According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT):
“Modern roundabouts are becoming mainstream throughout Illinois. These circular intersections efficiently move traffic counterclockwise around a center island, offering safety, environmental and economic benefits to drivers and communities.
Not to be mistaken for traffic circles, which are often larger and include stop signs or traffic signals, modern roundabouts have yield signs at each entry point. Roundabouts are designed for lower-speed driving with all traffic moving in the same direction, eliminating left turns across traffic and creating fewer stress points that can cause crashes. An intersection’s traffic volume and size are a few factors considered when deciding a roundabout is the preferred choice over a traffic light-controlled option in a location.”
Although roundabouts have been increasing in number throughout the United States, they are more common in Europe and still seem unfamiliar to some Americans, and this confusion, as well as outright negligence, can result in auto accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident at a roundabout, we at 844 See Mike are here for you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected and fight for full compensation for your injuries and losses, such as medical expenses, vehicle damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact our attorneys today for a free consultation.
Supporters of roundabouts claim that they significantly reduce the risks of head-on and T-bone (broadside) collisions, as well as high-speed accidents which can occur at four-way intersections, while critics claim that too much uncertainty and risk-taking are involved. Here are the three common scenarios in which an accident may occur at a roundabout:
A driver fails to yield – The primary rule of a roundabout is that the driver entering it must first yield to oncoming vehicles within it, as they have the right of way. When a driver fails to yield when entering the roundabout, typically with a right turn, an accident with an oncoming vehicle from the left would likely be the fault of the driver entering the roundabout, as the vehicle already inside it has the right of way.
A driver speeds – Speeding through a roundabout poses a danger to all vehicles in and around the roundabout, especially those entering the roundabout who aren’t expecting a vehicle racing in from behind them, and also increases the risk of losing control of the vehicle while trying to turn at high speed.
A driver stops inside the roundabout – Confusion and other types of driver error may cause a driver to stop before leaving the roundabout, which is dangerous because other drivers are not expecting a stopped vehicle in front of them. Roundabouts are designed for continuous movement on the inside with cautious entering and exiting on the outside, and stopping in the middle can quickly result in an accident.
A driver in a two-lane roundabout fails to yield to both lanes – Some roundabouts have only one inner lane to which the entering driver must yield, and in roundabouts with two inner lanes, it is the entering driver’s responsibility to watch for coming vehicles from both lanes to avoid obstructing either’s path.
If you’ve been injured in an accident at a roundabout due to negligence – if you had the right of way, for example – you deserve to be fully compensated for the damages. In some cases, this consists primarily of vehicle damage, while some accidents can result in injuries which require significant medical expenses and even lost wages from time out of work. Remember that under Illinois law, there is a statute of limitations (a time-limit to file your case), and in Illinois the statute is two (2) years from the date of the accident.
We at 844 See Mike are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, 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, the bills, and the 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.
