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.

 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.

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.

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.

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.