FREE 24-Hour Injury Message Line
1-866-861-1296
100% FREE and No Obligation!
Chicago Illinois Personal Injury and Accident Law www.DeSalvoLaw.com
Scott DeSalvo
Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer On Car Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Truck Accidents Bicycle Accidents Car versus Pedestrian Accidents When you have been injured in a vehicle or by a vehicle (car, motorcycle, bicycle, truck, on while on foot), your personal injury case in Chicago or in Illinois turns on the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code. Every personal injury case involving a car accident, truck accident, bicycle accident, or car versus pedestrian accident in Chicago Illinois (or in any State for that matter) turns on the Rules of the Road because the injured person has to prove that the accident was “the other guy's” fault. And traffic laws are different from State to State. When evaluating whether you have a good car accident injury case, you, and especially your personal injury lawyer, must be familiar with the Rules of the Road in Illinois. Individual cities, like Chicago, have their own ordinances regarding trucks, cars, motorcycles and bicycles, so you need a lawyer who is knows what Rules to apply to determine who had the right of way and therefore, who was at fault for your accident. And, in accidents involving semi-trucks, Federal regulations and laws apply to trucks and truck drivers. Injuries in car accident, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian versus car accidents and bicycle accidents can vary from temporary muscle strain type injuries like whiplash and a thrown out back, to cuts from broken glass, contact with the road, to broken bones from the tremendous impact forces, to knee and shoulder injuries, to even paralysis and death. Remember, all vehicles, whether muscle-powered or engine powered, propel the human body faster than it can go by itself—and that causes the body to be exposed to forces in a crash that it was never designed to handle. So not only does handling such personal injury cases require knowledge of liability law (Illinois Motor Vehicle Code, local Municipal Codes, and possible Federal trucking law and regulations), but skill and knowledge of a broad base of medicine to handle proof of the injury aspects of the case. And, insurance companies these days do everything in their power to defeat an inured person's claim right from the beginning, before the injured person knows their rights. They do things like take recorded statements from witnesses and injured people before they know their rights, and get injured people to sign papers before the injured person knows what is at stake. Here are the Top Five Guaranteed Ways to Destroy Your Injury Case 1. Fall For What I Call the "Good Cop--Tell Me All About It" Routine. This is when the insurance adjuster acts like he is she really cares about you, your injuries, and your financial needs, especially after a motor vehicle collision. They call you, tell you not to worry about the medical bills, that "everything will be taken care of." Be aware, they are doing this so that you open up, let your guard down, and provide them with a recorded statement, or sign away your rights on paperwork they send you to sign. Once the insurance adjuster uses the skills he or she has in getting the RIGHT kind of answers out of you (RIGHT for the insurance company, but WRONG for you and any chance of getting a fair recovery) and once the Medical Payments coverage is exhausted, their attitude changes. They got what they wanted, and now, you cannot get a return call or any help whatsoever. 2. Give a Recorded Statement. Every insurance adjuster out there is trained by insurance company lawyers about WHAT questions to ask, and more importantly, HOW to ask them to get the answers they need to defeat your claim. That's why the ONLY time I allow one of my clients to give a statement is when they are in my office and being represented and advised by me. 3. Sign the paperwork. This sounds like a horror story out of a book. And it is so underhanded and rotten, I can barely believe it myself. But early in my career, I was contacted by an elderly gentleman who could not read too well. He got hurt in an accident. The Insurance company told him "sign these papers we send you and we will send you $1,000.00 for your pain and we will pay all of your doctor bills." Guess what? He got the $1,000, but because he could not read too well, he did not realize that notwithstanding the promise to pay the doctor bills he was told on the telephone, he signed away his rights forever. Even highly educated people's eye glaze over when an insurance company sends them a document with teeny tiny print using legal mumbo jumbo. But that "legalese" can kill your chance at fair compensation. 