Auto accidents affect millions of people per year in the United States and result in injuries, deaths, and billions of dollars in medical expenses, property damage, and lost financial opportunity. Regardless of what types of damages you’ve sustained, if you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to another driver’s negligence, we at 844 See Mike are here for you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected and you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses.
There are six common types of auto accidents: commercial vehicle, low-speed, intersection, rear-end, sideswipe, and single-vehicle.
Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Accidents involving large semi-tractors, delivery vehicles, and charter buses can be devastating due to the sheer size and velocity of these vehicles, and the actions of employers are occasionally factors in these accidents. The truck driver is usually legally liable if he/she violated work or traffic laws, while the employer may be partially liable if the driver had a history of reckless driving and/or traffic violations, and a truck manufacturer may be liable if the accident resulted directly from equipment failure and/or defective design or manufacture of the truck itself.
Low-Speed Accidents
These typically occur in side-streets, parking lots, residential areas, and high-traffic urban areas; however, they can still result in serious injuries and property damage. Even low-speed accidents such as these should be documented properly with pictures of the scene and each driver’s pertinent information, and always accept a medical evaluation if you think you may have been injured in any way. Remember: some injuries may not produce symptoms for hours or even days after the accident, so receiving medical attention as soon as possible is always encouraged.
Intersection Accidents
Speed and poor judgment of distance are common causes of auto accidents at intersections, and many others involve failure to yield, running red lights, or driving while intoxicated. Many of these accidents are “T-bone” collisions, which can be very dangerous for drivers and passengers alike, and intersection accidents are also more likely to become “multi-accident events,” such as when the initial accident forces one of the two vehicles into a third vehicle, which may potentially strike a fourth vehicle, and so on.
Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end accidents usually result from road rage, failure to maintain proper stopping distance, or lost control of the vehicle due to poor weather conditions. We recommend seeking a full medical evaluation if you’ve been involved in a rear-end accident due to the risk of “whiplash” and potential injuries to the brain, neck, or spine; symptoms of whiplash are not always immediately apparent after the accident, but may turn into symptoms of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) if left undiagnosed and untreated. Common symptoms of a brain or neck injury include: memory loss during recovery; trouble focusing or concentrating; migraines which increase in severity; lost motor function in the arms with severe stiffness in the neck or back; shooting pains in the neck, arms, or shoulders; changes in vision or ringing in the ears; and abrupt changes in mood or mental state.
Sideswipe Accidents
These accidents typically occur when drivers switch lanes or merge into traffic without checking their blind-spots, or when a moving vehicle sideswipes a parked vehicle. Speed is often a factor in sideswipe accidents and some can involve three or more vehicles if one or more is forced into another lane and/or spins out of control.
Single-Vehicle Accidents
Common examples of single-vehicle accidents include when poor weather conditions result in lost control of the vehicle, or when a vehicle strikes a fixed or unfixed object while attempting to avoid striking another vehicle. A driver may be legally liable for the passenger’s injuries, while owners of damaged property in the accident may also be entitled to compensation. In other cases, a single-vehicle accident may be caused directly by road defects, requiring a lawsuit filed under 1) common law negligence, or 2) a violation of the Illinois Road and Bridge Construction Act.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to another’s negligence, you need an experienced personal injury attorney. Contact 844 See Mike today for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based personal injury law firm, and helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people and not the powerful, we will file your claim and take care of the insurance company, medical bills, property damage, and lost income. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, our personal injury lawyers are not paid attorney fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.