share responsibility. Even claiming you “didn’t see” the other driver can be twisted into an admission that you were inattentive.
Their goal is simple: reduce their financial exposure by increasing your percentage of fault so they can pay less or pay nothing on your claim.
Many insurers request recorded statements shortly after the accident. They may suggest the statement is routine or required, but under Illinois law, you are not obligated to speak with the other driver’s insurer. These statements are designed to lock you into early descriptions of your injuries before your true medical condition becomes clear.
We have seen many victims discover delayed symptoms—such as whiplash, concussion, or back pain, days after the crash. If the recorded statement suggests you were “fine,” the insurance company may later use your own words to challenge your medical claims.
Insurance adjusters are trained to challenge medical treatments, question diagnoses, and argue that injuries were pre-existing or unrelated to the crash. They may claim your treatment was “excessive” or “unnecessary,” even when your doctor recommended it.
Illinois personal injury compensation laws under 735 ILCS 5/2-1115.2 allow injured victims to seek damages for medical bills, lost income, property loss, and pain and suffering. Even so, insurance companies often undervalue these damages. Their first offer is almost always far below what your case is worth.
By pushing quick, low settlements, insurers hope you will accept payment before you fully understand the long-term financial impact of your injuries.
Another common tactic involves delaying the claims process. Insurance companies know that injured victims may face mounting bills, lost income, and financial pressure. By delaying communication or failing to make timely decisions, they hope you will grow desperate and accept less than you deserve.
They may also request excessive documentation, claim your injuries are inconsistent, or insist on waiting for additional reviews. These strategies create frustration, but they serve the insurer’s interests, not yours.
At The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C., we take over communication with insurers so you
are no longer pressured or manipulated. We gather evidence, consult with medical professionals, document your injuries, and negotiate from a position of strength. When necessary, we file suit under Illinois personal injury laws to ensure your claim is taken seriously.
Insurance companies know that represented clients are harder to intimidate and much more likely to receive the compensation they are entitled to. Our job is to level the playing field by using the law, evidence, and proven strategy to protect your rights.
Insurers move fast because they want to collect statements and information before you have spoken to an attorney. They hope to limit their liability by securing comments that can later be used against you. Early statements are often incomplete because injuries may not be fully understood yet. Illinois law does not require you to give a recorded statement, and declining to do so protects your rights. Once we represent you, the insurer must communicate through us, stopping these tactics immediately.
Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If the insurance company can argue you were 10%, 20%, or even 40% responsible, they can reduce your recovery by that same percentage. If they can push your fault to 50% or more, you receive nothing. This system gives insurers strong incentive to blame you, even when the evidence shows otherwise. Part of our work involves demonstrating clearly how the accident occurred and preventing unfair allocation of fault.
The first offer almost never reflects the true value of your claim. Insurance companies typically offer a quick settlement to close the case before you understand the full extent of your medical needs, future treatment, or impact on your income. Once you accept, you cannot reopen the claim. Illinois law allows compensation for future medical costs, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering, but insurers rarely include these in early offers. We ensure any settlement reflects your long-term needs.
An attorney shifts the power dynamic. Insurance companies know that claims supported by legal representation are harder to undervalue. We handle all communication, gather evidence, calculate damages, and challenge any unfair claims of comparative negligence. If negotiations fail, we litigate under Illinois injury law to protect your rights. Studies consistently show that represented clients recover significantly more than those who handle claims alone.
A denial is not the end. Insurers sometimes deny claims hoping injured individuals will give up. We review the basis of the denial, gather additional evidence, and pursue all legal avenues available under Illinois law. Many denied claims are later reversed or resolved through litigation. The denial simply signals that the insurer is prioritizing its own interests—not that your claim lacks merit.
If the other driver’s insurance company is giving you the runaround, our attorneys can step in and protect your rights. We know how insurers operate, and we take immediate action to secure the compensation you deserve.
The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C. represents clients throughout Illinois from our office locations in:
Antioch Office: 392 Lake St., Antioch, IL 60002
Waukegan Office: 325 Washington St., Waukegan, IL 60085
Woodstock Office: 1212 North Seminary Unit 1, Woodstock, IL 60098
Contact our Antioch car accident attorney at The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C. today at 847-395-2200 to schedule your free consultation.
The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation Law Office, have offices in Antioch, Waukegan, Grayslake, Woodstock and Barrington. We represent clients throughout the communities of Antioch, Waukegan, Grayslake, Barrington, Woodstock, Buffalo Grove, Deer Park, Gurnee, Lake Zurich, Round Lake, McHenry, Cary, Crystal Lake, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Wheeling, North Chicago, Zion, Inverness, Palatine, Wauconda, Island Lake, Fox Lake, Barrington Hills, Spring Grove, Lake Bluff, Lakemoor, Long Grove, Lake Villa, Kildeer, Wadsworth, Indian Creek, Fox River Grove, Lindenhurst and other cities within Lake and McHenry Counties Illinois.
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