Four Common Types of Car Accidents In Illinois

State highway traffic and accident reports indicate that car accidents and injuries impact more than a quarter of a million drivers in Illinois each year. While these crashes tend to occur suddenly and when you least expect, there are certain factors which put you at increased risk. In addition to traffic or weather conditions and reckless driving behaviors, such as speeding, driving under the influence, and driving distracted, there are certain situations in which a collision is more likely. Understanding the circumstances under which these accidents occur can help you in holding responsible parties accountable when you are injured.   

How Car Accidents Commonly Occur

Highway officials and traffic safety experts use state data and individual accident reports in conducting research on how and why car accidents occur, and with the hopes of reducing future collisions. Based on reports from CrashTest.org, the following lists the four most common types of car accidents, and how often they happen in our area:

1. Rear-end collisions: Rear-end collisions happen when one car approaching from behind slams into the tail end of another vehicle. These accidents are more likely to occur in high traffic conditions and speeding, tailgating, and distracted driving are often a factor. According to crash reports from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), more than 90,000 of these accidents occur in our state each year, with nearly 12,000 in Will County alone.
2. Side impact collisions: Side impact crashes occur when one driver hits another at an angle, such as when pulling out of a parking space or when making turns in intersections. They often occur as the result of distracted driving or disregarding traffic signals. IDOT reports more than 79,000 of these accidents in Illinois each year, roughly 10,000 of which are in Will County.
3. Sideswipe collisions: These occur when one vehicle brushes against the side of another. Swerving and improper passing is often to blame. IDOT reports more than 33,000 of these accidents, more than 3,000 of which are in Will County. 
4. Head-on collisions: Crashes in which one driver hits head on into another are the least common but the most potentially deadly. Roughly three hundred of these accidents occur in Will County each year, leaving drivers and their passengers with serious and life-threatening injuries. 

Let Us Assist You Today

When a crash or collision leaves you with serious injuries, reach out and contact Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg, Ltd. Request a consultation with our Cook County car accident attorneys to discuss how your injuries occurred and how we may be able to assist you in getting the compensation you need to recover.