4. Tough it our and don't see a doctor (or see a doctor 3 months after the accident). When a seriously injured person fails to be seen by a doctor after an injury, it is like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve all rolled into one for an insurance company. They love it. Now, you and I know that MOST people do not like going to a doctor, and MOST people put it off until they just cannot stand it anymore. But, when someone tries to explain that at trial, juries are skeptical. They think "this guy is asking for money for his injuries--how bad could the pain have been if he waited a month to see a doctor?"-- EVEN WHEN THEY THEMSELVES HAVE PUT OFF SEEING A DOCTOR FOR MONTHS OR EVEN YEARS FOR THEIR OWN MEDICAL CONDITIONS. 5. Try to Hide a Prior Medical Condition, Old Accident (or Lie About Anything, Really). When I was a young lawyer, I heard stories about lawyers who told their clients to keep old injuries a secret, or to try to suppress they fact that they had a car accident before. Aside from the fact that this is completely unethical, a lawyer can lose his license for suggesting this, and a client can lost their case, it is just plain stupid to try to do this. We live in the computer age. Believe me, there are databases that track everything about you, including prior accidents, prior medical treatment, you name it. You are just asking for trouble. I always advise my client to tell the whole truth. As Benjamin Franklin said: If you always tell the truth, you do not have to remember anything. Obviously, these are just the top five--I see many, many more mistakes made in motor vehicle accident cases all the time, but the above five are probably the most common. The best way to level the playing field and ensure that your rights or the rights of a loved are protected are to order my Special Injury Report and Audio CD, to arm yourself with the knowledge you need to protect your rights. And consider hiring a skilled, aggressive, and ethical personal injury lawyer. Insurance companies hate it when a good lawyer gets involved in the case, because they know the shenanigans stop, and the injured person then has their best chance at fair compensation--the very thing the insurance company goes to great lengths to avoid. I hope that this information has been helpful to you. If you have any questions or would like to consult with me about handling your case, you can contact me HERE. |
What My Clients Have To Say
“
I met Mr. DeSalvo when he was calling my medical office trying
to get help for one of his clients. He was very sincere and he
really cares about his clients. That’s why I hired him. Since
then, Mr. DeSalvo has helped my family with two cases. He goes
the extra step for you and makes you feel like a friend, not
just a “client.” In one of the cases, I brought a case to him
last minute.
After he hung up with me,
he called the insurance company, and within 30 minutes,
LITERALLY, he had gotten me a very generous
settlement–no court
costs.
He really went out of his way to help me, and never makes you
feel like “you should have known that” attitude that you get
with a lot of other
attorneys.
Working with Mr.
DeSalvo has been a very nice experience. I will ALWAYS refer
people who need a lawyer to him. He’s the
best!”
Tina
Lunau
Car Accident/Medical
Malpractice
Medical Office
Supervisor
Naperville,
Illinois
“
I was worried about getting paid for my time lost from work in
my work injury when I hired Mr. DeSalvo.
He explains the legal
system in plain English and explains your options in the case
before he takes any action. The insurance
company denied my case from the beginning and did not want to
pay anything. Mr. DeSalvo got them to pay and was able to
settle my case quickly and got me a fair settlement, even
though it was a tough
case.
I really feel like I got
the best possible settlement we
could.
I send all of my friends and family to Mr. DeSalvo because he
works hard to get you your fair share for an
injury.”
John
Czaplewski
Work
Injury
Industrial Machine
Repairman
Hodgkins,
Illinois
“
Mr. DeSalvo is a very fair
lawyer. He will tell you if you have a case and
what he can do about helping you. When I hired him, my number
one concern was the insurance company paying me for the time I
lost from work because of my injury. Other lawyers turned down
my case, but Mr. DeSalvo helped me get the money I
deserved.
He made sure I was informed on my case every step of the way.
He got the job done.
I would refer a friend or
family member to him any time because I like him as a person
and a lawyer.”
Dorothy
Hamilton
Car
Accident
Security
Guard
Chicago,
IL
“
I hired Mr. DeSalvo instead of another lawyer because of his
honesty and willingness to help. I never felt like I was bothering him with my
questions and
worries.
He explained things real good and made sure I understood all
the answers to my
questions.
My biggest worry about my wife’s injury was getting lost in the
rush of everything that was going on. Mr. DeSalvo was always
there to watch over our best interests.
He gave me the
peace of mind that he is there for us
24/7.
We had a problem at the hospital concerning care for my wife
because the doctors were not keeping us informed. One call to
Mr. DeSalvo and he was at our side at the hospital. He could
have made a phone call, but instead, he came to the hospital to
help us with the problem when we needed him
most.
