I-94 ACCIDENT LAWYER IN CHICAGO
PRACTICE AREAS
I-94 Accident Lawyer in Chicago, IL
In the first three months of 2021, fatal car crashes have unfortunately jumped by 10.5% compared to the first three months of 2020. If you or a loved one is suffering from an I-94 accident, you deserve justice. Experienced attorneys at Curcio & Casciato dedicate their careers to obtaining maximum compensation for clients who have suffered physical, financial, and emotional injuries as a result of car accidents. Call us today at 312-321-1111 for a free consultation.
Do Most Car Accidents Happen on the Interstate?
It seems like almost every time we drive on the interstate, we pass by a minor fender bender or we’re stuck in standstill traffic due to a major crash. Because of this, many drivers believe that most car crashes happen on the interstate. However, national data paints a pretty even picture of urban vs. rural car crashes. According to IIHS data from 2019, 54% of U.S. car accidents happened in urban areas, meanwhile 45% happened in rural areas.
What Are the Most Dangerous Types of Interstate Accidents?
While even the most minor car accidents are dangerous and can cause severe injuries, most fatalities are attributed to certain types of crashes. In Illinois alone, there were 1,009 fatal crashes in 2019 according to the IIHS. 52% of these crashes involved only one car, meanwhile 48% involved multiple cars.
T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents are particularly dangerous because the sides of cars provide much less protection compared to the front and back of a car. Due to the lack of protection, high-speed T-bone accidents are often fatal.
If you’ve been injured in a broadside collision, contact our Chicago t-bone collision attorney for a free consultation.
Head-On Crashes
Head-on crashes are also incredibly dangerous and often result in fatalities. The level of danger for head-on crashes often depends on the speed. For example, if two cars are going 50mph and then hit each other head-on, the resulting impact compares to a single car driving 100 mph and then crashing.
Vehicle Rollover
It’s possible for any car to rollover, but it’s more common for bigger, taller vehicles such as SUVs, 18-wheelers, and vans. Rollovers are most commonly caused by sharp turns. When a car or truck flips, it often lands on its roof or side, both of which provide little protection to passengers. Unfortunately, vehicle rollovers often result in severe injuries or death.
Multi Vehicle Pile-Ups
Crashes involving just one or two cars are incredibly dangerous. The danger to the driver and passengers significantly increases if more than two cars are involved in a crash. This is because other fast-traveling cars hit a car several times, making a safe escape from the car nearly impossible.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents happen every day for a variety of reasons. Refreshing yourself on the most common causes of car accidents can potentially help you be a safer and more responsible driver.
Distracted Driving
According to the World Health Organization, those who drive while distracted by their phones are four times more likely to crash compared to those who don’t drive while distracted by their phones. But distracted driving isn’t just caused by phones. Other distractions include:
- Reaching for various objects inside a car
- Looking at something on the road while driving
- Eating while driving
- Putting on makeup while driving
Speeding
Speeding significantly raises a driver’s chances of crashing. In fact, the WHO claims that every 1% increase in mean speed increases the fatal crash risk by as much as 4%. Basically, the faster someone drives, the less time they have to react in order to prevent a crash.
Drunk Driving
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will significantly impair your vision, judgement, reaction time, coordination, and more. Naturally, these kinds of impairments will significantly raise your chances of crashing. In Illinois specifically, it’s illegal to drive with a BAC of .08% or more. In 2019, 497 drunk drivers were killed in Illinois.
Driving in Poor Weather
Driving in rainy, icy, or snowy weather can naturally impair a driver’s vision and cause slippery roads. Slippery roads can raise chances of skidding and spinning out, so it’s important to drive extra carefully in bad weather.
Running Red Lights and Stop Signs
You may hear the argument that driving through intersections is even more dangerous than driving on the interstate. In fact, the Federal Highway Administration claims that more than 50% of U.S. accidents happen at intersections. This is because many drivers run red lights or stop signs due to distractions, impatience, or even being in a hurry.
Night Driving
You may think that driving is less dangerous at night just because there are less cars on the road. However, driving at night is often more dangerous than driving during the day because drivers can’t see as well. Additionally, nighttime driving is dangerous because many drivers will speed and drive drowsily.
Malfunctioning Cars or Tire Blowouts
Sometimes car accidents are caused by the car itself instead of the driver. Any malfunctioning car part can be incredibly dangerous on the roads. A well-known example is the faulty ignition switches in General Motors cars that led to a massive recall. Another common cause of an I-94 accident are tire blowouts which can make a driver lose control of their car.
Common Injuries From Car Accidents
Injuries from car accidents can range from minor cuts and bruises to traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Listed below are the most common soft tissue injuries, head injuries, internal injuries, and mental or emotional injuries.
Soft Tissue Injuries
- Bruising is common even in minor accidents, often caused by a seat belt doing its job by keeping you in your seat.
- Whiplash is basically muscle and ligament strain as a result of your body being forcefully moved at speeds it’s not used to. The effects of whiplash are generally felt in the neck and back after a car crash.
- Neck and back injuries are other common soft tissue injuries from car crashes. The rapid forceful movement from a car crash can cause herniated discs, pinched nerves, paralysis, and more.
Head Injuries
- Concussions are very common injuries caused by car accidents. The impact can cause a driver to hit their head extremely hard on various car parts.
- Traumatic brain injuries from car accidents can cause long-term physical, functional, and mental impairments to a driver. Recovery is generally a lifelong process.
Internal Injuries
- Broken bones are also common injuries caused by car accidents. The impact can cause your limbs to get hit forcefully by car parts. Sometimes seat belts can even cause broken ribs and collar bones by holding you in your seat.
- Internal bleeding is a common car accident injury due to the delicacy of internal organs. The extreme force of a car accident can easily cause your organs to bleed or become damaged.
Mental and Emotional Injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be a life-long battle for a survivor of a severe car crash. Survivors can suffer extreme anxiety and flashbacks when driving or riding in a car. Additionally, sufferers can experience nightmares and avoidance behaviors.
How Can an I-94 Accident Lawyer Help Me?
If you or a family member is seriously injured or killed in an I-94 accident, it’s important to have an attorney from Curcio Law on your side. We can help you win compensation for:
- Drunk driving accidents
- Head-on crashes
- Crashes caused by auto defects and malfunctions (such as the Ford Death Wobble)
- Crashes caused by road damage
Compensation for Car Crashes
If you’re the victim of an I-94 accident, you can potentially win economic or non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are awarded to victims who suffered monetary losses due to their accident. Common monetary losses that economic damages can cover include:
- All medical bills
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Property damage
- Loss of earning potential
Non-Economic Damages
Meanwhile, non-economic damages are generally awarded to victims who suffered losses that can’t be measured by monetary value. Some of the most common types of non-economic damages include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment in daily life
- Loss of consortium
How Long Does it Take to Get a Settlement From an I-94 Accident in Chicago?
If you or a family member survived a major car accident, you may be wondering when a court will reach a settlement. A settlement timeline can last months or years and heavily depends on:
- The type of injuries that a car crash victim sustains
- Whether or not the at-fault driver takes responsibility of the accident
- The extent of a victim’s injuries
- Insurance company compliance
Call an I-94 Accident Lawyer Today
If you’re presently recovering from an I-94 accident, let a car crash attorney from Curcio Law handle the stressful legal aspects of your case. Our attorneys have years of experience in making sure our clients win the compensation they deserve. Call us today at 312-321-1111 for a free consultation.
