Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog
Driving conditions are an often overlooked factor in serious and fatal Chicago car accidents.
As the winter driving season is ushered in amid heavy holiday travel, the Chicago injury lawyers and wrongful death attorneys at Abels & Annes urge motorists to keep safety in mind while combating the ice, standing water, fog, sleet and rain on Chicago-area roads.
Of the 950 fatal Illinois traffic accidents in 2008, one in three occurred on wet, icy or snowy roads, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. A total of 140 fatal accidents happened on wet roads, while 82 fatal crashes occurred on icy or snowy roadways, according to the recently published “2008 Illinois Crash Facts & Statistics.”
Another 20,000 motorists were injured on wet roads in Illinois last year.
Friday was the most dangerous day on the road in Illinois — logging 58,474 crashes. Noon to 8 p.m., the most dangerous time of day, logging about 180,000 of the 340,000 urban crashes logged by time of day.
As Abels & Annes previously reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, 40 percent of the state’s fatal accident occur in the 5-county region encompassing Chicago.
Statewide, 115 crashes a day occurred in Illinois during 2008, claiming three lives per day and injuring 11 people an hour.
IDOT’s “Ice and Snow, Take it Slow” campaign urges motorists to prepare for winter driving. Safety advice can be found on the state’s winter driving tips page.
If you or a loved one is seriously injured or killed in accident, the Chicago car accident attorneys and the personal injury and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.