Rush Hour Accidents

Chicago Lawyers Advocating for Victims of Car Crashes

The population of Chicago and the surrounding areas is growing, and there tends to be heavier and longer rush hour traffic. Having more vehicles on the road increases the potential for serious accidents, including multi-vehicle collisions. Drivers who experience stress during rush hour may fail to use the level of reasonable care that they might otherwise exhibit. When an agitated or reckless driver causes an accident, they may be held responsible through a personal injury claim filed by the victim. If you or someone close to you has been hurt in a rush hour accident, the dedicated Chicago car accident lawyers at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca can represent you as you assert your legal right to compensation. We can investigate all potential causes of the accident, determining who may be responsible for causing it and holding them accountable for the resulting harm.

Seeking Compensation Following a Rush Hour Accident

Rush hour is generally defined as the period of time when commuters are on the road as they are going to or returning fr ,om work. Highways and streets tend to be congested, and unfortunately, accidents are common during this period of the day. Often, drivers display aggressive behavior as they hurry to get to work or return home. Aggressive driving behavior or road rage may lead to serious collisions, but frustration behind the wheel is not an excuse for careless or reckless conduct.

To set forth the right to damages following a rush hour collision, injured individuals must show that the other driver, the defendant in the personal injury claim, was at fault. Many injury claims following a car accident proceed under a negligence theory of law. To meet the elements of a negligence claim, the victim must show that the defendant breached their duty of care to act as a reasonable driver would act under similar circumstances. Additionally, victims must show that the defendant driver caused the accident and that they would not have been hurt if not for the defendant’s careless conduct. This causal connection is necessary to prove that the driver’s conduct directly caused the accident.

Examples of negligent driving conduct during rush hour traffic often include abrupt lane changes or driving erratically. Responsible drivers must also leave adequate following distance behind other vehicles. A failure to do so may lead to rear-end collisions, which are common during rush hour traffic and may involve several vehicles. Rush hour traffic also may lead to driver frustration, which affects the ability of drivers to maintain a patient and attentive demeanor behind the wheel.

After successfully proving liability, a plaintiff may secure damages for hospital expenses, the costs of future medical treatment, property damage, and lost income and earning capacity, as well as emotional pain and suffering. These damages are termed economic and noneconomic damages, and accident victims are entitled to recover the full range of compensation for harm resulting from a rush hour collision. In some situations, proving future costs may require expert testimony, such as through the use of vocational rehabilitation experts, who are skilled in assessing lost earning potential due to an accident.

Contact a Dedicated Chicago Attorney to Discuss Your Rush Hour Accident Claim

People harmed by the careless or reckless conduct of others have legal rights. At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, we help victims of rush hour accidents pursue compensation for their accident-related injuries and costs. Our skilled motor vehicle collision attorneys understand the importance of financial security following a devastating accident, and for this reason we make it a goal to pursue full damages for past, present, and future harm. We are experienced in developing strategies to overcome insurance defense tactics and to help our clients become financially secure. We also help Illinois residents in cities such as Aurora, Champaign, Rockford, Springfield, Quincy, and other communities throughout Cook, Kane, Sangamon, Winnebago, and Adams Counties. If you need an experienced lawyer to advocate on your behalf, contact our office for a free consultation online or by calling 312-724-5846.