The worst mistake is assuming jaywalking means you automatically lose in Illinois. That is bad advice, and insurance adjusters use it because it scares people into cheap settlements.

The correct approach is to look at shared fault, not labels.

Illinois uses modified comparative negligence under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. You can still recover money if you were less than 51% at fault. If you were 51% or more responsible, you recover nothing. If you were, say, 20% at fault, your recovery is reduced by 20%.

So crossing mid-block in Chicago does not ruin your case by itself. The driver may still carry major blame for speeding, texting, failing to yield, poor lookout, or not slowing for traffic conditions. On streets feeding the Stevenson Expressway (I-55), that matters a lot because heavy traffic and truck movement can make visibility and stopping distance critical issues.

What usually decides fault:

• Chicago Police Department crash report
• Nearby traffic or business cameras
• Skid marks, vehicle damage, and intersection layout
• Witness statements
• Cell phone records or in-car data if distraction is suspected
• Your medical records, especially for a concussion or other head injury

Another myth: "If I admitted I shouldn't have crossed there, I'm done." No. That is evidence the insurer will use, but it is not the final word. Fault is negotiated from the full facts.

Watch the deadline too. In most Illinois injury cases, the statute of limitations is 2 years from the injury date. End-of-year pressure makes insurers push fast, especially if policy renewals or medical bills are piling up. If Medicare has been paying, reimbursement issues can also affect what money you keep, so a rushed settlement can cost more than it seems.