Freeport Car Accident Lawyer
Drivers are human, and as such, accidents do and will happen. However, when they happen, they can come with serious consequences. They can be followed by physical and emotional damages that might set you and your family back.
Working with a Freeport car accident lawyer, such as those at Mahoney & Mahoney, LLC, can help you receive fair compensation based on the injuries and damages you’ve sustained. Understand more about car accidents in Illinois, and seek out a law office to help you with the case you may have.
Causes of Car Accidents in Freeport
One of the biggest causes of car accidents throughout Illinois is slick, wet, snowy weather. New drivers are unfamiliar with this type of weather driving condition and may cause accidents to happen.
Speeding tends to be another reason for vehicle accidents throughout the state. The average speed limit is 30 mph throughout many of the cities in the state, but this doesn’t stop drivers from wanting to get to their destination faster. Drivers that do this put themselves and others at risk of being in an accident.
Driving under the influence is also a frequent cause of Freeport car accidents. Even though there are many public transportation options, many drivers still choose to put their lives and the lives of others in danger by driving while intoxicated. The laws in Illinois for this are harsh, yet a lot of people still decide to get behind the wheel.
Some other causes of crashes in Freeport include the following:
- Drunk, drugged, drowsy, or distracted drivers
- Unsafe road conditions, including inadequate signage and lane markings
- Mechanical failure involving defective parts or inadequate maintenance
- Construction issues, such as equipment left in the way or sites too close to the road
We’ll investigate your accident, the vehicles involved, and their maintenance history. We’ll also look into the other driver’s past and interview eyewitnesses.
Types of Car Accidents
There are a number of different types of accidents that can occur. However, certain types are more prone to happen than others in the Freeport area. When yellow lights last only a few seconds and red lights have cameras in them, it can increase specific accidents.
Rear-End Accidents
The short yellow lights and red light cameras increase the number of rear-end crashes that occur in Freeport. The tickets that come from red light cameras can carry a hefty fine of up to $100, which makes drivers more likely to stop abruptly at a light.
Other drivers who are following the car in front of them too closely may find themselves in a rear-end collision. This can happen when the vehicle in front of them stops quickly and they do not have enough time or space to react appropriately.
Side Impact Accidents
Otherwise known as T-bone accidents, side impact accidents are relatively common in Freeport and can cause serious injuries. This is when one vehicle drives into the side of the other. Many of the intersections throughout the city are adjacent to one another. They don’t have the best visibility.
Often, side-impact accidents happen due to drivers that ignore red lights. Additionally, other drivers are in poorly marked or signaled intersections, causing more accidents to happen.
Single-Vehicle Accidents
Throughout Freeport, drivers may lose control of their vehicles and crash, even if they were taking the proper steps to drive safely. Icy roads can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles, and if the brakes or other safety features fail, that can lead to a dangerous crash. Even if no other cars are involved, you may not be responsible for the damages caused.
Vehicles parked on the sides of many Freeport streets also make the roads more dangerous. Vehicles that are paying minimal attention while driving down the road may end up sideswiping those parked, or parked drivers may open their doors into the street without checking that no cars are incoming.
Common Types of Compensation
When dealing with a personal injury claim for a Freeport car accident, we have to look at more than just your medical costs and lost wages. We need to consider every way your car crash has negatively affected your life.
We can press a claim for any of the following, depending on your situation:
- Current and ongoing medical costs
- Immediate and projected income loss
- Disability accommodations to your home, vehicle, and workplace
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium, companionship, and care
- Property damage
What Should I do After a Freeport Car Accident?
It is important to know how to handle an accident once it happens. You may be confused and under a lot of stress and pain following your Freeport car accident, but knowing what to do can help you build a better case for a claim.
The first thing you should do is seek out medical help. This is important to know what injuries were sustained and what you should expect. Sometimes, certain injuries might not be outwardly apparent after the accident happens.
Additionally, documenting the site of the accident, injuries, getting a police report, and other evidence can help you later on. All this information can add up as evidence.
You may also need to reach out to a law office regarding the accident you’ve been in as soon as possible. A trusted Freeport law office can help you determine the best course of action once you’ve collected everything and received the proper medical attention.
Proving Fault After a Freeport Auto Accident
It is essential that fault is proven after an auto accident to determine how much compensation should be awarded and to whom. Adequate proof has to be provided that someone else was to blame for the damages and injuries.
