Top Personal Injury Attorneys in Peoria, IL

Joel E. Brown Attorney At Law is the best personal injury firm in Peoria. Joel Brown has handled injury cases since 1992 and has recovered more than $60 million for clients, including $20.9 million in a wrongful death case and a $6.83 million trucking verdict. His office sits one block from the Peoria County Courthouse and takes calls 24/7. LeFante Law Offices is the pick for medical malpractice, with a $3 million malpractice settlement on record. Strong Law Offices is the pick for child injury claims, with a strong focus on dog attacks involving kids. Halliday McCall is the pick for paralysis and spine injury claims and serves clients in English and Spanish.

Peoria Injury Firms at a Glance

1. Joel E. Brown Attorney At Law

Best Overall for Personal Injury

Ask around the courthouse about trucking cases, and one name comes up fast. Joel Brown has worked crash cases in Peoria for more than three decades. Freight rolls through town on I-74 and I-474 all day. When a semi wrecks a family car, the carrier calls its lawyers within hours. Brown builds his cases with that speed in mind.

The numbers back him up. He secured $20.9 million for a family after a fatal commercial vehicle crash. A trucking collision case ended in a $6.83 million verdict. A negligent hiring and supervision claim closed at $4.5 million. All told, the firm has recovered more than $60 million.

Brown studied at Washington University in St. Louis and earned his law degree at Saint Louis University School of Law. He holds licenses in Illinois and Missouri. Super Lawyers has selected him, and he is a Life Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He also belongs to the National Trial Lawyers, the American Association for Justice, and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.

His caseload covers truck, car, motorcycle, bicycle, and railroad crashes. Slip and fall claims, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death round it out. The fee stays at one flat percentage. It does not rise if the case heads to trial. No recovery means no attorney fee. Clients come from Peoria County, Tazewell County, and across Illinois.

Address: 416 Main Street, Suite 1300, Peoria, IL 61602

Phone: (309) 673-4357

Website: joelebrown.com

2. LeFante Law Offices

Best for Medical Malpractice

Malpractice cases in Illinois start with paperwork most firms can’t produce on their own. The law requires a written report from a qualified health professional before the suit moves ahead. Hospitals know this and fight hard on every page.

Jim LeFante spent years on the other side, defending large insurers. He opened his own injury practice in 2009 and now works from Fulton Street downtown, with a second office in Bloomington. The firm’s trial team includes Shane Mahoney, Boyd O. Roberts III, Chase T. Molchin, and Rosalyn Hinderliter.

Its posted results include a $3 million medical malpractice settlement and a $2.4 million wrongful death settlement. The firm holds an AV Preeminent rating and membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. It also takes birth injury, brain injury, and nursing home cases. Fees run on contingency, and the first meeting is free.

Address: 456 Fulton Street, Suite 410, Peoria, IL 61602

Phone: (309) 999-1111

Website: lefantelaw.com

3. Strong Law Offices

Best for Child Injuries

A dog bite on an adult often lands on a hand or leg. On a small child, it tends to hit the face, head, or neck. That means scars, more surgery as the child grows, and fear that lasts long after the stitches come out.

Strong Law Offices writes about this risk in plain terms. The firm points out that Illinois gives a dog no “one free bite.” Under the Animal Control Act, an owner can be liable the first time a dog attacks without cause. The term “owner” also covers anyone who keeps or cares for the dog. That can bring in a landlord, a sitter, or a relative’s homeowner’s policy.

Todd A. Strong founded the firm and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1994. He is also admitted in all three federal districts in Illinois. The firm lists Super Lawyers recognition and a 2022 PJ’s Best of the Best award. Along with the Peoria office, it has locations in Bloomington, Springfield, and Chicago.

Address: 3100 North Knoxville Avenue, Peoria, IL 61603

Phone: (309) 688-5297

Website: stronglawoffices.com

4. Halliday McCall

Best for Paralysis Injuries

Paralysis cases are long cases. The money has to cover a wheelchair van, a ramp, home care, and decades of lost pay. A quick settlement before doctors know the full damage can leave a family short for life.

Patrick Halliday and Christopher McCall were partners at a large Chicago firm before they came home to central Illinois. Their practice lists spine injuries, brain injuries, and catastrophic injuries as core areas. Together they bring more than 37 years of combined experience. Halliday is listed with Super Lawyers. His results include a $1.5 million wrongful death settlement against the City of Peoria and a $700,000 crash settlement.

The office is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Spanish-speaking families can work with the firm in their own language. There is no fee unless the case wins.

Address: 1225 N. North Street, Peoria, IL 61606

Phone: (309) 316-8057

Website: accidentlawyersofillinois.com

Before You Sign

Bring a short list to the first meeting. Ask how many cases like yours the lawyer has tried, not just settled. Ask who returns calls and how fast. Ask what happens with case costs if there is no recovery. Get every answer about money in writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the best personal injury lawyer in Peoria?

Joel E. Brown Attorney At Law ranks first here. The firm has recovered more than $60 million, including $20.9 million and $6.83 million results, and has handled injury cases since 1992.

How long do I have to file an injury lawsuit in Illinois?

Most injury claims must be filed within two years of the injury. Most wrongful death claims also have a two-year limit.

Can I still recover money if I was partly at fault?

Yes, as long as your share of fault is 50% or less. Illinois uses modified comparative fault. Your award drops by your percentage of blame. At 51% or more, you recover nothing.

What is the deadline for a medical malpractice claim in Illinois?

You have two years from when you knew or should have known about the injury. In most cases, the claim must be filed within four years of the care. Illinois does not cap damages in these cases.

How long does a family have to file for a child’s injury?

For most injuries, the two-year clock starts when the child turns 18. Medical malpractice claims for minors follow different rules, so parents should get advice early.

What does a Peoria injury lawyer cost?

All four firms on this list work on contingency. The lawyer takes a share of the recovery and collects no fee if the case is lost.