Speeding is a leading cause of car accidents and is avoidable. Yet, countless drivers speed every day, disregarding the safety of others. They often leave life-changing destruction in their wake. Fortunately, speeding car accident victims can seek recourse through a compensation claim.
If you or someone you care about has been harmed by a speeding car in or around Chicago, compensation may be available to address your losses. An experienced car accident lawyer from our team is ready to discuss your case and your options. Call Stein & Shulman, LLC for a free consultation today.
Liability for Speeding Car Accidents
If you were involved in a speeding car accident and are in need of compensation, you will need to first prove liability. Liability for losses in Chicago can be proven by demonstrating that a particular party was negligent or reckless when they caused a crash.
In speeding cases, this typically requires showing that the defendant exceeded the speed limit. Injury victims must also demonstrate that the defendant’s negligent or reckless actions caused the accident and that the accident led to compensable losses.
Compensable Losses In Chicago
Compensable losses, also known as damages, for speeding car accidents cover economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses refer to losses that are financial in nature, such as:
- Healthcare expenses for your injuries
- Lack of income from time off of work
- Expenses related to the hiring of homecare workers
On the other hand, non-economic losses are those losses that are subjective in nature and include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of society
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
In rare cases, a victim may be entitled to pursue punitive damages. Punitive damages exist to penalize a particularly bad-acting defendant in Chicago as well as deter future bad behavior.
Speeding and Catastrophic Car Accidents In Chicago
Speeding is a leading cause of catastrophic car accidents due to the laws of physics. The faster an object goes, the more power it generates, and thus, the more damage it will likely cause when striking another object.
Additionally, many speeding drivers often engage in other behavior that exacerbates the speeding and the subsequent accidents. These behaviors include:
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving while distracted
- Driving too closely to others
- Road rage and aggressive driving
For pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcycle riders, speeding accidents are often much more dangerous than for passengers in vehicles. Even the slightest increase in speed can mean the difference between life and death for unprotected road users.
Timing Concerns and Speeding Car Accident Cases
After an accident with a speeding driver, you have a limited period of time to take legal action for compensation. Illinois law gives injury victims two years from the date of the accident to seek compensation. After that, a defendant will move to dismiss the claim as being no longer valid. So it is important to act quickly when seeking compensation.
Acting quickly not only preserves your legal right to pursue compensation but also helps preserve the evidence you will need. As time goes on, evidence problems tend to creep up. For example, traffic cam footage is valuable for compensation cases. However, many municipalities erase their traffic cams after a certain period of time. If you delay taking action, essential video evidence may no longer be available.
The same holds true for witnesses. As time marches on, witnesses often become more unreliable. Alternatively, a witness may simply be difficult or impossible to locate due to moving out of state or passing away. However, acting quickly after an accident helps you avoid witness problems caused by the passage of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please read through the following Q&As, and feel free to call us for more information and answers to your questions.
Do I need a speeding car accident lawyer in Chicago?
Yes. If you seek maximum compensation, you need an experienced speeding car accident lawyer.
Can I afford a speeding car accident lawyer in Chicago?
Yes. You pay no out-of-pocket money to hire a speeding car accident lawyer. Their fee comes from the money they recover for you.
How long will my Chicago speeding car accident case take?
It depends. Your case can be resolved in a few months if it is relatively straightforward. More complex cases, however, can take a year or longer.
Should I accept an insurance company’s offer?
If you have received an offer from an insurance company, you should not accept it until you have met with an experienced attorney regarding your accident in Chicago.
How much is my speeding car accident case worth?
It depends on the seriousness of your injuries and the extent of your losses.
Please reach out if you have any further questions.
Speak with a Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been in a car accident in or around Chicago and are not sure what to do next, reach out to Stein & Shulman, LLC to learn about your options for compensation. You deserve to have your losses addressed. Call our office today!
The law office of Stein & Shulman routinely represents speeding car accident victims in Chicago, Cook County, Lake County, DuPage County, Will County, McHenry County, and Kane County.
