Every single year, thousands of Americans suffer injuries in rear-end collisions. From whiplash to traumatic brain injuries, even low speed rear-end collisions can result in significant injury. In many cases, these injuries can cost a person thousands in medical expenses while impacting their overall quality of life. Due to the monetary ramifications of many of these collisions, it is incredibly important to secure injury compensation from the responsible party. In order to secure the compensation you deserve, you must establish who was at fault for the collision. In the event of a motor vehicle collision, seek out quality legal assistance, as soon as possible.

Who Was the Responsible Party?

In the aftermath of the collision, you need to hire a skilled legal professional. After hiring your attorney, the two of you will examine the events that led up to the collision. This is done to explore whether or not the other party involved in the accident was acting in a negligent manner.

Rear-Driver Negligence: In the vast majority of rear-end collisions, the driver of the rear vehicle is responsible for the collision. It should come as no surprise that distracted driving is one of the leading causes of rear-end collisions. With the drastic rise in cell-phone use, many drivers are electing to text and drive. Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds, can be incredibly dangerous and constitute negligence. Speeding is also a leading cause of rear-end collisions.

Here in the state of Illinois, law enforcement officials are constantly on the lookout for inebriated drivers. According to the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, more than 27,000 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, throughout 2017 alone. Despite that fact, drunk driving is still a significant safety threat to travelers throughout the state. In 2017, alcohol was the primary cause of approximately 30% of all statewide traffic fatalities. In all, drunk driving leads to 330 fatalities, throughout 2017. If you or a loved one suffer an injury in a car accident, involving a drunk driver, it is important to contact an experienced attorney.

A Deeper Dive

Perhaps it should come as no surprise, that many drunk driving collisions occur during night-time driving hours. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, 32% of all fatal drunk driving collisions, in 2016, occurred between midnight and 4:00 am. Equally unsurprising is the fact that 41% of all deadly drunk driving accidents occurred on either Friday or Saturday. Tragically, drinking and driving can impact every kind of traveler. Drunk drivers are less likely to react to pedestrians or bicyclists, due to diminished reaction time and blurred vision.

With summer fast approaching, it should be noted that drinking and driving is more prevalent on holidays. Here in the United States, the Fourth of July is a notorious day for drinking and driving. Nationwide, 146 people were fatally injured in drunk driving collisions on July 4th, 2015. In the state of Illinois, more than 21% of all traffic fatalities that occurred on July 4th, 2016, were due to the irresponsible actions of drunk drivers. For additional information on how to react to a drunk driving collision, speak with a knowledgeable legal professional.

A recent study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that phone use by drivers, such as texting, browsing the internet, and selecting song choices, has risen dramatically over the past few years. In the four-year span from 2014 to 2018, the number of people observed using their phones while driving rose by a staggering 57%. 

Distracted driving can be especially dangerous in urban and suburban areas. In the greater Chicago area, texting while driving and other types of distractions can put everyone at risk. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident that was caused by distracted driving, you should work with an attorney to pursue compensation from the negligent driver. 

The Dangers of Distracted Driving

As smartphone capabilities increase and people use their devices more and more often, drivers become tempted to use their phones while on the road, and this has led to the dramatic increase in distracted driving collisions throughout the United States. According to statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 390,000 Americans were severely injured in car accidents caused by distracted driving in 2015, and approximately 3,450 people were killed due to the reckless actions of distracted drivers in 2016. 

Every single year, as many as 2.3 million Americans are sent to the emergency room after suffering injuries in a motor vehicle collision. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car accidents cost Americans approximately $44 billion every year in terms of both medical expenses and lost income. Those who have been injured in a motor vehicle collision should understand their legal options for recovering compensation from the negligent driver who caused their injuries. 

Common Forms of Negligent Driving

In the vast majority of motor vehicle accidents, the cause of the collision can be traced back to the reckless and negligent actions of a driver. Throughout the United States, various forms of negligent driving seem to be on the rise. The most common types of negligent driving include:

• Driving at Excessive Speeds: According to statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 9,717 Americans were killed in car accidents caused by speeding drivers in 2017. Speeding impacts a driver’s ability to brake, change directions, and react to changes in traffic flow. If you notice a driver traveling at excessive speeds, keep a safe distance away from them. 
• Drinking and Driving: Intoxicated driving is another common form of driver negligence. Despite increased traffic surveillance and substantial criminal punishment, thousands of Americans choose to drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substances. Common signs of a drunk driver include swerving, recklessly passing, and driving at sporadic speeds. Recognizing these signs and reporting them to local law enforcement can save lives. 
• Distracted Driving: The past several years have seen an incredible rise in cell phone use while driving. Throughout 2016, distracted driving claimed over 3,400 lives, and this form of negligence accounts for around 25% of all motor vehicle collisions throughout the United States. While mobile phone use is the most common form of distracted driving, other common distractions include eating or drinking while driving, having conversations with passengers, or any other action that takes one’s eyes off the road or hands off the wheel of the vehicle. 

Meet With a Plainfield Car Accident Lawyer

Car accident injuries can result in costly medical bills, expensive physical therapy, and loss of work hours during recovery. At Flaherty Law, LLC, we are dedicated to ensuring that our clients receive the full compensation they deserve after suffering car accident injuries. With years of legal experience, we are confident in our ability to aggressively represent you and help you receive the financial support you need and deserve. To schedule a complimentary consultation with a Will County personal injury attorney, call our office today at 815-577-7500. 

Early this June, a Chicago area rideshare passenger was fatally injured when the vehicle he was traveling in was struck by a drunk driver. The crash was caused when the impaired driver drifted into the other lane and collided head-on with the rideshare vehicle. In all, three victims suffered severe injuries, and one victim ultimately did not survive. The accident is yet another reminder of the on-going dangers of drunk driving. 

Throughout the United States, roughly 29 people die in motor vehicle collisions involving alcohol impairment every single day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 10,497 Americans died in alcohol related motor vehicle collisions in 2016 alone. If you or a member of your family is injured by a drunk driver in a motor vehicle collision, you should be sure to understand your options for recovering compensation from the person who caused your injuries. 

A National Issue