4 Most Common Causes Of Chicago Car Accidents

 Posted on April 17, 2025 in Car Accidents

Chicago is a diverse city of around 2.6 million people. Such a large metropolis sees more than its share of auto accidents annually, many severe and sometimes fatal. Every car accident has unique circumstances, but most happen because of several types of human error. 

An experienced Illinois auto accident attorney at Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC can review your accident details to determine if another party’s negligence was the cause. If so, you could receive compensation for your economic and non-economic damages in a personal injury lawsuit. 

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a severe problem in busy cities like Chicago. Any activity that takes a driver’s attention from the road, such as texting, talking on a phone, eating, drinking, or checking the GPS, can trigger a horrific auto accident. 

A Chicago car accident attorney can review the accident evidence to learn if distracted driving led to the accident. For example, your attorney may subpoena the other driver’s cell phone records to discover if they were using their phone when the crash happened. Illinois law bans the use of hand-held devices when driving. 

Speeding

Speeding contributed more than 29 percent of all US traffic deaths in 2022. Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions leads to many Chicago car accidents. Every mile per hour above the speed limit increases stopping distances and the forces of a crash. Our attorneys may retain an accident reconstruction professional to determine if another driver’s speed contributed to your accident. 

Drunk Driving

Drug and alcohol impairment are another major cause of serious and fatal auto accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 47 percent of Illinois car accident deaths involve drinking and driving. Tell the police immediately after a car accident if you suspect the other driver was under the influence. 

Tailgating

Tailgating is a significant factor in serious and fatal Chicago car accidents. The Illinois Department of Transportation finds that rear-end crashes account for approximately 25 percent of all auto accidents in recent years. 

Many of these incidents occur because the rear driver is tailgating. Tailgating dramatically reduces a driver’s reaction time, especially at highway speeds. Illinois law requires drivers to keep a safe following distance, and violating this critical regulation leads to far too many devastating auto accidents. 

Speak To Our Chicago, IL Car Accident Attorney 

Most auto accidents happen because of human error. When another person’s negligence or wrongful action injures you in a car crash, you could be entitled to compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. 

Rely on a seasoned Chicago, IL auto accident lawyer from Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC to prove the cause and maximize your potential compensation. For almost 20 years, our car accident lawyers have obtained favorable outcomes for clients injured in serious auto accidents in Chicago and across Illinois. We know what is needed to prove accident fault and secure maximum compensation for our personal injury clients. Call 312-236-6324 to schedule a complimentary legal consultation. You pay no legal fees unless we win your case.