Chicago Car Accident Lawyer
Chicago, Illinois, is known for its congested roads and dangerous drivers. With so many cars on the road, it’s no surprise that car accidents are a common occurrence. However, just how severe these accidents can be may be surprising.
Each year, people are seriously injured in Chicago auto accidents. In some car accident cases, they are left with permanent disabilities that affect their quality of life. Car accident injuries can be so severe that some people cannot work or care for themselves.
Were you injured in a car accident in Chicago? If so, you need to seek legal help immediately. The Illinois attorneys at Injury Legal Team, sponsored by Rosenfeld Law Offices, can get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
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National Car Accident Statistics and Facts
Each year in the United States, car accidents result in thousands of severe injuries and fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 37,000 people were killed in automobile accidents in 2020, averaging more than 100 fatalities each day.
In addition, nearly 2.5 million people were injured in a serious car accident in 2019. This is equivalent to more than 6,700 car accident victim injuries each day. The medical expenses of these accidents is also staggering.
The NHTSA estimates that auto accidents cost the United States over $432 billion annually in medical bills and includes both the costs of property damage and medical treatment expenses.
- Car accidents are the leading cause of death for people aged 4-34.
- More than 2 million people are injured in motor vehicle accidents each year.
- Drunk driving causes about one-third of all car accidents.
- About half of all car accident fatalities are pedestrians or bicyclists.
- Teenagers are more likely to be involved in car accidents than any other age group.
- More men than women die in car accidents each year.
- Nearly half of all fatal auto accidents occur at night.
- More than 90% of car accidents are caused by human error.
- More than 50% of motor vehicle accidents occur within 25 miles of the driver’s home.
- Almost 75% of auto accidents involve two or more vehicles.
- Nearly half of all car accidents involve a drunk driver.
- Accidents cost the US economy over $230 billion per year.
- The average cost of a car accident is over $15,000.
- Fatality rates have decreased recently but claim over 30,000 lives each year.
- Pedestrians and cyclists account for almost 25% of all traffic fatalities yearly.
- Rear-end collisions are the most common type of accident, accounting for more than 35% of all crashes.
- More than 60% of all accidents happen during daylight hours.
- Accidents are most likely to occur on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between 4 PM and midnight.
- Accidents are more common in rural areas than in cities.
- Traffic congestion is a major factor in many accidents.
- Crashes are more likely to happen when drivers are distracted.
- Weather conditions can play a role in car accidents. Accidents can also happen when tires are faulty.
Illinois Car Accident Statistical Data
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, in 2020, over 312,000 car accidents occurred in Illinois. These accidents resulted in over 9,500 injuries and over 580 deaths.
While these numbers may seem high, they are decreasing each year, and the number of car accident fatalities has decreased by almost 20% in the past ten years. Despite this decrease, many people suffered injuries or were killed yearly in auto accidents.
The Common Causes of Car Accidents
Most drivers believe that they are safe when they are behind the wheel. However, car accidents happen daily and often lead to serious injuries or fatalities. There are many reasons why auto accidents happen, but some of the most common include:
- Driver error: Making any mistake behind the wheel can lead to a car accident. This includes speeding, running a red light, or driving while distracted.
- Fatigue: A lack of sleep can lead to driver fatigue, making it difficult to stay focused on the road. This can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.
- Aggressive driving: Road rage and unsafe driving habits can lead to accidents.
- Weather conditions: Adverse weather conditions can make driving difficult, leading to accidents.
- Defects in vehicles: Malfunctions or defects in cars can cause accidents.
- Drunk driving: Driving while intoxicated can greatly increase the risk of an accident.
- Drowsy driving: Driving when you’re tired or falling asleep at the wheel is a major contributor to car accidents.
- Reckless driving: Taking risks while driving can lead to dangerous situations that may lead to accidents.
- Poor road conditions: Uneven roads, potholes, and other hazardous conditions can lead to accidents.
