According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding has been a factor in approximately one-third of all accidents for over two decades. Speed limit signs are posted for a reason, and drivers who exceed the posted speed limit by even a small amount are still guilty of speeding.
If you are in pain and facing a growing pile of medical bills because another driver exceeded the posted speed limits, you have the right to hold them liable for your damages. While we understand how overwhelming this can be, you should know that you are not alone.
A Chicago exceeding posted speed limits lawyer can help you gather evidence and build a strong case pursuing compensation to the fullest extent of your injuries. At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we work with many car accident victims and are proud of our results. For a free review of your case or to have us get to work right away, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444.
Types of Injuries Car Accident Victims Suffer
Some of the types of injuries that car accident victims suffer in cases involving speeding include, but are not limited to:
- Spinal cord injuries: The spinal cord is responsible for relaying messages from the brain to other parts of the body, which is why damage to the spinal cord often results in a loss of mobility. As Healthline notes, while some people who suffer this injury are able to live productive, full lives, the majority do require wheelchairs, walkers, and other assistive devices.
- Traumatic brain injuries: Car accidents are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When severe, TBIs can impair memory and sensation, or even change the victim’s personality.
- Fractures: Fractures, also known as broken bones, are common in car accidents because the force created on impact is often sudden or intense. According to Healthline, the strength of the force typically determines the severity of the break, which is why accidents involving high speeds often produce more severe fractures. Though these injuries usually heal properly with medical attention, complications can occur if the broken bone pierces the skin or if the bone breaks in multiple places.
- Internal bleeding: According to MedicalNewsToday, car accidents can cause severe internal bleeding. Severe hemorrhaging can rapidly become life-threatening and cause organ failure, seizures, coma, and even death.
- Whiplash: If someone rear-ended your car, there is a strong possibility you suffered whiplash as a result of the accident. Mayo Clinic reports that while most people typically do not experience long-lasting complications from whiplash, in situations where the victim is older or already has existing neck or low back pain, they could experience discomfort and pain for months or even years after the accident.
If you are suffering from one of these injuries or something else as a result of your car accident, a Chicago exceeding posted speed limits lawyer can help you hold the other driver responsible for your losses. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free review of your case.
How Illinois Negligence Laws Could Impact Your Claim
While someone is guilty of breaking the law if they drive at a speed that exceeds posted speed limit signs, there are laws in place that could potentially reduce their liability for an accident.
Illinois follows the legal doctrine of modified comparative negligence. That means that any compensation a victim is awarded can be reduced if they are found to be partially responsible. Their award is reduced by the degree to which they are responsible.
However, unlike a pure comparative negligence system, where the victim can recover damages no matter how responsible they are for an accident, with a modified comparative fault system, the victim can only recover if they are under that state’s fault threshold. For the state of Illinois, the fault threshold is 51%. That means that as long as a car accident victim is no more than 50% responsible for an accident, they can recover compensation. The amount they can recover would just be reduced by the degree to which they were liable. For example, if they are 20% responsible for the accident, they can only recover 80% of the total amount awarded.
However, if the defense lawyer can convincingly claim that a victim is 51% responsible for their injuries, the victim may be barred from recovering any compensation. Many defense lawyers try to claim that a victim is more responsible than they really are for an accident in order to reduce their client’s liability. A car accident lawyer can help to defend you against tactics like these.
For a free legal consultation with a Exceeding Posted Speed Limits Accidents Lawyer serving Chicago, call (800) 794-0444
How the Team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Can Help
It is important to know that you do not have to face the challenge of pursuing compensation for your injuries alone. A Chicago exceeding posted speed limits lawyer can help you by gathering evidence like police reports, video surveillance, and eyewitness statements. They can even work with accident scene reconstruction experts to determine liability.
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we gather medical records, receipts, and statements from your doctors and other experts who can help us understand the full extent of your injuries and the impact that they currently have and will have on your quality of life. This can help us determine the full value of your case, including the cost of your pain and suffering. We can also communicate with the defendant’s lawyer on your behalf, and negotiate for a fair settlement for your case.
Ultimately, we are here to protect your right to hold the negligent driver responsible for their behavior. For a free review of your case, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444.
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