According to recent studies conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, about one out of every five drivers who are involved in a fatal car accident in Chicago and elsewhere are unlicensed or improperly licensed. Of all of the traffic accidents that occurred from 2007 to 2009, more than 85 percent of drivers who were involved in a fatal accident were properly licensed. Nearly 7 percent of drivers reportedly had suspended or revoked licenses, more than 1 percent had expired or canceled license and about 5 percent were unlicensed.Of all fatal car accidents from 2007 to 2009, nearly 20 percent of drivers were invalidly licensed. Accidents with these individuals took more than 20,000 lives during this time.
Our Chicago car accident lawyers understand that drivers between the ages of 21- and 34-years-old are the most likely to be behind the wheel with an invalid driver’s license. But there are drivers in all age groups guilty of this. With improperly licensed and unlicensed drivers come uninsured motorists. Improperly licensed drivers are plaguing our roadways and are causing legal and financial headaches for all of the responsible drivers in this country. If you have been involved in a traffic accident with an invalid or unlicensed driver, it is critical for you to contact an experienced attorney. Seeking restitution from such drives can be made more difficult if they lack insurance.
Statistics also illustrated that about half of all improperly licensed drivers who were involved in a fatal accident had alcohol in their system at the time of the accident.
If that’s not bad enough, more than 50 percent of invalid licensed drivers who were involved in a fatal accident reportedly fled the scene.
Licenses Status of Drivers during Fatal Accidents from 2007 to 2009:
-Valid Licenses: Nearly 132,500.
-Unlicensed Drivers: Nearly 8,000.
-Suspended or Revoked Licenses: Nearly 10,300.
-Expired, Denied or Canceled Licenses: Nearly 2,000.
The number of unlicensed drivers is alarming in the country. With unlicensed drivers come uninsured drivers. With uninsured drivers come headaches and costly bills for responsible licensed and insured drivers.
“On average there is still one needless death every 16 minutes in motor vehicle crashes,” AAA President and CEO Peter Kissinger.
Safe and defensive driving habits can help drivers to reduce their risks of car accidents in Illinois and reduce the risks of being hindered by the irresponsibility of unlicensed and uninsured motorists.
To decrease your risks of an accident, AAA is asking drivers to “Make the Resolution to be a Safe Driver.” In 2012, drivers are asked to stay sober behind the wheel, to curb the distractions, to abide by all posted speed limits, to rest up before jumping behind the wheel and to always wear a seat belt. These few safety tips are simple ways to help you to stay safe on our roadways and potentially avoid an accident with an uninsured motorist.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident in Chicago with an uninsured driver, the personal injury attorneys 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.
More Blog Entries:
Wicked Winter Weather Increasing Risks for Car Accidents in Chicago, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, January 12, 2012
Icy Roadways Cause More than a Dozen Illinois Car Accidents in Geneva, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, January 8, 2012