How Serious Are Side-Impact Car Accident Injuries in Illinois?

 Posted on September 28, 2020 in Blog Post

If you are involved in any type of car accident, it has the potential to wreak havoc on your life. For instance, you may have the inconvenience of finding yourself suddenly without transportation and having to rent a vehicle while yours is in the repair shop to get to and from your job. In other scenarios, you can suffer serious injuries that require surgery or physical therapy to recover. Rear-end and head-on collisions can cause severe damages, and so can side-impact crashes, which are often referred to as “T-bone” accidents. These types of collisions can result in life-threatening to even fatal consequences even when traveling at slow speeds due to the location of the impact. In many cases, another driver may be held liable for causing a side-impact car accident due to his or her negligence.

T-Bone Crash Injuries

The most common body parts that victims of side-impact crashes hurt are the chest, head, abdomen, and pelvis. Since the impact of T-bone crashes occurs in close proximity to the driver or passenger, the impact can jerk the body around at a force strong enough to cause internal organ damage. In certain cases, signs and symptoms may be immediately noticeable, while it may take days or weeks to feel the full effect of an injury.

Here are typical injuries that occupants suffer when the vehicle in which they are riding is struck on the side:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Concussions
• Spinal cord damage (paralysis, herniated or slipped disc)
• Collapsed lung
• Broken arms or legs
• Pelvic or femur fractures
• Internal bleeding

Negligence Behind the Wheel

A major reason for a side-impact crash is reckless driving behavior, which can encompass different actions behind the wheel. Distractions can include texting or talking on your phone, eating, applying makeup, adjusting the radio, and more. It is important to note that when driving in inclement weather, a motorist should always slow down and proceed with caution based on visibility in order to avoid a collision with another vehicle, pedestrian, or a stationary object such as a median.

The following are a few of the main types of negligent behavior that can cause a T-bone accident:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI)
• Rain/sleet/ice storm
• Snow/blizzard-like conditions
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Failure to yield

Contact a Park Ridge Personal Injury Attorney

Many Illinois car accidents take place on I-294 and I-90 since they are heavily traveled roadways. As a victim of a vehicle crash on one of these tollways, you may be intimidated about filing a personal injury claim. However, if another party’s negligence or reckless actions caused it, you may be entitled to compensation. This can alleviate the financial stress of paying doctor bills and auto repairs. At The Quinn Law Group, LLC, our knowledgeable and conscientious Glenview car accident lawyers will fight to make sure your rights are protected every step of the way. To schedule your free consultation, call us today at 847-232-7180.

Sources:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-401#:~:text=(a)%20The%20driver%20of%20any,the%20scene%20of%20the%20accident

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=062500050HCh%2E+11+Art%2E+IV&ActID=1815&ChapterID=0&SeqStart=118400000&SeqEnd=120100000

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-406

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-cord-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20377890