Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident in Chicago, Illinois
Police or other law enforcement who are called to the scene of an automobile crash will invariably attempt to investigate the cause of the crash. If you rear-ended another vehicle, were driving too fast (in the opinion of the officers), or were unsuccessful in attempting to avoid a crash, you may find yourself cited for violating 625 ILCS 5/11-601(a), Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident. An officer may charge the at fault driver with this offense even if there may have been other circumstances or forces that could have caused or contributed to the crash.
Being convicted of Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident is no small matter. In addition to fines, the conviction will be reported on the driver’s driving record. This and other traffic violations can lead to the suspension of your license and an increase in your auto insurance rates. These consequences are on top of the fines and restitution you may be ordered to pay. If the at fault driver is found guilty of Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident (either because they pled guilty or they were found guilty at trial), a person injured in the auto accident can use this finding of guilt to hold the at fault driver civilly responsible for things like medical bills, lost wages, and other similar “damages.”
The at fault driver may have a defense to a charge of Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident. For example, if the accident was clearly the fault of another person or circumstance, they may be able to avoid a conviction. Similarly, the consequences of a conviction may be mitigated if their actions and the speed of their vehicle at the time of the collision was not sufficient to cause anyone any physical harm or damage to anyone’s property.
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Stein & Shulman, LLC has over 45 years of combined experienced in Illinois Personal Injury Law. You can receive a free and instant case review by calling our office at 312.422.0500.
Stein & Shulman, LLC
134 N LaSalle St, #820
Chicago, IL 60602
312.422.0500
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