There are over 3,000 car accidents every year in Springfield, IL, and that number is on the rise [1]. Far from being just a simple fender-bender, auto accidents can result in serious injuries – and major medical bills. These cases are complex and include factors such as liability, cause, and severity of injuries, making it crucial to work with an accomplished lawyer.
If you’ve been in a Springfield, Illinois, car accident, you need a skilled law firm on your side. Read on to find out more about all the ways we can help.
Types of Cases Our Springfield, IL Car Accident Lawyers Handle
Every Springfield car accident is slightly different, but there are some common types our attorneys see on a regular basis. These include:
- Head-on car crashes
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Sideswipes
- Angle crashes (“T-bones”)
- Front-to-rear accidents
- DUI crashes
The Most Common Causes of Springfield, Illinois Car Accidents
- Drunk Driving – As intoxicated motorists do not have the same reaction times as sober drivers, they are far more likely to get into a car accident.
- Speeding – Because higher speeds mean less time to stop, even a few miles above the limit can result in severe injuries from an accident. Sadly, the Illinois legislature is considering a bill to reduce traffic stops [2].
- Failure to Obey Traffic Law – Running red lights or failing to yield at a green arrow can easily lead to a serious accident.
- Distracted Driving – Approximately 8% of all car accident fatalities are due to distracted driving [3]. Not only is it illegal to use a handheld device in Springfield, but it is also now illegal to take Zoom calls, even with a hands-free device [4].
- Fatigued Driving – Tired drivers don’t have as fast of reaction times as those who are fully alert, making them more likely to crash.
- Faulty Vehicles – Every year, there are thousands of vehicle parts recalled due to serious safety issues.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Springfield
Car accidents are disorienting and frightening, but it’s critical to stay calm and follow these steps in order to protect yourself and your legal rights.
- Get to a Safe Location – If the car accident happened during heavy traffic, maneuver your vehicle out of the way and put the hazard lights on. Stay beside the vehicle as long as it is safe to do so.
- Call the Police – Call 911 and stay on the scene until they arrive. Police reports are a key piece of evidence for proving liability.
- Gather Evidence – Get the names and contact information of everyone present on the scene, including any passersby, other drivers, and passengers of other vehicles. Take pictures of the scene and of your injuries.
- Get Medical Treatment – Wait until an ambulance arrives, then seek medical care. It’s not uncommon for car accident victims to go into shock and not realize they are injured until later.
- Don’t Talk to Third Parties – Insurance adjusters will attempt to get you to admit you are at fault. Do not speak to any insurance company or the other driver without a car accident lawyer at your side.
- Call a Springfield Car Accident Attorney – You need expert legal guidance to ensure your rights are protected when pursuing fair compensation for your injuries and damage.
Do You Have a Car Accident Injury Claim?
Our Springfield personal injury lawyers will use all the evidence available to prove negligence, which is the basis of a personal injury claim. There are four elements which must be established:
- Duty of Care – The other party has a responsibility to consider the safety of others and to act with reasonable caution;
- Breach of Duty – Their actions at the time of the car accident represent a breach of this responsibility;
- Cause – Your injuries were directly connected to the car accident;
- Damages – You suffered physical or financial losses as a result of the liable party’s actions, whether that is medical costs or lost wages.
You Have Limited Time to File a Car Accident Personal Injury Lawsuit in Springfield, IL
It’s critical to act quickly to secure your legal rights and to ensure you can gain maximum compensation, which is why having a great attorney on your side is so important.
According to Illinois law, you have 2 years after the date of the accident to file a lawsuit and recover compensation through the court system. As we attempt to negotiate with the insurance company first, every day counts to ensure we can meet this filing deadline.
With this short deadline, it’s imperative to call a Springfield car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Legal Liability in Car Accident Cases
A Springfield car accident lawyer from our team will identify the appropriate liable party. While this is often the driver who hit you, other parties may be involved as well. These may include:
- Other Drivers – If the car accident became a pileup because fellow motorists did not stop, they may be liable;
- Companies – In car accidents with commercial vehicles or company cars, the employer of the guilty driver can be held responsible;
- Manufacturers – Vehicle or car part defects can implicate manufacturing companies.
- Municipalities – While government entities do enjoy some protection from lawsuits due to the Illinois Tort Immunity Act, there are circumstances in which they can be sued, such as gross neglect of city streets.
Our law firm will identify every potentially liable party and seek to reach a settlement, ensuring you can receive the funds you need to heal.
Proving Fault for Car Crashes in Springfield, IL
Illinois operates under a modified comparative negligence system rather than a no-fault one, meaning each party involved is assigned a percentage of the blame.
Only those who are less than 50% responsible can seek damages and, in a court case, their jury award will be reduced proportionate to their amount of blame.
