If you drive in Chicago, you know that many of the city’s streets are in disrepair. Some areas are cracked, broken, or not maintained, leading to bumpy and uncomfortable rides for motorists. Often, these conditions pose not just an annoyance but a safety concern when potholes appear and are not repaired.
Potholes generally result from a combination of water and traffic in an area. As water seeps through and underneath a road’s surface, that water may freeze and turn to ice, disrupting the roadway above and causing it to crack or fail into a pothole. These conditions happen faster as the heavy weight of vehicles run over the area, pushing down on the asphalt and causing failures in the integrity of the pavement.
The nature of potholes means that once they exist, they will continue to worsen until they are addressed and repaired or until the affected pavement is replaced.
Public streets are the responsibility of a city or a state to maintain and that includes the repairs needed to address potholes. Failing to undertake that work means that people who are driving may encounter a pothole and may be involved in a car accident as a result, potentially causing injuries to drivers and passengers alike.
Some who are injured in pothole accidents in Chicago think they are the victims of bad luck and that no one is to blame for their damages. However, often, the City of Chicago or another entity may bear legal liability for any financial harm that stems from a pothole crash and they may be forced to pay for those losses. Speaking with a personal injury attorney can help you realize what relief you may be entitled to and whether you have a valid claim if you were involved in a collision.
Typically, claims related to pothole accidents are brought through the civil process in Illinois which means that victims of these incidents can have the right to bring a claim with the help of an attorney if they so choose. Victims may be entitled to financial compensation for the medical expenses they incur or will incur in the future, any wages they missed while unable to work, and the pain and suffering they experienced due to a crash. Both drivers and passengers may have claims but the facts of any particular accident will determine what options exist, if any.
If you were hurt in a pothole car accident and you have questions about your legal options, know that the legal team at Abels & Annes, P.C. is standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to take your call toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575. We offer a no-cost, no-obligation case consultation to all victims who call us and we keep everything discussed during the consultation confidential.
We have experiencing helping the victims of collisions seek and obtain the relief they deserve and if a crash has affected your life, we want to help you as well. Call us now to learn about your options and to discuss whether you may be entitled to compensation for your damages.
Prior Blog Entry:
Many Injuries can be Caused in a Car Accident, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published January 15, 2016.