Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable for Work Zone Crashes Across Chicagoland
At Stein & Shulman, LLC, we represent drivers and passengers injured in construction zone crashes throughout Northbrook and the greater Chicago area. Work zones pack narrow lanes, sudden stops, shifting traffic patterns, and heavy equipment into a small stretch of road, and one careless driver can turn that setting into a violent collision. Our Northbrook car accident lawyers investigate how the crash happened, preserve evidence before it disappears, and pursue full compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain. We know how to hold negligent parties accountable.
Why Choose Stein & Shulman, LLC?
When you are hurt in a work zone collision, you need a firm that treats your case with urgency and handles it personally. At Stein & Shulman, LLC, one of our attorneys works directly with you from start to finish. Clients choose our firm because we offer:
- Decades of combined trial and negotiating experience gained by representing injury victims across Illinois
- A boutique practice where an attorney, not a case manager, handles your claim
- A track record of recovering millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements
- Trial-ready representation when insurers refuse to pay fair value
- Free consultations with no fee unless we win your case
- A team available 24 hours a day, including Spanish-speaking staff
We serve Northbrook and clients throughout Cook, Lake, McHenry, Will, and DuPage counties.
What Makes Construction Zone Car Accidents Different?
Construction zones change the road in ways that catch drivers off guard. Lanes narrow, speed limits drop, traffic merges without warning, and workers and equipment sit just feet from moving vehicles. Rear-end collisions are common when traffic slows suddenly and a distracted driver fails to stop in time. Sideswipes happen when lanes shift or disappear.
These crashes also tend to cause serious harm. Concrete barriers, exposed equipment, and stopped traffic leave little room to absorb a collision. Victims often suffer broken bones, spinal damage, or traumatic brain injuries. Because the stakes are high, identifying every cause of the crash is essential to building a strong claim.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Construction Zone Crash?
In most cases, the driver who caused the collision is responsible. Speeding through a merge, following too closely, or ignoring posted warnings can all support a negligence claim. But liability is not always limited to the other driver.
If a contractor or the agency responsible for the work zone failed to post adequate signs, warnings, or traffic control, they may share fault for an unsafe setup. Large commercial trucks moving through or around the site can add another at-fault party.
When a local government body, such as a city or county, may be responsible, a shorter deadline applies, which we explain below. Our attorneys investigate every potential source of fault so no responsible party escapes accountability.
How Does Illinois Law Treat Speeding in a Work Zone?
Illinois treats work zone speeding as a serious offense. Drivers are prohibited from exceeding the posted limit in a marked construction or maintenance zone, whether or not workers are present. A first violation carries a minimum fine of $250, and a second or later violation carries a minimum fine of $750. Police may use radar inside these zones, and driving 26 miles per hour or more over the limit becomes a criminal misdemeanor.
For an injured victim, a speeding citation matters beyond traffic court. A driver who broke the work zone speed law was arguably negligent, and that violation can become powerful evidence supporting your injury claim.
What If I Was Partly at Fault for the Crash?
You may still have a claim even if you share some of the blame. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover compensation as long as you were not more than 50% at fault for the crash, though your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.
However, if you are found more than 50% responsible, you cannot recover any compensation. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto victims to cut what they pay, so having an attorney work with you to protect your version of events can directly affect your recovery.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Illinois?
In most Illinois injury cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. Waiting can cost you the right to recover anything, and it also gives evidence time to disappear and memories time to fade.
A different rule applies when a local government agency may share fault. Claims against a city, county, or other local public entity generally must be filed within one year of the injury. Because work zones often involve public roads and public agencies, it is wise to speak with a lawyer quickly so no deadline passes.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
A successful claim can cover both financial and personal losses. Economic damages include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Vehicle repairs
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages account for pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. We calculate the true value of your claim and fight for every dollar you are owed.
State data shows that most people hurt or killed in work zone crashes are drivers and their passengers, not road crews, which is why protecting your right to full compensation matters so much. In 2025, all 35 people killed in Illinois work zones were drivers or passengers.
Talk to a Northbrook Construction Zone Accident Lawyer Today
A construction zone crash can leave you facing painful injuries and mounting bills through no fault of your own. Stein & Shulman, LLC is ready to handle the insurance companies, investigate what happened, and pursue the compensation you deserve. We are available 24/7, and you pay nothing unless we win. Contact Stein & Shulman, LLC today for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a construction zone car accident in Illinois?
Seek medical care right away, even if you feel fine, because some injuries appear hours or days later. Report the crash to police, take photos of the scene, signs, and vehicle damage, and get contact information for any witnesses. Then speak with an attorney before giving a recorded statement to an insurance company.
Can I sue if I was speeding in the work zone too?
Possibly. Illinois lets you recover as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. If another driver, a contractor, or an unsafe work zone contributed to the crash, you may still have a claim, though your compensation would be reduced by your share of the fault.
How much does it cost to hire a construction zone accident lawyer?
At Stein & Shulman, LLC, nothing up front. We offer free consultations and handle injury cases on a contingency basis, which means you pay attorney fees only if we recover compensation for you.