- Car parts failures: Issues with brakes, tires, or other car parts can cause accidents.
- Intersections: Accidents often occur at intersections due to turning or crossing traffic.
- Teen drivers: Inexperience and recklessness often lead to car wrecks among teen drivers.
- Pedestrians: Many pedestrian accidents happen when people walk or cross the street.
- Motorcycle riders: They are at a higher risk for injuries in accidents than drivers in cars due to the lack of protective structures around them.
- Cyclists: They are also at risk for injuries in Chicago car accidents, especially if they are not wearing helmets and other protective gear.
- Children: Most kids are often hit by cars because they may not know the dangers around them and are not tall enough to be seen.
- Animals: Wild animals such as deer can unexpectedly run into the path of a car, leading to an accident, and they can suffer injuries from a crash
Common Car Accident Injuries
There is no telling when or how a car accident will occur, but when they do, the results can be catastrophic. Any car accident injury can lead to life-altering changes or death.
In a car accident, the impact force can cause your body to be thrown about the vehicle. You may hit your head on the dashboard or window or be thrown out of the car.
Chicago, IL auto accident victims suffer various injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI): The severe blunt force trauma of hitting your head against any hard object in a car crash can cause serious injury, including bleeding and swelling inside the skull. This traumatic brain injury can lead to pressure on the brain and permanent damage.
- Concussion: A concussion is a type of TBI caused by a sudden blow to the head. It can lead to loss of consciousness, memory problems, and other long-term health issues.
- Whiplash: A common neck injury can occur when your head is suddenly thrust backward and then forwards in a car accident. It can cause pain, stiffness, and headaches.
- Spinal cord injury can occur when your spine is violently twisted or bent in a car accident. This can lead to paralysis, loss of feeling, and difficulty breathing.
- Broken bones: Another common injury sustained when an auto accident occurs. They often take a long time to heal properly and may even require corrective surgery.
- Neck injury: A car accident can cause serious damage to your neck, including whiplash, sprains, and fractures. This can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, and even paralysis.
- Back injury: The sudden force of a car crash can cause back injuries such as herniated disks, spinal cord compression, and fractured vertebrae. These injuries can lead to chronic pain, difficulty walking or standing, and even paralysis.
- Chest injury: A car accident can cause serious injuries to your chest, including fractured ribs, punctured lungs, and internal bleeding. These injuries can make it difficult to breathe and may result in death.
- Abdominal injury: Car accidents can cause severe abdominal injuries such as ruptured spleens, lacerated liver, and broken bones. These injuries can lead to internal bleeding and organ failure.
- Pelvic injury: A car accident can cause serious pelvic injuries such as a fractured pelvis, ruptured bladder, and torn ligaments. These injuries can lead to chronic pain and difficulty walking or using the bathroom.
- Arm Injury: A car crash can cause an arm injury, such as broken bones, cuts, and bruises. These injuries can make it difficult to use your arm or hand and may require surgery for repair.
- Leg injury: Car accidents can cause leg injuries such as broken bones, cuts, and bruises. These injuries can make it difficult to walk or stand and may require corrective surgery.
- Internal injuries: The force of a car accident can cause internal injuries such as liver lacerations, collapsed lungs, and ruptured spleens. These injuries often go undetected until it is too late because there are no external signs of injury.
- Burns: When you are involved in a crash, the flame or engine heat can easily cause painful burns on your skin.
- Vision problems: The sudden impact of a car accident can cause vision problems such as blurry vision, double vision, and temporary blindness. These vision problems can sometimes be permanent if the eye damage is not treated properly.
- Hearing loss: The loud noise made by a car accident can permanently damage your hearing and cause you to lose your hearing ability. In some cases, hearing loss may be only temporary, but it is still important to get it checked out by a doctor immediately after the crash.
- Dental injuries: When you are involved in a car accident, your teeth are at risk of being injured by flying debris or being hit directly by someone’s head or hand. Dental injuries often require surgery to repair and can result in permanent damage to your teeth.
