Common Car Accidents in Chicago
Car accidents happen every day, and in big cities like Chicago they are even more common. The car insurance industry estimates that the average driver will experience a collision once every eighteen years, meaning that we are all likely to go through this event at least once in our lives, and likely more. Fortunately, most car accidents are not fatal, but they can leave you with damage to your car or physical injuries that can pose a challenge.
In order to prepare, and to better protect yourself against the possibility of a car accident, it’s a good idea to be aware of what kinds of accidents are most common among Chicago drivers.
Rear-End Collisions
If you’ve ever been rear-ended by another vehicle, you’re far from alone. Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident in the U.S., with about 1.7 million occurring per year. And this statistic holds true in Chicago as well. If you are going to be in a car accident, you’re most likely to be hit from behind.
The good news? These collisions are generally not too damaging. Although it’s possible for serious injury or damage to occur in a rear-end collision, you’re more likely to end up with minor, repairable damage to your bumper.
Rear-end collisions are also easy to do your part to avoid. Make sure you leave enough room to stop when following someone so you’re not the cause of such an accident, and you’re already halfway there.
Cross Traffic Accidents
Cross traffic accidents are commonly referred to as t-bone accidents. These incidents occur at intersections when a driver neglects to obey a stop sign or traffic light and proceeds through the intersection when it isn’t their turn to do so. Of course, this often leads to one car striking another mid-intersection.
T-bone accidents get their nickname from the shape the cars form after collision. Because one car strikes the side of the other car, these can be harmful incidents, especially for those in the car that is struck. To avoid a t-bone situation, make sure you are constantly aware when on the road—not only of posted traffic signs and lights, but also of what the drivers around you at an intersection are doing.
Single Vehicle Collisions
We all know that Chicago’s weather is no joke. This city is famous for buffeting winds, and the temperature regularly drops 20 degrees in the span of a few hours. We’re often teased by a warm day in January, only to be plunged back to ice storms and temperatures below zero only a few days later.
Chicagoans can’t rely on what the weather is going to be, and although we are used to driving in inclement weather, the weather can often impede our ability to drive well. That’s what usually happens in the case of a single vehicle collision. Cars slip on black ice, hydroplane in the rain, lose track of the line of the road in heavy snow, or are caught by a heavy gust of wind. These factors can cause cars to collide with stationary objects such as guardrails or trees.
Even though yours is the only car involved in a single vehicle collision, the liability may not actually be yours. Speaking with a personal injury attorney can help you discover other parties that may be responsible for what happened.
If you or a loved one have suffered a recent car accident, contact us today to discuss your options.
