A car accident can happen in an instant and when we least expect one to occur. Often, drivers and passengers may not realize they’ve been in a collision until it’s over. The consequences of a car crash can vary and, in some cases, victims may have to deal with medical bills, lost wages, property damage costs, and more in its aftermath.
Fortunately, crash victims don’t have to handle those damages and losses on their own.
An experienced Joliet car accident lawyer can examine the evidence surrounding your wreck and help you determine if filing a personal injury claim is the right decision for your recovery and to protect your financial future. If you choose to file a claim, your car crash attorney will guide you through the process and fight to ensure you receive maximum compensation for all of your accident-related losses.
If you’re ready to discuss your car wreck, your injuries, and your right to recover a financial settlement for your losses, consider connecting with a Joliet car accident attorney in our office now for a free consultation.
Joliet Motor Vehicle Collision 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.
In 2022, Joliet auto collision data shows that there were:
- 3,251 total wrecks
- 1,127 injuries stemming from accidents
- 13 crash-related fatalities
- At least 798 rear-end crashes (which was the most common type in our area)
The Different Types of Traffic Accidents That Occur in Our Part of Illinois
There are many different types of car crashes that happen in Illinois. Most collisions are identified based on the point of impact at which they occur. Some of the most common wrecks include:
Rear-End Collisions
These types of accidents, which are also often referred to as tailgating crashes or following too closely wrecks, 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 rear of the vehicle of the motorist in front of them. The significance of the damage and injuries often depends on how fast the following car was driving before colliding with the car ahead.
Head-On Crashes
Front-end crashes like these, while not common in Joliet, often result in fatalities. Distracted, drunk, 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
Grazing or side-impact collisions like these 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 can maintain control over their vehicles. However, a motorist may lose control of their vehicle depending on the angle and force of impact, which can cause a driver to collide with other nearby vehicles or fixed objects, such as light posts or guard rails.
T-Bone Crashes
Another common collision 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 lawyer can evaluate your situation, determine how and why you were injured, and assist you in securing maximum compensation for your injuries. So, don’t delay, get in touch with us to discuss your case right away. Time is of the essence when it comes to collecting evidence necessary to prove liability in your case.
Common Crash-Related Injuries That Occur in Kendall and Will Counties
Injuries vary greatly after a car crash in Joliet. The only way to accurately identify any potential harm you’ve suffered is to undergo 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. Your prognosis can play a crucial role in determining the value of your Illinois car accident claim.
Some of the most common car accident injuries our Joliet clients present with include:
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Whiplash
- Strains
- Sprains
- Broken bones
In most cases, those injuries are considered minor and recovery from them may only take a few weeks or months.
More serious Jolie car crashes have the potential to result in:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal organ damage
- Burn injuries
With injuries like the ones above, a patient is likely looking at months, if not longer, to make a recovery. In many cases, car crash victims like these will be left with permanent impairments.
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. If you’ve suffered any of these more catastrophic injuries, you’ll want to be sure to reach out to a car accident lawyer in Joliet for help with your claim.
Recoverable Damages After an Auto Accident in Illinois
The compensation you can recover for your economic and noneconomic losses is based on whether you’re able to prove liability for them. Depending on your situation, your car wreck attorney could call on accident or medical experts to help determine the value of your claim.
What Economic Damages Are
Economic damages are typically calculated first. The value of these is the easiest to determine because they’re based on your 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.
What Noneconomic Damages Are
Once your economic damages are calculated, your lawyer can determine what you’re owed for 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 calculating these noneconomic damages so that an insurer or judge and jury understand the substantial impact the harm you’ve endured has caused for you and your family.
It’s estimated by the NHTSA that the economic cost of all US motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2019 (the most recent data) was $340 billion. Of this, $98 billion of hard costs directly resulted from distracted driving crashes. Factoring in quality-of-life valuations sees the total value of harm from these motor vehicle traffic crashes jump to a staggering $1.37 trillion.
Determining the value of an injury claim on your own is challenging, and you could jeopardize your chances of receiving full compensation. That’s why it’s in your best interests to work with a Joliet attorney following your car crash.
Why You Should Turn to a Joliet Car Accident Lawyer For Assistance Post-Crash
If you’re in the process of recovering physically from an auto collision and are wondering how you’re going to manage paying off your medical bills and remain financially afloat given how you have significant lost income, a Joliet car accident lawyer can help.
At Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP, we have experience handling different types of Illinois car accident claims, so we’ll have access to the resources and knowledge needed to prove how you were injured and what you’re owed in compensation for your crash.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.
We’ll review the circumstances surrounding your potential injury claim, provide you with advice on what your options are, and help you decide what steps to take to get your life back and secure your future.
If you’ve been injured in an automobile collision, we’re here to help.