- Wrongful death: A fatal injury can occur when someone is killed in an accident due to the negligence of another party, such as a driver who causes a car crash.
Types of Car Accidents
- Rear-end collisions are one of the most common car accidents when one car hits the back of another.
- Sideswipe accidents happen when two cars hit each other on the side. This can happen when two cars are trying to pass each other or when one car is trying to change lanes and hits another car in the lane it is moving into.
- Head-on collisions are often deadly when two vehicles hit each other with their front ends.
- T-bone accidents happen when one car hits another vehicle at an angle in the middle. The name comes from the shape the cars make when they crash – like a T.
- Single-vehicle accidents happen when a car crashes into something without being hit by another car first, such as a tree, a guardrail, or even another car.
- Pedestrian accidents are tragic events that can happen anytime, anywhere. They happen when a pedestrian is hit by a car, a truck, or a motorcycle.
- Hit-and-run accidents are very dangerous and illegal. It happens when someone is in a car wreck and then takes off without stopping to help or report the accident.
- Road rage incidents can lead to dangerous accidents. They happen when one driver becomes angry at another driver for something the other person did while driving on the road, like cutting them off or speeding past them.
- Multi-vehicle crash: A collision involving two or more vehicles. These can be very dangerous as the impact force can cause cars to spin and collide with other cars or objects in the surrounding area.
- Underride collision: When a car slides underneath another vehicle in a crash. This type of accident is common with trucks and buses and can often be fatal for the people in the car that are run over.
- Fixed object collision: A crash where a vehicle hits something that doesn’t move, such as a tree, wall, or pole. These accidents can often be very severe as there is no protection for the car’s occupants when they hit something solid.
- Rollovers: A rollover accident is the most dangerous auto accident. They often occur when a driver loses control of the car and flips over. This type of accident can cause serious injuries or death.
- Wrong way driving accident: This type of accident happens when a driver enters the highway the wrong way. Often, the driver will be confused or lost and enter the highway from an on-ramp going the wrong way. This can result in a head-on collision with another vehicle.
Car Accidents Caused by Distracted Driving
Distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of car accidents. Drivers who are distracted are not only putting themselves in danger but also the drivers, motorcyclists, trucks, pedestrians, and bicyclists sharing the road with them.
While many distractions can lead to a car accident, using a cell phone is the most common. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2020, 3,328 people were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers. Of those fatalities, 9 percent were reported as happening because of cell phone usage.
Distracted by Texting
Texting while driving is especially dangerous. A Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study found that when drivers take their eyes off the road for just five seconds while texting, they travel the length of a football field blind. This greatly increases the risk of an accident.
Many other distractions can lead to a car accident, such as eating or drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, and using maps or GPS systems. Any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road can be dangerous.
Driving Distracted Near School Zones
Distracted driving is not only dangerous for those involved in an auto accident but also for those who live near busy roads. In 2019, more than 5,000 people were killed, and nearly half a million were injured in crashes within a quarter mile of a school.
Many of these crashes could have been prevented if drivers were paying attention to the road instead of their phones or other distractions.
Parents should talk to their children about the dangers of distracted driving and set a good example by always focusing on the road while driving. Everyone who uses the roads should be aware of the dangers of distracted driving and do their part to keep themselves and others safe.
Catastrophic Car/Truck Accidents
Car accidents are dangerous enough when colliding with another car, but when colliding with a commercial truck, the chances of being seriously injured or killed increase exponentially.
Truck drivers are professionals entrusted with the safe transport of goods across the country, and they should be held to a higher standard than the average driver. Unfortunately, too many truck drivers operate their vehicles carelessly and without regard for the safety of others on the road. This negligence can have deadly consequences.
In 2020, there were over 4,000 fatalities due to truck accidents in the United States. This number is staggering, and it’s only going up. In most car accident cases, the smaller vehicle is at fault when colliding with a truck.
