Why So Many Catastrophic Car Accidents Happen Close to Home

 Posted on February 10, 2026 in Birth Injuries

Many people get anxious about long car rides, dreading the possibility of a crash far from home. However, a number of serious crashes happen where you’d least expect. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that many fatal accidents happen within 25 miles of home, rather than in unfamiliar surroundings. If you have suffered a life-altering injury in a crash near your home, seeking legal representation is highly advisable.

At Schwartz Injury Law, our Joliet, IL car accident lawyers have helped clients take home millions in successful case results. We have experience handling cases involving catastrophic injuries, fighting to secure maximum compensation in every case.

Common Causes of Car Accidents Close to Home

Car accidents often happen close to home simply because most people do most of their driving close to home. Daily commutes, school drop-offs, errands, and short trips add up over time. The more time you spend on the same nearby roads, the more chances there are for something to go wrong.

However, familiarity can change how people drive. When a route feels routine, some drivers become overconfident. They may assume they know what the other cars will do. They may take a rolling stop, misjudge a gap, or change lanes without checking as carefully as they should. These choices can feel small, but they can cause major crashes at neighborhood intersections.

Speeding in familiar areas is also common. Some drivers speed more on local roads because they know where police tend to sit. Others speed because they are running late. Neighborhood speeding is especially risky because of short sight distances and unexpected movement, like a car backing out of a driveway.

Distracted driving is another major factor. Short trips can make distractions seem harmless, but they are not. A driver who glances at a phone, adjusts music, checks navigation, eats, or turns to talk to a passenger can miss a brake light or a person crossing the street. In a residential area, hazards appear quickly, and there is little room for error.

Catastrophic Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

A catastrophic injury is an injury that drastically changes a person’s life. It can cause long-term disability, major loss of function, or the need for ongoing medical care. These injuries often affect a person’s ability to work, live independently, or take part in daily routines. They can also create lasting pain, emotional stress, and financial strain for the entire family.

A crash does not need to happen on a highway to be violent. Side-impact collisions at intersections, rollovers, and crashes involving larger vehicles can produce severe trauma. Even lower-speed collisions can cause serious harm if the body is twisted, compressed, or struck in the wrong way.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, happens when the brain is damaged by a jolt, blow, or sudden movement. In a crash, a person’s head may hit a window, steering wheel, or headrest. A brain injury can also happen without a direct hit, because the brain can move forcefully inside the skull during sudden deceleration.

TBIs range from mild concussions to severe injuries that change thinking, memory, and personality. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, confusion, blurry vision, nausea, mood changes, and trouble focusing. Severe TBIs can require surgery, long rehabilitation, and lifelong support. They can also affect relationships and the ability to earn a living.

Broken Bones

Broken bones are common in car accidents, but some fractures are far more serious than others. A complex fracture can require surgery and hardware like plates and screws. Some breaks cause long-term stiffness, nerve damage, or chronic pain. Serious fractures can also lead to infections or complications if bones break through the skin.

Certain broken bones can be catastrophic because of how they affect mobility and independence. A fractured pelvis, hip, or femur can lead to long recovery times and permanent limitations. Broken ribs can also be dangerous if they damage the lungs or other internal organs.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are among the most life-altering injuries from a car accident. The spinal cord is responsible for carrying electrical impulses between the brain and the rest of the body. When it is damaged, a person can lose movement, sensation, or both.

Some spinal injuries cause partial impairment, while others cause permanent paralysis. Injuries in the neck can affect both arms and legs. Injuries lower in the spine may affect the legs and core. Spinal cord damage can also affect breathing, bladder control, and other essential functions. Treatment often involves emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and long-term therapy.

How Do You Determine Fault in an Illinois Car Accident?

Fault in an Illinois car accident is based on negligence. Negligence means a driver failed to use reasonable care, and that failure caused the crash. Determining fault often starts with evidence from the scene, including a police report, photos, witness statements, and damage patterns. Medical records also matter because they help connect the crash to the injuries.

Insurance companies may assign fault quickly, but that does not always mean the decision is fair. Fault can be disputed, and the final outcome may depend on the strength of the evidence. In some cases, additional information such as traffic camera footage, dashcam video, vehicle data, and phone records can help show what happened.

Illinois uses a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this system, an injured person’s compensation can be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to that person. If the injured person is more than 50 percent at fault, that person cannot recover damages (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). A small issue, like speed, following distance, or right-of-way, can shift the percentage of fault. That percentage can directly affect the value of a claim, or whether damages can be recovered at all.

Contact a Kendall County, IL Personal Injury Lawyer

Medical bills and lost income can add up quickly after a collision. At Schwartz Injury Law, we can review the facts and help you pursue compensation for the harm you suffered. Call 708-888-2160 or contact our Kendall County, IL personal injury lawyer to schedule a free consultation.