Defensive driving calls for navigating the streets with an abundance of caution. This is especially true for driving at night when fatal crashes are more likely to happen. With this in mind, you might not know what to expect in the aftermath of a car accident that happens at night.
If you were the victim of a nighttime driving car accident, working with a legal representative can help you understand how to recover fully and quickly. When you work with the lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, you can pursue legal action while focusing on your health and wellbeing. A Chicago night driving lawyer is available to help you with your potential case. Call (800) 794-0444.
About Driving at Night
Driving at night comes with a known risk, especially when compared with daytime driving. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA), about one-third of all fatal crashes in the United States happened between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. When you drive at night, behaviors that put you at risk for an accident become even riskier than they are in the daytime. The NHTSA points to the following behaviors, which contributed to the cause of more than half of the fatalities:
- Speeding
- Failure to give the right-of-way
- Distracted driving or using a cell phone
- Driving under the influence of any perception-altering drug, including over-the-counter and prescription sedatives
- Disobeying or not noticing traffic signals and signs
During the daytime, these behaviors have an obvious impact on the likelihood of an accident. Night driving can limit visibility, inhibit awareness of your surroundings, and make predicting accident-prone conditions more difficult.
Environmental factors can also increase the potential for one to suffer as a victim of a night driving car accident. A Chicago night driving lawyer can handle the investigation of your case.
Illinois Insurance Rules and Requirements
In order to recover damages from an accident, you will need to report the accident, and then file an insurance claim. Illinois law §625 ILCS 5/7-203 sets a minimum insurance requirement, which includes the following dollar amounts:
- $20,000 in property damage liability: Property damage policies cover the cost of replacing “real property,” like damage to your car, infrastructure damaged at the scene of the accident, and any goods or valuables that were damaged within your car at the time of the accident.
- $25,000/$50,000 Bodily Injury Liability: Bodily Injury Liability requires a $25,000 minimum coverage per person with injuries in the accident, and a $50,000 coverage for total bodily injuries when there is more than one victim.
- Equivalent Coverage for Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists: If you get into an accident with someone who does not have car insurance, or does not have enough to cover all of the damages claimed, this type of insurance policy can bolster recovery efforts once the damage is already done.
This does not necessarily mean that you will be awarded the full cost of recovery for your property and injuries. If you are in an accident at night, it may be difficult to discern the extent of your injuries right after they happen. A lawyer who knows about Illinois personal injury and property damage legislation can help you navigate your legal rights.
Legal Options for a Night Driving Accident
Insurance companies should be there for you no matter what time of the day you are in an accident. If you face difficulty dealing with a denied insurance claim or negligent liable party, a lawyer can lead the way to your recovery after an accident. There are multiple types of claims you may want to consider after a night driving accident, including the following:
- Personal Injury: Under Illinois Law §735 ILCS 5/13-202, you can hold liable parties accountable for your accident-related injuries within two years. This type of claim can cover your medical expenses related to real injuries incurred from the accident. The statute of limitations for a personal injury case in Illinois is two years from the date of the car accident.
- Wrongful Death: The Illinois Compiled Statutes §735 ILCS 5/13-209 may carry a much shorter statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim filed on behalf of a loved one who died from the accident. In some cases, you will only have up to one year from the date of the person’s death.
No matter what your individual case concerns, do not consider the above list all-exhaustive of your potential legal options. A lawyer can help you understand your legal options completely and even advise you on your best route to recovery. You do not need to suffer because of someone else’s negligence.
For a free legal consultation with a Night Driving Accidents Lawyer serving Chicago, call (800) 794-0444
Night Driving Accident Legal Help
The lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm work with your rights in mind, completely freeing you of the burden of the litigation process from start to finish. Our lawyers know that recovering from any type of car accident is no fun and that the legal process can become burdensome.
While you focus on your family and your health, a lawyer can handle your case by taking legal action through insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
As soon as you are ready to take action against a negligent party after an accident, you can call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. See what a Chicago night driving lawyer can do for you when you call (800) 794-0444.
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