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Cost of Car Accidents in Illinois

Published: Aug 7, 2019 in Auto Accident, Personal Injury

St. Clair County accident lawyers help car accident victims obtain compensation in Illinois.The Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) released a new study that estimates the annual cost of car accidents to the Illinois economy at $3.8 billion. The study considers emergency services, medical costs, lost workdays and productivity, and increased congestion. ILEPI used a model for the study that was developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Increased Fatalities

Data from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) show that there were 66,703 injuries from more than 324,000 crashes on Illinois roadways in 2016. Of those, there were 1,000 fatal crashes in which 1,078 people died. Fatality statistics include both vehicle occupants and non-occupants, such as pedestrians and cyclists. From 2014 to 2016, fatalities increased nearly 17 percent.

The ILEPI transportation analyst who authored the study noted that long term road safety trends are improving, but that fatality statistics were still a cause for concern. Fatal vehicle crashes had been in decline since 2007, likely due to improved safety features and an increase in seat belt usage, but after briefly reaching a plateau, fatality numbers have been on the rise.

According to IDOT data, the most common fatal crash was roadway departure, followed by those caused by impaired drivers, failure to use a seat belt, and intersection-related accidents. The report concluded that investments to modernize infrastructure could play a significant role in reducing both the frequency and severity of car accidents in Illinois. Improvements in signage, lighting, pavement quality, and roadway design could save lives and reduce the ripple effect of serious car crashes on the economy.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Driving conditions certainly affect safety by contributing to driver error. Besides misjudging distances or ignoring blind spots, driver error includes behaviors such as aggressive driving, drowsy driving, distracted driving, speeding, and substance abuse. A person injured in a car accident caused by negligence has a right to compensation whether the liability lies with another driver, a company, or a municipality. Compensation may include some or all of the following:

  • Lost wages
  • Medical expenses
  • Emotional distress
  • Pain and suffering
  • Disability and/or disfigurement
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Punitive damages

In the case of a fatality, surviving loved ones may be compensated for losses such as funeral and burial expenses, grief and mental suffering, loss of economic support, and medical bills and expenses.

St. Clair County Accident Lawyers at The Cates Law Firm, LLC Help Car Accident Victims Obtain Compensation

If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident that was the result of the negligence of another party, you may be eligible for compensation. An experienced St. Clair County accident lawyer at The Cates Law Firm, LLC will fight to obtain the compensation you need to make a full recovery from your injuries. Call us today at 618-277-3644 to schedule a free consultation or contact us online. Located in Swansea, Illinois, we proudly represent clients throughout Belleville, Carbondale, East St. Louis, Granite City, Edwardsville, Chester, Waterloo, St. Louis, Madison County, St. Clair County, Monroe County, and Randolph County.