Our skilled auto collision attorneys could help you determine why a crash occurred and who the potentially at-fault parties may be. Knowing who was to blame for the wreck is the first step in pursuing fair compensation for your injuries.
Contact the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. to learn more about the common causes of a car accident in Aurora and how these factors can affect your claim and damage award.
Common Causes of Car Collisions
Several actions or circumstances can result in a crash that causes injuries to those involved. Some of the most common include the following:
- Distracted driving (e.g. texting, talking to passengers, eating, etc.)
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving aggressively or speeding
- Not adhering to traffic signs and signals
- Driving while fatigued
- Poor weather conditions
- Faulty or defective auto parts
A seasoned Aurora lawyer could review your car accident case and help determine which common causes may have contributed to it.
Cellphone Use While Driving
Texting and driving is a significant form of distraction. In Illinois, motorists are banned from holding a cell phone while driving, but they can use non-handheld devices. However, even talking on the phone can take a driver’s attention away from the road.
Injuries from Auto Wrecks
Depending on the intensity of a crash, drivers and passengers could suffer moderate to severe injuries, such as:
- Bruising and superficial injuries
- Whiplash
- Cuts and lacerations
- Broken bones and fractures
- Varying degrees of burns
- Internal organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Death
When a car accident causes a loved one to pass away, an Aurora lawyer could help the family file a wrongful death claim. They could collect the correct evidence and documentation and file everything on time to help secure compensation.
Potential Compensation After an Auto Wreck
When an individual’s case is successful, they may recoup several forms of financial recovery. Economic and non-economic damages are the most common types of compensation.
Economic damages are the tangible losses a person experiences in an accident, including the following:
- Medical bills (e.g. ambulance fees, doctor’s appointments, rehabilitation, surgeries, etc.)
- Lost wages from time off work
- Loss of earning capacity due to disability
- Property damage
Non-economic damages are more subjective and challenging to calculate. These can include things such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
In cases of especially egregious behavior on the defendant’s part, the court may award punitive damages. These are designed to punish the wrongdoer for their actions and prevent similar behavior from being repeated in the future. Punitive damages are rare and more likely to occur in cases like drunk driving or a hit-and-run.
The Importance of Hiring a Legal Professional
Hiring an attorney after a vehicle collision is essential because they understand how the legal process works. They could review your case specifically and determine if there are any exceptions to specific statute of limitations or filing deadlines. They could also negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and collect vital evidence to prove fault, including witness testimony, phone records, and other pieces of proof.
Speak to an Aurora Lawyer About the Common Causes of Car Accidents Today
You deserve compensation from the at-fault party when you have been injured in a crash. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are familiar with the common causes of car accidents in Aurora and could help build your case.
Contact our law office today to learn more about pursuing compensation and to get started with the claims process.