Wilmington Personal Injury Attorney Asks:
Did You Get Injured?
Call The Wilmington Personal Injury Attorney ANY TIME!
312-500-4500
"My Injury Guy" Scott DeSalvo
Trial-Trained Injury Attorney for Wilmington & Will County
Wilmington is a river town on old Route 66, but it's also on the edge of one of the biggest freight corridors in the country. Route 53 brings tourists, motorcycles, and local traffic through downtown, while I-55 and the warehouse parks along it bring a steady stream of semis.
In 2022, IDOT counted 94 crashes in Wilmington, and 33 people were hurt. That's a high injury rate for a town this size. Turning crashes were the most common, followed by rear-end crashes and crashes where a vehicle hit a fixed object, like a pole or guardrail.
Here's what most people don't know about turning crashes: Illinois law puts a clear duty on the driver turning left to yield to oncoming traffic. When a driver turns in front of a motorcycle or car, that rule is usually the heart of the case. The insurer will still try to say you were speeding.
I've represented injured people for almost 30 years and handle cases throughout Will County.
There's no cost to hire me, and I'm only paid if you win. Call me day or night at 312-500-4500.
I was nine years old when my dad, a truck driver and Teamster, was seriously hurt at work. His lawyer barely paid attention, the case dragged on for seventeen years, and in the end his own lawyer sued him for more fees.
My family deserved better. So does yours. That's why I keep my clients informed and fight for full value on every case.
Free. Not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by this chat. Prefer to talk? Call (312) 500-4500, answered 24/7.
Route 53 follows the path of historic Route 66 through Wilmington. It draws sightseers, classic car clubs, and motorcycle riders, many of them unfamiliar with the area, mixing with local drivers turning into businesses and side streets.
Large distribution centers along I-55 near Wilmington have brought thousands of trucks and workers to the area. Truck crashes on the interstate and the access roads tend to be severe, and warehouse work brings its own injuries.
The roads around Wilmington, along the Kankakee River and near the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, are dark, two-lane, and often lack shoulders. Run-off-the-road and fixed-object crashes are more common here.
Under Illinois law, a driver turning left must yield to any oncoming vehicle that is close enough to be an immediate hazard (625 ILCS 5/11-902). That rule matters most for motorcyclists, who are hard to see and often hit by drivers who say they "never saw" them.
Bottom Line: "I didn't see him" is not a defense. It's an admission.
Left-turn crashes on Route 53, rear-end crashes near I-55, and run-off-the-road crashes on rural roads. See my Joliet car accident lawyer page.
Riders on Route 66 hit by drivers turning left or pulling out. See my motorcycle accident lawyer page.
Semis on I-55 and the roads leading to the warehouse parks. See my truck accident lawyer page.
Warehouse, logistics, and construction injuries. I handle comp and look for third parties. See my workers' compensation lawyer page.
Icy lots and unsafe stairs at businesses and rentals. See my slip and fall lawyer page.
When a crash on a highway or rural road takes a loved one, families can pursue a claim under Illinois law. See my wrongful death lawyer page.
I also handle nursing home neglect (nursing home abuse lawyer) and industrial injuries (industrial accident lawyer).
Picture this. You're riding your motorcycle north on Route 53 on a summer afternoon. An SUV coming the other way turns left into a gas station right in front of you. You lay the bike down, but you still hit the SUV's side. The driver tells police he never saw you. The insurer later claims you were going too fast.
The left-turn rule, the scene evidence, and witnesses can prove who really caused the crash.
Look, in turning crashes and motorcycle crashes, the insurer has a short list of excuses:
Here's what most lawyers won't tell you: many motorcycle crash claims are undervalued simply because the adjuster assumes a jury won't like a biker. Building a case that shows who you really are, a careful rider with a family and a job, changes how the insurer values it.
Bottom Line: Your case should be judged on the facts, not on what you ride.
Most cases settle, and that's usually the outcome you want: fair money without a long delay.
Insurers offer more when they know your lawyer can win in front of a jury. I've invested over $100,000 in advanced trial training, graduated from Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College and the exclusive Keenan Trial Institute, and tried more than 30 jury trials.
Nothing up front. I pay the case costs as we go and recover my fee only from your settlement or verdict. See the FAQ for the percentages.
Illinois doesn't cap pain and suffering. You can still recover if you share some of the blame, as long as you're 50% or less at fault.
Find Out What YOUR Case Might Be Worth...for free.
Call me for a free consultation. I'll listen and tell you honestly what your options are.
If you hire me, I take on the investigation and the insurance companies while you heal. When your treatment is done, I make a demand and negotiate. If the insurer won't pay what's fair, I file suit in the Circuit Court of Will County. My fee comes from the recovery, and the rest goes to you.
Hurt in Wilmington? Call 312-500-4500 any time.
Evidence fades fast, and the insurance company has already started working on your claim. Call me for a free consultation, 24/7/365. No money out of pocket. No fee unless we win.
I represent injured people in Wilmington and nearby Elwood, Channahon, Manhattan, Joliet, Braidwood, and throughout Will County.
Nearest office: The Law Office of Scott D. DeSalvo, LLC, 116 N Chicago St, Suite 301 - Kendall, Joliet, IL 60432, about 25 minutes from Wilmington. Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., and by appointment.
Call me now: 312-500-4500
Nothing out of pocket. With my contingency fee, I'm paid only if I recover money for you. I charge 33⅓% for most injury cases, 40% if a lawsuit is filed, 33⅓% for medical malpractice, and 20% for workers' compensation, as set by Illinois law. I advance all costs. If we lose, you owe no fee. Call 24/7/365 at 312-500-4500 for a free consultation.
Usually the turning driver. Illinois law requires drivers turning left to yield to oncoming vehicles that are close enough to be an immediate hazard (625 ILCS 5/11-902). Insurers often argue the oncoming driver was speeding or not paying attention. Evidence like vehicle data, witness statements, and the scene layout can show what really happened. Even if some fault is assigned to you, Illinois law lets you recover if you were 50% or less at fault.
Very possibly. Many motorcycle crashes are caused by drivers who turn or pull out in front of a rider. Illinois doesn't require adult riders to wear helmets, and riders have the same right to the road as anyone else. The key is gathering evidence quickly, including photos, witness information, and your damaged gear, before the insurer builds its own story.
Most personal injury lawsuits in Illinois must be filed within two years of the injury (735 ILCS 5/13-202). If a local government is responsible, such as for a road defect, the deadline is generally one year (745 ILCS 10/8-101). Workers' compensation claims have their own deadlines.
Most Wilmington lawsuits are filed in the Circuit Court of Will County at 100 W. Jefferson Street in Joliet. If a defendant is based in another county, such as a trucking company, the case may be filed there. Most cases settle without a trial.
Yes. My closest office is at 116 N. Chicago St. in downtown Joliet, about 25 minutes from Wilmington, and my main office is in Oak Brook. I'm happy to meet you at home, in the hospital, or by phone or video.
Scott DeSalvo founded DeSalvo Law to help injured people throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1998, IARDC #6244452, Scott has represented over 3,000 clients in personal injury, workers compensation, and accident cases.
No Fee Unless You Win | Free Consultation | 24/7 Availability Call or Text: (312) 500-4500
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Oak Brook - Main Office
1000 Jorie Blvd Ste 204
Oak Brook, IL 60523
New Cases: 312-500-4500
Office: 312-895-0545
Fax: 866-629-1817
service@desalvolaw.com
Chicago and Other Suburban Offices
By Appointment Only
Joliet Office
116 N. Chicago Street
Suite 301 – Kendall Office
Joliet, IL 60432
312-500-4500