Insurance companies do not go along with word of mouth from those injured in accidents. They want proof that injuries happened, that damages were done, and that the other driver was the one that actually caused it.
This evidence is something you want a car accident lawyer to handle. The type of evidence needed varies depending on the specific situation. Generally, there are some essential pieces of evidence that are required in any vehicle crash.
- Police and arrest reports
- Statements from witnesses
- Medical documents of any injuries
Additionally, the driver at fault has to be shown to be the one that caused the accident. This is generally shown on an accident report, but further investigation may be necessary. This is when a law office can come in and provide you with the necessary documentation for your case.
Dealing with Insurance and Comparative Fault
The insurance companies won’t be on your side. They only value profits and see your claim as an obstacle, not an obligation. Sometimes, they’ll try to use your statements against you in an attempt to place you at fault.
They do this because, under Illinois’ comparative fault policy, if you’re 10 percent at fault and are awarded $100,000, you’ll only receive 90 percent of your compensation—$90,000. This can make financial stability even more difficult, but we’ll see this coming and fight back hard.
How Long Do You Have to File a Freeport Injury Claim?
Illinois law states that according to the statute of limitations, those victims injured in vehicle crashes have up to two years to file a claim against the responsible party. This might seem like a long time, but two years can pass quicker than you know it.
Working with an attorney as soon as possible can reduce the chances of missing this deadline. They know the specific steps that need to be taken and the timeframes within each one.
Delaying any steps in the case can result in a loss of evidence needed to help you win your case. You want to document everything and ensure that nothing is lost in the process. The law office will collect this information for you, so nothing is lost.
Additionally, if you do not have legal counsel, you may find yourself communicating with the insurance company. If you have no experience handling car accident claims, you may find yourself settling for less than what you actually deserve.
Seeking a Freeport car accident lawyer will ensure that not only do they communicate with the insurance company, but not settling for anything they throw out there. They will fight for you to get the amount you deserve based on the specific circumstances.
Reaching out to an attorney as soon as possible can help you get your case started. It can also help to preserve any evidence needed, while also protecting your rights.
What Caused Your Freeport Car Accident?
If you’re a victim of a vehicle accident in Illinois, there are a few reasons why you’re entitled to seek out compensation. Here are a few reasons why you may be entitled to file a lawsuit for compensation after an accident, though there are many others depending on the specifics of the accident:
- Distracted driving, which includes texting while driving
- Drinking or under the influence of drugs while driving
- Failing to yield to the right of way
- Running a stop sign or red light
- Following behind too closely
- Speeding
- Not paying attention to the road, other drivers, or the surrounding area
Injuries from Freeport Car Accidents
There are certain injuries that are more common in vehicle accidents. These injuries can include, but are not limited to:
- Head and facial damage may cause traumatic brain injuries, disfigurement, and speech, hearing, or vision problems.
- Neck, back, and spine trauma can lead to paralysis or severe nerve damage that causes chronic pain, numbness, or lack of mobility.
- Large-area burns are some of the most painful injuries and may require skin graft surgeries to correct severe disfigurement.
- Broken bones are common but can be quite dangerous if they cut an artery, possibly leading to life-threatening complications.
- Internal trauma includes organ damage and internal bleeding, both of which are difficult to detect and can be fatal if left untreated.
Some car accidents can cause serious injuries when they happen, including serious brain and spinal injuries. They can leave a Freeport victim with high medical bills and lifelong disabilities. Fortunately, if you’ve been injured in an accident, you can pursue compensation for past, current, and future medical costs associated with the accident.
It’s vital for those with long-term or serious injuries to seek legal help to receive fair compensation for the injuries they’ve sustained. With a car accident attorney on your side, you have an opportunity to get compensated for your suffering and overcome your losses.
Connect with a Freeport Car Accident Attorney
If you feel you have an accident claim, reach out to a knowledgeable and well-established law office in the Freeport area. Illinois laws can sometimes be tricky, but with the right legal team, you don’t have to worry about anything being missed.
Call Mahoney & Mahoney, LLC at 815-205-8573 or fill out the contact form on our website to get in touch with a lawyer who can listen to your situation. Our free consultation can help you determine the best next steps.
