In Illinois, traffic accidents are devastatingly common. While the 2020 stay-at-home order resulted in fewer crashes in Illinois overall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that the rate of car accidents in Illinois increased by 18% from 2019 to 2020.
Crash data from the Illinois Department of Transportation reveals common themes among the state’s car crashes. Explore Illinois’ car crash data and learn how you can pursue compensation after a car collision with an attorney from Nessler & Associates.
When and Where Do Most Crashes Occur?
Data released by the Illinois Department of Transportation found that the majority of Illinois traffic accidents occur in urban locations. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Cook County (home of Chicago) had the most collisions, with 127,261 car accidents and 339 fatalities.
Will County had the second-highest fatality rate, where 56 out of 11,177 crashes proved fatal. DuPage County showed similar numbers and had the second-highest overall crash rate, with 12,413 accidents and 46 fatalities.
In urban and rural areas, most crashes occurred on Friday. However, urban areas saw the most nonfatal wrecks between noon and 3:59 p.m. and the most fatal crashes between 8:00 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. Rural areas, on the other hand, saw both fatal and nonfatal crashes primarily between 4:00 p.m. and 7:59 p.m.
What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents?
In 2020, Illinois reported that the most common types of motor vehicle crashes were:
Rear-end accidents: 58,332 (72 fatal)
Turning accidents: 40,033 (96 fatal)
Hitting a fixed object: 29,218 (339 fatal)
Same-way sideswipes: 25,558 (27 fatal)
Colliding with an animal: 14,376 (10 fatal)
Opposite-way sideswipes: 2,669 (16 fatal)
Head-on collisions: 2,254 (116 fatal)
While fixed-object collisions might seem like they would primarily cause property damage, they were the most fatal type of collision, with a 31.2% fatality rate.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Crashes?
Illinois collects county and city-level data on causes and contributing factors to car accidents. Many of the crashes in Illinois were caused by distracted or reckless driving, speeding, poor weather conditions, and alcohol use.
Across the United States, distracted driving led to 8% of fatal crashes. 12% of these distracted-driving incidents involved cell phone use.
In the state of Illinois, 39% of fatal crashes involved speeding.
37% of Illinois drivers in car accidents registered a BAC of 0.01 or higher. This is below the legal limit but still high enough to potentially impair driving ability.
32% of drivers in fatal car crashes in Illinois were legally intoxicated, with a BAC of 0.08 or higher. (Under Illinois law, driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher is illegal.)
Injury Rates in Illinois Car Crashes
Of the 246,752 crashes in Illinois during 2020, 72,989 resulted in some form of injury, ranging from mild to severe. The Illinois Department of Transportation classifies injuries as A-injuries, B-injuries, and C-injuries, with A-injuries being the most severe.
Obvious Debilitating Injuries (A-Injuries)
IDOT defines an A-injury as a non-fatal injury that leaves the victim temporarily or permanently disabled. Some examples are:
Severe lacerations
Broken limbs
Skull or chest injuries
Abdominal injuries
Of all injury crashes in the state during 2020, 13.2% caused debilitating injuries. The majority took place on Saturdays between noon and 11:59 p.m. Drivers received about 64.6% of all debilitating injuries, while passengers received about 22.6%.
Most injured drivers were between the ages of 20 and 24. Passengers with disabling injuries were typically slightly older, between 25 and 34.
Less Evident Injuries (B- and C-Injuries)
A B-injury is a visible injury that is not obviously debilitating, like bruising, swelling, or minor bleeding. A C-injury is a reported injury that was not confirmed at the scene. These injuries can include a brief loss of consciousness, sprains, or invisible symptoms like pain and dizziness.
Since B and C injuries don’t have as pronounced an impact as A injuries, the state does not include them in crash reports. However, these injuries can have long-lasting impacts on accident victims. Someone with a reported B or C injury may suffer severe damages, like neck or back injuries, traumatic brain injuries (including concussions), or internal bleeding. These injuries can result in costly medical bills, lengthy rehabilitation, and permanent disability.
What Are My Options After a Car Accident?
After being in a car accident, it’s crucial to call the police to file an accident report. You should also seek medical attention, even if you don’t think you’ve been injured. A car accident releases adrenaline throughout the body, making it challenging to recognize injuries immediately after the crash.
Once you’ve received a medical examination, call your insurance company to report the crash. Additionally, call the police to report the incident and make a report that records the facts of the accident, such as speed, weather, involved parties, and witnesses.
If you received serious injuries and the other driver is responsible for the wreck, you may have legal grounds to seek compensation for any personal injuries. Since Illinois is an at-fault state, you can receive compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company by filing a claim with the help of a skilled auto attorney. A car accident lawyer from Nessler & Associates can review your legal options and help you seek a fair settlement to cover your accident expenses, like medical treatment and lost wages.
Consult Nessler & Associates Car Accident Attorneys
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming and financially exhausting. That’s why our attorneys at Nessler & Associates work on contingency: we don’t make you pay a thing unless we win.
Our team is well-versed in Illinois’ rules of the road, common practices by car insurance companies, and the steps needed to successfully recover compensation on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation.