Illinois Amends Laws to Replace "Accident" With "Crash"

 Posted on January 12, 2023 in Car Accidents

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.

Defective Products and Other Types of Negligence

Negligent driving is one of the most common causes of collisions. However, negligence on the part of a third party such as an auto manufacturer can also lead to serious crashes. Defective car parts, for example, can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and may result in a collision with another vehicle or even a pedestrian. In some cases, government negligence causes a crash. For example, if a municipality fails to properly maintain a roadway, it can create dangerous driving conditions that may lead to an otherwise avoidable crash.

Injured Parties May Be Entitled to Damages

Individuals hurt in car crashes often deal with long-term consequences, including painful and debilitating injuries as well as significant financial implications. The cost of repairing or replacing a vehicle damaged in a crash combined with medical bills and lost income can be overwhelming for anyone.

Parties who are injured in car crashes caused by another party's negligence may be able to take legal action to recover damages for their losses. Crash victims may be entitled to compensation for their:

• Medical expenses - Hospital bills, medical treatments, medications, and other expenses may be reimbursable.

• Lost wages - Victims may be able to recover lost income due to the inability to work.

• Pain and suffering - Injured parties may also be entitled to damages for pain and suffering caused by a crash.

Contact a Waukegan Car Crash Lawyer for Legal Help

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto collision, contact the experienced Waukegan car crash lawyers at Salvi & Maher, L.L.C. to discuss your legal options. We will review the facts of your case and help determine if you have grounds for a personal injury claim. Call 847-662-3303 to set up a free initial consultation.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=5496&GAID=16&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=110&GA=102