Wheaton Personal Injury Lawyers

Award-Winning Attorneys for Victims of Car Accidents, Dog Bites, and Slip and Falls in DuPage County

Wheaton, the county seat of DuPage County, is a vibrant community with busy roads, thriving business districts, and many older buildings and neighborhoods where people live, work, shop, and recreate. Whenever someone is hurt because of another person’s carelessness, in a car crash, on slippery store steps, because of a dog attack, or from substandard care in a nursing home, the local legal system exists to help victims secure medical care, compensation for lost wages, and justice.

At John J. Malm & Associates, we are dedicated to representing individuals and families throughout Wheaton and DuPage County who have suffered serious injuries due to negligence. With over 90 years of combined trial experience, our award-winning Wheaton personal injury attorneys have built a reputation for achieving results through meticulous preparation, skilled negotiation, and aggressive courtroom advocacy. We understand that an injury can disrupt every part of your life: your health, your job, your family, and your future. Our team takes pride in offering personalized attention, clear communication, and compassionate support to every client we serve. Whether you were injured in a car crash, a fall, a dog attack, or through medical or nursing home negligence, you can trust that your case will receive the care, skill, and determination it deserves.

“People injured in Wheaton face not only the pain of their injuries but also confusing insurance systems and complex medical care. At John J. Malm & Associates, we combine aggressive advocacy with careful investigation to help injured clients obtain the medical care and recovery they need while holding negligent parties accountable.” — John J. Malm, Wheaton personal injury attorney

Statistics on Personal Injury Claims in DuPage County

DuPage County remains one of the busiest counties in Illinois outside the Chicago metropolitan core. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, DuPage County recorded thousands of crashes in 2023, including several dozen traffic fatalities and thousands of injury crashes, a reminder that vehicle collisions are a common cause of serious personal injury in the Wheaton area. These county-level data are the primary source for local crash trends and show sustained numbers of pedestrian- and bicycle-involved crashes that demand focused attention from drivers and policymakers.

Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Wheaton

At John J. Malm & Associates,we represent victims of a wide range of personal injury accidents in Wheaton and throughout DuPage County. Our experienced team has successfully handled cases involving motor vehicle collisions, dangerous property conditions, nursing home neglect, dog bites, and other preventable injuries caused by negligence. Each case presents its own challenges, from investigating the cause of a car or truck crash to proving liability in a complex premises or wrongful death claim, but our goal remains the same: to help our clients recover fair compensation and rebuild their lives. Below are some of the most common types of personal injury cases we handle in Wheaton and the surrounding communities.

Car Accidents

Car crashes are the most frequent source of personal injury claims in DuPage County. Common crash types that cause serious injuries include rear-end collisions, T-bone/angle crashes at intersections, sideswipe collisions, and single-vehicle run-off-road crashes. Injuries range from soft-tissue strains and whiplash to fractures, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from unrestrained impacts.

If another driver caused your crash through negligence, such as speeding, running a red light, impaired or distracted driving, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care.

Truck Accidents

Large trucks and commercial vehicles produce unique hazards because of their size and weight. Truck crashes commonly lead to catastrophic injuries. Because commercial carriers employ defense teams and insurers with extensive resources, victims of truck crashes usually benefit from experienced counsel early in the case.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists lack the protective metal shell of cars and sustain severe injuries even at modest speeds. As a result, motorcycle accidents in Wheaton are often serious and fatal.

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian collisions are especially dangerous because the human body has little protection against motor vehicles.

Bicycle Accidents

Cyclists are vulnerable road users. Crashes often stem from driver inattention, failure to yield, unsafe passing, or hazardous roadway conditions.

Premises Liability (Slip & Falls, Dangerous Property Conditions)

Property owners owe invitees a duty to maintain safe conditions. In Wheaton, premises liability claims often arise from:

• slippery floors in retail stores, poorly maintained sidewalks, inadequate lighting in parking lots, snow/ice hazards, and defective stairs or railings.

Illinois law allocates duties differently depending on whether a visitor is an invitee, licensee, or trespasser, so the facts matter for recovery. Prompt reporting and evidence preservation, including photographs and medical records, strengthen claims.

