Serious car accidents occur every day in large cities like Chicago. If you’ve been hurt in a collision, one of the most important things you need to do is determine who was at fault so that you can hold them responsible. This isn’t simple, however, and it’s one of the reasons why having experienced Illinois car accident lawyers is essential.
At Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers, we can guide you through the process of filing a claim. Contact us now at (312) 635-5400 to start with; we can help you understand common car accident scenarios — causes & determining fault.
How Powell And Pisman Injury Lawyers Can Help After An Accident In Chicago, IL
The team of Chicago car accident attorneys at Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers knows that being in a collision can leave you battling significant injuries, as well as the inability to work and emotional trauma. If the crash occurred because of someone else’s negligent conduct, we can help you file a claim. We provide services that include:
- Reviewing your claim in a free consultation
- Investigating how the collision occurred
- Gathering evidence
- Speaking with witnesses, including expert witnesses
- Establishing liability
- Communicating and negotiating with insurance companies
- Taking the case to court if a settlement isn’t an option
We have a proven track record of helping people throughout Illinois who have suffered losses. Our personal injury lawyers have helped clients recover more than $250 million in settlements and jury verdicts. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and learn more about filing a claim.
Most Common Car Accident Scenarios And How To Determine Fault
Although car accidents can occur for an unlimited number of reasons, there are some common ways they happen.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions occur when one driver hits the vehicle in front. They tend to be the most straightforward of all collisions, and they often occur because of distracted driving. If the rear driver isn’t paying attention, they might not notice when the front car stops, leading to the crash.
Texting while driving can make a person 23 times more likely to be in a collision, but there are numerous other distractions that can result in rear-end collisions. These include changing the radio station, looking at the GPS, and even eating or drinking.
Speeding could also result in rear-end collisions. Someone who’s traveling too fast for what the road allows won’t be able to hit the brakes in time if the car in front stops. The same can happen if the rear driver is driving aggressively and tailgating.
In all of these instances, the rear car is responsible for the collision. There may be more complex scenarios where another vehicle hits the rear car and pushes it against the front one. Those are rarer, but they can occur.
Left-Turn Collisions
Left turns are usually complex maneuvers that require paying close attention to traffic and knowing who has the right of way. Drivers who don’t respect the laws of the road can end up causing catastrophic injuries.
Distracted, drunk, and reckless driving can all result in these accidents. Speeding, too, and running lights or stop signs could make them more likely to occur.
Most of the time, the person making the left turn is the one responsible for the collision. They typically have to give the right of way to other drivers and to pedestrians at all times. If, however, a vehicle runs a red light while the other car makes a turn, the first driver could be to blame.
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents are another common type of accident. Although they may appear minor, those that occur at high speeds could result in serious injuries and totaled cars.
Sideswipe accidents can happen when a vehicle fails to safely merge onto the next lane of traffic or when it veers into that lane without meaning to. This can occur if someone is looking down at their phone, intoxicated behind the wheel, or fatigued and loses control of their car.
Most of the time, the vehicle doing the merging will be the one to blame. The other vehicle involved could be liable if they were engaged in reckless driving behaviors like rapid lane changes or blocking the other driver without reason.
Contact Our Chicago Car Wreck Lawyer For A Free Consultation
If you’ve suffered injuries in an Illinois car accident, being able to demonstrate what caused the collision and who is to blame is essential. Without establishing liability, you won’t be able to file a claim and recover losses.
At Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers, our team of Chicago car accident lawyers can make the process a bit easier. Contact us to speak with an attorney about your claim.