Personal Injury
The Insurance Company Already Has a Team Working Against You. Now You Do Too.
I represent personal injury victims across Chicago and the Fox Valley on a pure contingency basis — no fees, no costs, nothing out of pocket unless I recover money for you. Call now and I'll tell you exactly what your case is worth.
Illinois law gives you two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim. That window moves faster than most people expect — and once it closes, it closes permanently. If you were hurt in a car accident, a truck crash, or a fall on someone else's property, the time to act is now.
I'm Eduardo Salgado, a personal injury attorney serving Chicago, Cook County, and the Fox Valley communities of Elgin, Aurora, Carpentersville, and Algonquin. I've spent 16 years handling injury claims — the last 12 at prominent Chicago workers' comp and personal injury firms before founding this practice. When you call me, I answer. No call center, no paralegal screening, no AI. You get me.
What Happens When You Don't Have a Lawyer on Your Side
The moment an accident happens, the other driver's insurance company begins building a case to minimize what they pay you. Their adjusters are trained to call quickly, sound sympathetic, and get you to say something that reduces your claim. Their defense attorneys have handled hundreds of cases just like yours.
I've been negotiating against those same teams for 16 years. I know their playbook, and I know how to counter it. One of the first things I do when I take a case is take over all insurance communications — so you stop being the target of that process and I become it.
You don't need to figure out what to say to an adjuster. You need someone who's already said it a thousand times.
Illinois Law May Protect Your Right to Recover — Even If You Were Partly at Fault
One of the most common reasons injured people hesitate to call an attorney is the belief that they were somehow responsible for what happened. Illinois's modified comparative negligence law means that even if you were partly at fault, you can still recover damages — as long as you were less than 51% responsible for the accident.
A driver who ran a yellow light. A pedestrian who wasn't in the crosswalk. A worker who tripped in a poorly lit area. These situations don't automatically disqualify you from compensation. What matters is the full picture — and that's exactly what I evaluate in your free consultation.
If you're not sure whether your case is worth pursuing, one honest conversation will tell you more than weeks of wondering.
Personal Injury Cases I Handle
Every case type below is handled on contingency. If I take your case, it's because I believe in your recovery.
Truck Crashes
18-wheeler and commercial vehicle crashes on I-10 and Beltway 8 require fast action and a focused strategy.
If you were hit by another driver — whether on the highway, at an intersection, or in a parking lot — I handle all communication with the insurance company and fight for full compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and vehicle damage.
Crashes involving commercial trucks and semi-trailers carry different legal rules, multiple liable parties, and insurers with large legal teams. I know how these cases are built and how they're defended.
If you were injured on someone else's property — a store, a parking lot, a rental unit, a public sidewalk — the property owner may be liable. These cases move quickly, and evidence disappears fast.
Property owners have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions. If a hazard on someone else's premises caused your injury, I can evaluate whether negligence played a role and what your claim may be worth.
Medical malpractice cases require specialized resources and expert networks. I conduct an initial evaluation and, when warranted, connect clients with the right specialist firm to pursue the claim.
What You Pay — and When
I work on a pure contingency fee basis. That means no retainer, no hourly billing, no upfront costs of any kind. My fee comes from your settlement or verdict — and only if I win. If I don't recover money for you, you owe me nothing.
This is how I've always practiced. It's how I keep my door open to people who've just been hurt, are facing medical bills, and can't afford to gamble on legal fees.
- Free initial consultation — I evaluate your case honestly, not optimistically
- No fees unless I win — my payment comes from your recovery
- No hidden costs — I advance case expenses and recover them at settlement
- Bilingual service — consultations and case updates in English and Spanish
- Direct attorney access — you have my number, and I answer
Access to trusted doctor networks for injured clients near River Oaks, Spring Branch, and Pearland.
How the Personal Injury Claim Process Works
Step 1
Free Consultation
You call, I answer. We talk through what happened, what your injuries are, and whether you have a viable claim. I'll give you an honest assessment — not a sales pitch.
Step 2
I Take Over Communications
Once I take your case, all contact with the insurance company goes through me. You stop being exposed to adjuster tactics designed to minimize your claim.
Step 3
Investigation and Documentation
I gather police reports, medical records, witness statements, and any available evidence. The strength of a personal injury case is built in this phase — and it starts immediately.
Step 4
Demand and Negotiation
I prepare a demand package that reflects the full scope of your damages — medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering — and negotiate aggressively against the insurer's team.
Step 5
Settlement or Trial
Most cases resolve through settlement. If the insurer won't offer fair value, I take the case to court. Either way, you know where we stand at every step.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Claims in Illinois
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois?
Illinois law gives most personal injury victims two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. This deadline is firm — missing it almost always means losing your right to recover anything. If you're not sure how much time you have, call me now and I'll tell you exactly where you stand.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Under Illinois's modified comparative negligence rule, you can still recover damages as long as you were less than 51% responsible for the accident. Your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault — but you are not automatically barred from compensation. Many people who assume they can't recover actually can.
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury attorney?
Nothing upfront. I work on a contingency fee basis, which means I only get paid if I recover money for you. My fee comes out of the settlement or verdict — not from your pocket. If I don't win, you owe me nothing.
What should I do if the other driver's insurance company contacts me?
Don't give a recorded statement and don't agree to any settlement before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize claims. Call me first — once I take your case, I handle all communication with the insurer so you're no longer exposed to that process.
Do I have a case if my injuries seem minor?
That's exactly what a free consultation is for. Some injuries that seem minor at first become more serious over time — and some cases that appear small involve more recoverable damages than people expect. I'll evaluate your situation honestly and tell you straight whether it's worth pursuing.
Do you handle personal injury cases in Spanish?
Yes. I handle consultations, case updates, and all client communications in both English and Spanish. A significant part of my practice serves the Hispanic community in Chicago and the Fox Valley, and I've built my practice around being fully accessible to Spanish-speaking clients.
Ready When You Are
Ready to Find Out What Your Case Is Worth?
You were hurt. The other side already has professionals working to minimize what you recover. One call puts someone with 16 years of experience on your side — at no cost unless I win. Call me directly at (708) 934-2627 or submit a contact form and I'll reach out the same day.