With a population in excess of 500,000 people, it is not surprising that car accidents occur in Kane County on a regular basis. Drivers may be busy or in a rush, traveling from one spot to another while acting in a negligent manner, leading to a collision involving two or more cars, trucks, or vans. Our Kane county car accident lawyers work on these cases often, whether the crash was in Aurora or Elgin, or on Interstate 90 or 88.
Most collisions are result from an error, whether it be:
- A negligent driver of a vehicle
- The manufacturer of a faulty car
- A company employing an errant motorist
- A city poorly designing a street or intersection
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation data for 2018, in Kane County there were:
- 11,009 motor vehicle collisions
- 2,914 accidents with injuries
- 27 crashes with fatalities
Acting in a negligent or reckless manner can trigger legal liability on the part of an at-fault motorist. The facts and circumstances surrounding every collision vary, and legal options can vary as well. Claims may be available against an at-fault driver's insurance carrier or even against a plaintiff's own insurance company in some instances.
What Are Common Causes of Kane County Auto Accidents?
Numerous factors contribute to Kane County car accidents annually. Further, sometimes multiple factors combine to create a collision. Drivers and passengers in Kane County vehicles are not immune to any form of crash, unfortunately, even if they follow all safety precautions.
The safest driver in Kane County can become a victim if another driver fails to maintain proper and adequate control of a vehicle.
Distracted Driving
A common reason this occurs is that a motorist is driving while distracted, whether that distraction comes internally or externally with regard to a car. Texting while driving is a significant problem in Illinois as drivers continue to engage in the hazardous activity.
It is so prevalent that estimates suggest that 24 percent of all traffic-related collisions nation-wide are influenced by a driver who is using a cell phone either to text or to have a voice conversation. Though information on the dangers of texting while driving is widely available to motorists, some drivers still do it. They continue to risk their own safety and the safety of others.
Drunk Driving
Studies show that the risks of texting drivers are similar to the risk of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drunk drivers plague the streets of Illinois. DUIs are the cause of hundreds of fatal accidents every year.
Of the fatal crashes that take place in Kane County, alcohol plays a role in many of them. Drunk driving limits a motorist's ability to think critically and maintain control of a vehicle. Alcohol increases reaction time and the likelihood that an accident will occur.
Failure to Yield
Yet other collisions in Kane County are from one driver failing to yield the right-of-way to another. These collisions can be caused by a driver in a rush to get somewhere or by a motorist who simply fails to pay attention to traffic on the road. It is crucial that all drivers respect the right-of-way as granted by state driving laws. Failing to yield the right-of-way can lead to deadly accidents or collisions that leave victims with serious injuries.
How to Have Legal Relief after a Kane County Car Accident?
Becoming the victim of a car accident can be devastating and can affect every member of a family. It may be difficult to obtain medical treatment or pay the bills that are piling up from the crash.
But victims of car accidents in Kane County may have the right to relief through a civil claim for damages. This right belongs to each victim and enables them to seek compensation.
To help understand your legal options, contact a Kane County car accident lawyer at Abels & Annes, P.C. We offer free case consultations 24/7 if you call us at (312) 924-7575.
The legal team at Abels & Annes, P.C. believes in fighting for the best possible outcome for injury victims. If you need help, please call us today and let us get to work for you.
If you have been injured in a Kane County car accident, call us toll free at (855) LAW-CHICAGO or Contact Us online for a free consultation.