He was always there for
us
.
”
Loren and Melissa
Brooks
Medical
Malpractice
Truck Driver and
Nurse
Joliet,
Illinois
“
A friend of mine referred me to Mr. DeSalvo, and when I spoke
with him over the telephone, he seemed like he was very
straight up.
He kept me informed
and gave me his opinion on the case, but he let me make my own
decision. He made me feel very confident
about my case. I would refer a friend or family member who
needed a lawyer to him.”
Vanishia
Jamison
Car
Accident
Store
Manager
Chicago,
Illinois
“
I hired Mr. DeSalvo because I trusted him to handle my case
with professionalism. Before I knew about Mr. DeSalvo, years
ago, I suffered a very severe injury and hired a lawyer that a
friend suggested. The case could not have been handled any
worse than it was by this other lawyer. While I am angry and
frustrated that I had another
injury,
I like Mr. DeSalvo’s good attitude and he makes you feel at
ease
.
Rest assured that Mr. DeSalvo will handle everything perfectly
and recover the money you deserve.”
Erin
Riley-Benson
Fall down/Premises
Liability Case
Medical Malpractice
Case
Waitress/Homeaker
Lagrange,
Illinois
“
Mr. DeSalvo took my case even though I brought it to him long
after the accident happened, and right before the case was
about to expire. He reviewed the case right away and took it to
Court. He is different
from other lawyers because he keeps me in touch about my case,
tells me what I need to do, and tells me what he is doing on my
case.
With him handling my case, I
feel confident and
relaxed.
Guy
Oppedisano
Car Versus Pedestrian
Accident
Disabled/Chef
Chicago,
Illinois
“
Mr. DeSalvo was very open and honest with me, so I felt
confident in hiring him. I was worried about how much of a
settlement I could get, and how long I would have to wait. He’s
different than other lawyers I have used in the past. Frankly,
I do not like most lawyers and I think that some of them lie,
they do not return phone calls, they are rude, harsh, and some
have no business practicing law. Mr. DeSalvo got straight to
the point on how severe my injuries were and what they were
worth as far as what insurance companies pay for
injuries.
He was quick, he got me the maximum for my injuries, and
he was always
truthful.
I was secure in what he
told me about my case. And secure with him
fighting for me as my
attorney.
He doesn’t hustle you,
he is sincere and truthful, and he didn’t mind me asking him a
million questions.
I refer all of my friends and family members to him because he
is a true professional.”
Steve
Parson
Fall Down
Accident
Doorman
Chicago, Illinois
"My Mom recommended Mr. DeSalvo to me. I never
hired a lawyer before Mr. DeSalvo but he answered all my
questions and constantly stayed in contact with the insurance
company and kept me updated on the status of my
case. He made
me feel like there was hope of getting justice in my
case.
I feel like he did an
excellent job in a timely manner on my case. Thank
You!"
Shakka
Bradford
Can
Accident
Bank Teller
Chicago,
Illinois
"A friend of mine told me about Mr. DeSalvo. I was really
worried about my doctor bills being paid. I never had a lawyer
or any kind of case before. Mr. DeSalvo made sure my bills got paid and
that I recovered my lost
wages.
He was very professional, quick-witted, and in
control.
Thanks to Mr. DeSalvo, my
case was a
success!"
Tamberia
Johnson
Work Injury
Sales Manager
Chicago,
Illinois
"Mr. DeSalvo is a good lawyer. I did some research before hiring Mr. DeSalvo. He was very professional. I received a good settlementon my case. This was my first time using a lawyer but he kept me informed on my case, and he works good with the client helping resolving their case. I am very happy and satisfied."
Michael
Maury
ConstructionLaborer
Car
Accident
Summit
, Illinois
"I hired Mr. DeSalvo because he came well-recommended to me. Once I hired him, I had no worries. He broke the entire legal process down to simple terms that are clearly understood. The thing I liked best was his honesty and consistency in moving the case forward . I felt that he would work hard and do his very best to solve and settle my case and he was confident that he could do the best to get the very best settlement we could . If someone in my family needed a lawyer, he would be the very best attorney to get the case settled. He's an attorney I trust and he can be trusted to tackle the case. I liked him so much, I hired him a second time! He has settled two cases for me!"
