Everyone knows that you stop and exchange contact information after a car accident. Not only is it the law, but it is also the ethical thing to do. Unfortunately, some people attempt to evade responsibility for an accident by speeding off from the scene – even if the crash caused injuries. If you or a loved one were hurt in a hit-and-run in Illinois, a personal injury attorney can help you pursue compensation for your damages. You may be entitled to compensation even if the other driver is never located and brought to justice.

Legal Options for Hit and Run Accident Victims

If you were hurt in a hit-and-run accident, law enforcement may be able to locate the driver who caused the crash. Evidence like vehicle debris, traffic camera footage, and witness statements may lead police to the culprit. At this point, you may be able to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, many drivers who commit hit-and-run accidents are never located. Furthermore, some drivers are underinsured or drive without insurance in violation of Illinois law.

If the at-fault driver cannot be located or the driver has no insurance, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is intended for just this purpose. Unfortunately, getting the compensation you need from your insurance company may be an uphill battle. Many insurance companies are focused on the bottom line which means that they offer injured parties much less than they need to cover injury-related expenses.

When we think about car crash insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits, we often assume that the driver is the person who was injured. However, passengers often suffer injuries just as severe or worse than drivers during an accident. If you were riding as a passenger in a vehicle and that vehicle got into a car accident, it is important to explore your legal options. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses and other damages.

Seeking Compensation After a Passenger Injury  

Brain injuries, broken bones, internal organ damage, and disfiguring lacerations are just some of the injuries passengers may suffer during a collision. Passengers are especially at risk of severe or deadly injuries during a T-bone accident in which a vehicle strikes the passenger side of the car. Whatever the circumstances of your accident, you should know that you have the same right to seek compensation as injured drivers. Illinois is a fault-based car insurance state. This means that the at-fault driver’s insurance is typically the party responsible for compensating accident victims.

What if My Friend or Family Member Was At Fault?

You may wonder, “What if the car accident was caused by the driver of the vehicle I was in?” Understandably, you may be hesitant to bring a claim against a friend, family member, or colleague. However, it is important to remember that filing an insurance claim does not seek money directly from the driver. Instead, the insurance company is the one responsible for compensating you. A skilled car accident lawyer can protect your rights and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. You may be able to recover compensation for costs related to emergency room treatment, doctor’s visits, and more.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that left turns account for 22 percent of all motor vehicle accidents. If you were injured in an accident caused by a driver who made an improper left turn, you may be entitled to receive compensation. It is in your best interest to discuss your case with a skilled Illinois vehicle accident lawyer promptly.

Why Left Hand Turn Accidents Are Dangerous

Making left-hand turns is a necessary part of driving. However, if they are not done correctly, left-hand turns can contribute to vehicle collisions. Here are a few reasons why these turns can be dangerous.

• Blind turns - When you are about to make a left-hand turn, you must look for vehicles coming from both the left and right. However, if your view is obstructed, it will be more difficult for you to do this, increasing the risk of a car accident.

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In the 80s and 90s, the message toward drivers was aimed at lowering the number of people killed by drunk drivers. In today’s world, drinking and driving is still something we educate drivers about. However, another danger that may not be as obvious lurks in the shadows: distracted driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 3,100 people killed in distracted driving accidents in 2019. If you have been injured in an accident involving a distracted driver, understanding what caused the accident may help you obtain compensation.

Types of Driving Distractions

When you think of a driving distraction, your mind likely jumps to a cell phone or other electronic device. While these are some of the most common distractions for drivers, there are many different types of distractions that a variety of things can cause. For example, things both inside and outside of the vehicle can pose as distractions. There are three main types of distractions that a driver can face:

• Manual Distractions: A manual distraction causes you to take your hands off of the steering wheel. In many cases, manual distractions can intersect with other types of distractions and include actions such as reaching for a dropped object or adjusting your mirrors or controls.

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The temperatures are rising, the sun is shining, and the days are getting longer in Illinois. You know what that means—road construction season is back in full swing. Construction zones can be dangerous places for drivers, pedestrians, and construction workers alike. According to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 39,000 construction zone motor vehicle crashes that resulted in injuries across the country in 2019. Understanding the cause of these accidents can help prevent them from happening in the future.

Causes of Illinois Work Zone Accidents

Many of the factors that can cause accidents in a work zone are similar to the causes of accidents that occur anywhere else. Some of the most common causes of work zone accidents in Illinois include:

• Speeding: In most work zones, the speed limit will be significantly decreased to account for all of the changes in the roadway. Violating a work zone speed limit in Illinois can result in significant traffic penalties, but it can also result in serious traffic accidents. Some work zones involve shifting lanes in the road or even workers present directing traffic, both of which could contribute to an accident if a speeding driver is not careful.

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