Gurnee, Wheaton & Schaumburg Attorneys for Victims of Vehicle Collisions
Driving through intersections is routine for all motorists. However, when two or more cars approach an intersection at the same time, the possibility of an accident taking place is much higher. Intersection accidents, especially those involving high speeds and multiple vehicles, can have catastrophic and even deadly consequences. If you’ve sustained bodily injury or property damage in an intersection accident, our Gurnee, Wheaton & Schaumburg car accident lawyers can help you pursue monetary damages in your case. While no amount of money can undo the harm and trauma of dealing with a collision, it can certainly help cover your costs for medical bills and compensate you for time missed from work.
Intersection Accident Statistics
A four-way intersection normally involves a crossing over of two streets or roads. Unfortunately, accidents at intersections are quite common. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), about 40 percent of all auto accidents take place at intersections, making these accidents the second largest category of accidents right behind rear end collisions. In fact, more than 2.3 million auto accidents take place at intersections ever year, leading to in excess of 7,000 deaths and 700,000 injuries.
Filing a Lawsuit Following a Car Accident
The vast majority of street intersection accidents in Illinois and across the country take place due to the fact that a motorist fails to stop when required. This is not only dangerous for other drivers on the road, but also poses a serious risk to the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians on the road. If a negligent driver caused an intersection accident in which you were involved, you can possibly hold him or her accountable through a negligence lawsuit.
In Illinois, negligence can be established by proving that the at-fault driver failed to use the level of care and caution that a reasonably prudent driver would have used under the same circumstances, and that this failure was a direct and proximate cause of the intersection accident and resulting injury.
Comparative Liability in Intersection Accident Cases
Under Illinois law, you can recover compensation for your losses even if you are partially at fault for the accident.
Under relevant comparative liability rules, if you contributed to your injury then your damages award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Consider the following example: you are injured in an accident caused by a motorist who ran a red light.
However, you were speeding at the time of the accident. In such a scenario, the jury may decide that you are 20 percent at fault for the accident and your resulting injuries, in which case you will only take home a maximum of 80 percent of the total damages award. A seasoned injury attorney can help you address this issue if it arises in your case.
Recovering Damages for an Intersection Accident
Intersection accidents can result in serious injuries including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, broken bones, burn injuries, scarring, and even disfigurement. These injuries are not only painful, but can also be extremely costly to deal with. Fortunately, Illinois law allows victims of auto accidents to seek compensation for their injuries and losses. As such, you may be eligible to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages arising from the crash.
