If you or a loved one suffered injuries or losses, at no fault of your own, due to a car accident in Aurora, IL, contact an experienced Aurora car accident lawyer from TorHoerman Law to discuss your legal options today.
We offer free, no-obligation case consultations for all potential Aurora car accident clients.
You can also get an instant Aurora car accident lawsuit case evaluation on our website, free of charge.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“FastStats – Accidents or Unintentional Injuries.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 Jan. 2017, www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/accidental-injury.htm.
Tor Hoerman has represented injured individuals for more than 30 years, with experience spanning individual personal injury cases and nationwide mass tort litigation. His work includes car accidents, catastrophic injuries, product liability claims, and other serious injury cases. Tor has served in court-appointed leadership roles in national litigation and tried cases involving major corporate defendants.
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TorHoerman Law’s legal content is researched and written by our editorial team and attorneys for legal accuracy, clarity, and relevance. We rely on statutes, court records, government publications, medical research, and other authoritative sources when applicable. This page provides general legal information and does not constitute legal advice.
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TorHoerman Law reviews its legal content for factual accuracy, current information, and relevant legal context before publication and as material developments occur. This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance about a specific case, contact TorHoerman Law.
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TorHoerman Law represents people whose lives have been disrupted by serious injuries, unsafe products, and negligence. Our attorneys handle individual personal injury cases as well as national mass tort lawsuits involving major corporations.
Founded in 2009, our legal team brings more than 100 years of combined experience handling serious injury and complex civil litigation.
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