New Study Finds What Causes the Most Car Accidents in Illinois

Lake County Car Accident Lawyers

Car accidents have a wide variety of causes. Distracted drivers, drunk drivers, drivers who fail to obey the posted traffic signs and those who let their emotions do the driving; all of these types of drivers cause accidents and their subsequent injuries and fatalities on United States roadways every day.

Some car accident causes are more common than others. For example, distracted and tired drivers are responsible for far more car accidents than illegal street racing and animals crossing the road. Other causes of car accidents are prevalent in certain states and virtually nonexistent in others, such as accidents caused by icy roadways or heavy snow accumulation.

In Illinois, the most common cause of fatal car accidents is drivers' failure to stay within their travel lanes. This can be due to tired, distracted, or drunk driving.

Top Causes of Car Accidents in Illinois

Although migrating drivers cause the greatest number of fatal car crashes in Illinois, they are not the only hazardous drivers in the state. Speeding is another common cause of car accidents in Illinois. Of course, during the winter, snow and ice pose hazards on Illinois roadways.

Compared to other states, Illinois has a relatively low rate of accidents caused by drunk drivers. It ranks near the middle when it comes to the number of accidents caused by speeding. Overall, Illinois is among one of the safest states for drivers.

If You are Involved in a Car Accident

If it is safe to exit your vehicle and you are able to do so, check on all other parties involved in the collision. If anybody is in need of immediate medical attention, call 911 and have an ambulance sent to the scene. In any car accident, it is always crucial to put all parties' safety and health first. The next step is to have a police officer come to the scene to fill out an official police report. Exchange contact information and insurance companies and policy numbers with all other parties involved in the accident. Be sure to also get contact information for any individuals who witnessed the accident, the attending officer's contact information and badge number, and a copy of the official police report.

After you have received medical care for your own injuries, contact a personal injury attorney to learn more about the possibility of filing a personal injury claim. In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of your accident. If you want to seek monetary compensation, you have to be proactive and begin working with an attorney as quickly as possible following your accident.

Avoid Causing a Car Accident

The best way to avoid becoming a victim of a collision is doing your part to avoid accidents. Take the following steps to ensure that you are not one of the drivers who poses a threat to others on the highway:

• Do not drive if you are tired. Eat a snack, drink a caffeinated beverage, or give yourself time to rest before driving if you are not completely alert. Consider stopping at a rest area for a nap or even staying overnight at your host's home, if possible, to ensure that you do not risk causing an accident while driving drowsy.
• Never drink and drive. Alcohol negatively impacts your ability to perceive your surrounding, to judge your movements, and to react to hazards. Know your limits with alcohol and if you are drinking, designate a sober driver or consider using public transportation.
• Put the phone down. If you need to make a phone call and you do not have a hands-free headset, pull over to make your call. Set up your navigation system before you leave for your destination and avoid sending or reading text messages while you are driving.
• Be aware of your surroundings and adjust to them. If there is snow or ice on the road, take more care and drive more slowly than usual, but do keep up with the flow of traffic. If you are uncomfortable driving in the current weather conditions, do not drive.

Contact a Waukegan Car Accident Lawyer

Despite taking all the precautions to avoid accidents, they do still happen. If you are injured in a car accident, contact Salvi & Maher, LLP at 847-662-3303 to schedule your case evaluation with an attorney at our firm. We can help determine whether you have grounds for a personal injury claim and who is the negligent party in your claim. Our team of experienced Waukegan personal injury attorneys has a combined 90 years of experience handling this type of claim. Let us handle yours with the level of personal dedication and attention to detail our clients have grown to expect.