Best Car Accident Lawyer in Chicago

Bruce R. Pfaff

Car Accident Lawyer

Bruce Pfaff has been a trial lawyer since 1979, representing people injured or killed by wrongful conduct. He received excellent training from two premier law firms before starting his own practice in 1991. Bruce has succeeded for clients in cases including those hurt by unsafe or defective products, medical malpractice by obstetricians, anesthesiologists, cardiologists, neurosurgeons, other doctors and hospital personnel, careless driving, poor maintenance of property, sexual assault, legal malpractice, and other forms of personal injury cases in Chicago.

In six cases, his clients have each received more than $10 million in jury verdicts. He is one of only a handful of Illinois lawyers who individual have had similar trial success. He has also achieved settlements for clients exceeding $10 million.

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Bruce has been rated among the Top Ten of Illinois lawyers rated by Superlawyers continuously from 2018.

Bruce has twice received the President’s Award from the Illinois Trial Lawyers’ Association, once in 2000 and again in 2022. He also received the ABA Military Pro Bono Project Outstanding Services Award 2020, the ABA’s “Access to Justice Award,” July 2015, Chicago’s Product Liability Litigator of the Year, 2011; and “Trial Lawyer Excellence” awards from Jury Verdict Reporter, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2010, 2015.

Jonathan Walner

Car Accident Lawyer

Jonathan Walner is a Chicago injury attorney whose practice primarily consists of pre-litigation matters involving investigation, documenting, and proving our clients’ personal injury, wrongful death, nursing home, and medical malpractice cases.

Mr. Walner handles an extensive amount of uninsured and underinsured motorist cases. He arbitrates either in three-man panels or with retired judges in many cases for alternative dispute resolution to avoid the lengthy process of litigation, cutting down the time our clients wait to be compensated for their injuries.

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The firm was originally Rosner and Walner, which was founded in 1962. Harvey L. Walner, Jon’s father, founded this great firm concentrating on personal injury claims in 1973. Jon has been a shareholder of Walner Law® since 1988. For the last 21 years, Jon has been the President of Walner Law®.

Jon has been married to his wife Julie for 31 years. Julie is the Vice President of one of the largest real estate firms in the country. Jon and his wife support organizations that fight for women’s reproductive rights, early education and after-school welfare for minorities and disadvantaged families, and physically and mentally disabled children. Jon is an advocate for Truth, Hope, and Justice initiative that supports advancing racial equality and police reform. They are the proud parents of their two sons, who are Emory University and Tulane University graduates.

Michael A. Shammas

Car Accident Lawyer

I won’t bore you with a legal resume. This page is about me, and what separates me from the typical injury lawyers. It’s about how my early life and background shaped me into a great lawyer for my clients.

I grew up in a blue-collar environment. I began working in my early teens and was forced to develop a tireless work ethic, tenacity, and sharp communication skills. I learned how to overcome adversity and obstacles. I recognized how to achieve goals by being laser focused and relentless. My mindset became rooted in the idea of never backing down from a fight or challenge, and to never quit. I connected with various types of people from various backgrounds. The qualities I picked-up in my early days still continue to serve me today. They are qualities that are perfectly aligned with being a successful personal injury attorney.

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I am laser focused and relentless when fighting on behalf of my clients. I can effectively argue how a client has struggled, or will continue to struggle. I can do this since I can relate to a client’s struggle, because at a certain level, I have been there before.

I will never back down or quit when fighting on behalf of clients. We are in it together.

These are just a few examples of why I have success fighting against insurance companies and large corporations. They can throw any team of lawyers into the boardroom or courtroom, but they soon realize I will not be intimidated. I will not back down. I will win the fight. I refuse to listen to an insurance company tell me what my client’s case is worth. I know what a case is worth, and I will not stop until they pay the proper value. There is no better feeling than taking down Goliath.

