Millions of personal injuries and car crash fatalities occur yearly in the United States. Drivers, passengers, street pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycle drivers, and even skateboarders are among those who get seriously injured or die from car accidents.
Being in a car crash can produce disastrous consequences for victims and their loved ones. Maybe you lost a loved one in a car crash, or you suffered injuries requiring a long-term hospital stay. Compensation may be available to help you overcome the pain and loss caused by another driver’s negligence in the accident.
If you were seriously injured in a car accident in Illinois, and you were not at fault in the accident, then it is time to contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. An Orland Park car accident lawyer from our team may work with you to uncover all the evidence that could help you file a claim against the other driver. Compensation in the form of a financial settlement may be available to help you overcome the pain and loss for the damages to your car and the personal injuries you incurred. Call (800) 794-0444 for a free consultation.
Common Reasons for Car Accidents
The National Safety Council (NSC) reported that about 39,400 deaths from car accidents occurred in 2018. That is a lower number than in previous years, and shows a growing downward trend. Those numbers may reflect that we are driving in more protective cars, with better safety features, or Americans may just be driving with more focus and safety in mind.
Many car accidents result from a combination of speeding, driver error, reckless driving, and impaired driving (alcohol/drugs). Here are some of the key reasons for car accidents:
- Speeding and driving too fast for conditions: Speeding contributed to just over a quarter of all 2018 traffic deaths in the U.S., according to the NSC. There were nearly 8,500 vehicle crashes attributed to speeding. Drivers are often impatient, or want to feel the power of the car. This leads to speeding on roads and highways, which often causes accidents.
- Aggressive or reckless driving: Examples of reckless driving include following the car in front too closely, swerving from lane to lane too frequently, and improperly passing slow-moving cars or trucks on roads. Included in aggressive driving tactics are blowing through stop signs/red lights, failing to yield to other cars, and driving out of bounds on highways.
- Impaired driving (drunk/drugged driving): Driving under the influence is one of the most serious errors in judgment for drivers, and can often turn deadly. Driver penalties from DUI violations can upend the driver’s life for years. About 10,500 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities occurred in the U.S. in 2018, according to the NSC.
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving is found to happen more frequently with younger drivers, mainly due to texting while driving or fussing with music or direction systems in the car. People also get into accidents behind the wheel while eating snacks, drinking soft drinks, and more.
- Fatigued/drowsy driving: If you are sleepy or drowsy, your focus and reaction times are much lower, which can cause car accidents.
- Driving unsafe vehicles: Driving older cars that have equipment malfunctions can also cause accidents on the roads. It is better to drive a newer, safer car model.
Car accidents of these types may be able to be litigated in a court of law. If another driver hit you while you were driving in Illinois, an Orland Park car accident lawyer may be able to assist you. The attorneys at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can assess your situation, make a determination on liability in the case, and work to support you in getting financial compensation for injuries suffered or damage to your vehicle.
Types of Injuries From Car Accidents
Serious injuries for persons involved in car accidents can result in costly and lengthy recovery. Some injuries may be minor, but others can be catastrophic. Injuries can occur from the impact of the crash, with the body thrown into the windshield, out of the car, or into another person. Here are some of the types of injuries from car accidents that may require hospitalization and medical assistance:
- Back and spine injuries: Some car accidents can leave a driver with severe spinal cord fractures, ruptured discs, broken bones and possible paralysis.
- Head/brain injuries: The most serious personal injuries in car crashes are those to the head and brain. Injuries here could result in facial disfigurement, loss of eyesight, traumatic brain injury, and much more.
- Neck injuries: Car accidents often whip a person’s neck around. That can produce strained or torn muscles, and even whiplash, which is common in rear-end car accidents per Mayo Clinic.
- Arm and leg injuries: A driver could face fractured or broken legs or arms in an accident. In some cases, amputation may be required.
- Chest or abdomen injuries: These injuries could include broken ribs, a ruptured liver, a busted diaphragm, or injuries to the kidneys.
Financial compensation may be due to you in any of these accidents when the other driver is at fault. If you suffered injuries in an accident, then it is time to seek out a personal injury lawyer to help you retrieve monetary compensation for costs related to the car accident. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to learn more.
In some cases, you may be eligible for other types of compensation. See below for more information.
For a free legal consultation with a Car Accidents Lawyer serving Orland Park, call (800) 794-0444
Types of Compensation
Various types of compensation may be due to you from a successful court case if you were in a car accident. Medical costs are usually top of mind for persons trying to reclaim money for the cost of ambulances, doctors, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation programs, and any future medical costs. An Orland Park car accident lawyer may be able to fight for you to recover other compensation from the accident. This could include:
- Loss of income: Awards can be sought if the accident left the person unable to work or earn a living. Awards are calculated by looking back at the person’s previous earnings. In more serious cases of permanent disability, a lawyer will have to show life expectancy against the opportunity to earn an income to calculate future wages.
- Pain and suffering: Awards can be sought for pain and suffering, which is the emotional toll and mental anguish that the accident has taken upon the victim and their family.
- Disfigurement: If someone is disfigured in a car accident, the law firm can seek awards for the person’s disfigurement in a personal injury claim.
- Loss of consortium: If the person suffers a disabling condition from the accident and is no longer able to enjoy a normal relationship with a spouse, compensation for loss of consortium may be awarded.
Find out more about seeking awards in an auto accident from an Orland Park car accident lawyer. You will have someone to support you in this fight against insurance companies, to claim awards from the accident, and to potentially win a favorable financial settlement. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 for a free consultation.
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