Chicago Speeding Car Accident Lawyer

Seek Justice for Car Accidents Caused by Speeding Drivers

A Chicago speeding car accident lawyer is here to support you and your family after a car crash along major roads like the Stevenson Expressway or the Tri-State Tollway. We will guide you through the process of making a personal injury claim while protecting you from deceptive insurance tactics. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney. 

Speeding Accident Settlements Recovered by Our Chicago Accident Attorneys

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, well-known for securing settlements far above average for our clients. These are some of our highest settlements in cases like yours. 

$18,500,000: Josie was injured in a head-on collision with a semi-truck along the O’Hare Expressway. She suffered spinal cord injuries and a serious concussion. Our Chicago car accident lawyers proved that the truck driver was traveling above the posted speed limit for commercial vehicles.

$2,000,000: While Peter was driving along Route 120, a negligent driver slammed into him from the side, causing a rollover accident that resulted in severe injuries. We used police reports and medical records to recover damages for long-term care needs.

$449,000: Mia was waiting for a red light at Milwaukee Avenue when she was rear-ended, which sent her head into the dashboard and caused a concussion. Police officers determined that distracted driving and speeding were the cause. Our personal injury law firm secured a fair settlement from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. 

What Is the Average Payout for Speeding Motor Vehicle Accidents in Chicago?

The average payout for speeding auto accidents in Cook County is $748,740. Compensation for Chicago car accidents is determined by several factors, including the following.

Available Evidence: Police records, surveillance footage, witness statements, and dash cam footage can all be used to determine liability.

Liability: Illinois uses modified comparative negligence (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). This means that your percentage of assigned blame will reduce your potential damages.

Economic Damages: Your medical expenses, lost income, and future care needs will determine both your economic damages and pain and suffering damages. 

Available Insurance: If the liable party did not have insurance, you will have to make a claim against your own insurance, and this may limit how much you receive. 

Our personal injury law firm will carefully calculate your damages and negotiate for a fair sum that covers all your potential needs. 

Example Cases Filed in Cook County

Marc C. Jacobs, 44, was being driven to his Hinsdale home in a Yellow Cab operated by Cornelius Ezeagu. While attempting to exit I-294 via the Ogden Avenue off-ramp, Ezeagu lost control of the vehicle. The cab flew 32 feet through the air and slammed into a concrete barrier 336 feet from the exit ramp. 

Jacobs suffered a traumatic brain injury and multiple broken bones. He was unable to practice real estate law as before, prompting him to sue for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium. He was awarded $29,487,831.00. 

In another case, Stacey McHale, 36, was driving along Interstate 294 in Midlothian when her car got a flat tire. She put on her hazard lights and got out to inspect the tire when a speeding 18-wheeler slammed into her, dragging her 130 feet. She suffered catastrophic head trauma and died on the scene. 

The other driver’s defense team argued that because McHale was a waitress and did not have a consistent income, her grieving family should not receive economic support damages. However, the Circuit Court of Cook County disagreed and provided a financial recovery of $8,000,000.00. 

The final example case involved Julian Mitchell, 37, who was an employee with the Chicago Department of Transportation. He was preparing to perform tuckpointing work at a bridgehouse on the 100th Street Bridge in Chicago. While unloading materials from his work truck, he was struck by an 18-wheel semi-tractor-trailer operated by Dale Smith. 

Mitchel was pinned between his work truck and the tractor-trailer, which dragged him approximately 20 feet before coming to a stop. He suffered an abdominal evisceration and died two hours later in the hospital after extreme suffering. Reports demonstrate that Smith was operating his vehicle at an unsafe speed and performed an unsafe lane change. A court awarded his family $7,500,000.00. 

What Laws Govern Speeding Car Accident Cases in Chicago?

Both municipal and state codes cover car accidents in Chicago. The city has a 30 mph speed limit for terrestrial roads, with a 15 mph speed limit in alleyways. The absolute statutory non-urban speed limit is 55 mph (9-12-070). 

The Illinois Vehicle Code sets out general speed instructions, noting that no driver should travel above a speed that is reasonable and safe for the given circumstances, such as in bad weather. The maximum highway speed limit is 65 mph, with a 55 mph speed limit for all other roads or streets (625 ILCS 5/11-601). 

Any car crash that causes injuries or a certain amount of property damage must be reported (625 ILCS 5/11-408). Additionally, if anyone is injured or killed, it is illegal to leave the accident scene before police arrive and take statements (625 ILCS 5/11-401). 

As noted in the Illinois Supreme Court case People v. Rizzo, extreme cases of speeding, such as 40 mph over the speed limit, can result in misdemeanor charges rather than a simple traffic ticket. 

While criminal cases are separate from civil trials, an experienced car accident lawyer from our firm can use this as evidence that the speeding driver was acting with clear negligence. This legal term means that the person did not exercise reasonable care to protect others from potential harm, and that your injuries were a direct result of this lack of care. 

In addition to the driver, a Chicago car accident lawyer can also seek damages from other parties under the Joint Tortfeasor Contribution Act (740 ILCS 100/2). Potentially liable parties include other motorists, passengers, and municipalities. 

If the negligent driver was intoxicated at the time, it may be possible to seek compensation from the establishment that served them. This is called the Dram Shop Act, and it has a statute of limitations of just one year (235 ILCS 5/6-21).

There is no statutory cap on non-economic damages in Illinois per the Illinois Supreme Court case Lebron v. Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, meaning that the court can award whatever sum it feels is appropriate for your injuries. 

How Long Do Chicago Car Accident Victims Have to Take Legal Action for Serious Injuries or Wrongful Death?

It’s crucial to contact our experienced Chicago car accident attorneys as soon as possible. The Illinois statute of limitations to file a personal injury case is only two years after the accident occurred (735 ILCS 5/13-202). In wrongful death cases, you have two years after the person passes away (740 ILCS 180/).

How Our Chicago Law Firm Can Help You Hold Other Drivers Accountable

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is an award-winning Chicago law firm committed to seeking justice for speeding-related accidents. Our personal injury attorneys have over 100 years of combined legal experience and are members of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, representing our impeccable 98% success rate at both trial and settlement negotiations. 

We work on a contingency fee basis: no legal fees unless we win. Contact our skilled Chicago personal injury lawyersfor a free consultation by calling (888) 424-5757 or using our online contact form. 

Sources: Law.com