Get Help From a Nearby Rear-End Collision Lawyer in Chicago
You’re sitting at a red light on your way home from work, maybe thinking about what you’ll have for dinner that night, or hoping to make it in time to catch a Cubs or White Sox game on TV. The next thing you know, you get hit from behind. You’re thrown forward by the momentum. Your seat belt stops you from slamming into the steering wheel, but your head snaps backward from the force. Your neck hurts, and the rear end of your car is smashed — all because the driver behind you was driving too fast or talking on a cell phone and didn’t see you stopped there.
If you were injured in a rear-end collision with a car or a truck, you may be feeling frustrated that someone else caused your pain and scared about how your medical bills and other expenses are going to be paid. A car crash lawyer may be able to help you get compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, disability, pain and suffering, and loss of normal life.
Call an experienced injury lawyer in Chicago, IL, from Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. at (312) 236-2900. Our Chicago rear-end accident lawyers offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you don’t owe us anything unless we win.
Rear-End Collisions in Chicago, IL
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, rear-end collisions are the most frequent type of car crash in Chicago, accounting for about 29 percent of all collisions. Nearly 80,000 rear-end collisions occur in the state every year, resulting in tens of thousands of injuries and dozens of fatalities.
What Causes Rear-End Collisions in Chicago?
Rear-end collisions are nearly always someone else’s fault. Illinois law includes a presumption that the person who hit you from behind was responsible for the crash, but the other driver can present evidence that another factor or person caused the crash. It may be that the person who rear-ended you at a red light was hit by someone else, and the force of that impact caused that person to collide with you.
Rear-end crashes often involve more than one car. But somewhere in the chain of events, there was a cause, and chances are that the reason was some form of negligence. A skilled personal injury attorney can help you determine the cause of your crash and work to obtain compensation for you from the person responsible for your injuries and damages.
Driving behaviors that result in rear-end crashes
- Following Too Close — Drivers are supposed to maintain enough distance between their car and the car in front of them to be able to stop suddenly without colliding. When drivers tailgate you, and you’re forced to stop suddenly because of debris in the road or another reason, the result often is a rear-end collision.
- Distracted Driving — Drivers who are distracted talking or texting on mobile phones, or eating, or applying make-up aren’t giving their full attention to the road. They may not see you stop and end up hitting you from behind.
- Speeding — The amount of distance needed to stop a vehicle is directly related to the vehicle’s speed. Drivers who are speeding often can’t stop in time when presented with obstacles in front of them, including your stopped car.
- Faulty Brakes or Other Mechanical Defects — Drivers are supposed to maintain their vehicles in a roadworthy condition. That means ensuring their brakes and other car parts are in good working order. When brakes fail, collisions often result.
Chicago Rear-End Collision Injuries
Rear-end collisions can result in a number of different types of injuries, depending upon the circumstances of the crash. Among the most common types of injuries seen in rear-end collisions are:
- Neck injuries — Whiplash is perhaps the most common injury experienced after a rear-end crash. Whiplash happens when your head is snapped back and your neck extends beyond its normal length. Pain can be excruciating and lingering.
- Back injuries — Herniated discs or spinal cord damage are also frequently seen in people who have been rear-ended. Herniated discs and spinal cord damage may result from a rear-end crash.
- Head Injuries — People involved in rear-end crashes may experience concussion or brain injuries, or bruises or cuts on their head.
- Broken Bones — A forceful enough impact can result in broken arms, legs, or ribs.
- Soft Tissue Injuries — Painful sprains, strains, and tears in your muscles, ligaments, or tendons may result from a rear-end collision.
Rear-End Collisions Involving Trucks
When the rear-crashing vehicle is a large commercial tractor-trailer weighing in at more than 80,000 pounds, the injuries to the other driver or drivers and the damages that ensure are more than likely going to be immense. When a driver is in a collision where they are rear-ended, a big rig may roll over the entire passenger vehicle, causing horrible injuries and even sudden death.
In addition, the cost of medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other expenses incurred by the victim of a rear-end truck collision are likely to be astronomical. That’s not to mention the fact that the process of medical treatment followed by rehabilitation can be physically and emotionally exhausting, especially when combined with the stress of fighting the trucking company or their insurance company for fair compensation for damages.
Are Rear-End Car Accidents Always the Other Driver’s Fault?
In many cases, the driver who rear-ends another vehicle is presumed to be at fault. However, like most legal matters, determining liability is not always that simple.
Illinois Law & Rear-End Accident Fault
Under Illinois law, drivers must maintain a safe following distance and operate their vehicles with reasonable care. When drivers fail to stop in time and collide with the car in front of them, they are often considered negligent. In most rear-end accident claims, the trailing driver is found at fault for not paying attention, following too closely, speeding, or driving while distracted.
However, there are exceptions where the front driver may share some or even full responsibility. Examples include:
- Sudden and Unpredictable Stops: If a driver slams on their brakes without warning and for no apparent reason, they could be partially responsible for the crash.
- Vehicle Malfunctions: If the front vehicle had non-functioning brake lights, the rear driver might not be able to avoid a collision.
- Reverse Accidents: If the leading vehicle was reversing at the time of the accident, fault may shift entirely.
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning that if a driver is found to be 51% or more at fault, they cannot recover damages. If a driver is less than 50% at fault, their compensation will be reduced proportionally to their percentage of fault.
Your Legal Options if You Were Hurt in a Chicago Rear-End Accident
If you were injured in a rear-end collision in Chicago, you can pursue a personal injury claim. You may be able to seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company or, in cases involving truck accidents, from the trucking company and its insurer.
An experienced Chicago rear-end accident lawyer will investigate your case, identify all liable parties, and fight for the maximum compensation available.
Rear-End Accident Compensation Available
Victims of rear-end accidents in Illinois may recover compensation for:
- Medical bills (current and future)
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Loss of normal life and enjoyment of activities
Rear-End Accident Settlement Process
Most rear-end accident claims in Chicago are resolved through settlements rather than trials. Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement that covers all your damages. If a reasonable settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer may file a lawsuit and advocate for you in court.
Why You Need a Chicago Rear-End Accident Lawyer
Rear-end accident cases may seem straightforward, but insurance companies often minimize or deny claims to protect their profits. A knowledgeable Chicago rear-end collision lawyer understands Illinois law, knows how to build a strong case, and can deal effectively with insurers. Having legal representation increases your chances of receiving full and fair compensation.
An experienced lawyer can also play a critical role in proving fault in a rear-end accident. To establish liability, they can gather and present crucial evidence such as traffic camera footage, accident reconstruction reports, witness statements, and vehicle damage assessments. Additionally, your attorney can counter any claims made by the insurance company that you were partially at fault, ensuring that you are positioned to recover the maximum compensation possible.
Tyler Kobylski Quoted In Injury Experts Article About Rear-End Car Accidents
More Settlements & Case Results
Contact a Rear-End Collision Lawyer in Chicago
Car or truck crash cases involving rear-end collisions are complex and can confuse their victims. Proving negligence in a crash involving a rear-end collision takes time, experience, and resources. If you have been injured in an auto accident involving a rear-end collision, Staver Accident Injury Lawyer, P.C. can pursue the compensation you need and deserve.
Call a Chicago personal injury lawyer today a (312) 236-2900.
