Approximately every 10 seconds, someone in the United States is involved in a car accident. In Illinois in 2012 alone, there were more than 230,000 vehicle crashes with more than 72,000 injuries and more than 600 fatalities.
There are many interesting facts related to these statistics. According to 2012 data provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation, the greatest number of crashes happened on Friday and a large majority occurred in urban locations on urban roadways. And, though the vast majority of crashes occurred between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., the majority of crashes with fatalities occurred between 4 p.m. and 4 a.m.
What are the most common types of car accidents and injuries in the Chicagoland area? The most frequent accident and the one most of us have experienced or we most often hear about is rear-end collision and, related to that, front-end collision. Frequent types of collisions also include left turn, lane merges, and highway interchanges.
There are common types of injuries associated with these types of accidents. Again, the most frequent and the type we most hear about are whiplash and spinal cord injuries. Other injuries include head and brain injuries, broken bones, disfigurement, amputations, paralysis, and, unfortunately, death.
There are many reasons these accidents that cause injuries can occur—from the most innocent to the most negligent. The most common cause of accidents in the Chicagoland area is driver distraction. Driver distraction can include cell phones, texting, passengers and pets, loud music, eating, shifting cargo, and roadside distractions. In many cases, sudden and unforeseen medical emergencies are the cause of car accidents. The more negligent reasons can include driver impairment as the result of alcohol or drug use, fatigue, or emotional distress.
Auto accidents can happen to anyone, anytime. Even the safest drivers with the cleanest records can be involved in a serious car accident. If you need help with a car accident or injury, you can learn more @ www.gleiterlaw.com.