Category: Auto Accident

A car accident usually leaves you with injuries, some minor and others serious. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported nearly 2 million injuries from car accidents in 2017. About 80,000 of those injuries occurred in Illinois. Some of those accidents result in injuries that cause chronic pain that lasts for a long period of time. If you’ve been in a car accident in Chicago that resulted in chronic pain, you should seek compensation for your injuries and suffering.

You may not think twice about letting a trusted friend or family member drive your car if the situation calls for it. However, you’re also probably not thinking about the consequences of that person getting into an auto wreck. These situations can cause some confusion with insurance companies and you may be affected, even if you weren’t in the car at the time. Here’s what you need to know about how liability is determined after a collision involving a vehicle that’s owned by someone other than who is driving:

How Does Insurance Apply When Someone Else Drives Your Car?

Many people believe in a common misconception when their friend or family member is driving their car. They think that insurance applies to the driver. However, this is not the case. Insurance applies to the vehicle. So, if someone who is not on your insurance plan is driving your vehicle, your insurance still applies in the case of an accident.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, it’s estimated that 171,500 highway fires occur across the United States every year. Highway vehicle fires account for fires in passenger vehicles, freight road transport vehicles, and agricultural or construction vehicles.

Approximately one in eight fires responded to by fire departments is a highway vehicle fire. The majority of those fires, which originated from the engine, running gear, or wheel area, occur in passenger vehicles. As a result, 345 deaths, 1,300 injuries, and $1.1 billion in property loss happens annually.

While many Chicago and Illinois drivers obey traffic laws and are focused on driving safely, there are other drivers who may not prioritize traffic laws and how they keep others safe. When irresponsible drivers break traffic laws, they can potentially harm others in devastating accidents. In these situations, those who were wrongfully injured may look into pursing a car accident claim with an attorney.

The Illinois Vehicle Code lists the various types of driving offenses and their corresponding penalties, but there are five significant laws that Illinois drivers typically break. We’re going to take a look at those laws and what can happen when drivers break those laws.

Parents and guardians always want to make sure their child is safely secured in their car seat before driving. However, some may not know the Illinois booster seat laws that determine what type of equipment your child needs and which direction they should face while in the vehicle. If a collision occurs, a child that is incorrectly secured could sustain severe injuries.

If your child has been injured in a car accident, it’s important to know that there are people who may be able to help you get justice. The lawyers at Thomas Law Offices in Chicago understand that you’re going through a difficult time. When you need someone to speak up for you or a loved one, our lawyers are there for you.