Personal Injury Law Blog

Statistics on deadly car accidents in Chicago and surrounding areas show that total car accident deaths dropped in most counties in 2023 as compared to 2022. In counties with increased death rates, the changes were slight.

2023 Fatal Car Accident Statistics in the Chicago Area

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, Cook County saw 395 people die in car accidents in 2023. This number is lower than the 2022 total of 399 deaths. 

Neighboring Will County saw an even larger decrease in car accident deaths. In Joliet and surrounding areas, fatalities dropped from 65 deaths in 2022 to 40 deaths in 2023.

To the north, McHenry County saw car accident deaths drop by more than half. In 2022, McHenry County logged 25 deaths; in 2023, this number dropped to 11. 

Not all Chicago-area counties saw decreases in car accident death rates, however. Lake County saw a slight increase, from 60 deaths in 2022 to 62 in 2023. In DuPage County, the number rose from 40 deaths in 2022 to 46 in 2023. Kane County also saw an increase of five deaths, from 43 in 2022 to 48 in 2023. 

Overall, Illinois saw a slight decrease in crash deaths, from a total of 1,268 deaths statewide in 2022 to 1,253 deaths in 2023. 

Chicagoland Drivers Have Work to Do to Make the Roads Safer

These decreases in car accident deaths are heartening. 2023 marks the second consecutive year for car accident death decreases in Illinois. Yet 2023’s numbers are still higher than 2019’s total of 1,010 crash deaths. There remains work for Illinois drivers to do if they wish to protect themselves and others on the roads. 

Illinois Department of Transportation crash data highlights steps that drivers, passengers, and pedestrians can take to protect themselves and others on the road.

• Use seatbelts and car seats correctly. Between 2019 and 2023, the number of deaths suffered by those not using restraints or using them improperly met or exceeded the number of deaths suffered by those who used their restraints correctly. These numbers indicate that using seatbelts and car seats correctly can help save lives.
• Make “watching the road” your priority. Department of Transportation statistics show that death rates among pedestrians have been rising consistently, even when overall traffic death rates drop. Deaths involving motorcyclists also remain stubbornly high. Obeying speed limits and traffic signals and watching closely for others sharing the road with cars can do much to prevent crash deaths. 
• Assume all roads need your attention at the wheel. Many drivers feel less safe on interstates due to the high speeds and traffic volumes. Crash statistics, however, indicate the highest number of deaths occur on state or US routes and on city streets. Don’t trust your sense of safety on different types of roads – always assume that driving demands your full attention, no matter where you are. 
• Never underestimate the weather. Most Chicagoland drivers are familiar with the challenges of driving in snow. Yet in Will County in 2022, more than ten percent of all crashes occurred in rainy weather – not in snow or freezing conditions. Fatal crashes were twice as likely to occur in rain as in snow. Carry an emergency vehicle kit for the weather, and be prepared to slow down and focus on the road more than usual when the weather is bad. 

Many car accidents are the result of negligence – a failure to give the task of driving the due care and attention it requires. When negligence causes a fatal crash, surviving family members can seek compensation for their loved one’s losses and their own. 

Compensation in each case is tailored to fit the facts of the case. Many families, however, can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, damaged vehicles and other property, and the emotional and personal toll of losing a loved one suddenly in a crash. 

What to Do If Someone You Love Dies in a Crash

For those who have lost loved ones, even one death is one too many. Dealing with the sudden loss of your family member is overwhelming – emotionally, mentally, and even physically. Tasks that once seemed simple can feel impossible, and tasks you never imagined doing so soon, like making funeral plans or wrapping up an estate, can threaten to drown you.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Speak to an experienced attorney at Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg today. We understand what you’re facing, and we’ll help you understand what to do next and how to protect your legal rights. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced Chicago-area car accident attorney.