In the event of a car accident the impact can be substantial and life-altering. During such a stressful time, it’s essential to have an experienced and informed legal representative to guide you. Our Chicago car accident attorneys at Monge & Associates are equipped to provide you with the expert counsel and support required in these trying circumstances. Our team, with its extensive experience in managing Chicago car accident cases, has a deep understanding of local laws and the distinct elements that could influence your claim. We are dedicated to standing up for your rights and assisting you in obtaining the compensation you rightfully deserve for your injuries, medical bills, lost income, and other associated losses. Call our Chicago car accident attorneys to start your path to justice today.
Chicago Car Accident Resources
To immediately access the resources at any point on this page, click the corresponding links below.
Common Types of Car Accident Claims
Common Causes of Car Accidents
What Are Chicago’s Auto Insurance Requirements?
Statute of Limitations on Car Accident Claims
Speak to a Lawyer Today
Common Types of Chicago Car Accident Claims
In Chicago, car accidents can happen in various ways, resulting in a wide range of personal injury claims. Some of the common types of car accident claims our Chicago personal injury attorneys handle include:
- Rear-End Collisions: These accidents occur when one vehicle strikes the rear of another vehicle. They can be caused by tailgating, distracted driving, or sudden stops.
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents: Collisions involving pedestrians or cyclists can lead to severe injuries. These accidents often result from driver negligence, failure to yield, or disregarding crosswalks or bike lanes.
- Intersection Accidents: Accidents that happen at intersections often involve one vehicle colliding with another that is crossing or turning. Failure to yield, running red lights, or disregarding stop signs are common causes.
- Multi-Vehicle Pileups: These accidents involve multiple vehicles and can happen on highways or in congested areas. Poor weather conditions, distracted driving, or sudden braking can lead to chain-reaction collisions.
- T-bone Collisions: Also known as side-impact collisions, these occur when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another. They commonly happen at intersections and can result in severe injuries.
- Head-On Collisions: These accidents involve two vehicles colliding front to front. They often occur due to wrong-way driving, passing in no-passing zones, or driver impairment.
- Hit-and-Run Accidents: These occur when a driver leaves the scene of an accident without providing identification or offering assistance to the injured parties. Hit-and-run accidents can complicate the claims process, but legal options are available to pursue compensation.
Common Causes of Chicago Car Accidents
Car accidents in Chicago can be caused by a variety of factors, some of which are prevalent on the city’s busy streets and highways. Common causes we see at Monge & Associates include:
- Distracted Driving: This is one of the leading causes of car accidents, and it includes activities such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, or using navigation systems while driving.
- Reckless Driving: Dangerous behaviors such as aggressive tailgating, erratic lane changes, running red lights, or disregarding traffic signs and signals contribute to a significant number of accidents.
- Speeding: Driving above the posted speed limits or at a speed unsafe for the current road and weather conditions significantly increases the risk of accidents and reduces the driver’s ability to react in time.
- Failure to Yield: Accidents frequently occur when drivers fail to yield the right-of-way at intersections, merge lanes, or when pedestrians have the right-of-way.
- Drunk Driving: Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs judgment, slows reaction times, and increases the likelihood of accidents. Driving while intoxicated is a serious offense and poses a significant danger on the roads.
- Fatigue: Drowsy driving is a common cause of accidents, particularly on long commutes or during late-night hours. Falling asleep at the wheel or experiencing reduced alertness can lead to devastating consequences.
- Weather Conditions: Chicago experiences a range of weather conditions, including heavy rain, snow, and ice. Poor weather can make roads slippery, reduce visibility, and increase the risk of accidents if drivers fail to adjust their driving behavior accordingly.
What Are Chicago’s Auto Insurance Requirements?
Auto insurance laws in Chicago, as in the rest of Illinois, are regulated by state statutes. These laws require all drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage to protect themselves and others in the event of a car accident. Here are some key points regarding auto insurance laws in Chicago:
- Liability Insurance: All drivers in Chicago are required to have liability insurance coverage. The minimum coverage amounts mandated by Illinois law are $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death per accident involving multiple people, and $20,000 for property damage.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Insurance companies in Illinois are required to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to policyholders. This coverage protects individuals if they are involved in an accident caused by a driver who has insufficient or no insurance.
