Understand Your Rights. Solve Your Legal Problems
Auto accidents and personal injury claims can alter lives in an instant — leaving victims struggling with pain, financial stress, and uncertainty. In these moments, the role of a compassionate and strategic attorney becomes essential.
Lawyer Monthly spoke with Steven Jacobson, Founding Partner of the Law Offices of Jacobson & Tchernev in Chicago, to discuss the realities faced by injured individuals, the importance of empathy in client advocacy, and how skilled attorneys can negotiate effectively with insurance providers to ensure fair outcomes.
“In Illinois, the most recent data reflects over 300,000 reported crashes, with close to 90,000 injuries,” says Jacobson. “Not every car accident results in injury, but all it takes is one distracted driver to change your life forever.”
Jacobson emphasizes that injuries — even those that appear minor — can have devastating effects on daily life. “A broken ankle might not sound catastrophic, but it means you can’t pick up your child, shower easily, or even sleep comfortably. These disruptions cascade, affecting marriages, savings, and employment.”
He adds that while television often portrays injury victims as exaggerating, the reality is far more painful: “The real story is the person at home wanting to go back to work but can’t, watching medical bills pile up while the landlord posts an eviction notice on the door.”
According to Jacobson, the most pressing concern for injured clients is always financial. “Our clients worry about medical bills and basic expenses like rent or car payments. Some even face eviction because they’re unable to work.”
Many accident victims return to work prematurely, halfway through recovery, simply to survive financially. “Insurance companies know this,” Jacobson explains. “They often delay settlements hoping victims will accept less out of desperation. It’s a calculated move — and one of the many reasons legal representation is so important.”
“Even though insurance companies tell you they’ll ‘take care of everything,’ they’re not on your side,” Jacobson warns. “They’re businesses whose goal is to make money by minimizing payouts.”
He stresses the danger of giving early statements without counsel. “Most people downplay their injuries when speaking to strangers, and adjusters use that against them. Injured parties are often asked to sign agreements promising payment of medical bills — but buried in the fine print is language allowing the insurer to deny anything they don’t deem ‘reasonable’ or ‘necessary.’”
Jacobson’s advice is clear: “Never sign anything from an insurance company without having it reviewed by an injury attorney. Insurers have hundreds of lawyers; you deserve at least one on your side.”
“When someone is injured, their only focus should be recovery,” Jacobson explains. “Our job is to handle everything else.”
His firm keeps insurance companies updated on treatment progress, ensures bills don’t go to collections, and demands maximum compensation. “If insurers refuse to pay fairly, we file suit immediately and move aggressively. Preserving evidence — such as red-light camera footage or expert reconstructions — can make or break a case.”
Jacobson emphasizes that decisive action is often what separates successful outcomes from lost opportunities. “Knowing what steps to take and when to take them is the greatest skill an injury attorney can have.”
Jacobson urges both attorneys and clients to prioritize timely medical care. “Most injuries, if treated properly, don’t leave lasting damage. But no amount of money can make up for a lifelong injury that could have been prevented through early treatment.”
He also highlights how insurers manipulate treatment delays to dispute claims. “If a client waits too long to seek care, insurers argue that the pain ‘couldn’t have been that bad.’ My advice to clients is simple: get the treatment you need; my job is to make sure insurance pays for it.”
For less experienced lawyers, Jacobson’s message is straightforward: “Focus on the client, not the bottom line. Take the time to talk, listen, and do what’s truly in their best interest. Our firm has grown because clients know we care.”
He also encourages courage in the face of corporate pressure. “Don’t fear the insurance companies. Many attorneys settle too early to avoid trial, but you must be willing to fight for full value. Never compromise your client’s recovery for convenience.”
In Illinois, property owners are required to maintain safe premises — but not every fall leads to a valid claim. “The law makes exceptions for what it calls ‘open and obvious’ dangers,” Jacobson explains. “For instance, if a large hole is clearly visible, the property owner may not be liable.”
However, there are important nuances. “If snow or ice melts, pools, and refreezes because of poor maintenance or design, it becomes an ‘unnatural accumulation,’ which can make the owner liable.”
He adds that building code violations, poor lighting, or missing handrails can also lead to valid claims. “Time is critical. If you’re injured, take photos, collect witness information, and contact an attorney quickly — before evidence disappears.”
Steven Jacobson is a founding partner at the Law Offices of Jacobson & Tchernev, a leading personal injury firm in Chicago. Recognized by Million Dollar Advocates, the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel’s Top 1%, Jacobson has built his career on compassion, integrity, and results.
Since 2011, Jacobson & Tchernev have taken more than 100 cases to trial and secured over $35 million in compensation for their clients, handling car and truck accidents, slip-and-fall injuries, and other personal injury matters with a client-first philosophy.
Law Offices of Jacobson & Tchernev
5201 N Harlem Ave, Floor 2
Chicago, IL 60656, USA
Tel: +1 312-669-4441
Fax: +1 708-667-0452
E: legal@lawjtchicago.com
