Common Types of Car Accidents in Chicago

Although car accidents are common in Chicago, it doesn’t make them any less terrifying.

According to a recent report by Chicago Data Portal, Chicago experienced about 100,000 car accidents in 2021. These accidents happened due to different reasons, with some factors contributing to more crashes than others. Some of these accidents may also lead to death and the victim’s family may consult with Bay Area wrongful death attorneys to help them file a lawsuit. Injured in a car crash? Call the car accident lawyers from Big Auto.

That said, here are the most common types of car accidents in Chicago based on the type of impact between the vehicles or objects involved.

T-Bone Collisions

Also referred to as side-impact accidents, T-bone car accidents happen when one vehicle is moving straight and another vehicle hits it from the side. These types of accidents usually happen when one driver doesn’t yield to another driver who has the right of way.

T-bone car accidents are particularly dangerous for occupants in the struck car. This is because doors and side panels do not offer as much protection as the front and rear of the car.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are undoubtedly the most dangerous types of car accidents. They happen when two cars collide head-on with each other, often resulting in devastating injuries and even death.

These accidents occur due to various reasons, including driver confusion, distracted driving, driving while intoxicated, vehicle defects, and entering the highway using the wrong lane. The best way to avoid head-on collisions is by maintaining safe speed and staying alert on the road.

Sideswipe Collisions

As the name suggests, these car accidents occur when one car hits another from the side. Even though these accidents involve minimal impact, they can still cause injuries and extensive damage to the cars involved. Whenever a car is sideswiped, it is forced to change lanes, which can prove dangerous to other road users. If your car has major damage, it’s best to sell it to damaged cars for cash Parramatta.

The most common causes of sideswipe collisions include unsafe lane changes, merging errors, blind spots, and distracted driving. Drivers are advised to use turn signals every time they enter a new lane. Additionally, ensure you pay attention to your blind spots when changing lanes to ensure that another car has not already entered into it while your attention is elsewhere.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions are a common type of car accident that occurs when one car hits another from behind. These car accidents are often caused by distracted driving, sudden stops, tailgating, speeding, and drowsy driving. Drivers can avoid rear-end collisions by maintaining a safe following speed, keeping eyes on the road at all times, and always signaling when they need to slow down or stop. The mechanics at Sean Auto Care may inspect the damages on your car and recommend the necessary repairs.

Rollover Accidents

Rollover car accidents happen when a car loses stability and rolls over on its side. Taking a corner too fast, unsafe road conditions, tire failure, manufacturing defects, getting struck by another vehicle, and hitting a curb are some factors that cause this type of accident. Rollover car accidents can result in debilitating injuries and even fatalities.

What Are the Main Causes of These Accidents?

Here are some of the main causes of car accidents in Chicago:

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is undoubtedly one of the leading causes of car accidents in the country, accounting for about 3,000 fatalities every year. This translates to approximately 9% of all motor vehicle deaths on United States roads. Distracted driving occurs when a driver engages in any activity that takes their attention away from driving or hands away from the wheel.

Some common examples of distracted habits include eating and drinking while driving, using your mobile phone, using a navigation system, applying makeup or grooming, fiddling with onboard electronics, watching roadside diversions, and daydreaming.

Driving While Intoxicated

Operating a vehicle while drunk or under the influence of other drugs impairs your judgment, decreases vision, and slows reaction times. These factors increase the risk of causing car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 31% of all motor vehicle accidents in the United States involve drunk drivers.

Like most parts of the country, it’s illegal to drive with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher in Chicago. Any driver with a higher BAC than 0.08% can be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and taken to jail.

Even small amounts of alcohol can easily affect a person’s judgment, coordination, balance, and reaction time. As a result, it’s advisable to avoid driving or operating any machinery after taking alcohol. If you’ve been drinking, consider calling a cab or having a designated driver take you home.

Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving refers to the operation of a vehicle in a manner that endangers people or property on the road. Incidences of aggressive driving are quite common in Chicago, and they’re responsible for thousands of car accidents every year.

Some behaviors that constitute aggressive driving include speeding, running stop signs and red lights, cutting in front of other drivers and then slowing down, tailgating, changing lanes without signaling, using headlights to punish other drivers, and weaving in and out of traffic. Read these texas car accidents reports for valuable insights into road safety and accident prevention.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Chicago

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Chicago, you should do several things to protect yourself and your legal rights. They include the following:

● Move to safety

● Call the police to report the accident

● Note the names and contact information of any witnesses at the accident scene

● Note the names, contact information, and insurance details of the other driver

● Do not apologize or admit fault to anyone

● Seek medical attention immediately after leaving the accident scene

● Call a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options

Seek Help If You’ve Been Involved in a Car Accident

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Chicago, you may be entitled to financial compensation. The good news is that you don’t have to navigate the entire legal process alone. Instead, a distinguished attorney experienced in handling car accident cases in the Windy City can help you through it all. Such a lawyer from https://1800askgary.com will take the necessary steps to determine liability in your case and negotiate fair compensation for all the damages you’ve incurred.