Trucks are much larger and heavier than cars, so they have more momentum and are more difficult to stop. When a car collides with a truck, the car is often crushed or thrown into the air.
If you are involved in a collision with a commercial truck, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Even if you don’t think you’ve been injured, it’s best to get checked out by a doctor. Many injuries from a car crash aren’t immediately apparent but can cause long-term damage if not treated.
What To Do After a Car Accident
If you are involved in a car accident, it is important to remain calm and take the necessary steps to ensure your safety and the safety of others. Here is what you should do:
- Pull over to the side of the road if you have your hazard lights.
- Check to see if anyone is injured. Check on the other drivers and passengers, and make sure there are no injuries. Call 911 for an ambulance for anyone who is injured.
- Call the police. Even if the accident seems minor, it is best to call the police so they can document the accident and file a report.
- Go to the emergency room. When emergency medical technicians (EMTs) arrive at the accident scene, ask them to be transported to the nearest emergency room, even if you think you do not have any injuries. In the first few hours following the accident, high adrenaline levels in your bloodstream could be masking a severe or life-threatening problem.
- Exchange information with the other drivers. You will need each driver’s name, address, phone number, and insurance information.
- Take pictures of the accident scene if you are able., which will help with insurance claims and can be used as evidence if there is a dispute about who was at fault.
- Do not admit fault. Even if you think you are at fault, do not say anything to the other drivers or police until you have spoken to an attorney.
- Contact a Chicago car accident lawyer from our law offices. An experienced car accident attorney working on your behalf will protect your rights and begin the legal process of filing a car accident case for damages.
Our Chicago car accident lawyers will speak directly with the other driver’s insurance company to initiate a personal injury claim and notify your own insurance company to answer any of their questions on the auto accident.
Determining Liability for Your Car Accident: How Do I Prove the Auto Accident Was Not My Fault?
If you are in a car accident, determining who is at fault is a critical first step in the legal process. In some cases, it is clear who is responsible.
For example, if one driver rear-ends another, the driver who hits the other car is almost always at fault. However, in many cases, it is not so clear-cut. Determining liability can be complicated and often requires the help of a car accident attorney.
Many factors can contribute to liability in a motor vehicle accident. The most important of these are negligence and causation. To prove negligence, your Chicago car accident attorney must show that the other driver failed to meet a reasonable standard of care. This can be challenging, especially if the other driver claims they were not at fault.
To prove causation, your accident lawyer must show that the other driver’s actions caused the accident, which can be challenging if there are multiple causes of the accident.
Were you involved in a car crash? Schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney from our law offices who can help determine who is at fault and what steps you need to take next.
The Illinois Statute of Limitations: How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Illinois?
When you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, taking action as soon as possible is important, including filing a car accident claim with the insurance company. The statute of limitations can be tricky to navigate, especially if you are unfamiliar with the legal process.
You have up to two years in Illinois to file a car accident claim. However, it is best to file the claim as soon as possible because there are time limits on how long you have to gather evidence and file a car accident lawsuit.
If you wait too long, you may not be able to recover the full amount of damages that you deserve. It is important to consult with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. A lawyer can help you understand your rights under the statute and guide you through the filing process.
Valuing a Car Accident Claim: How Much is My Claim Worth?
When an individual is injured in a car accident in Chicago, IL, they may be entitled to compensation for suffered injuries. A personal injury attorney or affiliate law office would use various tools to determine the value of a car accident claim.
These value-determining tools and evidence give the lawyer a good idea of how much compensation their clients may be entitled to receive, including:
- Gathering evidence from the accident scene: A lawyer would want to gather evidence from the scene to determine who was at fault. This would include looking at skid marks, debris, and eyewitness testimony.
- Determining fault: After gathering the evidence, a lawyer must determine who was at fault in the accident. This would involve looking at things such as traffic laws and the layout of the accident scene.
Other factors to consider include:
- The nature and severity of the injuries.
- The medical treatment required and expenses incurred.