Kim V.
Ewing
Secretary
CarAccident/Breach of
Contract
Chicago
,
Illinois
Disclaimer: None of the above is legal advice. Every case is different. Nothing above should suggest the promise of any particular outcome on your case. If you need a lawyer, it is an important decision you must consider carefully. This website contains promotional and informational material. If you need a lawyer or have a case, seek the advice of an attorney immediately. Do not rely on the information contained on this website alone. It cannot take the place of the knowledge, experience, advice and judgment of a skilled, aggressive and ethical attorney.
To Contact Mr DeSalvo with a legal question or any questions or concerns about this website, please CLICK HERE
HOW TO
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PERSONAL INJURY
LAWYER
Discover The Five Secrets
Lawyers Use To Pick The Best Personal Injury Lawyer for
Themselves and Their Loved
Ones!
CLICK
HERE!
More Client Comments!
“
When I was considering lawyers, Mr. DeSalvo seemed to know a
lot more and told me a lot more than others did. I hired him.
He got me a good settlement amount quick. He is fast, and
always let me know about
things.
He made me feel very good about my
case.
He had faith in me and my case even when I
didn’t.
He is a wonderful lawyer doing
a wonderful job.”
Cynthia Outler
Car Accident
Homemaker
Chicago, Illinois
I had an attorney before Mr. DeSalvo. The day before the trial
in my case, the other lawyer dismissed my case, claiming that
he and I had ‘irreconcilable differences’ of which I knew
nothing about
.
I didn’t know what to do. That’s when I met Mr.
DeSalvo.
I could feel his concern from the very beginning. My case was a
mess, and
Scott said
“
Sharon, I’ll do my
best
”
and he always kept in touch with me. I encounter attorneys all
day in my job, and a lot of them are just nasty. If you hire
Mr. DeSalvo, you have an attorney that will be concerned about
you, that knows how to respect you, and I believe does his best
to resolve the case for you as fast as
possible.
Overall, I Thank God for introducing me to Scott.
He is one of the
nicest and most down to earth people I have ever met, and is
also is always
professional."
Sharon Scott
Car Accident
Sales Associate
Chicago, Illinois
“
I hired Mr. DeSalvo because he is an attorney who really cares
about his clients, and he takes the extra effort to makes sure
the client is cared for in every possible way for the best
results in their case. He gets the job done right, he’s fast,
and he does quality work. I have been delightfully pleased
with
Mr. DeSalvo because he has exemplified Honesty, Integrity, and
Trust.
He went to work immediately on my case, making calls, and
following up on every detail, and resolving my case in several
weeks.
I really felt satisfied, educated, and
helped.
”
Leroy Bowers
Work Injury/Motor Vehicle
Accident
Construction
Worker
Chicago, Illinois
“
I had a lawyer before I hired Mr. DeSalvo, but I fired him
because the other lawyer wasn’t “into” into my case. So I was
looking for a new lawyer and then I spoke to Mr. DeSalvo about
my injury and what could be done, and I’m glad I had him as my
lawyer. I was concerned about making sure that the young lady
did not get away with hitting my car and causing injuries to
myself and to know she was not right. Mr. DeSalvo cares, and he
is there for the little man, so that the little man can stand
tall. He put in a lot of time and he wasn’t afraid to go to
Court to prove the point. He was confident and wouldn’t quit
until the last word was
said.
He cared about me and my case. He’s good. He’s a
good lawyer and I‘m glad I had the chance to meet
him.”
Dennis Brown
Car Accident
Forklift Operator
Chicago, Illinois
"Mr. DeSalvo is a good lawyer to talk to. My main concern in my
case was getting full recovery and a fair settlement. He will
talk to you about your case, not settling your case for little
money. He made me feel good about my case and confident that we
would get a good
deal.
He handled my case with confidence like a good attorney
should."
Ivory Johnson
CTA Bus Accident
Construction
Worker
Chicago, Illinois
“
I hired Mr. DeSalvo because he indicated professionalism to me
and I felt that he would do the best in representing
me.
