Statistics vary significantly by jurisdictions, but typically, around half of hit-and-run drivers are caught and successfully prosecuted in criminal court. The percentage may be higher in civil court, mostly because of the lower standard of proof. In criminal court, prosecutors must establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, which means a witness must place the defendant …
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Establishing liability, or legal responsibility for a collision, is the most important component of a car crash claim. But many times, the fight for fair compensation does not end at this point. Most people are judgement-proof. In many cases, if the tortfeasor (negligent driver) has insufficient insurance coverage, the judgement might as well be a …
Continue reading “What is Vicarious Liability in a Car Accident Case and Why Does It Matter?”
Every year, car crashes seriously injure millions of people. Some form of negligence causes most of these crashes. That negligence could be a lack of ordinary care or a violation of a safety statute, like running a stop light. Most of these crashes also involve one of the five types of driving impairment, per the …
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All drivers multitask. They monitor the traffic in front of them, behind them and beside them while they also monitor vehicle speed and other internal performance gauges. If drivers add additional tasks, they quickly become overloaded. It’s is no wonder distracted drivers seriously injure close to half a million Americans per year in vehicle collisions. …
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If liability is undisputed, Illinois law requires auto insurance companies to settle claims within 30 days. The settlement offer must be reasonable. The insurance company cannot tender a “low-ball” offer which does not amount to fair compensation. In minor property damage claims, like dents and scratches, early settlements are pretty common. The insurance company wants …
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The decades-long crackdown against drunk drivers has basically failed to reduce the number of alcohol-related collisions in Illinois. Today, alcohol is a factor in almost a third of the fatal vehicle crashes in Rockford. In the 1980s, when DUI laws were weak and poorly enforced, the percentage was about the same. Utah recently took this …
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Accident victims sometimes feel as though things are spiraling out of control. Attorneys help victims put their lives back together after serious car crashes. But before that happens, victims must help themselves. Most law enforcement officers say that the first few hours after a crime often dictate the course of the investigation. If mistakes are …
Continue reading “Two Quick Rockford Car Crash Dos and Don’ts”
Some form of human error causes over 90 percent of the car crashes in Rockford. Sometimes, this error is a wrong-place-at-the-wrong-time lapse, and the collision was truly “accidental.” Examples include sudden wind gusts and lightning strikes. But in almost all cases, car crashes involve some kind of negligence. Legally, negligence is either a lack of …
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Witness statements, accident reports, medical records, and the victim/plaintiff’s testimony are all highly effective in Winnebago County vehicle collision claims. This evidence is readily available and easy to use. Moreover, since the burden of proof is low in civil court, a little evidence goes a long way. But there is normally a direct relationship between …
Distracted drivers cause about a fifth of the fatal car crashes in Rockford. Illinois has one of the broadest distracted driving laws in the country. It prohibits a wide range of behaviors that are permissible in nearby states. But even if the law does not apply, it’s still possible to obtain compensation in these cases. …
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