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Joliet Car Accident Lawyer
The city of Joliet ranked far better than Chicago this year in its annual Allstate Insurance Company America's Best Drivers Report on the nation's safest driving cities. Joliet landed 56th on the list compared to Chicago's 152nd position. Only Rockford, Illinois, ranked better than Joliet throughout the entire state.
The Chicago car accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC are committed to assisting people injured in Illinois motor vehicle crashes by helping them recover financial compensation for their emotional and physical pain.
Before you consider speaking to a claims adjuster representing or working for an at-fault driver's insurance carrier, we invite you to contact our office at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) for a free legal consultation.
As with all Illinois automobile accident cases our personal injury law firm handles, we only charge a legal fee when we can recover compensation for you.
Where Do Auto Accidents in Joliet Occur?
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has obtained data from the Joliet Police Department via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regarding traffic safety data in Cook County, Will County, and DuPage County. According to the information provided, there were the following traffic-related injuries and deaths:
2018-2020
- Total Number of Crashes: 16,067
- Total Number of Injuries: 2,794
- Total Number of Fatalities: 16
Additional Data Available:
- Total Property Damage: 13,257
- Number Killed: 16
- Number Injured: 3,852
Our FOIA request confirmed that the following intersections were the most dangerous areas to drive in Joliet in 2019.
- US-52 & W Jefferson St.
- IL-59 & W Theodore St.
- Larking & Jefferson
- W Caton Farm Rd & Frontage Rd
- W Caton Farm Rd & IL-59
- Essington Rd & Caton Farm Rd
- Larking & McDonough
- IL-53 & Chicago St
- Jefferson & Larking
- Hennepin Dr & Plainfield Dr.
The 2019 report listed Joliet's rank higher than its former position in the 2018 in-depth analysis report. However, Joliet car accident lawyers know that serious accidents with injuries still occur here every year.
Statistics show that the four individuals who lost their lives within the city limits in fatal car accidents match historical data in previous years. Two of those wrongful death fatalities involved drunk driving.
Recent Joliet Automobile Accident Cases
- In March 2020, a plaintiff filed a wrongful death lawsuit involving a fatal accident in 2018 on Interstate 80, claiming the lives of a 38-year-old Coal City female and her unborn baby. The crash happened when a Bolingbrook Truck Center semi-trailer's brake drum broke and shattered the victim's passenger vehicle's windshield.
- In April 2019, a local man lost his life on Interstate 55 near Joliet, IL, after being struck by a semi-truck and trailer during daylight hours. The victim was driving a 1999 Chrysler that had stalled in the roadway.
The police report indicated that a Melrose Park truck driver hit the victim's vehicle as he attempted to move off the road. The man was pronounced dead at the accident scene.
- Two fatal accidents in Joliet, IL, occurred in July 2019. Both fatalities happened on Interstate 80, Illinois.
- State police responded to an incident where an individual lost his life in a two-vehicle accident on westbound I-80 just west of Brisbin Rd. EMT responders transported the male victim to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
- The second accident involved a three-vehicle crash that claimed the life of one individual and injured two others. The deceased victim was a resident of Des Moines, Iowa. Two other crash victims were transported to a local hospital, one suffering a life-threatening injury.
- A November 2019 accident in Cook County claimed the life of one individual and injured another. The incident occurred at Delmar and Larkin Avenue in the mid-afternoon. The deceased victim's Pontiac Bonneville was traveling southbound Larkin when a GMC Yukon cut it off.
Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents
Vehicle fatal accidents are a common problem in every community, including the city. While many vehicle accident-related fatalities happen on the local interstate, some Joliet car accidents occur on local streets and roadways.
The most common types of car accidents producing severe injuries and fatalities involve:
- Rear-End Car Accident: Statistics maintained by NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) reveal that nearly one in three auto accidents involve rear-end collisions. Almost every driver at fault was distracted driving just before the car accident.
- Hydroplaning: Slick roadways during adverse weather conditions produced by rain and hidden ice can cause hydroplaning where the tire tread cannot maintain contact with the road surface. Hydroplaning causes the driver to lose control, were turning the wheel right or left does not redirect the vehicle's path.
- Animal Collision: Hitting a wild animal in the street can cause significant damage to the car and severe injuries to its occupants. Be cautious when an animal crossing sign is posted on a city street or in rural areas.
- Side-Impact Car Accident: Statistics maintained by the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) indicate that side-impact collisions total more than 25 percent of all passenger vehicle accident deaths nationwide. These accidents often involve a 'T-bone' collision when one driver fails to yield the right of way to another, causing a side-impact car accident.
- Pedestrian Accidents: Striking a pedestrian with a vehicle is more dangerous than motorcycle and bicycle accidents. NHTSA indicates that more than 60,000 pedestrians suffer serious injuries yearly from traffic accidents.
If the accident caused your injuries, losses, or damages, you are likely entitled to receive fair compensation if the incident was not your fault. However, these cases are challenging to litigate in civil court or negotiate an out-of-court settlement. Because of that, most accident victims will hire a Joliet car accident lawyer to handle their car accident lawsuits.
