What to Do When You Get Rear-Ended in Illinois

 Posted on April 10, 2024 in Auto Accidents

When you are driving safely and abiding by traffic laws, but someone crashes into the back of your car, it can be extremely jarring and also dangerous. Rear-end accidents are very common and happen for a variety of reasons. The degree of damage resulting from a rear-end accident can fall anywhere on a large spectrum. Sometimes a driver is distracted by their phone while stopped at a red light and does not notice that they are slowly moving forward until they bump into the car in front of them. Other times, someone can be driving at full speed when they stop looking ahead and then plow into the back of a car. If someone has read-ended you, speak with a knowledgeable Bensenville, IL personal injury attorney to gain a better understanding of your legal options.

Common Reasons for Rear-End Accidents

Of course, there are endless reasons why car accidents happen in general, and the same is true for rear-end accidents. However, some scenarios are more commonly associated with this type of crash. These include:

• Speeding: If a driver is not only exceeding the posted speed limit but driving at such excessive speeds that their response times are impaired, they are at risk for causing a rear-end collision. By the time they realize they are quickly approaching another car, it might be too late for them to slow down or stop.
• Distracted driving: While phones are a common distraction, drivers can have their attention taken away from the road by a crying baby, food, fiddling with the radio or air conditioning, looking at a map, or any number of other stimulations. If they are busy paying attention to anything other than the road ahead, they might drive right into the car in front of them.
• Tailgating: There are several reasons why cars sometimes stop suddenly on the road. If the car ahead suddenly breaks down, an animal runs into the road, or an object falls from a nearby truck, a driver might slam on their brakes to avoid colliding. When a driver does not maintain a safe distance from the car ahead, it increases the risk that they might not have enough time to stop if the car in front of them needs to suddenly stop or slow down, and this could result in a rear-end collision.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer

If you were rear-ended, the driver in the car behind you might be liable for the costs of any medical treatment, loss of income, and other damages you suffered as a result. You do not need to handle this alone. Let an experienced Cook County, IL car accident attorney fight for you to get the compensation you deserve. Call Kaiser Law at 630-274-4400 to schedule a free consultation.