Unfortunately, in busy cities like Chicago, car accidents are a daily occurrence, usually caused by careless driving, excessive speed, or distractions. Knowing what causes contribute to these incidents can help drivers stay safer on the roadway.
Consider the enormity of over 243 million licensed drivers on US roads, all with distractions, destinations, and differing degrees of discipline. In Chicago, the majority of road traffic accidents can be traced back to a single common source, distracted driving. At the core of these incidents lies driver error, which accounts for a whopping 94% of car accidents worldwide.
Understanding which driver is at fault in an accident is vital, especially if you plan on seeking financial compensation for your injuries. A consultation with an experienced Chicago car accident lawyer from Fabbrini Law Group, LLC, can help guide you through the fallout, help you prove fault, and safeguard your rights, all of which are integral to recovering damages for your medical bills, lost earnings, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Illinois Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics
Motor vehicle accidents are a serious problem in Illinois. In 2022, for example, there were 1,280 traffic-related deaths, a slight decrease from the previous year but still considerably higher than before the pandemic. Cook County was home to more than 159,000 car accidents, as well as the highest fatality rate (285 deaths) statewide.
Of the 1,151 fatal crashes that took place in that year, 166 involved large trucks and 190 involved pedestrians, representing 1,269 lives lost. These figures are a grim reminder of how important safe driving and strong traffic enforcement are for Chicago-area communities.
Leading Causes of Chicago Car Accidents
Car accidents remain a leading concern nationwide, with familiar causes continuing to play a role in many collisions. Leading causes of car accidents in the Chicago area include:
- Distracted driving: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving is anything that takes your focus off the task of safe driving. Unfortunately, drivers routinely engage in superfluous tasks, such as texting, making phone calls, programming the GPS, drinking, eating, and tending to their children, while behind the wheel. In addition to these, there are also “hidden distractions” like engaging with passengers and listening to loud music, as well as mental distractions such as daydreaming and stress, all of which can interfere with a person’s ability to operate their vehicle safely. It’s thought to contribute to roughly 52% of car accidents.
- Texting while driving: A distraction’s risk is directly proportional to the amount of attention it requires, so using a cell phone while driving is uniquely dangerous in that it combines all three forms of distracted driving into one potentially catastrophic swipe. Accidents caused by distracted drivers claim the lives of about 3,000 victims every year, while leaving well over 300,000 victims facing some degree of injury.
- Speeding: Excessive speed remains one of the most common causes of serious accidents. Nationwide, speeding contributes to about one-third of all traffic fatalities, and in congested urban areas like Chicago, it plays a role in roughly 40% of deadly crashes.
- Drunk driving: On average, 28 people lose their lives every day in the U.S. due to alcohol-related crashes. In Illinois, nearly one in three fatal accidents involves alcohol use, making impaired driving a persistent public safety issue.
- Drugged driving: The growing legalization of marijuana and the ongoing opioid epidemic have led to an increase in drug-related crashes across the country. Impaired judgment and slowed reaction times make drugged driving just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol.
- Driver fatigue: Driving while overly tired can be as dangerous as driving drunk. Studies show that drowsy drivers are up to four times more likely to crash, and fatigue contributes to an estimated 6,400 deaths each year nationwide.
- Following too closely: Also known as “tailgating,” following another vehicle too closely greatly increases the likelihood of a collision. Rear-end crashes, often the result of tailgating, account for about 29% of all car accidents in the U.S.
- Improper lane usage: Unsafe lane changes, drifting across the center line, or aggressive attempts to overtake another vehicle can result in devastating sideswipe or head-on collisions.
- Bad weather conditions: Poor weather adds another layer of danger to Illinois roads. Heavy summer rain, icy highways, and winter snowstorms can all reduce traction and visibility. However, drivers are still responsible for adjusting their speed and behavior to the conditions; bad weather is no excuse for negligence.
- Mechanical failure: Vehicle defects, such as worn-out tires, faulty brakes, or steering problems, can cause serious accidents. In such cases, injured victims may have grounds to pursue compensation from the vehicle’s manufacturer or distributor.
How Long Do I Have to File A Car Accident Claim In Chicago?
In Chicago, most car accident cases are settled with the insurance company before they ever see the inside of a courtroom. It is worth mentioning, however, that these negotiations can drag out for months or, in some cases, even years, all while the two-year clock for filing a lawsuit is still ticking. If the deadline expires before you take legal action, you will be barred from collecting compensation, no matter how severe your injuries are.
Talk to a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Today
Car accidents can lead to severe and permanent injuries that have a profound effect on a victim’s life. The trusted Chicago car accident lawyers at Fabbrini Law Group, LLC, have more than 65 combined years of experience successfully litigating serious car accident cases. If you were injured in a car accident through no fault of your own, schedule a consultation with a member of our skilled legal team by calling (312) 494-3131 or by filling out our online contact form.