Aurora Car Accident Lawyer

About Aurora, Illinois

Aurora, Illinois is a dynamic city that’s home to a diverse population and a unique mix of cultural opportunities. Sitting 37 miles west of Chicago, Aurora is Illinois’ second-largest city and geographically extends into DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will Counties. With over 200,000 residents and a steady flow of visitors and commuters coming in each day, Aurora’s streets are busy.

While this means that Aurora has a lot going on, it also means that automobile accidents are common.

Aurora Car Accident Lawyer

Dealing with an auto accident is stressful. Even small collisions can cause legal and financial stress, and major accidents are often much worse. Aurora car accident victims do not have to handle their situation alone. At TorHoerman Law, our experienced team of Aurora car accident lawyers is well versed in auto accident law. If you were injured in a car accident, we will work with you to help you understand your legal and financial options.

Contact an Aurora car accident lawyer today to learn how our team can help you.

Aurora, IL Car Accident Statistics

Car accidents are common in Aurora, DuPage County, Kane County, Kendall County, Will County, the Chicago area, and Illinois. In fact, DuPage County has the second-highest frequency of auto accidents in the state.

The following statistics outline the frequency and gravity of these accidents:

• The Illinois Department of Vehicles reported DuPage County had 20,788 auto accidents in 2018. Will County had 15,000, Kane County had 11,009, and Kendall County had 2,012.
• In DuPage County, 4,832 crashes involved injuries. In Will County 3,405 crashes resulted in injuries.
• Illinois had 319,146 motor vehicle crashes in 2018. 21 percent (67,453) of these crashes involved injuries while less than 1 percent (951) involved fatalities.
• 1,035 people were killed in Illinois auto accidents in 2018
• Approximately 874 automobile accidents happened each day in Illinois in 2018. Nearly three people were killed in auto accidents every day.
• Excessive speed accounted for 33.7 percent of crashes in Illinois, 36.1 percent of fatal crashes, and 38.2 percent of crashes involving injuries.
• 27 percent of fatal auto accidents in Illinois involved alcohol.

What Are the Common Causes of Car Accidents in Aurora, IL?

Car crashes are still very common, even with increased safety standards, advances in automobile technology, and countless public awareness campaigns. Many car accidents can be prevented, and most are due to driver errors.

These are the most common causes of auto accidents in the United States:

Distracted Driving

The number one cause of car accidents is distracted driving. Unfortunately, distracted driving has become increasingly common, with drivers being distracted by their phones, food, makeup, and other interruptions. Just a split second of inattention behind the wheel can have severe, and even fatal, consequences.

Driving Impaired

Operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal, and it’s also incredibly dangerous. Drunk driving and driving under the influence are still leading causes of vehicle accident deaths and severe injuries.

Excessive Speed

The second most common cause of car accidents in the United States is excessive speed. Drivers who ignore speed limits and drive too fast have less control over their vehicles and less time to react when necessary.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving encompasses situations when drivers ignore traffic laws and signals, handle their vehicles carelessly, or drive in an overly aggressive manner. Reckless driving is often a symptom of “road rage,” overzealousness, or lack of situational awareness.

Driving in Bad Weather

Drivers need to take extra precautions when operating their vehicles in rain, ice, snow, fog, and even heavy wind. Accidents are more likely to happen in poor weather conditions when drivers do not keep a safe distance from other automobiles, drive at too fast of speeds, do not increase their stopping times, or when they don’t give themselves enough time to arrive at their destination.

What are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries in Aurora, IL?

Auto accident injuries can be severe, and both drivers and passengers can be affected. In fact, 4,832 DuPage County auto accidents involved injuries in 2018. The most common car accident injuries in the United States are:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Concussions
• Broken Bones
• Lacerations
• Wrongful death

If you’re involved in an auto accident, whether minor or severe, it’s important to seek out proper medical care. Some common auto accident injuries are not immediately recognizable or can become more serious later on. Certified medical professionals can better recognize internal and less obvious injuries that could lead to complications if left untreated. You should do everything in your power to mitigate your injuries by seeking medical attention right away and following the doctor’s orders. This decision could greatly aid the success of a future potential Aurora car accident lawsuit.

Visit the following for any additional common car accident injury information:

Most Common Car Accident Information

Illinois Seat Belt Laws

If you’ve heard the tagline “Seat Belts Save Lives,” know that it’s the truth. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belts saved the lives of an estimated 14,668 U.S. passenger vehicle occupants in 2016. Wearing a seatbelt is safe, and it’s the law.

Illinois law requires that all occupants in a vehicle, regardless of their seating position, wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt. The driver is responsible for ensuring that all passengers are wearing seatbelts, and failure to do so results in fines that begin at $25. The Child Passenger Protection Act requires that all children 8 years or younger be properly secured in a CPPA-approved child safety seat.

To learn more about Illinois, child, safety seat standards and safety belt laws, penalties, and exemptions, visit Buckle Up Illinois.

How Can Aurora, IL Drivers Prevent Car Accidents?

As previously mentioned, most vehicle accidents are because of driver error and negligence. This means that many car accidents can be prevented, and there are steps drivers can take to increase their safety on the road.

