Even experienced Illinois drivers must be extra cautious when driving during the winter season. Snowstorms and icy road conditions can make driving more dangerous and are blamed for several auto accidents and injuries. If you are injured in a vehicle accident this winter, contact the Cullotta Bravo Law Group today.
Weather-Related Auto Accidents
According to weather.com, weather-related vehicle accidents kill more people each year in the U.S. than natural disasters, including tornadoes, hurricanes, and flooding. Over 20% of vehicle crashes in the U.S. involved hazardous weather, including wet pavement, rain, snow, icy roads, snow, slush, blowing dust, and fog. Drivers in Illinois often have to deal with ice and snow through March or beyond.
An auto insurance site indicates about 17% of all vehicle crashes happen in winter conditions, with more than 150,000 crashes each year caused by icy roads. Icy roads can increase safe stopping distances significantly, making it harder for drivers to avoid accidents. This is also a reason why there are so many multiple vehicle accidents in icy conditions, where there is a chain reaction with multiple drivers rear-ending the vehicle in front.
Last year, icy roads triggered hundreds of car accidents in the Chicago area. Even experienced drivers may find it difficult to control their vehicle on black ice when their wheels lose traction with the road.
After an Accident in Snowy Conditions in the Chicago Metro Area
If you are involved in a car accident in Aurora or the Chicago area, the first step is to make sure you and anyone else involved are safe. If anyone is injured, contact emergency services for treatment. Even if you are not sure if you are injured, it may be a good idea to contact your doctor.
Many auto accident injuries are difficult to identify right after the accident. The driver may be adrenalized and not notice the injury. Hours or days later, the driver may suffer symptoms of head or back injuries, including pain, stiffness, headaches, or dizziness. Head, back, and neck injuries should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent them from getting worse.
The next step after an accident is generally to contact law enforcement to investigate, especially if the accident involved an injury. Drivers are also generally required to contact their insurance company after an accident to start the claims process.
However, be careful when an insurance company representative calls you to make sure it is your insurance company and not the other driver’s insurance company. The other insurance company may try and get you to say something that will hurt your claim. Instead, just tell them to contact your attorney.
Legal Help After an Auto Accident in Illinois
There are several benefits to having a lawyer handle your injury accident. Your attorney will be able to deal with the insurance company so you can focus on recovery. Your attorney can also negotiate with the insurance company to get you the maximum compensation. If you were involved in a winter auto accident, contact an experienced Illinois personal injury lawyer. You need an injury attorney with a proven track record of success. Contact the Cullotta Bravo Law Group today at (630) 898-7800 to schedule your free consultation.