Wrongful Death

When an accident in Wheaton or DuPage County causes death, the Illinois Wrongful Death Act allows certain family members to pursue damages on behalf of the decedent’s estate and surviving relatives. Wrongful death claims often require faster evidence preservation, independent investigation, and coordination with coroners and law enforcement to obtain crash and autopsy records.

Dog Bites & Attacks

Dog bites are a frequent cause of injury claims, especially for children, and treatment costs can be substantial. Illinois law and local ordinances may impose specific duties on dog owners; a civil claim can seek medical costs, scarring/disfigurement damages, and pain and suffering.

Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

Nursing home injuries and neglect claims arise in facilities across Illinois, and DuPage-area families must remain vigilant. Because nursing home cases often turn on medical records and staffing logs, early preservation of records and working with medical and care experts is crucial.

Where Are Wheaton Personal Injury Cases Filed?

DuPage County’s courthouse complex serves as the local forum for civil personal injury litigation in Wheaton and the surrounding communities. The main county courthouse is located at 505 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187, and the facility operates standard building hours and public access procedures. The courthouse is where plaintiffs file lawsuits, attend hearings, and  if necessary, proceed to trial before the 18th Judicial Circuit. If your case is being handled locally, you will likely appear at the DuPage courthouse for motion hearings, settlement conferences, and trial unless the parties agree otherwise.

How Wheaton Personal Injury Claims are Typically Resolved

• Insurance claims and negotiation: Many personal injury claims start with a demand to the at-fault party’s insurance company. Insurers frequently seek quick settlement; do not sign waivers or accept final offers without consulting counsel.
• Filing suit and discovery: If negotiations stall, the injured party may file a lawsuit in the appropriate circuit court. Discovery gathers medical records, depositions, expert reports, and other proof.
• Alternative dispute resolution: Mediation and arbitration are common ways to resolve disputes without trial. Many cases settle after mediation when liability and damages become clearer.
• Trial: If settlement cannot be reached, a jury or judge decides liability and damages at trial.

Frequently Asked Questions about Wheaton Personal Injury Cases

Q: How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois?
A: The statute of limitations for most personal injury actions in Illinois is two years from the date of injury, but there are exceptions (medical malpractice, claims against municipalities or government entities, and wrongful death have different timelines). File early to preserve evidence and legal rights.

Q: Will my case go to trial?
A: Most personal injury cases settle before trial. Whether your case proceeds depends on liability disputes, insurance positions, and the strength of the medical and expert evidence.

Q: What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
A: Illinois follows modified comparative negligence: you can recover damages if you are less than 50% at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover.

Q: Should I speak to the insurance company for the other driver?
A: Be cautious. Provide basic information to police and your insurer, but avoid giving recorded statements or signing releases for the other party’s insurer without legal advice; insurers often use recorded statements to minimize claims.

Q: What documents should I gather after an injury?
A: Police and incident reports, medical records and bills, photographs (injuries and scene), witness contact information, employer records for time missed from work, and any communications with insurers or the defendant.

Practical Next Steps If You Were Injured in Wheaton, Illinois

• Seek prompt medical treatment and follow medical advice. Your health is the priority, and medical records are essential to any claim.
• Preserve evidence: photos, witness names, and written notes about how the incident happened.
• Request copies of accident and police reports as soon as they are available. For workplace injuries, notify your employer and report to OSHA if appropriate.
• Get copies of any inspection, maintenance, or facility records in premises, nursing home, or industrial accident cases.
• Contact an experienced Wheaton personal injury attorney early. We can help preserve evidence, coordinate with accident reconstructionists and medical specialists, and advise on claims against insurers and negligent parties.

Contact the Experienced Wheaton Personal Injury Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

Wheaton and DuPage County are safe, active communities, but accidents happen, and when they do, the consequences can be life-changing. Whether your case involves a motor vehicle collision, a dangerous property condition, a dog attack, or negligent nursing home care, you deserve skilled representation that understands local courts, county crash trends, and the medical and expert work needed to prove a strong claim.

If you or a loved one were injured in Wheaton or DuPage County, contact John J. Malm & Associates for a free consultation. Our Wheaton personal injury attorneys investigate thoroughly, work with medical and safety experts, and fight to hold negligent parties and insurers accountable so you can focus on recovery. Contact our office today to schedule a no-cost case review. We represent injury victims across DuPage County and will guide you through every step.