Introduction
Every day, hundreds of thousands of drivers are on the roads in Chicago and Cook County, increasing the chances of getting into an accident while traveling to their destinations. The Illinois Department of Transportation reported a total of 159,471 crashes in Cook County in 2019, with an average of 430 accidents occurring daily.
Included in that total are 285 deadly accidents and 30,337 accidents that caused injuries. In Illinois, 657 individuals lose their lives in crashes involving alcohol, though the specific figures for Cook County are not provided.
Cook County spans a vast land area and, in comparison, an average of 430 accidents per day is a minuscule portion of the total number of vehicles on the road. Nonetheless, solely focusing on the likelihood of an accident happening fails to address the seriousness of the issue at hand.
Being involved in a car accident in Cook County can lead to a chain of consequences that can greatly disrupt your life. The accident can prevent you from living normally and result in unexpected medical expenses. You may experience a decrease in income, temporary or permanent physical changes, physical and emotional pain from the injuries you suffer, and lasting harm to your vehicle.
The following will give an outline of car crashes in Chicago and discuss the importance of seeking legal counsel from a car accident lawyer following a motor vehicle collision.
There are several reasons why car accidents occur frequently in Chicago
Drivers in Chicago often fail to exhibit their best driving behavior, leading to frequent collisions. Inclement weather is also a common factor in car accidents, especially for inexperienced drivers who are not accustomed to slippery or snowy conditions. Additionally, speeding is a prevalent cause of accidents due to drivers ignoring the 30 mph speed limit in the city. Despite the availability of public transportation in Chicago, drunk driving remains a significant issue, with some individuals choosing to drive while intoxicated instead of utilizing safer options such as calling a taxi.
Types of Car Accidents in Chicago
One challenge that drivers encounter while driving in the city is the short duration of yellow traffic lights, which typically only last for around three seconds. Additionally, numerous intersections in Chicago and Cook County are equipped with red-light cameras, further adding to the likelihood of certain types of collisions.
- Rear-end crashes
- Side-impact or T-bone collisions
- Single-vehicle crashes
- Uber and Lyft accidents
Rear-end crashes
In Chicago, drivers are more likely to be involved in rear-end collisions because of red-light cameras and short yellow lights. Violations from red-light cameras come with a $100 fine. To avoid being ticketed, some drivers may slam on their brakes at a yellow light. However, this can increase the chances of being rear-ended by a driver who is following too closely, a common behavior on Chicago roads.
Side-impact/T-bone crashes
Many intersections in and around Chicago are perpendicular to each other, with limited visibility. This increases the risk of side-impact or T-bone collisions, often caused by drivers running red lights or encountering poorly marked intersections.
Single-vehicle crashes
One frequent type of accident that occurs in Chicago is a single-vehicle crash. For example, a driver attempting to turn left may be forced off the road by an approaching car and end up colliding with parked vehicles. In addition, icy streets without salt can increase the difficulty of stopping in time, leading to accidents involving parked cars or street lights.
Types of Injuries
In Chicago, a car crash can lead to two different kinds of injuries. The Illinois Department of Transportation categorizes these injuries as either incapacitating or non-incapacitating. Here is an overview of both types of injury that you should be aware of.
Incapacitating injuries
An incapacitating injury, also referred to as an a-injury, is a non-lethal injury that hinders a person from walking, driving, or engaging in their usual activities. These injuries can include broken limbs, deep cuts, spinal cord damage, abdominal trauma, skull fractures, head injuries, and chest injuries.
Non-incapacitating injuries
A b-injury is a mild injury that is visible to people at the crash site, such as abrasions, bruises, minor cuts, and bumps on the head. It is not fatal or incapacitating.
Is it possible for me to receive compensation even if I was partially responsible for the situation?
If you were partially responsible for an accident in Illinois, you can still receive compensation under the state’s modified comparative negligence standard. This means that the amount of compensation you can seek will be affected by the percentage of blame assigned to each driver involved. For instance, if one driver runs a red light and is hit by another driver with a green light, the driver who ran the red light may be deemed 100% at fault. Police have the authority to issue tickets based on their discretion at the scene of an accident. It is advisable to consult with a personal injury attorney in Chicago to assess the situation and determine if you have a valid case.
What is the value of my car accident claim in Chicago?
Calculating the worth of a car accident can be challenging due to the individual factors involved in each case. The value of a personal injury claim after an accident is determined by:
- Economic damages
- Non-economic damages
- Punitive damages
Economic damages
Economic damages refer to the monetary losses suffered as a result of the accident, such as lost wages, the cost of vehicle repairs, medical expenses, and any potential earnings that could have been made if the accident had not occurred.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, cannot be easily quantified like financial losses. Nevertheless, you can seek compensation for these damages based on the impact they have had on your quality of life following the accident.
Punitive damages
In specific situations, Illinois law permits a plaintiff to seek punitive damages when the defendant has shown blatant disregard for others’ safety or acted recklessly. If the driver was drunk at the time of the crash, you may have grounds to request punitive damages.
It is advisable to reach out to a personal injury attorney in Chicago promptly to assess whether you qualify for compensation for the damages and financial losses you have suffered.
What is the time frame for filing a lawsuit in Illinois following a car accident?
In Illinois, the Civil Procedure Code states that you must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of a car accident, and within five years for damage to private property. It is crucial to seek legal advice promptly after an accident to ensure you do not miss the deadline and forfeit your chance to seek compensation for your losses.
