Belleville Car Accident Attorneys
Experienced legal help after car and vehicle accidents in Illinois
Serious car accidents cause serious problems, medically and financially – not to mention emotionally. A car accident can alter the course of your life in an instant, causing injuries from which it takes a long time to recover, if you recover at all. It is important to hold the right parties accountable for the injuries and losses they cause, and a skilled lawyer can help you.
If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident, after seeking medical attention, consult with a Belleville car accident lawyer at Glisson Law as soon as possible. We can help secure the compensation to which you’re entitled for your injuries. Our attorneys have been helping people like you for over 25 years, with our experience allowing us to secure $1.6 million for a family injured in a motor vehicle accident where a driver ran a stop sign, causing a severe collision. Contact us today for skilled legal assistance.
How can we help?
- What types of car accident claims does your Belleville law firm handle?
- What are the common causes of car accidents?
- Who is responsible for my Belleville car accident?
- What kinds of injuries happen in a car accident?
- What is the value of my Belleville car accident claim?
- How long do I have to file my Belleville car accident claim?
- Do you have a car accident attorney near me?
What types of car accident claims does your Belleville law firm handle?
In 2022, Illinois saw 1,268 fatalities from 1,147 fatal car accidents. It’s important to note that 229 of these accidents involved unlicensed drivers. Our lawyers handle a variety of different kinds of car accidents, including:
- Drunk driving accidents
- Car accidents involving trucks
- Car accidents involving motorcycles
- Distracted driving car accidents
- Fatigued driving accidents
- Head-on crashes
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Rear-end crashes
- Uber & Lyft accidents
Our team also handles multi-vehicle accident cases.
What are the common causes of car accidents?
Common causes of car accidents here in Belleville and throughout Illinois include:
- One of the leading causes of car accidents is distracted driving. If drivers don’t pay attention to the task of driving and keep alert for changes in traffic, they can cause serious accidents.
- Another cause of car accidents is drunk or drugged driving. Both are against the law, but people still drive under the influence every day. Alcohol or drugs can impair a driver’s judgment and coordination, as well as their ability to react to obstacles on the road.
- When drivers engage in speeding, they also lose the ability to make snap decisions on the road. Speeding can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and cause serious accidents. Drivers must always adhere to posted speed limits, as well as adjust their speed for driving in bad weather or conditions.
- Reckless driving includes aggressive behaviors like tailgating, running stop signals, or weaving in and out of traffic. Reckless drivers are much like distracted drivers, in that they are not paying attention to the rules of the road.
- When a driver fails to yield right of way, they can also cause a serious car accident. Failure to yield is another common cause of car accidents, and can happen anywhere from an intersection to merging onto the highway.
- When driving in construction zones, drivers can encounter uneven pavement, narrowed lanes, and temporary shifts in traffic. When drivers don’t pay careful attention, they can cause serious accidents and tragedies.
- Other car accidents may be caused by vehicle and part defects, which can cause a car to behave unpredictably on the road. A defective vehicle may be suddenly unable to stop or turn, causing their car to go out of control.
Who is responsible for my Belleville car accident?
The state of Illinois determines liability for a car accident based on what’s called “negligence.” When a person or party acts negligently or recklessly and cause an accident, you can hold them responsible for your injuries. Following are some examples of potentially liable parties in a Belleville car accident.
- Negligent drivers. Generally, the other driver should be held responsible for your accident due to negligence. Common examples of negligence include reckless driving, failure to yield, distracted driving, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Multiple parties. In some cases, more than one driver or party may share responsibility for the accident. For example, if one driver runs a red light, and another driver was speeding, and they collide, they can both be held responsible. Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you may still be eligible for compensation. However, your compensation may be reduced in proportion to your level of fault. We work to ensure you are not allocated any blame in the accident.
- Defective vehicle parts. If it turns out a defect in a vehicle caused your accident – like defective brakes, tires, or airbags – the manufacturer of those parts can be held liable. In these cases we will bring a product liability claim against the maker of the part.
- Poor road conditions. There are situations where accidents occur due to substandard road maintenance or unsafe conditions, which can include issues like insufficient signage, potholes, or badly designed intersections. In such cases, the government agency tasked with road upkeep could potentially bear liability.
- Employers. If the driver responsible for the accident was operating a vehicle for job-related reasons during the incident, their employer might be held liable based on the legal concept of vicarious liability.
- Uninsured or underinsured drivers. If the driver who hit you was uninsured or underinsured, your own policy may provide coverage instead.
Determining liability and responsibility in a car accident can be complicated. Talk to the Belleville car accident attorneys at Glisson Law to help protect your rights and advocate for your best interests.
What kinds of injuries happen in a car accident?
The types of injuries that can occur in a car accident vary depending on the severity of the accident, the type of vehicles involved, and the occupants' positions in the vehicles. However, some of the most common injuries include:
- Head injuries. Head injuries are the most common type of injury in car accidents. They can range from mild concussions to severe brain injuries that can lead to coma or death.
- Neck injuries. Neck injuries, such as whiplash, can occur when the head is suddenly and forcefully moved back and forth. These injuries can cause pain, stiffness, and headaches.
- Spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries can be very serious and can result in paralysis or other permanent disabilities. They can occur when the spine is forcefully compressed or when the head is violently thrown forward.
- Chest injuries. Chest injuries can include broken ribs, collapsed lungs, and heart injuries. These injuries can be life-threatening.
- Internal injuries. Abdominal injuries can include internal bleeding, organ damage, and ruptures. These injuries can also be life-threatening.
- Extremity injuries. Extremity injuries can include broken bones, sprains, and strains. These injuries can be painful and disabling.
- Soft tissue injuries. Soft tissue injuries include injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These injuries can be painful and can take time to heal.
- Psychological injuries. Psychological injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can also occur after a car accident. These injuries can cause anxiety, depression, and difficulty sleeping.
Our car accident attorneys fight for full compensation for these injuries and their related expenses on your behalf.
What is the value of my Belleville car accident claim?
The value of any car accident claim varies depending on the specific facts of the case. However, there are some general factors that can affect the value of a claim, including:
- Severity of the injuries
- Cost of medical expenses
- Amount of lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to speak to an attorney to discuss your legal rights and options. An attorney can help you determine the value of your claim and can help you file a claim for damages.
How long do I have to file my Belleville car accident claim?
Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations on car accident claims. Claims brought after the statute of limitations expires will generally be unsuccessful. Ensure you have a Belleville car accident attorney on your side as soon as possible after the accident so you do not miss any important deadlines.
Do you have a car accident attorney near me?
Glisson Law is located at 111 East Fourth Street, Suite 400, in Alton, IL. We’re only a block away from City Hall, and there is plenty of parking across the street. There’s also a bus stop right outside our office. Glisson Law conducts phone and video conferences when applicable, and makes home and hospital visits if you cannot travel to us.
Skilled Belleville, Illinois car accident attorneys
If you've been injured in a car accident, you don't have to navigate the complex legal process alone. Our team of experienced Belleville car accident lawyers is here to provide the support and guidance you need during this challenging time. At Glisson Law, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll an accident can take, and we're committed to fighting for your rights. Let us help you secure the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Call or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.