Passing another vehicle on the road is a common practice. However, when a driver passes another vehicle in an unsafe manner, devastating accidents can result. If you have been hurt in an improper passing accident, call an improper passing car accident lawyer in Chicago now.
At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we can thoroughly analyze your case and help you pursue the maximum amount of compensation possible for your needs following a head-on collision or side-impact crash caused by improper passing.
Our Chicago car accident lawyers understand that dealing with an accident is extremely stressful, which is why we will try to make the legal process as seamless as possible for you. With over $100 million won for past clients, you can trust our team to seek maximum compensation on your behalf.
Why Choose Our Chicago Improper Passing Car Accident Attorneys
An improper passing accident can leave you dealing with painful injuries, medical expenses, vehicle damage, and questions about who should be held responsible. At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we understand how important it is to have a legal team that takes your claim seriously.
Here’s why clients injured in car accidents choose our Chicago personal injury lawyers:
- Over $100 million won: Our firm has secured more than $100 million in compensation in verdicts and settlements for clients through our work on personal injury cases.
- 75 years of combined experience: Our legal team brings 75 years of combined experience to personal injury matters, giving us the knowledge to handle the challenges that can arise after an improper passing accident.
- Since 2002: We have served injured car accident clients since 2002. Over the years, we have developed extensive experience handling claims involving serious accidents and injuries.
- No win, no fee: You do not have to worry about paying attorney fees upfront. Our improper passing car accident lawyers in Chicago handle qualifying cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you generally pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
- We go to bat for our clients: Insurance companies may try to minimize what they pay after an accident. Our personal injury attorneys in Chicago are prepared to advocate for our clients throughout the claims process and, when necessary, take the fight to court.
What Compensation is Available in an Improper Passing Car Accident Lawsuit?
The compensation available after an improper passing accident depends on the circumstances of the crash and the losses you experienced. A successful personal injury claim may allow an injured person to seek compensation for both financial losses and the physical and personal effects of their injuries.
Potential compensation may include:
- Medical bills and expenses: You may be able to seek compensation for reasonable medical costs related to your car accident. This can include emergency treatment, hospital care, surgery, medication, physical therapy, diagnostic testing, and other necessary treatment.
- Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be able to recover compensation for income you lost while recovering from the car accident.
- Reduced earning capacity: Serious injuries can affect your ability to perform your current job or earn the same income in the future. Depending on the circumstances, damages may account for a reduction in your future earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering: A car accident can cause physical pain that goes beyond medical bills. Compensation may be available for the pain and suffering caused by your injuries.
The amount of compensation in an improper passing accident case can vary considerably. Insurance coverage, the severity of your injuries, the extent of your financial losses, and the evidence establishing fault can all affect the value and outcome of a personal injury claim.
Do I Have a Valid Car Accident Claim in Chicago?
You may have a valid car accident claim if another driver’s negligent or otherwise wrongful conduct caused the collision and you suffered damages as a result.
An improper passing maneuver may provide evidence of negligence when a driver attempts to pass when it is unsafe to do so or otherwise fails to exercise reasonable care. However, every car accident is different, and simply believing another driver was at fault does not automatically establish liability.
Evidence such as the police report, photographs, traffic-camera footage, witness statements, vehicle damage, medical records, and other available information may help establish what happened. Our improper passing car accident lawyers in Chicago will investigate your car wreck and gather evidence.
Common Improper Passing Car Accident Injuries
An improper passing maneuver can result in a head-on collision, sideswipe, rear-end crash, or another type of serious impact. Even when vehicles appear to sustain relatively minor damage, people inside the vehicles can suffer significant injuries.
Common injuries following an improper passing accident include:
- Head and brain injuries: A collision can cause concussions, traumatic brain injuries, or other damage to the head. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating.
- Neck and back injuries: The force of a crash can cause whiplash, herniated discs, spinal injuries, and other damage to the neck and back. These injuries may cause pain and limited mobility for car accident victims.
- Broken bones: The impact of a collision can fracture the arms, legs, ribs, wrists, and other bones. Some fractures require surgery or extensive rehabilitation.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can have life-changing consequences. Severe spinal cord injuries may result in partial or complete paralysis and require extensive ongoing care.
- Psychological effects: A serious crash can affect more than a person’s physical health. Some accident victims experience anxiety, fear, sleep problems, or other emotional difficulties after a traumatic collision.