- Whether or not the injured party was wearing a seatbelt.
- Whether or not the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident.
- The auto insurance coverage of each party involved in the accident.
- Whether or not the driver was negligent in causing the accident.
- Whether there were any contributing factors, such as weather conditions or defective equipment.
- The extent of property damage caused by the crash.
- The time it took for the injured party to recover from their injuries.
- The age and health of each party involved in the accident.
- The income and earning potential of each party involved in the accident.
- Any insurance coverage is available to compensate for pain and suffering losses in an accident.
- Whether or not there is a history of prior accidents involving any of the parties involved in this accident.
- The availability of witnesses to testify on behalf of either party involved in the accident.
- The credibility of witnesses called to testify on behalf of either party involved in the accident.
- The jurisdiction in which any legal proceedings will be heard.
- Pre-existing injuries or medical conditions that may have been made worse as a result of the accident
How Can My Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Determine Potential Defendants?
When you are injured in a car accident in Chicago, IL, the last thing you want to worry about is dealing with the legal aftermath. However, if you are like most people, you will have to take some action to protect your rights and interests. One of the first steps you should take is to speak with a Chicago car accident lawyer.
In the initial free consultation, your lawyer can help you determine who is responsible for your injuries and can help you pursue compensation from those responsible. To do this, your lawyer will need to know as much as possible about the accident.
They will likely want to know what led to the accident, who was involved, and what damage was done. The following parties will be considered:
- Other drivers can be held responsible for Chicago car accidents if they are negligent while driving. For example, if they are distracted or driving too fast, they could easily cause a collision.
- Car manufacturers can also be held liable for your car accident injury and any out-of-pocket expenses if a defect in their vehicle causes a crash. If the car is found to have design flaws or was not properly inspected, the manufacturer could be at fault.
- The other driver’s employer, if the driver was on the job at the time of the accident.
- The company that manufactured the defective tires, brakes, or steering wheel on the car that caused the accident
- Road construction companies
- The city or municipality where the road is located
- The state or federal government agency responsible for building and maintaining roads in that area
- The insurance company for any driver involved in the accident
The sooner you contact a lawyer after an accident, the better. There are time limits for filing a car accident lawsuit, and if you wait too long, you may lose your chance to receive compensation. Speak with a Chicago car accident lawyer today to get started on protecting your rights.
Car Accidents Involving Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers
If you are injured in a car accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the other driver. However, according to the Insurance Information Institute, approximately 1 in 8 drivers on the road are uninsured.
If the other driver does not have auto insurance, you may be able to file a claim against your own insurance company. If the other driver is underinsured, you may be able to file a claim against your own auto insurance company or file a car accident lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
This lack of sufficient insurance leaves drivers involved in accidents with uninsured drivers at a disadvantage. In an accident with an uninsured driver, you may be left with medical bills, car repairs, and other costs you cannot pay.
If you are involved in an accident with an underinsured driver, your insurance company may only cover a portion of your damages, leaving you responsible for out-of-pocket expenses you cannot afford.
If you are involved in an accident, you must speak with our Chicago auto accident lawyers specializing in personal injury cases to help you understand your rights and options for receiving maximum compensation.
How Car Accident Victims Negotiate the Best Insurance Company Settlement Offers
If you have pain and suffering from a car accident, you know that your or the other driver’s insurance company is not on your side. They are only interested in minimizing payouts and generating profits for shareholders and will do whatever they can to pay you as little as possible. However, there are ways to get the best insurance company settlement offers.
The first step is to have a good Chicago car accident attorney on your side. Your lawyer will be able to negotiate with the driver’s insurance company and get you the best possible settlement. An experienced car accident attorney can also help you file a lawsuit if necessary.
Another important step is to document everything. Keep track of all of your medical bills and expenses, as well as any lost income. This information will be important when negotiating with the insurance company.
