Orland Park Rear End Accident Attorneys

Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of car accidents. About 1.7 million rear-end collisions occur in the United States annually. These accidents claim about 1,700 lives each year and cause approximately 500,000 injuries.

If you or someone you love has been harmed in a rear-end crash, you already know how dangerous and disruptive these incidents can be. The experienced Orland Park rear-end accident attorneys at Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg are here to help you protect your legal rights and pursue the compensation you need. 

Rear-End Accident Statistics in Orland Park and Chicago

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, in 2022, motorists in Orland Park experienced 953 vehicle accidents in the city limits. Of these, 379 crashes – about 40 percent – involved the front of one vehicle colliding with the rear of another vehicle. In eight additional crashes, the rear of one vehicle hit the front of another, and in five accidents, the rear of one vehicle hit the side of another vehicle. One crash involved both vehicles colliding at the rear.

In these 2022 Orland Park rear-end accidents, 111 people suffered injuries. Also, 298 of the crashes resulted in property damage to at least one vehicle. 

Fortunately, no rear-end crash in Orland Park in 2022 caused a death recorded in the Illinois Department of Transportation statistics. Motorists in Cook County as a whole, however, were not so lucky. Rear-end crashes claimed 30 lives in Cook County in 2022 and caused 9,936 total injuries.

Rear-end accidents can result from several causes, including

• Aggressive driving like tailgating, speeding, cutting off another vehicle, or following or stopping too closely. 
• Distracted driving prevents a driver from responding to a vehicle ahead in time to prevent a collision. 
• Fatigued driving can cause inattention or mistakes in judgment that result in a crash. 
• Hazardous weather, including rain, snow, sleet, fog, and ice, can make rear-end crashes more likely by lowering visibility and lengthening the time required to stop before a crash occurs. Darkness can also play a role in crashes.
• Intoxicated driving is caused by alcohol or other substances that affect mental processing and response times. Intoxicants hamper the ability to spot potential hazards – like a car slowing down or stopping – and to react in time to prevent a crash. 

Some rear-end accidents have multiple causes. For example, a combination of fatigue and poor weather might result in a driver failing to pay attention to the road to the extent the weather requires, resulting in a crash. An experienced rear-end accident lawyer can help you determine exactly what happened. 

Common Injuries Suffered in Rear-End Accidents

Some rear-end accidents are minor bumps or scrapes. Many, however, cause serious injuries. The occupants of a vehicle struck from the rear are often more likely to suffer harm than those in the other vehicle. 

Common injuries caused by rear-end crashes include

Neck and back injuries. Rear-end accidents are commonly associated with whiplash injuries. “Whiplash” is another name for neck sprain or strain. Soft tissues in the neck are injured when the body is thrown violently forward or shaken, as can occur in a rear-end impact. More extensive damage that includes injury to the upper, middle, or lower back can also occur. 

Brain and head injuries. The sudden and unexpected force of a rear-end crash prevents those in the vehicle from bracing themselves or moving to a safer position. As a result, head injuries from hitting the head on some parts of the vehicle are common. A sharp jolt to the body that shakes the head can also cause injury, even if the head doesn’t hit an outside object.

Spinal cord injuries. The spinal cord connects the brain with the rest of the body. If the back or neck is damaged, the spinal cord can be damaged as well. Injuries to the spinal cord can be long-lasting or permanent, causing severe motor dysfunction or total paralysis. 

Broken bones. Just as the impact of a rear-end crash can cause whiplash, brain injuries, and other injuries, it can also break bones. In some cases, the safety systems designed to save lives in a rear-end crash cause injuries. A rapidly inflating airbag can break bones in the face, hands, or arms, for instance. The person’s life is saved but at a price. 

The effects of these injuries can linger for months or even years. Some severe injuries are permanent; the most severe injuries prove fatal. 

What to Do If You Experience a Rear-End Accident

If you’re involved in a rear-end accident, time is of the essence. Here’s what to do:

• Safety first. Check yourself and others involved in the crash for injuries and call 911 for assistance. If possible, move vehicles to the side of the road to avoid further collisions. Use vehicle lights, flashlights, road flares, or brightly-colored objects to warn oncoming drivers. 
• Stick to the facts. When talking to police or paramedics, provide the facts as well as you know them. Be as accurate and honest as possible. If you don’t know, didn’t see, or don’t remember something, say so. Don’t admit fault, even if you think you were responsible for the accident – fault is a legal determination that depends on all the facts, not merely the ones you remember in the immediate aftermath. 
• Collect information. Exchange contact information with the other driver and any witnesses. Take photos of the scene, the damage to vehicles, road signs or signals, and other features in the area. If you can’t take photos, draw a diagram or take notes. 
• Get medical attention. For severe injuries, receiving medical attention takes priority over speaking to law enforcement or collecting information. Even if you think you weren’t hurt, however, see a doctor right away. Some injuries, like whiplash, can take hours or days to fully manifest. 
• Report the accident. Tell your insurance company what happened. As with police and paramedics, provide honest, accurate information where you have it. 

Did the accident occur days or weeks in the past? It’s not too late to follow some of these steps. Schedule a doctor’s appointment or visit an urgent care center or hospital emergency room today. Report the accident to police and to your insurance company as soon as you can. In these conversations, stick to the facts; don’t admit fault, but wait for the evidence to paint a complete picture. Reach out to an experienced Orland Park rear-end accident lawyer who can help you protect your legal rights. 

How Long Do I Have to File a Rear-End Accident Claim in Illinois?

Illinois’ statute of limitations restricts the time an injured person has to file a lawsuit. The time limit is two years, starting from the date of the injury. If the case isn’t filed in two years, the injured person cannot bring it to court.

Some exceptions to the two-year limit exist, but they are very narrow. Talk to an Orland Park injury lawyer as soon as you can. Even if you think the limit has expired, consult with an attorney so you know exactly how the rules apply in your case and what you can do. 

Compensation in Illinois Rear-End Accident Cases

After a rear-end crash, your life and household may be turned upside-down. You may struggle to do daily activities you once did with ease. You may lose time from work to recover and wonder when you’ll be able to earn a wage again – if ever. You may need help from family members or hired professionals to handle basic household and personal tasks. You may experience traumatic flashbacks, ongoing nightmares, anxiety, depression, and other forms of stress. 

Compensation in a rear-end accident claim focuses on losses that stem from the crash itself. Losses covered in these cases commonly include:

• Medical bills, including ambulance bills, surgeries, hospital stays, medical equipment, medications, therapy and rehabilitation, and follow-up appointments, 
• Lost wages, including both wages you lost while recovering from your injuries and wages you’re likely to lose in the future if your injuries permanently prevent you from working, 
• Property repair or replacement costs, including towing expenses and vehicle repair or replacement bills, 
• Compensation for pain and suffering connected to the accident and your injuries,
• Compensation for mental and emotional trauma, which may manifest as post-traumatic stress symptoms, anxiety, depression, insomnia, or in other ways that require assistance from trained professionals. 

If a rear-end accident claims the life of a loved one, surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim. In a wrongful death claim, compensation for costs associated with the death, such as funeral and burial expenses, may be available. Family members can also seek compensation for their own loss of the relationship and support they received from their loved one. 

Speak to an Experienced Rear-End Accident Lawyer in Orland Park Today

Rear-end accidents are frequently traumatic. Those injured in a rear-end crash often have no warning that the crash is about to occur. Instead, their lives are normal one instant and turned upside-down the next.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The experienced rear-end accident attorneys at Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg are here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation with one of our dedicated accident lawyers.