Being in an auto accident can result in much more than just higher insurance rates or car repair expenses. Victims of car accidents often face severe consequences, like permanent disabilities and long-term financial burdens.
You may be unable to pay medical bills, return to work, or cover basic living expenses after a crash. Accident victims can also struggle to afford necessary medical treatment. Our Rockford auto accident lawyer is here to help you seek compensation. At Crosby Law Firm, we’re dedicated to ensuring every client receives the support they need.
Schedule an initial consultation when you contact us online or call (815) 397-2006 today.
Our Injury Lawyer Is Here for You After an Auto Accident
Car accidents happen every day. In fact, in 2023, there were 1,143 fatal crashes in Illinois. Common types of car accidents include:
- Rear-End Collisions: These occur when one vehicle crashes into the back of another. Typically caused by tailgating, distracted driving, or sudden stops, rear-end collisions are frequent in heavy traffic. They can cause injuries ranging from minor whiplash to serious back and neck trauma or fractures.
- Head-On Collisions: These serious accidents happen when two vehicles moving toward each other collide. Head-on collisions often result in severe injuries or fatalities due to the high impact forces involved. Common causes include distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, and reckless behavior.
- T-Bone Accidents: T-bone accidents occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another. These often happen at intersections when a driver fails to yield or stop, such as running red lights. Injuries can be severe, particularly to occupants on the impacted side.
- Multi-Vehicle Pile-Ups: These crashes involve multiple vehicles and often occur in congested areas, poor weather, or low visibility conditions. Chain reaction collisions can cause extensive property damage and serious injuries.
- Sideswipe Collisions: Sideswipes happen when vehicles traveling parallel to each other make contact, often due to unsafe lane changes or failure to check blind spots. Injuries can vary but may include broken bones or whiplash. Secondary accidents may result if a sideswipe forces a vehicle off the road or out of a lane.
- Rollover Accidents: Rollover accidents are when a vehicle rolls over onto its side or roof. These are among the most deadly types of crashes. They often occur at higher speeds or when a vehicle loses control due to sharp turns, slippery roads, or collisions with curbs or guardrails. Occupants in rollovers can experience violent movements inside the vehicle, roof collapse, and risk being ejected.
The type of accident you were involved in can affect how serious your injuries are. For example, head-on accidents usually cause more damage than rear-end collisions. The National Safety Council (NSC) reported that there were 5.1 million medically consulted injuries from motor vehicle incidents in 2023.
Regardless of the type of crash that occurred, you can still suffer severe injuries and may file a claim. Our personal injury lawyer in Rockford, IL, can help you seek fair compensation to cover all damages. Whether you suffered whiplash from a rear-end collision or a major head injury in a rollover accident, we’ll stand by you.
Damages Covered By a Car Accident Claim
Car accident claims can cover a wide variety of damages, such as:
- Lost Wages
- Medical Expenses
- Pain and Suffering
- Permanent Disability
- Scarring and Disfigurement
- Property Damage
- Wrongful Death (for family members of accident victims)
In some situations, you may also be eligible to receive punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish defendants who acted with extreme negligence or intentional harm and help deter similar behavior in the future.
At Crosby Law Firm, we understand the financial and emotional strain that follows serious accidents. That’s why we’re ready to help you through this difficult time. Our Rockford auto accident attorney will work diligently to get you compensation for all damages.
Determining Fault in Auto Accidents and the Importance of Evidence
Determining who is liable in a car accident case is a crucial step in seeking compensation, especially in Illinois. This is because Illinois is an at-fault state. This means that a person hurt in an accident can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.
To show liability, your personal injury attorney must:
- Establish Duty of Care: The responsible party must have had a legal obligation, or “duty of care,” to behave responsibly to avoid causing harm to others. In car accidents, all drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and obey traffic laws.
- Prove Breach of Duty: It must be shown that the driver or other party breached their duty. They may have done so by failing to act reasonably or violating traffic laws, such as by speeding or driving under the influence.
- Establish Causation: Causation means that the harm caused would not have happened “but for” the defendant’s breach of duty. It also means proving that the damages were a likely result of the breach.
- Demonstrate Damages: The accident must have caused measurable damages, such as injuries, medical bills, lost wages, etc.
Common Causes of Collisions
The cause of an accident is usually that someone was driving unsafely. This can include driving under the influence (DUI), speeding, aggressive or distracted driving, etc. Other times, poor road conditions play a part, meaning local road authorities can be held liable for a crash. Some examples of dangerous conditions include debris on the road or large potholes.
Sometimes, car part manufacturers or mechanics can be at fault for accidents. Both have a duty to keep vehicles safe. If a recalled part wasn’t properly reported by a company or if a mechanic knowingly installed faulty parts to cut costs, they may be liable for an accident.
In truck accident cases, responsible parties can range from drivers to freight loaders and trucking companies. The typical severity of truck accident injuries emphasizes the importance of determining who is liable when filing a claim.
Figuring out who’s responsible for a crash can be complicated, but you don’t have to handle it alone. To build a strong case, our Rockford car accident attorney will gather all necessary evidence. This includes:
- Video footage and pictures of the accident scene
- Medical reports
- Eye-witness statements
- Mechanic reports
- Police reports
- Information from trucking companies (if applicable), like driver logs, dispatch records, route instructions, or maintenance and inspection records
Each piece of evidence plays a vital role in establishing fault and proving your case.
Auto Insurance Companies
Insurance companies are known for trying to reduce or deny claims. Having a Rockford, Illinois, car accident lawyer on your side is crucial when it comes to dealing with them.
At Crosby Law Firm, our dedicated attorney is here to support you every step of the way. Our firm has extensive experience dealing with insurance companies that fight injury claims. We know their tactics and how to effectively counter them to get fair compensation. In the event you need to file a lawsuit, we are prepared to represent you in court.
Illinois Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Injury Claims
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident personal injury claim is generally 2 years from the date of the accident. This means injured parties have 2 years to file a claim seeking compensation for damages resulting from the accident.
If the injured party is under age 18 at the time of the crash, they technically have until age 20 to file. This is because the statute of limitations will effectively pause until they turn 18.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyer in Rockford Today
Crosby Law Firm has been serving the Rockford community since 1980. Our dedicated attorney is well-equipped to handle your case. We pride ourselves on providing personalized service and aggressive representation.
Whether you need help understanding your legal options or fighting for a fair settlement, Crosby Law Firm is here for you. We handle car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, as well as other personal injury cases. When you choose to work with our Rockford auto accident lawyer, you’re choosing an experienced firm committed to your well-being and success.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, don’t wait to seek legal help. Contact us today, your trusted car accident lawyer in Rockford, Illinois. Schedule an initial consultation, and we’ll help you explore your options to obtain the compensation you deserve.