The seriousness of a Chicago personal injury is not always apparent immediately after a crash. Some conditions develop or become more noticeable over time. Seeking medical attention after an accident can help protect your health and create documentation of your injuries.
How Do Improper Passing Car Accidents Happen?
Improper passing accidents can happen when drivers ignore traffic laws, misjudge the distance or speed of another vehicle, or attempt to pass when road conditions make the maneuver unsafe.
In some cases, other forms of negligent driving can also contribute to a crash. Understanding how these motor vehicle accidents happen can help identify what went wrong and who may be responsible under Illinois law. Here are some common causes:
- Passing in a prohibited area: Drivers may attempt to pass where passing is restricted, such as in areas with limited visibility or where road markings prohibit the maneuver. Ignoring these traffic laws can put drivers traveling in both directions at risk.
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving can prevent a driver from noticing an approaching vehicle, checking blind spots, or recognizing that another driver is already attempting to pass. Looking at a phone, adjusting controls, or engaging in other distractions can increase the risk of a collision.
- Drunk driving: Drunk driving can affect judgment, reaction time, coordination, and the ability to accurately judge distances. Drunk drivers may attempt unsafe passing maneuvers or fail to recognize an approaching vehicle until it is too late.
- Speeding: A driver traveling too fast may miscalculate how much time and distance are available to complete a pass. Speed can also make it harder to react when an unexpected vehicle or hazard appears.
- Failing to check for other vehicles: Drivers should make sure the roadway is clear before moving into another lane to pass. Failing to check mirrors, blind spots, or oncoming traffic can result in sideswipe and head-on collisions.
- Aggressive driving: Impatience or aggressive driving can cause someone to pass without adequately considering traffic, weather, road conditions, or the actions of other motorists.
- Hit and run: In some motor vehicle accidents, a driver may leave the scene after an improper passing collision. A hit and run can make it more difficult to identify the responsible driver and may create additional legal issues under Illinois law.
If you were injured in one of these accidents, a Chicago car accident lawyer can review the circumstances and explain your options. A car accident attorney familiar with personal injury law can investigate available evidence, determine whether another driver violated Illinois law, and help you understand whether pursuing a personal injury lawsuit may be appropriate.
Working with our team can also help you understand how the facts of your accident fit within Illinois’s rules governing negligence and compensation.
What is the Statute of Limitations for a Chicago Improper Passing Car Accident?
Under Illinois personal injury law, you generally have two years from the date of a car accident to file a claim seeking compensation for injuries caused by the crash. Different deadlines may apply depending on the circumstances, including claims involving property damage or a government entity.
Missing the statute of limitations could prevent you from recovering compensation, even if another driver was responsible for the accident. Because determining the correct deadline can depend on the specific facts of your case, it is important to speak with a Chicago car accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Get Legal Help After an Improper Passing Car Wreck in Chicago, IL
After an improper passing accident, waiting too long to seek legal help can make it harder to build your case. Evidence may become harder to locate, witnesses may forget important details, and accident records or other information may not remain available indefinitely.
You may also face deadlines for filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit under Illinois law. Speaking with a Chicago improper passing car accident lawyer early gives your legal team more time to investigate what happened and identify who may be responsible.
What if I Lost a Loved One in a Fatal Car Accident in Chicago?
Losing a loved one in a fatal car accident caused by improper passing can leave your family dealing with grief, unanswered questions, and unexpected financial pressure. When a driver attempts to pass when it is unsafe or violates Illinois traffic laws, the resulting crash can cause fatal injuries.
If your loved one died because another driver’s negligence caused the accident, you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we handle wrongful death cases and can help your family understand its legal options.
Our wrongful death lawyers in Chicago offer a free case consultation to discuss what happened, who may be responsible, and what steps you can take to pursue compensation from the insurance companies and negligent parties.
Choose Charlie: Meet With Our Chicago Improper Passing Car Accident Law Firm Today
An improper passing accident can leave you facing serious injuries, mounting expenses, and uncertainty about what to do next. If another driver’s unsafe passing maneuver caused your Chicago car accident, Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. can review your situation.
Don’t wait to call an improper passing car accident lawyer in Chicago. Our no-win, no-fee approach means you can discuss your potential case without having to pay attorney fees upfront for qualifying cases.
Contact Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., to get a free case consultation. You can also visit our FAQ page to learn more about car accident claims, the legal process, and what to expect when pursuing compensation with an injury lawyer. Choose Charlie.