I was worried about getting a fair settlement for my rotator
cuff injury, and he expedited the
settlement.
I feel very good about how he handled my case. Everything
worked out very well.”
Charles "Chuck Cannon"
Giannone
Premises Liabity/Fall Down
Case
Journalist
Skokie, Illinois
(Excerpt from a letter Nina
wrote me before she voluntarily filled out the testimonial
which follows--what a sweetheart Nina
is!)
"Mr DeSalvo, thank you
very much for handling my case. I appreciate
everything you have done for me in getting the best offer. I
appreciate your taking the time to talk to me to answer my
questions. Thank you!"
.....
"The first lawyer I hired did not seem to care about me, but
was only interested in me signing my name before things were
properly explained to me. Mr. DeSalvo kept me abreast of how
things were going and I was always informed when something was
or was not happening.
Mr DeSalvo is honest
and upfront: he is more concerned about
what you are concerned about and wont do anything without your
permission.
I like that he is easy to communicate with, with no airs or
separation between lawyer and
client.
I am very pleased with the outcome in my case (settlement) and
I will most definitely refer my family and friends who need a
lawyer to you!"
Nina Ellison
Car versus Semi-Truck
Accident
School Teacher
Chicago,
Illinois
"I had a case with another lawyer, but they dropped my case
after 6 months of
frustration.
I was afraid Scott would drop my case too, because it was a
difficult case to get
recovery
.
Mr. DeSalvo was able to track down the person responsible for
my injuries when the other lawyer couldn't. He got me a
settlement and was even able to reduce the doctor
bills.
Mr DeSalvo got me more
money than I thought I would get! Confident is
the best word I would use to describe Mr. DeSalvo handling my
case
. I already referred my mother to Mr. DeSalvo for her work
injury! He beats the Defendants in his cases as if he was the
one who was injured.
Very professional and he got
the job done!
Sinovia Bell
Ceiling Collapse
Medical Administrative
Assistant
Chicago, Illinois
"Scott: Thanks for everything! You are a really great lawyer and an even better friend!" (Excerpt from a hand written note)
Joe and Anne Galvan
Graphic
Artist and Sales Representative
Chicago
,
Illinois
" Mr DeSalvo has alot of care in him about people. I didn't worry about anything because once I talked to Mr. DeSalvo, he made me know my worries was over. He really let's you know he is on your side. He made sure I was comfortable and he answered all of my questions. He talked to me on the telephone. He didn't push me off on someone else. He has a big, w onderful heart! My case was a success and I would refer a friend or loved one to him from now until forever!"
"It's not all about how much money I recovered. Mr DeSalvo is one of a kind. Other attorneys once they get your case, they don't have time to talk and make you feel like you need them but your case means nothing to them. There should be more like Mr. DeSalvo! I thank him because he really is on the client's side!"
Teresa Martin
Cosmetology
Multi-car
Crash
Chicago
Illinois
"Dear Mr. DeSalvo: My mother and I wanted to thank you for everything you have done for us. We can't begin to express our apprecciation and gratitude enough!" [Excerpt from a Thank You card]
Lynette
and Mae Tucker
Chicago
Illinois
"A family member referred me to Mr. DeSalvo. I came to his office and he was very nice and very caring. Right away, it seemed like he could get the job done for me. So I hired him and it worked out just fine. My son and I were hurt when we were hit by a car that crossed the center line as we were crossing the street in the crosswalk. I was really worried about me and my son getting our bills paid and being treated fairly. I have never had a law case before so I was pretty worried about how long it would take and whether my son and I would be protected."
"He did a Master job--he was great from the beginning to the end and was great with every question I had and because I could tell he cared, I felt like everything would be okay. He told me not to worry. When he talked to me and explained everything all the worry went away."
"He has very friendly people in his office, and he really made me feel at home whenever I went over there. I have no complaints at all. He had my back and everything worked out great. He is a great person besides being a great and skilled lawyer. He will take care of you like he took care of me and my son. Thanks for everything, Mr. DeSalvo--I hope we meet again in the future!"
[Me, too, Michelle, but no more injuires, okay? - Scott ]
Michelle Clark
Customer
Service Representative
Car versus
Pedestrian
Chicago, Illinois