Common Car Accident Scenarios in Chicago — Causes & Determining Fault

Car accidents happen in many ways and have many causes. How an accident occurs will determine who bears liability for any resulting property damage and injuries.

Specifically, a lawyer from Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers can look at common car accident scenarios in Chicago, IL. Causes and determining fault will depend on personal injury law. Based on their assessment, a lawyer can explain your right to compensation under Illinois law.

Call our Chicago car accident attorneys at (312) 929-2884 for a free initial case evaluation to learn more.

How Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help Prove Fault After a Car Accident in Chicago, IL

How Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help Prove Fault After a Car Accident in Chicago, IL

Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers has been helping injured clients for over 12 years. Since its founding, the firm’s Chicago car accident lawyers have successfully fought for compensation for hundreds of clients.

After a car crash in Chicago, Illinois, our attorneys will provide you with the following:

  • A free consultation with a knowledgeable lawyer who will explain your legal options
  • An insurance claim prepared by a lawyer experienced in negotiating a fair settlement
  • Contingency fee representation so you pay nothing until we win or settle your case

Recovering compensation after a car accident often requires skill and legal knowledge. Contact Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you pursue compensation for your car accident injuries.

How Many Car Accidents Happen in Chicago, Illinois?

Chicago is the third-most populous city in the U.S. As such, it has a lot of traffic accidents. According to statistics, Chicago had 98,563 traffic accidents in 2021. 

These accidents included:

These numbers might seem shocking. But Chicago has a population of 2.7 million people. When you account for the city’s population, Chicago is safer than many major U.S. cities, like Seattle, Houston, and Minneapolis.

Common Types of Car Accidents and How To Determine Liability in Chicago, IL

Car accidents can happen in many ways. The causes of car accidents will determine who bears liability for any resulting injuries or deaths. Specifically, liability for car accidents is typically determined by proving negligence.

To prove negligence, accident victims must show that the other driver failed to exercise reasonable care while driving. In some cases, this means the other driver violated traffic laws. Thus, a driver who disobeys a red light and hits another car will bear the liability for the resulting injuries.

Negligence can also happen without any traffic violations. For example, Illinois has a hands-free law that prohibits using any handheld electronic device while driving. But it allows drivers to use Bluetooth headsets to talk while driving. If a driver gets distracted by a conversation and hits another vehicle, their behavior is negligent even though they did not violate any laws.

Applying these principles to common car accident scenarios will help you determine who bears the fault for the crash. Some examples include:

Rear-End Crashes

Rear-end crashes occur when one vehicle slams into the back of another vehicle. 

These crashes often result from:

  • Tailgating
  • Distracted driving
  • Speeding

The liability for these crashes often falls on the driver of the rear vehicle. That driver has a legal responsibility to follow at a safe distance. When a rear-end collision happens, you can almost automatically assume they failed to stop in time to avoid the collision due to distance, speed, or distraction.

But occasionally, the front driver bears the liability for a crash. This can happen when the driver cuts off the other driver.

Intersection Accidents

Intersection crashes happen when two vehicles enter an intersection at the same time. This occurs when one driver fails to yield when another driver has the right of way. 

This can happen in many situations, including:

  • Disobeying or going out of turn at a stop sign
  • Failing to stop at a red light
  • Turning before traffic clears

Intersection accidents can cause severe head, chest, and abdominal injuries. When one car strikes the side of another, the passenger compartment can get smashed inward and crush the occupants.

The liability for these crashes falls on the driver who failed to yield.

Pedestrian Crashes

Pedestrian accidents can happen in many ways, such as:

Since pedestrians have no protection in a crash, they can suffer severe or even fatal injuries. The liability for these injuries falls on the driver unless the pedestrian breaks traffic laws by jaywalking, darting into traffic, or committing some other violation.

Distracted Driving Accidents

Distractions can take many forms, including:

  • Eating or drinking
  • Reaching for something
  • Reading
  • Talking to passengers
  • Using electronics

Distractions take your attention from driving. They can also interfere with the physical process of driving. The liability for these crashes almost always falls on the distracted driver.

Our Auto Accident Lawyers in Chicago, IL, Can Help You Prove Liability – Call Now for a Free Initial Consultation

Although car accidents happen in many ways, the same legal principles typically apply to personal injury claims. Contact Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation or call (312) 929-2884 and learn about your legal options for recovering compensation for your injuries.

Our legal team handles all types of car accidents, including:

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