Car accident injuries may require expensive medical treatment and physical therapy. They may even disable you, interfering with your ability to work or perform necessary tasks. Everything from driving to shopping to showering might become impossible after your accident, meaning you’ll have no way to obtain the money you need to recover.
Thankfully, you can seek financial compensation when another driver’s negligence causes your injuries in Chicago, IL.
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys can help you pursue a claim for rare or common injuries from Chicago car accidents. Call our law firm today at (312) 726-1616 for a free consultation to discuss your legal options and rights.
How Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys Can Assist You After a Car Accident in Chicago, IL
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys provides personal injury representation and advocacy to injured clients in Chicago, Illinois.
We have enjoyed a 99% success rate and earned some of the legal profession’s highest awards.
If you are injured in a collision, our Chicago car accident attorneys will provide:
- Legal advice and counsel so you can make informed decisions about your case
- Seasoned negotiators who will fight to settle your claim for a fair amount
- Skilled litigators to take your case to trial if the insurer won’t settle
Even common car accident injuries can cause pain and disabilities. Contact Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you pursue compensation for your damages.
How Many Car Crashes Happen in Chicago?
The most recent car accident statistics from the Illinois Department of Transportation cover 2021.
In that year, Chicago had 96,563 total traffic accidents, including:
- 2,045 pedestrian accidents
- 1,081 bicycle accidents
- 29,528 single-vehicle accidents
- 65,909 multi-vehicle collisions
Multi-vehicle crashes in 2021 caused:
- 91 fatal injuries
- 17,387 non-fatal injuries
In 2021, 10% of the drivers and passengers involved in multi-vehicle accidents suffered a fatal or non-fatal injury.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accident injuries vary in type and severity for many reasons, including:
- The type of collision
- The speed of the cars involved
- The use of safety precautions such as seat belts
The type of collision determines the direction in which forces get applied to the body. For example, if your car gets hit from the side, you will slide underneath your seat belt and hit the door, window, or center console. In these crashes, seat belts and airbags cannot stop your body.
The force of the crash depends on the speed of the vehicles when they collide. Higher speeds mean greater force, resulting in more severe injuries.
Finally, seat belts reduce the chances of a fatal injury by up to 45% for drivers and up to 60% for passengers. They reduce the chances of a non-fatal injury by up to 50% for drivers and up to 65% for passengers.
Taking into account the various factors that can affect the injuries motorists suffer, some of the most common car accident injuries include the following:
Chest Injuries
Chest bruises typically happen when a seat belt locks up during a crash, stiffly restraining the person in the seat as their body is jerked forward. The impact breaks blood vessels under the skin, causing discoloration, swelling, and pain.
In some high-impact crashes, the force of the seat belt on the chest can fracture ribs and tear the intercostal muscles between them.
These injuries produce:
- Pain
- Inflammation
- Weakness and stiffness
These injuries typically heal in six to eight weeks. But in some cases, they can cause life-threatening thoracic injuries to the heart, lungs, or chest wall. For example, a broken rib can puncture a lung, and accident victims might need surgery.
Neck Strain
Neck strain is a common car accident injury resulting from frontal collisions. When your car stops abruptly, your body bends forward. Your seat belt blocks your body’s motion, but your head continues forward, straining your neck. The vertebrae in your neck separate slightly, hyperextending the tendons and ligaments attached to those vertebrae.
Strains happen when muscles and tendons stretch and tear, resulting in:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Muscle spasms
- Weakness
- Swelling
These injuries usually heal within four to six weeks with rest and anti-inflammatory medication.
Concussions
Concussions are mild brain injuries that happen when an accident shakes your brain. This doesn’t cause the brain to hit the inside of your skull, but it sloshes around, sustaining minor damage from the cerebrospinal fluid and meninges surrounding it.
Brain inflammation from the tissue damage causes symptoms such as:
- Headache
- Memory loss
- Brain fog
- Clumsiness
- Sleepiness
Concussion symptoms usually go away within two months after your injury. But occasionally, they can develop into long-term physical, mental, or emotional impairments.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Experienced Chicago Car Accident Lawyers To Discuss Your Injuries
Car accidents can threaten your physical, mental, and financial health. Contact Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation to discuss your injuries and the compensation you may pursue under Illinois law.
