As any driver in Chicago can tell you, nothing is worse than being forced to drive over a large pothole. When traffic conditions are bad, you may not only be forced to undergo an unpleasant bump, but you may even find that your car has been seriously damaged. In fact, a large pothole can actually cause damage similar to a 35 mph car accident. Sadly, though, this isn’t the only damage that potholes cause — they are actually one of the top causes of car accidents.
As an added complication for those involved, it is often difficult to prove who is responsible for a pothole accident in court. However, the skilled attorneys at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. have experience helping people obtain funds for injuries sustained in pothole accidents. Whether it involves hiring professionals to reconstruct the accident or launching an independent investigation, our team will work tirelessly to get you the funds you deserve.
Call (312) 236-2900 or contact us online today to find out more about a personal injury claim.
Pothole accidents are unfortunately common in Chicago due to the high level of wear on our streets. While the city is required to take care of these hazards quickly, sometimes large potholes go unrepaired and uncovered for dangerously long periods of time. In fact, this time of year, as spring begins to melt the snow, is the worst time for potholes. All the freezing and thawing during the winter cracks the roads and potholes form when the revealed cracks undergo pressure and further wear.
Chicago pothole accidents are serious. A particularly deep or wide pothole can trap one of the wheels inside. In these pothole accidents, the force is often similar to the impact of many front-end collisions at a moderate speed. Not only can this do catastrophic damage to a person’s vehicle, but it can also serious injure any passengers. Potholes can even cause multi-car crashes. When a pothole causes a car to spin outside its lane of traffic, that car can crash into another vehicle or even strike a pedestrian or cyclist.
Car accidents caused by potholes can be just as damaging as regular crashes.
In most cases, liability is assigned to the driver who swerves or stops short because of a pothole. However, there are cases in which it can be proven that another vehicle was responsible for the accident. If you hit a pothole and slam on your brakes, for example, the driver behind you may have had plenty of time to stop before rear-ending you. In this case, blame may be assigned to the driver who caused the rear-end accident.
In cases where only one vehicle was involved in an accident or in a situation where it is impossible to assign blame, it may be possible to pursue the company responsible for maintaining the road. A private road or parking lot may be maintained by a store or other organization, or a construction company may have created a huge pothole that resulted in injuries and financial loss. Furthermore, the city is responsible for maintaining the public roads within Chicago, but sometimes the state of Illinois has the responsibility. In either case, the party responsible for the road is responsible for neglecting these serious problems if they knew (or should have reasonably known) that this problem existed.
While it is best to try and avoid potholes when you can, this isn’t always possible. You cannot simply swerve into another lane, especially if there is traffic. Still, determining who is at fault for a pothole accident and holding them responsible can be an uphill battle without the right skill set. If you have been in a Chicago pothole accident, call the experienced Chicago car accident attorneys with Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. to get the justice you deserve.
Potholes inevitably form after years of wear and tear on Chicago’s main roads, and government agencies are often backed up with maintenance requests. However, as a responsible driver, you should be aware of possible rough road conditions, and take the appropriate precautions to attempt to avoid a serious car accident.
Some tips for avoiding pothole accidents include:
You can also notify local and state road authorities of a pothole issue in your neighborhood by reporting it here.
If you have been injured in any type of car accident, you may be struggling to cope with your injuries. From pain and suffering to your recently acquired financial burden, filing a lawsuit to gain compensation may seem all but impossible. That is where the skilled lawyers at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. come in.
Our team has taken on high-profile groups, including construction companies and private organizations. We can seek justice for your injuries and help you obtain the funds you need to move forward with your life.
Our car accident attorneys serve clients throughout the Chicago area, including Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale, Joliet, Naperville, and Waukegan. Call (312) 236-2900 now to see how you can get your life back on track.
When you’re fighting for maximum compensation, we know what it takes to get it.