- Proof of Insurance: When driving in Chicago, motorists must be able to provide proof of insurance upon request by law enforcement officers during traffic stops or in the event of an accident. Acceptable forms of proof include an insurance card, policy declaration page, or electronic proof on a mobile device.
- Penalties for Non-Compliance: Failure to maintain the required auto insurance coverage can result in penalties and fines. It can also lead to the suspension of a driver’s license, vehicle registration, or both. Repeat offenses may result in more severe penalties.
- Optional Insurance Coverage: While liability insurance is mandatory, drivers in Chicago also have the option to purchase additional types of coverage, such as collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and medical payments coverage. These optional coverages provide additional protection for the policyholder’s own vehicle and medical expenses.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Chicago Car Accidents?
In Chicago, there is a statute of limitations that sets a time limit for filing a car accident lawsuit. It’s important to understand these time limitations to ensure that you take timely legal action. Here are the key points regarding the statute of limitations for car accidents in Chicago:
- Personal Injury Claims: In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims resulting from a car accident is generally two years from the date of the accident. This means you have two (2) years from the accident date to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries and damages.
- Wrongful Death Claims: If a car accident results in a fatality, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim is also generally two (2) years from the date of the accident. However, it’s important to note that certain exceptions and specific circumstances may affect the time limit for wrongful death claims. Consulting with an attorney is crucial in these cases to ensure compliance with applicable laws.
- Property Damage Claims: If you only wish to seek compensation for property damage resulting from a car accident in Chicago, the statute of limitations is generally five (5) years from the date of the accident. This longer time limit allows individuals more time to pursue claims for property damage without the added complexities of personal injury or wrongful death claims.
Contact our Chicago Car Accident Attorney Today
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be daunting, as medical expenses, property damage, and emotional turmoil begin to mount. When you or a loved one experience a car accident, it’s crucial to promptly seek legal counsel from a seasoned car and truck accident attorney in Chicago. By reaching out to our lawyers at Monge & Associates, you’re making a significant step towards securing the compensation you rightfully deserve. Our committed legal team will help you navigate the intricate legal system, champion your rights, and tenaciously pursue fair and just compensation on your behalf. You don’t have to face the fallout of a car accident on your own. Get in touch with our Chicago car accident attorneys today to arrange a consultation, and let us assist you on your path towards recovery.
Chicago Car Accident Resources: How drunk driving fatalities in Illinois compare to the rest of the US
There were an estimated 42,795 fatalities due to motor vehicle crashes in 2022, down by 0.3% from the year prior, according to early estimates released in April 2023 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While a reduction in crash-related deaths, even one as slight as this, is generally positive, the facts remain deeply concerning: Crash-related deaths rose more than 10% in 2021 and more than 7% the year before that, marking a disturbing trend leading into and persisting through the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, the most recent full year of traffic-death data available, drunken driving fatalities rose by 14% from 2020. Monge and Associates cited data from NHTSA to identify states with the highest rate of fatalities from car accidents involving at least one drunken driver. States are ranked by drunken driving fatalities per 100,000 residents. This rate is listed up to its first decimal point, but the exact ranking of states was determined from the total rate calculation, which did not result in ties.
A blood-alcohol content of .08 or higher is considered impaired. Judgment and driving abilities continue to worsen as BAC levels increase. Laws adopted between 1982 and 1997 throughout most of the U.S. successfully decreased the proportion of DUI-related motor vehicle fatalities in subsequent years.
Alternative transportation programs have also shown some promise in helping to deter drunken driving. Even in areas lacking robust transit options, recent studies suggest that alternatives such as rideshare services like Uber and Lyft can reduce drunken driving-related collisions.
Keep reading to see what percentage of car crash deaths in Illinois involved drunken driving and how it compares to the 49 other states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. See the ranking of all 52 states and territories here.
Illinois by the numbers
#26 lowest
– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.6 (461, 35% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.6 per 100K (332, 72% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 43.2% increase
Continue below to see drunk driving statistics of other states in your region.
Indiana by the numbers
#21 lowest
– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.4 (234, 25% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.2 per 100K (153, 65.4% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 1.7% increase
Iowa by the numbers
#24 highest
– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.7 (118, 33% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.4 per 100K (78, 66.1% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 22.9% increase