Chicago Car Accident Lawyers

The Impact of Car Accidents on Victims

A car accident can affect nearly every aspect of a person's life. Physical injuries caused by collisions may range from minor to catastrophic. Whiplash and soft tissue injuries to the neck, back, and shoulders are common even in low-speed collisions, and they can cause chronic pain and other ongoing problems. More severe crashes can result in broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal organ injuries, severe lacerations, and burns. Immediate medical evaluation is essential to protect a victim's health and to document the connection between the crash and their injuries.

The road to recovery often involves extensive medical treatment. Emergency room visits, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, chiropractic care, prescription medications, medical equipment, and follow-up appointments may be needed. These will all result in substantial costs. Many car accident victims face medical bills totaling tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Without adequate compensation, these expenses can drain a family's savings, leading to debt and financial instability.

After an accident, lost income can lead to additional financial burdens. If a person's injuries prevent them from working, they may not only lose their paycheck, but they could also lose their health insurance benefits, retirement contributions, and career advancement opportunities. Some people may need to take unpaid leave while recovering, while others may experience disabilities that will prevent them from returning to work altogether. The impact on a person's earning capacity can last for years or even for the rest of their life.

Emotional and psychological trauma following a car accident can also be serious. Many accident victims experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, fear of driving or riding in vehicles, difficulty sleeping, and other ongoing issues. The compensation a person receives should address the psychological impact of the accident along with other damages.

Common Forms of Negligence in Car Accidents

Illinois law requires all drivers to act safely, follow the rules of the road, and protect others from suffering harm. When a driver engages in careless, reckless, or intentional misconduct, they may be held liable for injuries and damages that occur in a car accident.

Speeding

Speeding is a factor in many accidents on Chicago's roads. When a person is driving above the speed limit, their reaction times will be reduced, and more distance will be needed to stop. When drivers ignore speed limits, they endanger everyone around them. Speed-related crashes often result in more severe injuries due to the increased force involved in these collisions.

Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving is another issue that can lead to accidents. Tailgating, or following too closely behind another vehicle, can prevent a person from stopping safely if the other vehicle brakes suddenly. Unsafe lane changes without proper signaling, weaving through traffic, and cutting off other drivers are other forms of aggression that can lead to accidents. These behaviors may result in rear-end collisions, sideswipe accidents, or multi-vehicle pileups.

Ignoring Traffic Signs and Signals

Accidents can take place at intersections when drivers run red lights or stop signs. These drivers may cause T-bone collisions, head-on crashes, or pedestrian accidents. When one vehicle strikes another from the side, the impact can lead to severe injuries or fatalities. Pedestrian accidents that take place when drivers do not take care to avoid people on foot may also lead to serious bodily harm or wrongful death.

Drunk Driving

Intoxicated driving is one of the most dangerous forms of driver negligence. Impaired drivers may have slower reaction times, reduced coordination, impaired judgment, and vision problems, all of which can increase the risks of accidents.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving has become increasingly common due to the use of smartphones and other electronic devices. Texting while driving, checking social media, making phone calls, programming navigation systems, eating, applying makeup, and other activities can take a driver's attention from the road. Even a short lapse in attention can have devastating consequences, and distracted drivers will be more likely to lose control or collide with other vehicles or pedestrians.

Poor Maintenance

Improper vehicle maintenance can lead to serious hazards. Worn brake pads, bald tires, broken lights, faulty steering, and other mechanical failures can lead to accidents. Vehicle owners are required to ensure that their cars are in safe operating condition. When a driver has neglected to perform maintenance, they may be responsible for an accident that occurs when their vehicle does not function correctly.

Legal Help With Insurance Claims

After a car accident, a person will need to navigate the insurance claim process. Insurance companies are businesses that focus on earning profits. While they may advertise friendly service and promise to be there when they are needed, their primary goal is to protect the financial interests of their shareholders, not accident victims. Insurance adjusters may use various tactics to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether.

When gathering information about an accident, adjusters may ask leading questions designed to get a person to admit fault for an accident or undermine their claims about the severity of their injuries. They may also make quick, lowball settlement offers before a person fully understands the extent of their injuries. These early offers may not account for future medical treatment, ongoing therapy, permanent impairments, or reduced earning capacity. Once a settlement is accepted, a person will be unable to pursue additional compensation later.

Our attorneys can level the playing field when dealing with insurance companies. We will handle all communications with adjusters, protecting clients from tactics designed to undermine their claims. Our team will gather comprehensive documentation of a person's injuries, treatment, expenses, and losses. We will calculate the full value of a claim, accounting for economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages including pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent scarring or disfigurement.

We negotiate aggressively on behalf of our clients, presenting compelling evidence that demonstrates that another driver was liable for an accident and accounts for all of a person's damages. If insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation, our law firm is prepared to file a lawsuit and take a case to trial, and we will fight to maximize the compensation our clients can receive.