MARK CONNOLLY

Car Accident Lawyer

Mark Connolly is an experienced trial attorney in the areas of personal injury and workers’ compensation. He focuses his practices in motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents, slip and falls, work accidents, medical malpractice, and product liability, among others. He has handled cases in numerous counties of the Circuit Courts of Illinois, the Northern District of Illinois Federal Court and the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. He has also litigated and argued before the Illinois Appellate Court. Mark has always dedicated himself to his clients’ cases and provides the same devotion and intensity regardless of the case size.

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Mark learned the value of hard work through the various jobs he has held during his life. He is a former member of Laborers’ Local #4 and worked as a union laborer throughout college. Upon graduating from law school, he began working as an Assistant Counsel to the Speaker of the House of Illinois, Michael Madigan. During his time there, he assisted in the impeachment and removal from office of then Governor Rod Blagojevich which was an invaluable experience.

Since 2009 he found his true calling and began work as a trial attorney representing only injured plaintiffs and petitioners. He prides himself on always being available to meet his clients’ needs and providing them with excellent representation. Mark has resolved hundreds of cases through trial, settlement, mediation, and arbitration and assisted in numerous that have resolved for in excess of $1,000,000.00.

Mark L. Karno

Car Accident Lawyer

Principal of this 5 attorney law firm that concentrates its practice in all aspects of Civil Trial Practice and Appeals in all State and Federal Courts in the Northeastern Illinois geographical area with a focus on catastrophic bodily injury and death claims concentrating in the representation of clients in their nursing home neglect, motor vehicle negligence and premises liability claims. The firm also represents clients in their Workers Compensation Act claims and their commercial and residential real estate transactions and associated litigation.

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Jessica L. Carter

Car Accident Lawyer

Ms. Carter’s practice focuses on civil litigation. She is currently of counsel and assists Mr. Cassian with complex legal matters as the need arises.

Prior to forming Cassian & Carter, LLC, Ms. Carter worked for a national law firm in the Labor & Employment Practice Group. She has handled all aspects of management-side labor & employment law matters and litigation. Ms. Carter has represented businesses and individuals at the administrative level and in state and federal courts. In addition, she has experience advising clients on employment issues such as employment contracts, non-compete agreements, lawful hiring and terminating procedures and policies, as well as issues related to the employment relationship, with a focus on the development and management of leave of absence policies.

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Ms. Carter was an appointed Adjunct Professor of Law at IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she taught a transactional drafting course to upper-level students. She has also been an instructor for SHRM’s Professional Human Resource Management Certification Preparation Course offered through Northern Illinois University. While in law school, Ms. Carter served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Arlander Keys, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois.

Al Salvi

Car Accident Lawyer

Al Salvi has lived in Chicago his whole life. He was born in Evanston, Illinois in 1960. He attended Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan and the University of Notre Dame, where he received his B.A. in 1982. He graduated from the University of Illinois, where he received his J.D. in 1985. He was admitted to the Illinois bar the same year. He was also admitted to the California bar in 1987. He was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1992 and was re-elected to a second term in the Illinois General Assembly representing western Chicago. He is a former candidate for the U.S. Senate in 1996 and for Illinois Secretary of State in 1998. Al is a former radio host for WKRS Radio.

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Al is married to attorney Kathy Salvi. They live in Mundelein, Illinois with their six children. Al specializes in all areas of personal injury law, including auto accidents, slip and falls, defective products, dog bites, and wrongful death.

Al Salvi is licensed to practice law in Illinois, Wisconsin, and California.

Bar Admissions:

Wisconsin, 2015
California, 1987
Illinois, 1985

John M. Popelka

Car Accident Lawyer

John M. Popelka focuses his practice exclusively on representing public and private sector clients in the area of Workers’ Compensation law. Equally comfortable in the courtroom and at the negotiating table, a significant portion of his practice involves litigating and settling claims for union workers who suffer career-ending injuries, permanent total disability, catastrophic injuries requiring home modification and lifetime medical care, and death cases.

John joined Anesi Ozmon in 1993 and was named partner in 2001. Recognizing his dedication, commitment, and leadership, the firm named him President and Managing Partner in 2018.

