Who is Responsible for Compensating Car Accident Injuries?
The Illinois Vehicle Code (625 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5) governs driver behavior on any public roadway in Illinois. Violating any of the provisions of this Code is evidence that the driver is legally responsible for an accident. For example: Section 11-601 prohibits drivers from traveling at a speed which is greater than is reasonable and proper with regard to traffic conditions, or which endangers the safety of any person or property. This means that a driver can be guilty of speeding even if he or she was traveling at the posted speed limits. Typical Chicago weather conditions – such as rain, sleet, snow, or icy roadways – can make it unsafe to travel at the posted speed limit. Heavy Thanksgiving traffic can also reduce the speed which is reasonable and safe. Drivers must be alert to these conditions and adjust their speed accordingly. A driver who fails to do so will be found liable for an accident they cause.
The driver who is found to be liable for causing a car accident is also obligated to compensate any injuries and financial losses that result from the crash. This can include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage and any other financial losses that are directly attributable to the accident. In some cases, more than one driver is found to be at fault for an accident. In these circumstances, each driver is assigned a percentage of liability, and obligated to pay that portion of the losses resulting from the accident.
What Can Chicago Drivers Do to Stay Safe on the Road Over Thanksgiving?
The best way to prevent injuries is to avoid auto accidents altogether. Stay alert in conditions of heavy traffic, wet weather, or decreased visibility in order to identify roadway obstructions as soon as possible. It is also important to reduce your speed in these conditions, so that you have as much time as possible to react to situations on the road ahead. The severity of injuries can be significantly reduced with simple safety measures, such as proper use of seat belts and air bags. Ensure children are placed in car seats or booster chairs which are properly fit to their size. Prohibit children under the age of twelve from riding in the front seat, as they are at an increased risk of injury from front seat air bags.
Contact an experienced Chicago car accident attorney as soon as possible after sustaining any traffic injury. Injury victims have the legal right to be compensated for their financial losses.