Seeking Compensation for Injuries Sustained in a Joliet Car Accident
Not only do vehicle accidents cause injuries, anxiety, and stress, but the incident can also place you in a financial stranglehold for years as you heal. Car accidents do more than just cause damage to the vehicle.
A collision can quickly generate extensive medical expenses, including ambulance transportation fees, hospitalization, surgeries, treatments, and rehabilitation costs.
Victims of car crashes usually cannot return to work quickly and often have lost income or the ability to earn a living in the future. Additionally, their injuries can produce substantial pain and suffering.
Because of that, victims will hire Joliet car accident lawyers that have experience settling and litigating Will County cases. The injured party must prove how other parties are at fault for the collision.
A reputable Joliet car accident lawyer can accurately complete the claim for compensation for a car wreck on your behalf to seek compensation for health care expenses as well as:
- Future medical care
- Medical expenses for catastrophic injuries, broken bones, head injuries, and temporary/permanent disability
- Lost wages due to the accident where the plaintiff cannot work or is undergoing a medical treatment
- Lost future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Other damages
Benefits of Hiring Joliet Car Accident Lawyers
A skilled Joliet auto accident lawyer can ensure you receive the financial compensation you deserve. Your car accident lawyers will assume all responsibilities of the challenging car accident claims process.
An attorney will handle all correspondence and phone calls from the insurance company, hospital, healthcare providers, and medical bill collectors. The law offices will investigate the evidence and facts surrounding your accident, assess your damages, and open communication with experienced lawyers representing every defendant (parties at fault).
Any family member who lost a loved one in a Joliet car accident can file a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court to hold those responsible for causing the crash financially accountable. In typical personal injury lawsuits, the defendant's insurance company will pay the decedent's loved ones to cover their medical bills, funeral costs, pain, and suffering.
Your personal injury lawyer can answer every legal question concerning your case to provide various options on the best ways to proceed in a free consultation.
Hiring our experienced team of skilled lawyers ensures you receive a full financial recovery from the insurance company. Our auto accident attorneys accept personal injury cases on contingency, so no upfront fees are required.
Why Legal Assistance After a Car Crash Can Be Helpful
In any of the scenarios above, car accident attorneys can be helpful because fighting for monetary compensation for your damages, medical treatment, and future medical expenses can be challenging.
The victim must first identify who was at fault for the collision and the events and circumstances that led up to it. To substantiate their claims, they must acquire proof, including witness testimony, police reports, medical records, and repair invoices.
The opposite party or its legal agent, as well as insurance companies, may need to be contacted by the plaintiff. While some personal injury cases are settled, filing a claim in civil court is occasionally necessary.
You can get help from a vehicle accident attorney with the following:
- Carrying out an investigation, going over police and medical reports, and obtaining testimony from witnesses
- Illustrating the crash's circumstances, as well as the series of events that led up to it
- Identifying the guilty party
- Making a case based on the incident's specifics
- Putting together a plan to get paid on your behalf
- Communicating on your behalf with insurance providers, attorneys, and other parties involved
- If required, representing you in court or during discussions
- Keeping you informed throughout the procedure and respond to any worries or inquiries you may have
- Investigation into some accidents, such as ride-sharing services, commercial trucks, public transportation, and sanitation vehicles, may be more challenging than in others.
These scenarios could involve many liable parties or a corporate, local, or state government as the responsible party. When dealing with these parties, having adequate legal representation will ensure you adhere to the necessary processes.
Statute of Limitations
According to the Legal Information Institute, each state has statutes of limitations that establish deadlines for plaintiffs to bring claims against other parties.
Depending on your location and the party you claim against, the statute of limitations may change. For instance, you might have two or three years to file a lawsuit against a fellow citizen but only six months to file one against a municipal government.
The period you have to file an insurance claim differs from the statute of limitations. Always submit a claim, or at the very least inform your insurance provider, as soon as you can. For your claim to be accepted by some providers, you must tell them within a "reasonable period." Once more, these periods may differ between states.
Car Accident Case FAQs
Our law offices understand that many families have unanswered questions about what to do after an accident to ensure they receive financial compensation by filing a claim. Our personal injury attorney has answered some of those questions below.
For additional information, call our law firm at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or through the contact form for a free consultation to speak with our legal team about your case. We ensure our client's rights are protected.
Hire an Experienced Joliet Car Accident Lawyer
Seasoned Joliet car accident lawyers with a comprehensive understanding of the United States and Illinois tort law could help you obtain maximum compensation if the other driver did not have adequate insurance coverage or any insurance at all.
Working in your best interests to protect your rights, our law offices will ensure you can get your life back on track after the accident.
Call the Joliet, IL, car accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) or use the contact form to schedule a free legal consultation. Our law firm has obtained millions on behalf of our clients.
Contingency Fee Agreement
Our legal practice is an established personal injury law firm handling car accident cases in Illinois. Our legal team accepts every case involving car accidents on a contingency fee basis, meaning no upfront fees are paid until the case is resolved through a negotiated settlement or jury verdict.
Our law offices represent clients in various practice areas, including truck accidents, reckless driving, nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, motorcycle accidents, construction accidents, premises liability, defective medications, product liability, and car accident lawsuits.