Burr Ridge, Illinois Car Accident Attorneys

Distracted Driving: A Leading Cause of Car Accidents

Distracted driving has become one of the most serious safety problems on the roads in Illinois. Anything that takes a driver's attention away from operating their vehicle can lead to a car accident. A person may take their eyes off the road, take their hands off the wheel, and engage in activities that take their mind away from driving.

When reading or sending a text message, a person may cover a significant distance without looking at the road or being in control of their vehicle. Other distractions may include adjusting in-car navigation systems or audio controls, eating and drinking, or attending to children in the back seat. In cases involving distracted driving, our lawyers can review phone records and other evidence to show that a driver's negligence was responsible for causing a crash.

Traffic Violations That Put Other Drivers at Risk

Many car accidents are caused by drivers who disobey traffic laws. These violations may include:

Speeding

Speed limits exist so that vehicles can drive safely in specific road conditions and traffic patterns. They are meant to ensure that people do not drive too fast to be able to stop in time to avoid collisions. Drivers who violate speed limits will increase the risks of accidents, since they may not have enough time or distance to slow down and stop when they encounter hazards. Even if a driver is not exceeding the speed limit, they may cause an accident if they drive too fast in conditions such as winter weather.

Tailgating

A driver should always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of them. Some drivers may become impatient and follow closely behind vehicles that they believe are traveling too slow, or they may not maintain enough distance because of distractions or carelessness. When a driver is tailgating, they may have almost no time to stop if the vehicle ahead slows down suddenly. This can lead to a rear-end collision.

Running Red Lights and Stop Signs

Traffic violations at intersections can be dangerous offenses because they can put other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists at risk. A person who ignores a stop sign and proceeds through an intersection may collide with another vehicle from the side, or they may strike a pedestrian who is crossing the road. T-bone collisions can occur when drivers run red lights, including when they speed through an intersection after a traffic light has turned yellow or do not stop when a light has turned red.

Improper Lane Changes

Drivers may change lanes without signaling, cut off other vehicles, or fail to check their blind spots before merging. These dangerous behaviors can put other people at risk, including when people drive unsafely on major local highways like Interstate 55. An illegal lane change may lead to a sideswipe collision, or a driver may force another vehicle off the road.

Aggressive Driving and Road Rage

Some drivers may engage in behavior that combines multiple types of dangerous actions. Aggressive driving may include weaving through traffic, tailgating behind other vehicles, violating speed limits, cutting off other vehicles, and ignoring traffic signals. Some drivers may act aggressively due to road rage, taking intentional actions meant to intimidate other drivers or cause harm. A person who uses their vehicle as a weapon, intentionally forces another car off the road, or follows and confronts another driver may be held responsible for any accidents or injuries that their unsafe actions have caused.

Drunk Driving

Alcohol and drug use by drivers can be incredibly dangerous. A person who is intoxicated will experience impairments that affect their judgment, their ability to react to hazards, their control over their body, and their vision. Whether a driver has been drinking alcohol, using marijuana, or taking other types of drugs, they may be held responsible for causing an accident that led to serious injuries.

Vehicle Defects and Maintenance Failures

A car accident may involve mechanical failure in addition to or instead of driver errors. Defective brakes, tire blowouts, or faulty steering systems may cause dangerous accidents, or malfunctions in safety systems like airbags or seat belts may lead to injuries that would not have occurred otherwise. When a defect in a vehicle contributes to a crash, the vehicle manufacturer or parts supplier may be held liable. Drivers or vehicle owners may also be responsible for accidents that occur because of a failure to maintain a vehicle, such as brakes that have not been serviced or tires that have not been replaced after becoming worn.

Contact Our Burr Ridge, IL Car Accident Lawyers

Car accident cases often involve complex issues related to fault, insurance coverage, and the damages suffered by victims. At Schwartz Injury Law, our lawyers can make sure these issues will be addressed correctly as we help clients obtain compensation from a negligent driver or others who were responsible for a collision. Contact our Burr Ridge motor vehicle accident attorneys at 708-888-2160 to arrange a free consultation.