There are certain things that you have to prove in order to recover from a car accident injury. Regardless of how seriously you are injured, you will need to prove how the accident happened so that liability can be established.
Often, the investigation will begin with determining what kind of accident occurred, because the way in which vehicles collide can often provide a lot of information about why an accident occurred and, thus, who was at fault for causing the accident and the resulting injuries.
Learn About Common Types of Illinois Car Crashes
Some of the common types of accidents that happen on Illinois roads include…
- T-bone accidents: These crashes typically occur at intersections when one car fails to stop for a red light or a stop sign and the front of one car collides with the side of another car in a “T” shape. Serious injuries such as neck injuries, back injuries, head injuries, and even death can result.
- Rear-end accidents: Crashes where one car hits another from behind are the most common type of auto accident in the United States. It is estimated that approximately 30 percent of all crashes are rear-end accidents. Many of these crashes occur because a driver is distracted, speeding, or following the car in front too closely. Common injuries include whiplash, broken bones, and contusions.
- Head-on collisions: When the front of one car collides with the front of another car, the risk of injury is significant. Neck injuries, head injuries, and death can occur from these types of accidents. Often, a head-on collision occurs because a drunk driver, a tired driver, or an otherwise negligent driver is in the wrong lane and collides with an oncoming car.
- Rollover accidents: Rollover accidents account for about two percent of car crashes in the United States, but for more than one third of car accident deaths. Those who survive are often left with serious injuries. Some of the common reasons why cars flip on to their sides or tops include speeding, overcorrection of the vehicle, or tire problems.
- Pedestrian accidents: Thousands of pedestrian accidents are reported in Illinois each year and they often result in significant injuries, or death, for the pedestrian who was hit by the car. Those who survive these horrific accidents are often left with broken bones, head injuries, or other serious injuries. There are many causes of pedestrian accidents including distracted drivers, drunk drivers, drowsy drivers, and poor road design.
- Bicycle accidents: Illinois is one of the states with the greatest number of bicycle accident fatalities in the country. In 2013, 30 people died and more than 3,350 were injured in bike crashes. As with pedestrian accidents, there are many reasons that car drivers collide with bicyclists, including—but not limited to—distracted driving, drunk driving, drowsy driving, and problems with the road design.
Of course, while these accidents may share common elements and common causes, every accident is unique and every individual who is hurt because of someone else’s negligence deserves compensation for the specific injuries suffered in that accident.
What to Do After Any Type of Accident
It is important to speak with an experienced Illinois car accident attorney after any type of crash that resulted in your injury or your loved one’s death. You want to make sure that legal rights are protected and that you take the necessary steps to pursue a fair recovery. You can reach an experienced lawyer today by calling 1-800-800-5678 and you can learn more about what to do after a crash by downloading our free book, The Ultimate Guide for Automobile Accident Victims.
