A car accident can happen in the blink of an eye. Often times, drivers and passengers may not realize they’ve been in an accident until it’s over. The consequences of a crash vary. In some cases the victims may have to deal with medical bills, lost wages, property damage costs, and more. Fortunately, crash victims don’t have to handle those damages and losses on their own.
An experienced Joliet car accident lawyer from Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP is prepared to examine your situation and help you determine if filing a personal injury claim is the right decision to aid in your recovery and protect your financial future. If you choose to file a claim with us, we’ll guide you through the process and fight to ensure you receive full and fair compensation for all of your accident-related losses.
In order to understand the impact traffic collisions have on Joliet and Illinois as a whole, let’s take a look at car accident statistics for Will and Kendall counties.
Joliet Car Accident Statistics
The Illinois Department of Transportation collects critical crash data. The information is primarily used by federal, state, and local agencies for highway safety research and studies. While there is data for the state as a whole, the agency also breaks it down by county. Below you’ll find crash data for the counties where Joliet is located for 2018.
Kendall County
- 2,102 total crashes
- 505 accidents resulted in injury
- 6 accidents resulted in fatalities
- Rear-end crashes were the most common, with 692
- Road surface condition was dry in the majority of accidents
Will County
- 15,009 total wrecks
- 3,406 accidents resulted in injury
- 52 crashes resulted in fatalities
- Rear-end collisions were the most common, with 5,034
- In over 11,000 accidents, the road surface condition was dry
When a client comes to us, we recognize that their crash will likely become included in future data reports; however, we don’t believe accident victims are just numbers. That’s why we’ll fight to ensure that each of our clients receive compensation for their losses.
The Different Types of Traffic Accidents
There are a number of different types of car crashes. Most crash types are based on the point of impact. Some of the most common include rear-end, head-on, sideswipe, and T-bone.
Rear-end collisions are the most common and often happen at intersections with traffic signals. If a driver is distracted and fails to notice the vehicle in front of them is stopping at a stop sign, abiding by a traffic light or stopping to permit another driver to turn left in front of them, they may collide with the back of their vehicle. The significance of the damage and injuries often depends on how fast the following car was driving before colliding with the vehicle in front of them.
Head-on collisions, while not terribly common in Joliet, often result in fatalities. Distracted driving, drunk driving, and fatigued driving are common types of recklessness that contribute to head-on accidents. When a driver isn’t fully aware of what’s going on around them or where their vehicle is located on any given roadway, they’re at risk of drifting into the oncoming traffic lane and striking another vehicle.
Sideswipe accidents are common when someone tries to merge improperly. If a driver is trying to change lanes on the highway and fails to check their blind spots, they could swipe a vehicle that’s traveling next to them. In minor sideswipe collisions, the damage is minimal and both drivers are able to maintain control over their vehicles. When control isn’t maintainable, either driver is at risk of colliding with other nearby vehicles or fixed objects near the roadway like light posts or guard rails and causing a multi-vehicle wreck.
Another common crash type is one that occurs at an intersection. These T-bone accidents happen when a driver crashes into the side of another vehicle. The occupants on the side of impact are likely to sustain more serious injuries, especially if the wreck happens at high speeds.
No matter what type of wreck you were involved in, a Joliet car accident attorney can evaluate your situation and determine how and why you were injured and assist in getting you maximum compensation for your injuries.
Common Crash-Related Injuries
Injuries vary greatly after a crash. The only way to accurately track any physical damage you’ve sustained is to receive a medical evaluation. It’s important to understand that not all car accident injuries are evident immediately following a crash, so you’ll probably want to visit a physician even if you feel fine. The doctor you visit will conduct an examination, determine a diagnosis, and inform you of your options for treatment. That information can play a crucial role in determining the value of your claim.
Some of the most common car accident injuries include lacerations, contusions, whiplash, strains and sprains, and broken bones. In most cases, those injuries are considered minor and recovery may only take a few weeks or months.
More serious accidents have the potential to result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal organ damage, and burn injuries. With injuries like that, a patient is likely looking at months, if not longer, of recovery. In some cases, the car accident victim may have to re-learn how to do everyday tasks or may sustain a permanent injury resulting in disability.
Recoverable Damages After an Auto Accident in Illinois
The compensation you can recover after a crash in Illinois is based on the losses you’re able to prove. Depending on your situation, your attorney could call on accident or medical experts to help determine the value of your claim.
Economic damages are typically calculated first. The value of these is the easiest to determine because economic damages are based on actual monetary losses. Common economic damages include medical expenses and lost wages. If you were seriously injured and your future is uncertain, you may also be able to recover compensation for future medical bills and lost earning capacity.
Once your economic damages are calculated, your lawyer can determine what you’re owed in regard to noneconomic damages. These are harder to calculate because they’re based on more subjective losses like pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of a normal life. A car accident attorney can assist in properly developing these non-economic damages in a way so that the judge and jury can understand the substantial impact these damages have caused to the victim’s life.
Determining the value of an injury claim on your own is challenging and you could potentially jeopardize your chances of receiving full compensation. That’s why it’s in your best interests to work with a Joliet attorney.
Contact Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP
If you’re in the process of recovering physically from an auto collision and are wondering how you’re going to manage your medical bills and lost income, a Joliet car accident lawyer can help. We have experience handling different types of car accident claims, so we’ll have access to the resources and knowledge needed to prove you were injured and are owed compensation for the crash.
It’s important to understand that not all car accident claims result in a settlement. While a settlement is often preferred because it takes less time and is generally more cost-efficient, there are times when insurance companies are unwilling to negotiate a fair offer. If that happens, we won’t hesitate to take your case to trial so a jury can decide what your case is worth.
To learn more about filing an injury claim or to get started on yours, schedule a consultation with our firm today. In an free, no-obligation initial consultation, we will review the facts and circumstances of your injury claim, provide you with advice on what your options are, and help you decide what steps to take to get your life back in order and secure your future. If you have been injured in an automobile collision, we are here to assist you.
