According to a report from Fox 32 Chicago, speed was a major factor in the crash that killed one person and seriously injured two more people. The crash—which happened in Northwest Chicago on Oak Park Avenue—was a single car wreck. At around 2:00 AM, the driver of a grey sedan lost control of the vehicle and collided with a utility pole. The driver and a female passenger suffered severe injuries. Tragically, a male passenger died at the scene of the accident. The crash is still under investigation by the Chicago Police Department. Speed remains a serious public safety hazard. Here, our Chicago auto accident attorney discusses why speeding is so dangerous.
Two Reasons Why Speeding is So Dangerous
Speed is consistently one of the leading causes of serious motor vehicle collisions in Illinois. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that nearly 330,000 people were hurt in speed-related crashes in the United States in 2021 alone. Here are two key reasons why speeding is so dangerous:
- Speeding Increases the Risk of a Crash: A driver is more likely to end up in a crash if he or she speeds. The posted speed limits exist for a reason. They are the fastest that a stretch of road can be safely traveled as determined by highway officials.
- Speeding Accidents are More Likely to Be Serious: The other major problem with speeding is that it increases the likelihood of a serious injury. The fastest a vehicle is going, the more force on the occupants in the event of a collision.
Of course, not all incidents of “speeding” create an equal safety risk. A driver who is a few miles per hour (MPH) over the speed limit is only contributing to a small amount of additional risk. However, when motorists exceed the speed limit by 10 MPH, 20 MPH, or even more, they are creating a dramatically higher risk of a serious crash.
Illinois is a Fault-Based Car Accident State (Speeding is Negligence)
Illinois is a fault-based motor vehicle accident state. The party responsible for causing a crash through their negligence—their failure to exercise proper care—can be held legally liable for the resulting damages. Speeding is negligence in Illinois. A speeding driver can be held accountable.
If you were the passenger of a driver who was speeding and caused a crash, you can bring a personal injury claim against them. Though, these cases can be more complicated so it is crucial that you consult with a Chicago, IL car crash lawyer as soon as possible after the collision.
How to Prove the Other Driver Was Speeding to Cause Your Crash
Evidence is the foundation of any successful personal injury case. Speeding accident claims are no exception. These crashes should be thoroughly investigated. Some examples of evidence that can be used to prove that the other driver was speeding a car accident claim in Chicago include:
- Personal Testimony: Your account of the crash matters. Your personal testimony—such as the fact that you saw the other car going very fast—is relevant evidence in a car accident claim in Chicago. Be sure to write down your version of events after a collision.
- Witness Statements: If others saw the crash, their statements can help confirm that the other driver was speeding. Witnesses who were driving nearby, pedestrians, or passengers in either vehicle can all provide an independent account.
- Admission Against Evidence: The other driver may have admitted to speeding. Even if they subsequently changed their story, any admission against interest is relevant evidence in a civil car accident claim.
- Police Report: Officers responding to the scene often include details about speed in their crash reports. If the officer determines the other driver was speeding based on skid marks, damage, or their observations, it can support your claim.
- Traffic Cameras: There are a decent number of traffic cameras in the Chicago region. In some cases, you may be able to track down footable from a nearby traffic camera that helps to establish that the other driver was speeding.
- Expert Analysis: In complex cases, expert witnesses may be brought in to provide testimony as to what happened and why it happened. An expert may be able to review the other evidence and determine the approximate speed of all vehicles involved in the crash.
Recovering Compensation for a Speeding Accident in Chicago
In Illinois, motor vehicle accident victims have the right to seek compensation for the full value of their damages, including for any intangible harm. Here is the challenge: Insurance companies defend most car crash claims. They fight hard to pay less. Even if your crash was caused by another driver’s reckless speeding, you need to be prepared to fight for your rights. If you were hurt in a crash with a driver who was speeding, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation for:
- Property loss, including vehicle repairs;
- Emergency room care and other hospital bills;
- Other medical expenses, including physical therapy;
- Loss of wages and loss of future earning power;
- Pain and suffering & mental distress;
- Long-term physical disability; and
- Wrongful death of a family member.
Why Trust the Chicago Motor Vehicle Crash Lawyers at Kennedy Watkins
Car accident claims are complicated—even if another driver was speeding and caused you serious harm, it can still be difficult to get full and fair compensation for your injuries. At Kennedy Watkins LLC, our Chicago attorneys fight tirelessly to hold insurance companies accountable. Our verdicts and settlements tell the story of what we can do for people like you. An initial consultation with our Chicago auto accident lawyer is free, fully confidential, and carries zero additional obligations.
Contact Our Chicago Auto Accident Attorney for a Free Case Review
At Kennedy Watkins LLC, our Chicago auto accident lawyers invest the time, resources, and personalized care to help victims and families fight for justice. If you or your loved one was hurt in a speed-related crash, we are more than ready to help. Get in touch with us today for your free, no strings attached case evaluation. With a law office in Chicago, we handle motor vehicle accident injury claims in Cook County and throughout Illinois.