Joliet Car Accident Lawyer
The city of Joliet ranked far better than Chicago this year in it's 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 Joliet car accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC are committed to assisting people injured in Illinois motor vehicle crashes. Before you consider speaking to an adjuster representing working for an at-fault driver's insurance carrier, we invite you to contact our office for a free case review. As with all Illinois automobile accident cases, our personal injury law firm handles, we only charge a legal fee when there is a recovery for you.
Where do Auto Accidents in Joliet Occur?
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has obtained data from the Joliet Police Department via Freedom of Information Act regarding traffic safety data in Cook County, Will County, and DuPage County. According to information provided, there were the following traffic-related injuries and deaths:
2015-2017
- 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 2017.
- 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 2017 report listed the Joliet's rank higher than its former position in the 2016 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 in the city in fatal car accidents match historical data in previous years. Two of those wrongful death fatalities involved drunk driving.
Recent Fatal Auto Accidents in Joliet
In March 2020, a plaintiff filed a wrongful death lawsuit involving a fatal accident that occurred 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 2015, a local man lost his life on Interstate 55 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 Melrose Park truck driver hit the victim's vehicle as he was attempting to move off the road. The man was pronounced dead at the accident scene.
Two fatal local car accidents occurred in July 2015. Both fatalities happened on Interstate 80. Illinois State police responded to an incident where an individual lost his life in a two-vehicle accident occurring on westbound I-80 just west of Brisbin Rd. EMT responders transported the male victim to a local area 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 area hospital, one suffering a life-threatening injury.
A November 2013 accident in Cook County claimed the life of one individual and injured another. The incident occurred at Delmar and Larkin Avenue in mid-afternoon. The deceased victim's Pontiac Bonneville was traveling on southbound Larkin when it was cut off by a GMC Yukon.
Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents
Vehicle accidents are a common problem in every community, including here in the city. While many vehicle accident-related fatalities happen on the local interstate, some Joliet collisions and crashes occur on local streets and roadways. The most common types of car accidents producing severe injuries and fatalities involve:
- Rear-End Crash – Statistics maintained by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) reveal that nearly one in three auto accidents involve rear-end collisions. Almost every driver at fault was not paying attention to roadway conditions just before the crash.
- Hydroplaning – Slick roadway conditions produced by rain and hidden ice can cause hydroplaning where tire tread is not able to maintain contact with the road surface. Hydroplaning causes the driver to lose control, where turning the wheel right or left does not redirect the vehicle's direction.
- Animal Collision – Hitting a wild animal in the street can cause significant damage to the car, and severe injuries to its occupants. It is essential to take caution any time an animal crossing sign is posted on a city street or in rural areas.
- Side-Impact Crash – 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 in the nation. These accidents often involve a “T-bone” collision when one driver fails to yield the right of way to another, causing a side-impact crash.
- Pedestrian Accidents – Striking a pedestrian with the vehicle is more dangerous than motorcycle accidents and bicycle accidents. The NHTSA indicates that more than 60,000 pedestrians suffer serious injuries every year from traffic accidents.
If the accident caused your injuries, losses, or damages, you are likely entitled to receive financial compensation if the incident was not your fault. However, these types of cases are challenging to litigate in civil court or negotiate an out-of-court settlement. Because of that, many victims will hire a Joliet car accident lawyer to handle their case.
Seeking Compensation for Injuries Sustained in a Joliet Car Accident
Not only do vehicle accidents cause injuries, anxiety, and stress, 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 bills, including hospitalization costs, ambulance transportation fees, surgeries, treatments, and rehabilitation.
Victims of car crashes are usually unable to return to work quickly and often lose wages 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 a Joliet car accident law firm that has experience settling and litigating Will County cases. The injured party must prove how other parties are at fault for the collision.
Benefits of Legal Representation in Joliet Car Accident Cases
A skilled Joliet auto accident lawyer can ensure that you receive the financial recompense you deserve. Your personal injury attorneys will assume all responsibilities of the challenging motor vehicle 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 firm will investigate the evidence and facts surrounding your accident, assess your damages, and open communication with experienced lawyers representing every defendant (party at fault).
A reputable lawyer can accurately complete the claim for compensation for a car wreck on your behalf to seek compensation for:
- Current and future medical care to heal
- Hospitalization costs of 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 earning capacity
- Property damage
- Other damages
Hire an Experienced Joliet Car Accident Lawyer
Seasoned Joliet car accident lawyers with a comprehensive understanding of the United States and Illinois tort law can also help you obtain financial compensation if the other driver did not have adequate insurance coverage or any insurance at all. Working in your best interests, our law offices will ensure you can get your life back on track after the accident.
Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC at (888) 424-5757 for legal assistance. Our legal practice is an established personal injury law firm handling car accident cases in Illinois.
We can answer every legal question concerning your case to provide various options on the best ways to proceed. Hiring our experienced team of skilled lawyers ensures you of receiving a full financial recovery in your case. We accept personal injury cases on contingency, so no upfront fees are required.