Chicago
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Personal Injuries
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Edwardsville
Case Types We Handle
Personal Injuries
Car Accidents
Truck Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Bicycle Accidents
Nursing Home Abuse
Wrongful Death
Slip and Fall Accidents
Daycare Injury & Abuse
Premises Liability
St. Louis
Case Types We Handle
Personal Injuries
Car Accidents
Truck Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Bicycle Accidents
Construction Accidents
Nursing Home Abuse
Wrongful Death
Slip and Fall Accidents
Daycare Injury & Abuse
Dangerous Drugs
Defective Products
Chemical Exposure

Illinois Car Accident Lawyer

Written By:
Tor Hoerman
Tor Hoerman

Attorney Tor Hoerman, admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association since 1995 and The Missouri Bar since 2009, specializes nationally in mass tort litigations. Locally, Tor specializes in auto accidents and a wide variety of personal injury incidents occuring in Illinois and Missouri.

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy and clarity by the team of writers and attorneys at TorHoerman Law and is as accurate as possible. This content should not be taken as legal advice from an attorney. If you would like to learn more about our owner and experienced injury lawyer, Tor Hoerman, you can do so here.

TorHoerman Law does everything possible to make sure the information in this article is up to date and accurate. If you need specific legal advice about your case, contact us. This article should not be taken as advice from an attorney.

Illinois Car Accident Lawyer

Illinois is home to some of the most respected architecture, engineering, and citizens in North America.

Towns like Chicago and Springfield make the state a unique cultural center as well as an integral part of the nation’s economy.

But when it comes to keeping up the urban gloss of Illinois, prosperity is not without its downsides. Traffic accidents are an epidemic in the Midwest.

Urban areas are problematic because of their dense populations, while rural areas are problematic because of the faulty roads themselves.

If you’ve been hurt in an accident, you’ve got a few options. Of course, you could continue to suffer and watch as your life gets harder.

Or you could just power through the hospital bills and the lost time. Oh, enough of that.

Your best option is to contact an attorney! No matter what happened, you can benefit from reaching out to an Illinois car accident lawyer.

At TorHoerman Law, we’ll talk to you about your situation for free.

Car Accident scaled

If we find that your case is fit for battle, we’ll team up with you and fight for compensation—that is, money to make up for the suffering you’ve had to deal with.

Continue reading to learn about car safety, Illinois, and why it’s always best to call a lawyer.

Table of Contents

What Are The Traffic Laws in Illinois?

You probably know to stay within the speed limit, use your turn signals, and have valid license plates. But there’s a collection of traffic laws that often go unnoticed or carelessly broken.

Here are some Illinois driving laws you should know (via Jesse White, Secretary of State):

  • New changes to the Illinois driver’s license system will go into effect in October of 2020. A standard ID will be obtained by visiting the license office and providing basic personal info. A “Real ID” requires more extensive info including your SSN and passport. Possession of a Real ID will be required to board domestic flights and to enter a military base or federal facility.
  • A driver under age 18 is not allowed to drive any vehicle-for-hire transporting property (e.g., delivery persons) or any vehicle requiring a commercial driver’s license.
  • Illinois drivers who receive a ticket in another state can either argue the case in that state, or promise to comply with the ticket which would allow them to go home and handle the ticket by mail.
  • Regardless of fault, a crash report must be filed by the driver of a vehicle if the crash involves death, bodily injury or property damage of more than $1,500. They have 30 minutes to file the crash report.
  • It’s recommended that Illinois drivers call 911 if they get in an accident, followed by an Illinois car accident lawyer.
  • Drivers who are age 55 or over may receive a reduction in their motor vehicle liability insurance if they successfully complete an eight-hour defensive driving course.

 

Illinois Car Crash Statistics

As car accidents persist across the globe, government and independent agencies track all facets of crashes.

Here are some Illinois car accident facts and statistics:

  • In 2017, more than 850 crashes occurred in Illinois each day.
  • These crashes resulted in 3 deaths per day.
  • More than 10 people were injured per hour.
  • A total of 311,679 traffic accidents happened in Illinois in 2017.
  • Fridays suffer the most car accidents, with Wednesday being the second-most.
  • Nearly 75% of Illinois car accidents took place in urban areas.
  • Traffic accidents are most likely to occur between 4 PM and 8 PM. Interestingly, fatal crashes most often occur between 8 PM and 4 AM.
  • The rate of fatal crashes in urban areas is lowest in the middle of the week, while the rate of fatal crashes in rural areas increases in the middle of the week.
  • Most accidents in urban areas happen on city streets, while most accidents in rural areas happen on county and local roads.
  • Most crash victims are glad they talked to an Illinois car accident lawyer.

 

How To Stay Safe On The Road

We weren’t going to dump the numbers on you without giving some suggestions.