For personal injury, our car accident lawyers need to prove liability by a preponderance of the evidence, unlike in a criminal case, where it needs to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Financial Compensation We Can Secure for Springfield, IL Car Accident Victims
There is no predetermined settlement amount, as it depends on a variety of factors. At the same time, there is no settlement cap, so working with an accomplished car accident lawyer ensures you can seek maximum compensation for your case.
We have been able to secure millions for our clients, such as:
- $7,000,000 – A pedestrian was struck by a car owned by a major medical supplier;
- $2,500,000 – Underinsured motorist settlement for a passenger injured in a rollover accident, suffering partial blindness and facial disfigurement;
- $14,100,000 – A motorcyclist was struck and killed by an inattentive trucker who turned left into his path of travel.
Factors Affecting Car Accident Settlement Amounts
Your settlement can depend on factors like:
- Cost of Losses – Those with significant medical bills will receive more;
- Extent of Injuries – Death and catastrophic injury settlements are typically higher;
- Insurance Coverage – If you only have uninsured motorist coverage and the other driver has no insurance, it may be harder to achieve a high settlement;
- Quality of Evidence – The more evidence available for your accident, the better your chances at compensation;
- Lawyer’s Skill – Top-notch legal services give you the best chance at a fair settlement.
The Most Common Car Accident Injuries in Springfield, Illinois
- Bruises and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Amputations
- Burns
- Facial injuries
- Paralysis
Damages Our Springfield Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover
‘Our team will pursue a variety of damages on your behalf, depending on who is filing the claim and what types of losses you experienced.
Economic damages include:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of earning potential
- Future medical needs
- Vehicle repair or replacement
Non-economic damages, those that consider the emotional impact of the accident, include:
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Physical pain
- Psychological trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If you have lost a loved one, we can also pursue damages such as:
- Funeral costs
- Medical costs
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of companionship
Punitive damages are awarded if there is gross disregard for human life, and they are not as common in personal injury suits.
The Statistics of Springfield, Illinois Motor Vehicle Crashes
- In 2022, there were 6,187 car accidents in the city of Springfield [5].
- Every year, the Springfield Police Department makes approximately 150 DUI arrests [6], but the true number of drunk drivers may be much higher.
- Just between Veterans Parkway and White Oaks, police officers issued 27 red light violations in a matter of days [7].
- 70% of all Springfield accidents take place during daylight hours, and 80% are during clear conditions [8].
- Traffic data shows 90% of Macarthur Extension drivers drive above the posted limits [9].
- Sangamon County as a whole saw 28 fatal crashes in 2023, down from 32 in 2022 [10].
The Time It Takes to Settle Car Crash Personal Injury Cases
The time it takes for your Springfield car accident lawyer to settle a case can take between a few weeks to months or even years. A straightforward case with clear liability and moderate injuries can take between 9 and 18 months.
In wrongful death suits and those with catastrophic injuries, it often takes a long time to settle because your lawyer and the adjusters want to identify your maximum medical improvement. If liability is not very clear, it will take time to sort out the liability issue, and these cases often must go to court.
Because the legal process can take so long and the statute of limitations is so short, it’s critical to secure legal representation as soon as possible. This ensures we can get started on your case right away, create a demand letter, and file a lawsuit if the other parties are unwilling to negotiate.
The Cost of Hiring a Springfield Car Accident Attorney
Our Central Illinois lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we are able to earn you compensation. We will deduct our legal fees from your settlement, offering you peace of mind.
How Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers Handle Auto Accident Cases
We have a proven process in place to win settlements, which includes:
- Free Consultation – We’ll gather the basic facts of the case, such as when and where it happened;
- Case Investigation – We verify the information provided and assess what type of case you may have under Illinois law;
- Gathering Evidence – Your car accident lawyer will gather evidence like surveillance footage, cell phone records, eyewitness statements, expert testimony, police reports, medical records, accident scene photos, and accident reconstructions;
- Negotiation – We attempt to settle out of court with the insurance company, sparing you a trial;
- Court Representation – If it is not possible to settle out of court, we will provide you with legal representation before a jury.
Contact a Springfield Car Accident Lawyer Today!
Our experienced attorneys have recovered millions for our clients, guiding them through every step of the insurance claim and lawsuit process to offer them the best chance of success.
We work on a contingency fee basis and provide free consultations – you owe us nothing unless we are able to recover compensation for you. Contact us today at (888) 424-5757 or through our online contact form to get started on your journey to justice.
Resources: [1] WAND-TV, [2] News Channel 20, [3] WREX, [4] News Channel 20, [5] Illinois Department of Transportation, [6] Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists, [7] NPR Illinois, [8] Illinois Department of Transportation, [9] FOX Illinois, [10] Illinois Department of Transportation
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