texting while driving

The 3 Most Dangerous Types Of Car Accidents

Stein & Shulman’s experienced team of car accident attorneys has decades of experience helping Chicagoland drivers seek compensation following serious car accidents. Over the years we have seen some seriously bad accidents. The worst ones often have similar characteristics. 

No Seat Belts 

The worst accidents, with the most gruesome injuries and deaths, are accidents where the people involved weren’t wearing their seat belts or didn’t have their children properly secured in car seats. Buckling up each time you get into a car, and ensuring your children are secured in properly installed car seats or boosters may save your life. 

As an Illinois State Trooper once said to us, “I’ve never unbuckled a dead body.” That’s an even better reason to buckle up than the threat of a ticket. 

Distracted Driving 

Drivers checking their phones, messing with the radio, and eating while behind the wheel are common causes of distracted driving accidents. These accidents are often worse than others because the driver had little or no time to take action to avoid the crash or minimize its impact. 

In addition to increasing the risk and severity of a crash, distracted driving can have an impact on post-crash litigation. Illinois is a comparative fault state, which means the amount of compensation you are eligible for after an accident depends on your actions. You can only seek compensation if the accident was less than 51% your fault. If the evidence shows your distracted driving was the main reason an accident occurred, you will be denied any money to help pay your medical expenses or other bills. 

Speeding 

The speed a vehicle is traveling plays a significant role in many accidents. The faster a car is traveling, the longer it takes to stop, and the more force it collides with. Even modern cars with sleek designs and strong frames collapse and cause injuries in high-speed accidents. 

Just like distracted driving, speeding can reduce your compensation if you are involved in an accident. Even if you were not the main cause of the accident, if you made it worse by speeding your compensation can be reduced. If, for example, you get t-boned because another driver failed to yield at an intersection, but you were speeding, and the crash reconstruction experts determine that you are 20% at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by 20%. So, if you have suffered $100,000 in damages, you would only be able to seek $80,000 in compensation. 

Put Our Chicago Car Accident Attorneys To Work For You

If you have been involved in a car accident and suffered a serious injury, we are here for you. The Stein & Shulman team is committed to helping car accident victims in the Chicago area move forward with their lives. We can help you maximize your compensation, and resolve your case quickly. 

Whether you are ready to take legal action and seek compensation, or are just curious about what options are available to you, we are ready to take your call. Please contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.