Top 4 Causes of Car Crashes on Major Illinois Highways

 Posted on April 07, 2022 in Blog Post

Car crashes can be serious no matter where they happen. However, major highways like I-294 and I-90 can be particularly dangerous. Drivers are often either operating at high speeds or are in very condensed bumper-to-bumper traffic. It is particularly important for drivers to be cautious on the interstate because of the increased risk associated with a collision. Unfortunately, too many drivers let their guard down when they are on the highway. There are no stoplights or intersections to deal with, and there generally should not be any cyclists or pedestrians to account for. It is all too easy for drivers to relax when they should be exercising a high level of care. If you are injured in a car accident on a major highway, an attorney may be able to help you recover compensation.

What Risk Factors Are Associated With Highway Collisions?

Whether traffic is at a standstill or moving fast, car crashes on the interstate can do major damage. Most of these accidents are completely preventable. Here are a few common causes of serious accidents on the highway:

• Complacency - Now that most workers have returned to their offices or job sites, I-294 and I-90 are once again filled with commuters. Drivers who take this route daily may begin to experience a sort of mental auto-pilot. Drivers in this state may fail to notice obstacles that were not there yesterday, like abrupt lane merges to accommodate a pre-existing crash or road work.
• Road rage - Road rage incidents have been on the rise nationwide recently. One possible explanation relates to the sharp decrease in traffic during the height of the pandemic - people may have grown accustomed to having the roads almost to themselves, leading to increased frustration with traffic.
• Chain reaction - If the driver four cars behind you rear-ends the car in front of him, there is a solid chance that you are also going to get rear-ended, and possibly pushed into the car ahead of you. All it takes to cause a large pile-up is one careless driver making one mistake.
• Speeding - You have probably been told to stay out of the left lane unless you are passing. Some drivers, however, see the left lane as the designated speeding lane. These speeding drivers can easily lose control of their vehicles around turns and are prone to rear-ending vehicles who enter the left lane at a lawful speed.

Even if you are doing everything right and driving defensively, highway traffic may make it impossible to avoid careless or reckless drivers.

Call an Illinois Car Accident Attorney

If you were injured in a highway accident, Quinn Law Group, LLC may be able to help you recover compensation. Our experienced Des Plaines car accident lawyers will conduct our own investigation in an effort to prove the cause of your car accident and hold the responsible driver financially accountable to you. Call 847-232-7180 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.wheels.ca/news/the-7-deadly-sins-of-driving-complacency