Car accidents are among the most common sources of personal injuries in Elgin. While it is true that people who suffer harm in these incidents have the right to demand compensation for their losses, it is also true that they need to prove that another party was liable for the incident. Therefore, it is important to understand the common causes of car accidents in Elgin and how the actions of others contribute to these incidents.
Although most car crashes are the consequence of accidents, this does not mean that other people are not liable. In fact, something as simple as taking one’s eyes off the road for a few seconds can significantly increase the chances of a collision. In addition, a collection of state traffic laws exists to protect the well-being of all travelers. Violations of these laws are another major source of crashes. A well-versed auto collision attorney at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. could review the case to help determine who likely bears the most fault for the wreck.
Violations of Illinois and Elgin Traffic Laws
The most direct cause of many traffic accidents in Elgin is a failure on the part of drivers to adhere to the rules of the road. Speed limits, the requirement to stop at red lights, and rules concerning the proper use of headlights all exist to promote public safety. Drivers who violate these rules may face sanctions in traffic court but are also likely to be blamed for any resulting harm.
In fact, civil courts hearing car accident cases can presume a defendant to be liable for a crash if they were in violation of a rule of the road in the moments leading up to the incident. This concept under the law is called negligence per se. A proactive attorney at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. could help investigate whether a driver received a ticket for a traffic violation related to a crash and leverage this fact into a potent demand for compensation.
Carelessness and Inattentiveness are Major Contributors to Car Crashes
Even if a driver does not receive a ticket related to an accident, that does not absolve them of blame. State law says that there is no such thing as a no-fault collision, and courts must determine the proportion of blame that all parties to an accident carry. When making this analysis, courts must follow the model of modified comparative negligence under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. If the court believes that an injured person carries more than 50 percent of the blame for a crash, it cannot award any compensation.
When another driver does not receive a ticket, it is crucial to be as thorough as possible when pursuing a car accident case. Perhaps a driver was distracted by a phone call. Maybe they were eating or putting on makeup while behind the wheel. They may even have fallen asleep. Each of these examples may not result in a traffic court case but can still serve as the core of a demand for compensation. An experienced Elgin attorney at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. could help pursue cases that center around carelessness as the source of an accident.
Call an Attorney for More Information about the Common Causes of Car Crashes in Elgin
Car crashes are common occurrences in Elgin. It is an unfortunate fact that even a crash at a slow speed can cause life-altering injuries. When demanding compensation for your losses, it is critical to be able to prove that another party was responsible for the incident. It is helpful to understand the common causes of car accidents in Elgin.
Many crashes are the result of breaking the rules of the road. Speeding, texting while driving, and driving while drunk are all illegal and significantly increase the chances of a collision. In addition, simple carelessness or inattentiveness can also spark a crash. Reach out to the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. to learn more today.
