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At NST Law, we are dedicated to helping injured individuals and their families get the justice and compensation they deserve.
Mr. Trotz has handled personal injury cases involving car accidents, trucking accidents, slip and fall, premises liability, and negligent security. Each and every day, Mr. Trotz represents those who have been injured through no fault of their own, and many of his clients have sustained traumatic, catastrophic and life-altering injuries.
The roadways in and around Belleville often experience swells of traffic. This influx of commuters and travelers is attributable to the Illinois city in St. Clair County being just a quick trip from St. Louis, with three airports nearby, several major highways, the draw of Scott Air Force Base, and a growing population. This growth is a positive sign from an economic standpoint, but for drivers in Belleville, it can mean a higher likelihood of car accidents, representing a significant source of injury and death.
If you suffered injuries after a motor vehicle accident in Belleville caused by someone else’s careless or reckless actions, our compassionate personal injury lawyers at NST Law can evaluate your claim’s value and help secure fair compensation to assist with your recovery.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) 2018 City Summary Crash Report, the most common type of car accident to occur in Belleville is a rear-end collision. In 2018, almost 30% of the 1,076 total crashes resulted from rear-end impacts. This type of accident often occurs at intersections due to the driver of the following car tailgating the driver of the lead car.
Following too closely is hazardous because it reduces the time a driver has to perceive dangers ahead. Accidents usually happen when the driver in front of a vehicle following too close suddenly stops, and the following driver doesn’t have time to respond appropriately by pressing on their brakes. It also reduces the distance needed to bring a vehicle to a complete stop even when the brakes are depressed.
In addition to tailgating, other common causes of car accidents in Illinois include:
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) compiles data on traffic accidents annually. The following statistics correspond to the 2018 City Summary Crash Report prepared by IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety:
Additionally, similar to most of the U.S., Illinois saw an uptick in traffic accident fatalities during the pandemic, with a 16 percent increase from 2019 to 2020. State officials presume that the rise was commonly a result of more drivers speeding or engaging in other risky driving behaviors on less congested streets during shut-downs.
Recently, District 115 issued a warning that one of its Whiteside Elementary and Middle School bus routes contained a dangerous intersection. The intersection is at Sunnyslope and Floral is an unmarked intersection featuring narrow streets, trees, and cars on the side of the road that can obstruct the view of drivers. Most of these car crashes happen during the daytime and on urban city streets instead of rural areas and interstates.
Other dangerous roads and intersections around Belleville include:
Some types of car accidents happen more frequently than others, especially depending on the type of roadway, and some are more severe than others. However, any car accident can lead to injuries and property damage.
Common types of car accidents in Belleville include:
Nearly any part of the body can sustain an injury in a car accident, depending on the circumstances of the collision. Rear-end collisions happen most frequently in Belleville, and the most common injury to this type of accident is an injury to the neck’s soft tissues known as whiplash. Whiplash presents with neck pain and stiffness, loss of range of motion in the neck, and headaches starting at the base of the skull.
Other types of injuries that commonly result from car accidents in Belleville include:
After a car accident, you must remain on the scene until law enforcement arrives. If the other driver hasn’t done so already, you’ll need to contact the Belleville Police Department to report the incident. Remember to remain calm and relay the facts of what’s going on, including relaying any information about possible injuries and whether the 911 call center needs to send an ambulance to provide emergency care. Never admit fault to the authorities, the other driver, or the relevant insurance companies.
If you’re able, move yourself and your vehicle to a more secure location where you’re not obstructing the flow of traffic or risking additional accidents and injuries. Ultimately, your safety and well-being and that of your passengers and the other driver are most important.
Always seek medical attention to evaluate possible injuries after a car accident, even if you feel fine at the moment. Adrenaline and shock can mask many injuries, and some don’t always become apparent for hours or days. You can see your primary care physician soon after the accident, preferably the same day. You also have the option to seek immediate treatment at Memorial Hospital Belleville or other local emergency or urgent care centers, such as Belleville Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic or one of Belleville’s SIHF Healthcare Convenient Care Centers.
Obtain as much information as you can from the other drivers involved and any witnesses to the accident. The information you’ll need to collect includes the driver’s name, telephone number, insurance company, policy number, and vehicle information, such as make, model, year, and color. Retrieve the name and contact information of all witnesses and, if you can, a brief statement of what they saw.
Keep all documentation regarding your accident and injuries, including the police report, medical reports, and bills for services. Be sure to report the car accident to your insurance company and refer to your policy for pertinent information. Finally, contact a personal injury law firm to review your case and determine your legal options for compensation to cover your damages and assist in your recovery. Our Belleville attorneys offer free case consultations.
You can seek to recover both economic damages and non-economic damages in Illinois. Economic damages refer to compensation for actual or monetary expenses incurred after your accident. Non-economic damages include compensation for quality-of-life impacts stemming from your car accident.
Common damages you can receive compensation for after a Belleville car accident include:
To prove liability, you must show the following elements in your case:
Illinois is a fault state, meaning whoever caused the accident and your resulting harm must compensate you for your losses. Illinois also operates as a comparative fault state, meaning if you contributed to the accident, a court can reduce your right to compensation by the apportionable percentage of your liability when your liability is less than 50%.
A personal injury attorney can gather the necessary evidence to support your negligence claim, determine any shared responsibility, and secure fair compensation for your damages.
Generally, for individuals seeking compensation for an injury after a car accident in Illinois, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in your local circuit court. There are few exceptions to this rule. If you don’t file your civil lawsuit timely, the court can bar you from recovering compensation even if your case is valid.
Property damage lawsuits have a five-year statute of limitations in Illinois, and wrongful death lawsuits also have a two-year time limit starting from the date of death.
A personal injury lawyer can review important deadlines in your specific case and help protect your legal right to sue for compensation when settlement negotiations aren’t successful after a Belleville car accident.
Our compassionate attorneys at NST Law have been helping injured people since 1990, obtaining over $1.5 billion on behalf of our clients. We are well-versed in assisting accident victims to obtain fair compensation while making the process easy for our clients through regular and flexible methods of communication.
Our Belleville personal injury lawyers can help you learn more about your legal options after a car accident. Contact NST Law today for a free case evaluation.
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