Speed limits may seem inconvenient to some, but they exist for a reason. These limitations are put in place for the safety of all drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Unfortunately, not everyone follows the rules of the road, and irresponsible drivers put lives in danger. If you have been hit by a speeding driver and are looking for ways to seek justice, consider hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer for help filing an injury claim.

Insurance Settlements and Personal Injury Claims

The faster a driver is traveling, the greater the force of a collision. Consequently, speeding-related accidents can result in severe, painful injuries including broken bones, spine injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), organ damage, facial injuries, and more.

A personal injury lawyer will be able to evaluate your case and provide advice on how to proceed. Typically, the first avenue for seeking compensation is a claim with the speeding driver's insurance company. Auto insurers are responsible for providing compensation to victims of car accidents when their policyholders are at fault. However, insurance companies are not always willing to pay out the full amount of a car accident claim. They deny claims, try to get claimants to take lowball settlements, and intentionally draw out the process.

Car crashes can lead to expensive property damage as well as painful, potentially life-changing injuries. Severe motor vehicle accidents may be caused by anything from drunk driving to inattention.

To recover compensation for the vehicle damage, medical bills, lost income, and other damages caused in a crash, the injured individual will need to prove the other driver was at fault for causing the accident. In some cases, liability is relatively straightforward. For example, if an intoxicated driver ran a red light and collided with a driver who was following the letter of the law, the party who ran the red light will almost certainly be considered legally responsible for the crash. However, there are many situations in which liability is not immediately known.

If you are currently involved in a "he-said, she-said" situation in which both drivers blame each other for the crash, you need to know your rights and options under Illinois law.

Auto collisions occur every day on Illinois roadways. Many of these collisions are minor, resulting in no injuries and minor property damage. Other collisions are more serious, resulting in significant property damage, personal injury, or even death. Regardless of the severity, many of these events have one thing in common: they are not "accidents."

The Illinois legislature has recently taken a step towards recognizing this distinction by passing a law that replaces the term "accident" with the word "crash" in statutes related to auto collisions. The new law goes into effect July 1, 2023. 

Many Car Crashes Are Caused by Negligent Driving

Although it may seem like a minor change in language, the new law is an important step towards recognizing that many car crashes are not accidents at all. Irresponsible driving behaviors, like distracted driving or speeding, can cause serious collisions and often result from some form of negligence on the part of the driver. By using the word "crash" instead of "accident," authorities in Illinois are emphasizing the fact that many collisions are caused by careless behaviors, rather than being inevitable or unavoidable.

Getting into a vehicle collision is a traumatic experience. It can be even more devastating if you suspect that the other driver may have been drinking at the time of the accident. If you or a loved one were hurt in a car crash caused by a drunk driver, you may be able to take legal action again the driver and recover financial compensation for medical bills, vehicle damage, and other expenses. 

Drunk Driving Accidents Resulting in Injuries 

If you are trying to prove that a rear-end collision was caused by another party’s drunk driving, there are several steps you can take:

• Gather as much information at the accident scene as possible. Take pictures of the damage, get contact information from any witnesses, and take notes of the details you remember.

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The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that more than 500 people could die on American roads during the Thanksgiving holiday period because of the increased number of travelors on the road and the frequency of alcohol consumption at most family gatherings. Approximately 29 percent of motor vehicle accident fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver during Thanksgiving. Insurance research and analysis website ValuePenguin states that Texas is the 17th most dangerous state for people to drive in during Thanksgiving with a holiday motor vehicle fatality rate of 1.58 per 100,000 residents.

Being involved in a crash can lead to painful injuries and heavy financial burdens, including medical expenses and vehicle repair costs. Any person dealing with injuries after a car accident this November should quickly seek the help of a Waukegan car accident attorney.

As people all over Illinois prepare to hit the road for the holidays, now is as good a time as any to review some common safe driving tips for throughout the holiday season. Many car accidents stem from people becoming distracted while trying to do other things behind the wheel, so try to stay focused on what your primary task is while you are driving.