Common Causes of Car Accidents in Chicago

Car accidents happen every day in Chicago and the Chicagoland area. While many of these crashes are minor, some can lead to life-changing injuries, physical impairment, and even death.

If you were severely injured in a car accident in Chicago and don’t know what to do, call Lane Brown, LLC at (312) 332-1400 for a free consultation. Our car accident lawyers can find out what caused your crash and help you win compensation for your injuries. Best of all, your claim won’t cost you a dime unless we win your case.

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• What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?
• How Our Team Proves the Cause of an Accident
• Who Can Be Held Liable for a Car Accident?
• Compensation for Car Accident Victims
• Speak to an Expert Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Today
• Causes of Car Accidents FAQ

What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?

Determining what led to a crash is the first step in proving liability. When we start a case, we usually look toward the most common car accident causes in Chicago, as a majority of collisions stem from one of the following factors:

Distracted Driving

Texting, using a GPS, eating, and even talking to passengers are among the most common causes of car accidents. In a busy city like Chicago, even a momentary distraction can lead to devastating injuries. Our team uses phone records, surveillance video, and witness statements to prove that the other driver was distracted and therefore liable for your injuries.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

Speed limits exist for a reason. When someone ignores them while driving through high-traffic areas such as the Dan Ryan Expressway, Lake Shore Drive, or downtown intersections, the risk of an accident increases dramatically. What’s worse, people who speed tend to be reckless in other ways and may suddenly change lanes without signaling or tailgate someone going the speed limit. These actions constitute negligence and make reckless drivers financially responsible for any injuries they cause.

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Inexperienced Drivers

In Illinois, children as young as 15 can operate a passenger vehicle, provided they have adult supervision. Inexperienced drivers tend to drive in an unpredictable, overly cautious manner. When someone’s lack of driving experience causes a car accident, they are likely to be at fault, even if they are still learning.

Impaired Driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or even certain prescription medications remains one of the most dangerous and preventable causes of car accidents. Our firm works quickly to obtain toxicology reports and police documentation to prove that a driver was inebriated and ultimately liable for your damages.

Road Rage

When someone gets angry and drives their car recklessly, they’re fully liable for any damage caused. Keep in mind that while it can be difficult to prove that the at-fault party acted out of rage, their actions, such as swerving, speeding, tailgating, and even ramming, are all examples of negligent driving.

Avoiding Action

Many car crashes start due to well-intentioned but sudden attempts to avoid hitting something in the road. Unfortunately, when drivers swerve to avoid something in the road, they run the risk of hitting another driver. If this scenario caused your accident, either the driver who swerved or the person who left debris in the road is liable.

Weather and Road Conditions in Chicago

Icy roads, heavy rain, and poor visibility are frequently cited as the causes of car accidents. But even in bad weather, drivers are still required to adjust their speed and behavior. For instance, if someone rear-ended you because their car hit a patch of black ice, they may still be liable if they drove faster than is advisable in winter conditions. Our understanding of these common car accident causes helps focus our attention on factors that hold the at-fault driver liable.

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How Our Team Proves the Cause of an Accident

The car accident lawyers at Lane Brown, LLC, prove negligence using every available piece of evidence. We perform deep investigations using:

• Driver records and vehicle inspection reports
• Surveillance and dashcam footage
• Eyewitness interviews
• Accident reconstruction experts
• Medical and police reports
• Maintenance logs and service histories

To get this evidence, our team will contact local law enforcement, the other driver’s legal team, and even accident witnesses. We know exactly what it takes to get the vital evidence that supports your case.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Car Accident?

Finding the liable party in a car accident tends to be fairly simple, especially if only two cars were involved in the crash. However, there are some instances where an unexpected third party’s negligence contributed to the wreck. Depending on the facts of your case, we may pursue claims against:

• Another driver – Most often, negligent behavior like speeding, texting, and intoxicated driving leads to a crash. All these behaviors can make the driver of the other vehicle liable.
• A vehicle or parts manufacturer – If a properly maintained car suffers a mechanical failure, the vehicle manufacturer may be responsible. In some cases, you may even have to go after the manufacturer of your vehicle if something like an airbag failure led to your injuries.
• The city or state – If no other cars were involved and you crashed because of poor road conditions, such as a deep pothole, your attorney may be able to go after the city.

Determining the correct liable party is one of our first tasks as your lawyer. When we know who caused the car accident, we can focus all our resources on holding them accountable.

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Compensation for Car Accident Victims

When you’ve been seriously injured in a car crash, financial stress is often one of the biggest burdens you’ll face. At Lane Brown, we fight to recover compensation for:

• Medical bills including hospital visits, surgery, medication, therapy, and future care.
• Lost wages from missed work or reduced ability to earn a living.
• Pain and suffering for physical pain, emotional distress, PTSD, and reduced quality of life.
• Property damage to cover the repair or replacement of your vehicle.
• Wrongful death to pay for funeral expenses and other items if you lost a loved one in a fatal crash.

Some cases may also qualify for punitive damages, particularly if the other driver acted with extreme recklessness, such as driving under the influence or fleeing the scene. No matter what led to the car accident that caused your injuries, we’ll help you calculate the full scope of your losses, then fight for every dollar you’re owed.

Speak to an Expert Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Today

After a major car crash, you don’t just need medical care; you need legal assistance that can help hold a negligent driver responsible for your injuries. Lane Brown, LLC is ready to work on your behalf. We understand all the most common causes of car accidents, and can use that knowledge to build a case that wins you compensation. If you were severely injured in a car accident, don’t wait to file a claim. Call (312) 332-1400 to schedule your free consultation today.

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Causes of Car Accidents FAQ

What happens if I was a passenger injured in a car accident – can I still sue?

Yes, if you were a passenger injured in a car accident, you have the right to seek compensation, regardless of which driver was at fault. In Illinois, passengers are generally considered innocent parties, which gives you a strong legal position to file a claim.

In most cases, you can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. If both drivers were partially responsible, you may be able to file claims against both parties, depending on how the liability is split between them.

As a passenger, the compensation you receive from a claim can be made to include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Rehabilitation or future treatment
• Emotional distress

Navigating a passenger injury claim can be complex, especially if multiple parties or insurance companies are involved. When you’re involved in a complicated accident, it’s best to speak with a Chicago car accident lawyer as soon as possible. At Lane Brown, LLC, we know how to handle these cases with care and efficiency so you can focus on healing instead of negotiating with insurance companies.