Finally, don’t accept the first offer from the insurance company. Allow a law firm to negotiate for the best possible deal. With a good car crash attorney specializing in motor vehicle accident cases, you can get the fair compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Will I Need to Take My Car Accident Lawsuit to Trial to Hold the Auto Insurance Company Accountable?
When most people think about car accidents, they imagine a courtroom drama in which the plaintiff and defendant battle in a public forum.
However, data shows this is not the reality for most civil compensation cases. Approximately 95% of all civil compensation cases are negotiated out-of-court, and only a tiny portion of the remaining 5% go to trial.
Why is this the case? There are likely many reasons, but some key factors include a trial’s cost and time commitment, the uncertainty of the outcome, and the fact that most people just want to move on from their accident.
Negotiating an out-of-court car accident settlement can be quicker and less expensive than going to trial. It allows both parties to reach a resolution that they feel is fair based on the available liability insurance coverage.
While there are some benefits to going to trial, it is clear that most civil compensation cases are resolved without going to court. This underscores the importance of negotiation in our legal system and shows that most defendants and insurance companies are willing to compromise to resolve a car wreck claim and pay accident victims fair compensation.
How Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Can Help Accident Victims Hold the Negligent Driver Accountable
If you are one of the injured victims in a car accident, you may be able to hold the negligent driver accountable through a personal injury lawsuit.
A Chicago car accident lawyer or law office can help you file your claim and represent you in court. If the driver is found liable, you may be awarded damages to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses.
- Gathering evidence: Crucial evidence can support the claim by showing exactly what happened in the accident. This can include photos of the scene, eyewitness testimony, and medical records.
- Investigating the scene: Auto accident lawyers will investigate the scene of the accident to determine who was at fault. This includes looking at skid marks, debris, and other evidence.
- Speaking to witnesses: Witnesses can be vital to a compensation claim. A car accident attorney will speak to witnesses who saw the accident occur to get their account of what happened.
- Determining liability: Chicago car accident attorneys will work to determine who is liable for the accident. This can involve looking into state law and investigating who was at fault.
- Building the case: An experienced car accident lawyer will build a car accident case for compensation based on the evidence gathered and the liability determined. This will include putting together documentation and filing paperwork with the court.
- Negotiating a settlement: In many cases, an experienced car accident attorney can negotiate a settlement with the other party’s insurance company. This can save time and money for both parties involved in the accident.
- Filing a lawsuit: If a settlement cannot be reached, a team of affiliate Chicago auto accident attorneys will file a lawsuit on behalf of their client to pursue compensation through court proceedings.
- Preparing for trial: If the case goes to trial, the car accident lawyer will be prepared with all the evidence needed to argue their client’s case before a judge or jury.
- Taking depositions: In some cases, it may be necessary for car accident attorneys to take depositions from witnesses or those involved in the accident. This can help them build their case, settle, or win at trial.
- Gathering expert testimony: If needed, a team of Chicago car accident attorneys will gather expert testimony from medical professionals or engineers to help bolster their client’s case. This testimony can help explain how and why the serious injury occurred and how it has affected their lives.
- Representing car accident victims in court: The car accident lawyer will represent their client in court, arguing on their behalf and doing everything possible to ensure they receive fair compensation for their injuries and pain and suffering losses in the accident.
Hiring a Chicago Car Accident Attorney to Resolve a Civil Compensation Case
Are you a car accident victim who experienced pain and suffering from a serious injury, or did you lose a loved one in a fatal crash? Are you seeking to file a Chicago car accident claim to hold the at-fault driver financially accountable for your medical bills and lost wages?
The Chicago, IL car accident lawyers at Injury Lawyer Team have years of experience helping injured victims involved in an automobile accident to ensure they receive maximum compensation for all of their damages. Contact our affiliate law firm today to schedule a free consultation.
We accept every auto accident lawsuit and wrongful death case on a contingency fee agreement. This arrangement ensures our clients pay no upfront legal fees until their car accident attorney resolves their claim through a negotiated settlement or jury award.