Personal Injury Law Blog
Car accidents up in 2021 on the streets of Chicago and throughout Illinois
The number of fatal car accidents in Illinois skyrocketed in 2021. Distracted driving has been identified as a key factor behind the increase in deadly crashes.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, 1,317 people died in car crashes last year, the highest number of traffic fatalities in the state since 2005. The number could increase if more car accident victims from past collisions die while in the hospital. In contrast, fatal crashes decreased from 2017 to 2019.
In 2021 there were 461 traffic fatalities in Cook County, where Chicago is located. The number marks an increase from the 372 deaths in 2020.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus shifted away from preventing distracted driving and other dangerous driving behaviors. The number of fatal car accidents surged despite fewer drivers on the road.
AAA is urging drivers to practice safer driving behaviors in 2022. A spokesperson from the roadside assistance organization shared three safe driving tips: get rid of distractions, slow down and do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Drivers should also check whether their prescription medications cause drowsiness, which can make it unsafe to drive. Sometimes seemingly simple or minor factors can play a role in causing car accidents. AAA reported that drivers who have gotten fewer hours of sleep than normal are four times more likely to be involved in a collision.
AAA research has found that drivers tend to underestimate the risk levels of certain behaviors when behind the wheel, such as texting while driving. Additionally, there is a misconception that hands-free phone systems are safer. According to the AAA spokesperson, they can be just as dangerous.
Chicago and other cities across Illinois can take steps to make their roads safer to reduce car accidents. Data reveals pedestrians are among the most at risk of getting into crashes on Urbana roads. Pedestrians made up around 50 percent of traffic deaths in the city in 2021. Local transportation activists claim pedestrians are more likely to get struck by a vehicle in Urbana than in Chicago.
Urbana is aiming to join the Vision Zero program, which requires cities to establish clear goals for reducing traffic deaths. Lowering speed limits can help prevent pedestrian accidents. According to an AAA report, a pedestrian is around 70 percent more likely to be killed in a collision if the driver is traveling 30 miles per hour compared to 25 miles per hour.
Additional Car Accident Injury Resources
- Car Accident Lawsuit Process
- Chicago CTA Bus and Train Accident Lawyer
- Chicago Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers
- Chicago Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
- Chicago Elderly Drivers Accident Lawyers
- Chicago Fatal Car Accident Lawyers
- Chicago Lyft Car Accident Lawyer
- Chicago Pace Bus Accident Lawyer
- Chicago Rental Car Accident Lawyers
- Chicago Road Rage Accident Lawyer
- Chicago Uber Car Accident Lawyer
- Critical Reasons Vs. Causes of Chicago Car Accidents
- Disputing a Car Accident Claim With Allstate
- Disputing a Car Accident Claim With Geico
- Disputing a Car Accident Claim With State Farm
- Illinois Car Accident Trauma Lawyer
- Illinois Failure to Yield Accident Attorneys
- Illinois Ridesharing Regulations for Uber and Lyft Accidents
- What to Do After a Car Accident
- Lake County Car Accidents
- Oak Lawn Car Accidents
- Do I have a car accident case? Find out what Chicago attorneys are saying.
- Chicago Car Accident at Work Attorneys
- Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I Recover Compensation For My Injuries If I Was Partially At Fault For Causing An Accident?
- Do I Need a Lawyer After a Hit and Run?
- How Long After A Car Accident Do Injuries Appear?
- How Much Insurance Coverage Do I Need In Illinois?
- How Much Time Do I Have To File A Claim For My Car Accident?
- Should I Accept an Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer After a Car Accident?
- What Are The Most Important Steps To Take After A Car Accident?
- What Can I Get For My Neck Injury From My Car Accident?
- What Documents Do I Need To Show As Evidence?
- What Injuries Can A Car Accident Cause?
- What Options Do I Have After Being Injured In A Car Accident?
- What Should I Look For in a Car Accident Lawyer?
- What Should You Do After A Car Accident With An Injury?
- What Types Of Damages Can A Person Claim?
- When Do I Need An Attorney For Car Accident Injuries?
- Who Can Be Held Responsible For a Car Accident?
- Chicago Car Accident Center
- Can I get compensated if I was partly at fault for my car accident?
- Can I sue a bar if injured by a drunk driver?
- Common Types of Car Accident Lawsuits
- Five Things You Need to Know About Drowsy Driving
- How Do I Know If I Have an Auto Accident Lawsuit?
- How Much Time Do I Have to File a Motor Vehicle Accident Claim?
- These Are as Dangerous for Drivers as Drunk Driving
Car Accident Lawyers Available Throughout Illinois
- Chicago car accident lawyer
- Gurnee Car Accident Attorneys
- Joliet Car Accident Attorney
- Car Accident Attorneys in Lake County
- Mundelein Car Accident Lawyers
- North Chicago Car Accident Attorneys
- Oak Lawn Car Accident Lawyers
- Orland Park Car Accident Lawyers
- Waukegan Car Accident Lawyers
- Wheeling Car Accident Attorney