Nearly 300 traffic accidents happen in Chicago, Illinois, every day, with a car crash occurring nearly every 5 minutes. For those injured by these vehicle accidents, the assistance of a Chicago car accident attorney from Lerner and Rowe is vital to pursuing a claim for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs.
Overview of Traffic Accidents in Chicago
Chicago’s streets are some of the busiest in the nation. The city reports about one-third of car crashes statewide each year. Here are some general trends in the city’s data reports:
- Many car crashes don’t involve a reported vehicle defect
- No general trend exists involving accidents or certain types of vehicles
- Most accidents involve vehicles made before 2020
- Most accidents occur in cars that are registered for personal use
Chicago also collects data about individuals involved in accidents. In most accidents, the city does not keep track of safety equipment, such as seat belt or child seat, that were a factor in the accident. This indicates that most car accidents happen in busier areas, and the case facts are often determined when a claim is being investigated.
Common Causes of Traffic Accidents in Chicago
Chicago has many common causes of traffic accidents. Here are some of the leading causes of those accidents:
- Speeding: As with any large city, speeding can cause accidents on congested roadways.
- Distracted Driving: Distracted driving includes text messaging, looking at a phone, or anything that takes a person’s attention off the task of driving their vehicle.
- Aggressive Driving: Road rage is a major cause of accidents in Chicago.
- Violating a Traffic Law: This can include improper passing, running a red light, speeding through a yellow light, and not adhering to the speed limit.
Other factors can cause a car accident, but these are by far the leading causes in major cities like Chicago.
Impact of Traffic Accidents in Chicago on Personal Injury Claims
A car accident can cause a multitude of injuries. These can include:
- Head, neck, and spine injuries.
- Pulmonary contusions and broken ribs.
- Cuts from broken glass and other objects.
- Non-visible injuries, such as concussions and whiplash.
Concussions and whiplash are particularly troublesome because they are not often discovered until after the accident.
Traffic accidents in Chicago can impact injured parties in many ways. They may be hit with medical bills, the inability to work, loss of enjoyment in life, and property damage to their vehicle. Most times, the exchange is short and an insurance settlement is reached. Sometimes, a driver is not insured to an adequate level and the plaintiff may decide to pursue a claim instead of accepting an insurance company’s settlement.
What to Do After a Chicago Car Wreck
If you are injured in a Chicago traffic accident, the first thing you should focus on is getting medical attention and getting to safety. If you’re unable to call for help due to your injury, a bystander or passenger will likely contact the police—if you can, try to make the call yourself. According to the Department of Justice, the average national response time for police departments in large cities is just around ten minutes.
Getting to safety is of paramount importance. If it is safe, move your vehicle to a less busy area. Ultimately, authorities will clear the road and assess what happened. You should exchange information with the other party and tell the responding authorities what happened, but do not admit fault.
In the coming days, you should consider the costs of medical expenses and consult with a Chicago personal injury attorney. During your free consultation, a lawyer will assess if you have grounds for a personal injury claim.
If you have a case, they will collect evidence to determine your losses and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. When dealing with the insurance company, you will be expected to provide information from your perspective about what happened. Be accurate about what happened, but do not admit fault. They will eventually use your account of the accident to determine who is at fault and what should be paid.
Legal Assistance for Traffic Accident Victims in Chicago
A Chicago car accident attorney can make a huge difference when dealing with an auto-related injury. Here are some things to keep in mind when deciding to work with a personal injury:
- A personal injury attorney can help navigate your case through the judicial system.
- Personal injury cases involving a lawyer tend to end with a favorable settlement compared to cases where the plaintiff handles the case independently.
- While a personal injury attorney doesn’t guarantee a set settlement amount, you are more likely to have your case settled.
Lerner and Rowe helps individuals hurt in car accidents. Working with an injury law firm like Lerner and Rowe will help you get access to focused legal representation, not a generalist who may take on any type of case. This can go a long way in helping you recover optimal compensation.
To get the legal representation and treatment you deserve, contact Lerner and Rowe today. Our office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and we’re available 24/7 by phone at 844-977-1900. You can also reach us through our online form or LiveChat service.