Sudden Stop Accidents
Chicago Lawyers Representing Injured Victims in Claims Following Car Crashes
Sudden stops may be necessary in emergency situations or when drivers need to avoid a collision with another motorist and do not have time to slow down. If a driver’s carelessness forces them to stop suddenly, however, and a sudden stop accident occurs, they may be legally responsible for injuries caused by their negligence. The skilled Chicago car accident attorneys at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca focus on maximizing compensation for people injured by another driver’s negligent actions. We take pride in providing personal attention and advocacy so that our clients can recover full compensation from all of the parties accountable for causing their accident.
Recover Compensation for Harm Suffered in a Sudden Stop Accident
Sudden stop accidents often result when drivers tailgate or drive distractedly. In most scenarios, more than one vehicle is involved, since the first vehicle suddenly stops and causes the following vehicle to crash into its rear. The severity of a sudden stop accident is partly determined by the speed at which the motorists were traveling before the crash. These types of impacts can lead to serious injuries, and victims may suffer spinal cord injuries and permanent paralysis. In some situations, the extent of the injuries may not be immediately known.
Victims seeking to establish liability for a sudden stop accident often try to show that the driver who stopped without warning was negligent. Additionally, a driver who was following too closely may also be deemed negligent. Proving negligence requires showing that the defendant owed the victim a legal duty of reasonable care, the defendant breached this duty, the breach proximately caused the plaintiff’s injuries, and the plaintiff suffered damages. Causation in a sudden stop accident is an important element of a successful legal claim for damages. The defendant’s conduct must have directly caused the collision and the resulting harm.
All motorists owe others a duty to engage in safe driving behaviors, including leaving an appropriate amount of space between vehicles and refraining from unnecessarily stopping abruptly. Careless or illegal driving maneuvers usually subject a driver to a finding that they have breached their duty of care. Determining the cause of a sudden stop collision may be a challenge, but accident reconstruction experts can help determine the location of the vehicles at the time of the crash and determine which driver may be responsible for causing the collision.
Monetary compensation that may be recovered by a successful plaintiff includes economic and noneconomic damages. Legally, this type of financial compensation intends to place the victim in the position in which they would be had the accident not occurred. In other words, the medical care, property damage, and emotional suffering endured by an accident victim are included in their damages award. Past lost wages, as well as future lost earning capacity, may be recovered in a damages award. Punitive damages are appropriate in situations in which the at-fault driver has been grossly negligent or reckless. Driving while intoxicated or at a flagrantly excessive speed, for example, may be deemed grossly negligent. Punitive damages are awarded in addition to compensatory damages, and they serve as punishment to deter motorists from engaging in similar conduct.
Retain a Dedicated Chicago Lawyer to Help with Your Claim
Collisions caused by drivers who suddenly stop may lead to injuries that require a long recovery period and potentially lead to a permanent disability. The Chicago attorneys at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca help injured people take legal action following a crash. If you or someone close to you has been hurt in a sudden stop accident, you should schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a motor vehicle collision attorney. We help people throughout Illinois, including in Champaign, Quincy, Aurora, Rockford, and other areas of Cook, Winnebago, Sangamon, and Adams Counties. Call our office at 312-724-5846 or complete our online form to learn more about your legal rights.