Articles Posted in Auto Accident

In an August article, Forbes determined Chicago to be the 8th worst city in the entire country for commuters based on distance that must be traveled, average commute, time, and congestion, among other issues. If you live in or work in Chicago, this likely comes as no surprise to you since you have probably experienced the frustration that often occurs to those behind the wheel.

Traffic issues can lead tempers to flare and can cause anguish to those who are trying to get from one point to another, slowed and inconvenienced by factors beyond their control. When time is of the essence, some drivers may lose their temper and may attempt to act on their frustration by engaging in some form of aggressive driving in an effort to avoid the problems in front of them. Yet other aggressive driving situations can stem from a congestion-free incident that happens on the roadway as well, like an instance where one motorist fails to yield the right-of-way to another or where one driver cuts off a second.
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Taxi cabs are a staple in and around Chicago, serving both those who call the city home and those who come to Chicago for vacation. Without cabs, the roads would be more crowded with motorists unfamiliar with where they were driving and parking in the downtown area would be impossible. But most people who utilize taxis fail to think about their personal safety before they get into a vehicle, begging the question of exactly what a passenger risks when they travel by cab in Illinois.

Like most forms of transportation, taxi cabs can be safe or they can be very dangerous. Much of the difference is determined by the cab itself and by the individual driving the cab.
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It is something that makes many parents of teens and preteens anxious these days: the prospect of their children getting their driver’s licenses and operating a vehicle on their own. But in practice, it is not only parents who have begun to show apprehension at this issue but also the typical motorists who travels the streets and expressways of Chicago. Many people believe that teens are dangerous to themselves and to others when they drive but they often cannot express why they possess that belief.

Data from numerous national studies continue to hold true the belief that teens present a high risk for being involved in a car accident, whether that crash involves a single vehicle or multiple cars. And when a crash happens, it is possible that the teenager driver, a passenger in that vehicle, or others in another car may suffer from injuries or even be killed as a result.
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Technological advances have made their way into almost every aspect of a typical Chicago’s resident’s life. Some are very obvious and difficult to avoid – cell phones have moved from a luxury to a requirement, from a simply calling device to a pocket communicator with greater capabilities than some computers. Other advances are more difficult to notice but still have a tremendous impact on life nonetheless. Smart traffic lights allow for lights to change only when opposing traffic is present. Automated inventory systems make sure that a grocery store never runs out of your favorite type of cereal and that each box you purchase is always fresh. Firework displays off Navy Pier are timed and synchronized to give the audience a stunning show. In 2015, it is clear that technology is present everywhere and that, for the most part, it is improving the daily experiences of those in Illinois.

One area where technology is being eagerly anticipated is in the rise of so-called “self-driving vehicles.” More commonly referred to as autonomous vehicles by the transportation industry, the technology to make vehicles run themselves is being developed at lightening speeds by many auto makers and is already being deployed in limited fashion by others. The most widely known example of autonomous driving is that being utilized in the Google driverless cars.
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Car accidents take one of many common forms or designs but among all the types of collisions, one is the most common. In the country, approximately one out of every three collisions is a rear-end crash and that statistic holds true in the greater Chicago area. Some of these accidents are minor and result only in damage to property – a dented bumper, some scraped up paint. But some are more significant and may cause injuries or even death to those involved.

Often, those who are involved in a rear-end car accident believe that they escaped unharmed, worried instead about the damage to their car or to their inconvenience due to the crash. But these same victims may realize that as time begins to pass, their injuries begin to reveal themselves as muscles tighten, spasm, and contract. Injuries to the back and/or neck are particularly common in rear-end crashes as are concussions, abrasions, and lacerations.
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It is an unfortunate fact of life in America that the majority of adult drivers have been in at least one car accident during their lifetimes. While some are fortunate to avoid a collision during their driving careers, many more are subjected to multiple crashes with the average driver being involved in three accidents over the course of his or her life.

These accidents affect young drivers, old drivers, drivers with little experience, professional motorists, those who live in Chicago, those who live in suburban areas, those who commute by car daily, and those who rarely drive. In short, anyone can become the victim of a car accident when driving in Illinois and therefore anyone can be injured in a traffic incident on any day.
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Thousands of collisions involving only one vehicle happen in the State of Illinois annually. The numbers surprise many motorists who consider a car accident to be that which involves at least two vehicles, and sometimes many more. But the reality of the situation is that any incident involving at least one car can happen and can lead to devastating consequences for those involved.

Collisions threaten the safety of both passengers and drivers inside of a car as well as anyone else in the area, whether they are in a different vehicle, walking as pedestrians, or even riding a bicycle. Often, victims who are involved in single-vehicle collisions and who are injured are still entitled to the same rights and protections under the law as those victims who are hurt in multi-car crashes but many do not realize this. In the event that a defective part or a faulty component led to a crash, victims may be able to recover against the manufacturer of a vehicle or an errant mechanic who serviced the car. If a crash is caused by the negligence of a driver, victims can recover against that driver’s automobile insurance policy and/or the driver personally. And if a design flaw in the road or an issue with the street’s layout made a collision happen, relief may be possible against a city, state, or municipality charged with maintaining the area. As the facts surrounding a collision are critical to understanding a victims’ rights, it is a good idea to speak with a personal injury attorney if you have been hurt so that you can obtain the full relief that you deserve.
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Head-on car accidents are a very dangerous form of collisions that often result in injuries or even death to those involved. In many cases, a head-on crash occurs when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions on the same roadway pass one another in an intersection. This can be a safe maneuver if each driver maintains his or her position within a lane but if one motorist crosses a dividing line, both vehicles can end up in the same place at the same time, causing a collision.

In other cases, vehicles may be traveling in opposite directions on the same road but be nowhere near an intersection. If one car drifts across the center line, a head-on crash may happen. Every year, Chicago experiences crashes where one car drives the wrong way down a one-way street and collides in a head-on manner with a vehicle traveling the correct way.
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No state in the nation is immune from the dangers posed by car accidents and traffic crashes, and that includes Illinois. With that in mind, the Illinois Department of Transportation monitors collisions and attempts to categorize them, providing insight into the causes behind these accidents and, hopefully, a greater understanding of how to prevent them in the future.

When considering damage, not all car accidents are the same. Those that result only in damage to the vehicles involved or to other property in the area generally are considered less significant than those that cause injuries, and with good reason. The harm that results from a car crash in Chicago or across Illinois can last anywhere from days to weeks to years. In the worst cases, a victim will never fully recover or may lose her life in a crash.
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It is an unfortunate fact that nearly everyone – including those who live in Chicago – will be involved in at least one car accident in their lifetime. On average, a typical driver experiences three collisions during his or her life, and those accidents can range from the minor to the severe and even fatal.

It takes only a moment for a crash to take place but the fallout from a collision can last much longer. With little or no warning before a large number of accidents, those who are involved in one are often left surprised, dazed, and even unsure of what to do next, where to turn, and how to get help.
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