Here are steps to take while driving to prevent car accidents:

• Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. Do not tailgate or follow other automobiles too closely. This is crucial with large vehicles like trucks and busses. Ideally, you want to keep a distance of at least 200 feet, except when you are passing.
• Keep up with your vehicle’s routine maintenance, service damages, and make sure your oil and fuel tanks are appropriately filled. Many auto accidents result from poorly maintained vehicles breaking down in the middle of busy roads and intersections.
• Watch for communication signals and movements from other drivers. Anticipating other vehicles’ movements and potential actions lets you drive defensively and appropriately react if necessary.
• Be prepared for emergencies. Keep a cell phone with you that is fully charged and has your insurance company and emergency contact (a family member or close friend) numbers.
• Do not get behind the wheel if you are tired, under the influence, or feeling unfit to drive. Find someone else to drive or find an alternative way home (Taxi, Uber, Lyft, etc). If you feel sick or tired while you are driving, find a safe space where you can pull off of the road to rest.

What To Do if You’re in a Car Accident in Aurora, IL

If you’re in a car accident, being prepared will make the situation less stressful. Here are the five steps to take after an automobile accident:

1. Stop! Do Not Drive Away

Never drive away after a car accident. It is illegal, and it will make your situation more complicated. Instead, shift your vehicle into the park, turn the engine off, and turn on your hazard lights. Find a safe path that is outside of harm’s way before you leave the vehicle.

2. Contact Police and Medical Personnel

If the accident is an emergency, call 9-1-1 to contact the police and medical personnel. If none of the vehicles are blocking traffic and no one is injured, call the Aurora Police Department’s non-emergency number at 630-256-5000 and report your accident. Follow the instructions of the police and medical personnel.

3. Document the Accident and Contact Your Insurance Company

You must document your accident beyond the police report. Take photos of any vehicle damage, injuries, and the road where the accident happened. Take detailed notes describing how the accident happened, the time, and the date. Record all parties’ names, numbers, license plates, and insurance information, and do not admit fault (read on to learn why). Do not sign off on any documents unless they are from the police or medical personnel. Contact your insurance agent as soon as you can do so.

4. Track All Medical Expenses and Treatments

If you are injured, make sure you receive sufficient medical care and attention. Track all of your medical billing expenses and treatments along the way. This will help your car accident lawyer and/or insurance agent guarantee that you receive the compensation you deserve.

5. Hire an Experienced Aurora Car Accident Lawyer

Finding an experienced car accident lawyer will help to ensure that your case is as strong as possible. Working with an auto accident attorney increases your chances of receiving full compensation for damages and personal injury claims, including medical expenses, lost wages, and vehicle damage. Be aware that Illinois’ statute of limitations requires you to file your claim within two years. Contact TorHoerman Law today to learn about working with our experienced car accident attorneys and personal injury lawyers.

Aurora Emergency Services

If you are involved in an Aurora auto accident, it’s crucial to contact emergency services and seek out quality medical care and treatment.

Aurora Emergency & Non-Emergency Services

All Aurora Emergencies & Ambulances — 911

Will County Sheriff — 815-727-8575

Kendall County Sheriff — 630-553-7500

DuPage County Sheriff —630-682-7256

Kane County Sheriff — 630-232-6840

Aurora Police Department (non-emergency) — 630-256-5000

Aurora Fire Department Fire (non-emergency) — 630-256-500

IDOT Roadside Emergencies –*999

Hospitals near Aurora, Illinois

Rush Copley Medical Center— Aurora, Illinois, 60504 — 630-978-6200

AMITA Health Mercy Medical Center — Aurora, Illinois, 60506 — 630-859-2222

Copley Memorial Hospital — Aurora, Illinois, 60504 — 630-978-6200

Presence St. Joseph Hospital — Elgin, Illinois, 60123 — 847-695-3168

Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital — Geneva, Illinois, 60134 — 630-208-3000

Why You Should Never Admit Fault In an Aurora Auto Accident

There is no reason you should ever admit or accept fault at the scene of an accident. Even if you think you might be at fault, do not admit fault. Auto accident fault is complex, and it is determined by a variety of situational details and laws. There is also a good chance that other involved parties are at least partially at fault. Leave the determination to legal experts.

If you do claim fault at the scene, other involved parties can use that in future hearings, deliberations, and arbitrations. If you feel like you are being pressured to admit fault, remain calm and politely reaffirm your right to refuse to question.

Again, do not admit fault, and wait for your Aurora car accident lawyer to handle the situation.

Filing an Aurora Car Accident Lawsuit

After familiarizing yourself with the civil litigation process, you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer to represent you as your Aurora car accident lawyer. Be sure to hire an experienced personal injury attorney with car accident litigation experience.

Your Aurora car accident lawyer will help you gather evidence to support your claim, assess damages that you incurred as a result of the accident, determine liability for your accident, and seek compensation to cover the cost of those damages.

The time you have to file an Aurora car accident lawsuit is limited by the Illinois statute of limitations, so do not hesitate to take the initial steps and seek legal representation from an Aurora car accident lawyer.

Hiring an Aurora Car Accident Lawyer

If you were involved in a car accident in Aurora, Illinois, TorHoerman Law is here to help. Our team of an experienced auto accident and personal injury attorneys will work with you to determine the best course of legal action. Our law firm offers free, zero-obligation case consultations for potential clients, and we base our legal services on contingency fees. This means none of our clients pay us until we have helped them receive compensation.

Contact the law offices of TorHoerman today to learn more about your potential Aurora Car Accident Lawsuit.