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Highly respected by his peers and a leader in the field, his extensive appellate practice has led him to argue cases before the Illinois Appellate Court and the Illinois Supreme Court, generating decisions that have expanded the rights of working men and women in Illinois. He has authored articles on workers’ compensation law and has been a featured speaker on the topic at seminars and at John Marshall Law School.

John’s skills have earned recognition from his fellow attorneys with an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell for over a decade. In addition, Thomson Reuters has ranked him as a Super Lawyer each year since 2013, and he has been recognized as a Best Lawyer in Workers’ Compensation Law by U.S News & World Report, The Leading Lawyers Network, The Best Lawyers in America as well as a 10 Best Attorneys in Illinois for Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service in Workers’ Compensation claims. He maintains memberships in several professional organizations including the American Association of Justice, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, The Chicago Bar Association, and the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Association of Illinois. A longtime resident of Naperville, Ill., John volunteers with the Boy Scouts of America and is the proud parent of three Eagle Scouts.

The best car accident lawyers in Chicago, or any other location, typically work by providing legal representation and guidance to individuals who have been involved in car accidents. Their primary goal is to help their clients navigate the legal complexities surrounding car accidents, ensure their rights are protected, and seek compensation for their losses and damages. Here’s how they generally work and some advantages of having a car accident lawyer:

1. Initial Consultation: The process usually starts with an initial consultation, during which the lawyer evaluates the details of the accident and the client’s situation. This helps the lawyer determine the strength of the case and the potential for a successful claim.

2. Investigation: After taking on a case, the lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident. This may involve gathering evidence such as accident reports, medical records, witness statements, photographs, and any other relevant documentation.

3. Legal Advice: Car accident lawyers provide legal advice tailored to the specific circumstances of the case. They explain the client’s rights and legal options, helping them understand the complexities of personal injury law in Illinois.

4. Negotiation: Many car accident cases are resolved through negotiations with insurance companies. The lawyer will represent the client in negotiations to ensure that a fair settlement is reached. This involves assessing the value of the claim and advocating for the maximum compensation possible.

5. Litigation: If negotiations fail to result in a satisfactory settlement, the lawyer can file a lawsuit and take the case to court. Throughout the litigation process, the lawyer will present evidence, argue the case, and represent the client’s interests in front of a judge and jury.

6. Documentation and Paperwork: Car accident cases involve a significant amount of paperwork, including legal documents, court filings, settlement agreements, and more. A skilled lawyer will handle all the necessary documentation to ensure that nothing is missed and all deadlines are met.

Advantages of Having Car Accident Lawyers:

Legal Expertise: Car accident lawyers are well-versed in personal injury law, insurance regulations, and legal procedures. Their expertise helps clients navigate the complex legal landscape.
Maximized Compensation: A skilled lawyer can help clients secure a higher compensation amount compared to what they might be able to negotiate on their own, as lawyers understand how to calculate the full extent of damages.
Evidence Gathering: Lawyers have experience in gathering crucial evidence and building a strong case. They know what evidence is needed to support the client’s claim and can prevent critical details from being overlooked.
Reduced Stress: Dealing with a car accident and its aftermath can be overwhelming. Having a lawyer handle the legal aspects allows the injured party to focus on recovery while the lawyer handles the legal complexities.
Strong Negotiation: Insurance companies often try to settle for lower amounts. Lawyers have negotiation skills to ensure that their clients are not taken advantage of and receive fair compensation.
Court Representation: If a lawsuit becomes necessary, lawyers are equipped to represent their clients effectively in court, presenting arguments and advocating for their rights.
Contingency Fee Basis: Many car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if the client wins the case. This can make legal representation accessible to those who might not have the upfront funds to hire an attorney.

In conclusion, the best car accident lawyers in Chicago offer a combination of legal expertise, negotiation skills, and support to help individuals who have been involved in car accidents receive the compensation they deserve for their losses and damages.