As an experienced personal injury law firm, we’ve seen countless car accident victims whose struggle could have been avoided.

These are our tips on being a safe and effective driver:

  • Keep emergency materials in your car at all times: a charged cell phone, first aid kit, jumper cables, extra clothes, emergency fuel, and oil. And of course, make sure you’ve always got your license and registration. Some helpful emergency contacts include 911, friends, family, and an Illinois car accident lawyer.
  • Maintain your car. Check to make sure your lights are working and take note of anything that doesn’t seem to be working properly. If anything seems off, visit a mechanic to get an inspection.
  • Know your limits. Don’t drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and don’t let others do it either. Even when sober, be aware of your abilities. Fatigue can easily cause accidents. Don’t be afraid to pull off the road to take a nap if necessary.
  • Pay close attention to your environment. If another driver seems reckless, keep a safe distance from. If you see brake lights, be prepared to slow down. It may seem obvious but we know it’s easy to get lazy!
  • Look at the weather. If you’re about to drive, glance at a forecast and adjust your outfit accordingly. If the weather gets bad while you’re on the road, be especially careful. Rain, ice, and snow are like temporary speed limits that are lower than the norm.

 

What Does An Illinois Car Accident Lawyer Do?

If you’re new to the world of law, take a deep breath—there won’t be a ton of work on your part. It’s the attorney’s job to do most of the work for you.

Here’s a general overview of what the civil lawsuit process will look like:

  • You call a law firm and tell them about your situation. THLaw is a good starting point as this conversation will be free.
  • The firm may ask to speak with you in person or for you to send them more information about the car accident. Upon meeting, they’ll give you their initial thoughts and possible routes you can take.
  • If the attorney sees your case as being potentially successful, they’ll start to gather evidence.
  • The attorney will start to build a case which will include assessing damages. Damages are the ways you’ve suffered as a result of the accident: hospital bills, lost time, and emotional distress (to name a few).
  • Your attorney may communicate with your insurance company or other parties involved in the accident. This could be for a number of different reasons, but the ultimate goal is to demonstrate liability in the accident.
  • If the case doesn’t settle out of court, you and your attorney may file a lawsuit. If the crash resulted in any fatalities, it will likely be a wrongful death suit.
  • You’ll then engage in a trial where the court makes a determination about compensatory or punitive damages you’ve suffered. In a successful trial, you’ll be awarded a good chunk of money for your losses. This is only possible by talking to an Illinois car accident lawyer.

 

The Experts Work For TorHoerman Law

Are you struggling to make ends meet after a car accident?

Well, it’s time to take charge. By calling a personal injury firm, you can get back on track with the things you care about.

The team at THLaw is experienced in a wide range of personal injury cases, with a specialty for car and truck accidents.

You can call us at 1-888-508-6752 free of charge, and we’ll be sure to listen.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the dangerous roads in Illinois?

    Be careful on interstates, especially Highway 44, 64, 270, and 100 (Manchester Road).

    Highways are the most common location of truck accidents.

  • What do I do after a car crash?

    When you get in an accident, move yourself and your vehicle to a safe area before checking on others, calling for help, documenting the scene, and contacting your insurer.

    Then call an Illinois car accident lawyer.

  • What does the lawsuit process look like for car accidents?

    First, an attorney will review your accident and how it affected you.

    If they think a lawsuit is feasible, they’ll build your case and do pretty much all the work for you.

    A successful trial will put a check in your pocket.

Written By:
Tor Hoerman

Tor Hoerman

Owner & Attorney - TorHoerman Law

Do You
Have A Case?

Here, at TorHoerman Law, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.

Since 2009, we have successfully collected over $4 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.

Would you like our help?

About TorHoerman Law

At TorHoerman Law, we believe that if we continue to focus on the people that we represent, and continue to be true to the people that we are – justice will always be served.

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$4 Million
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In this case, we were able to successfully recover $4 Million for our client after they suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury while at daycare.

$2.8 Million
Defective Heart Device

In this case, we were able to successfully recover $2.8 Million for our client after they suffered an injury due to a Defective Heart Device.

Guides & Resources
Do You
Have A Case?

Here, at TorHoerman Law, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.

Since 2009, we have successfully collected over $4 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.

Would you like our help?

Illinois Department of Transportation, et al. “2017 Illinois Crash Facts & Statistics.” IDOT, Omer Osman, Acting Secretary, May 2019, http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Resources/Safety/Crash-Reports/crash-facts/2017%20Crash%20Facts.pdf.

White, Jesse. “Illinois 2020 Rules of the Road.” Office of the Illinois Secretary of State, 2019, https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a112.pdf.

“Here’s The Most Dangerous Highway in Illinois” https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/heres-most-dangerous-highway-illinois

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