Speed-related accidents are notoriously dangerous. Vehicles that crash into other vehicles or pedestrians can do serious damage, even at low or moderate speeds. High-speed crashes bring an increased–almost certain–potential for severe injuries or fatalities and substantial property damage.

Victims of speeding accidents can secure knowledgeable, effective legal help from an Aurora car accident lawyer from Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a high-speed accident, contact an Aurora speeding accident lawyer for a free case consultation. Our team is dedicated to protecting victims’ rights, and we will fight hard to get you significant compensation for your accident-related losses.

How can an Aurora speeding accident lawyer help me?

Victims are often overwhelmed by the extreme costs of a speeding accident. However, there is a way through, and the first step is to secure representation from an experienced attorney. This early partnership protects you from an initial danger–accepting a settlement far lower than you deserve.

After being in a crash, you are likely to be physically and emotionally vulnerable and very concerned about your future finances. In this state, you might be relieved by what seems to be a generous compensation offer from the at-fault party’s representatives and convinced to take it. You must remember that insurance companies are businesses, and those first offers frequently do not represent what victims truly deserve. However, that offer “settles” an accident claim once accepted, and the matter is closed.

With an experienced Aurora speeding accident attorney at your side, you can take advantage of our negotiating skills and understanding of the law to manage these conversations for you. We will carefully value your case and provide sound advice before you accept or refuse any offer.

How will an Aurora car accident attorney manage my case?

You have two years to file a personal injury claim with the Illinois courts, so the sooner you partner with an attorney, the better. Upon taking your case, your lawyer will fully investigate what happened and identify the at-fault party. The team at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates has over 350 years of combined experience and extensive resources, so you can rest assured we will find any available evidence to support your claim.

Evidence may include:

• Witness testimony
• Footage from nearby traffic, surveillance, or dashboard cameras
• Information provided by accident reconstructionists: these experts can determine rates of speed at the time of the accident, among other crucial details
• Input from your medical team and other experts regarding the cause of your injuries
• Physical evidence collected from the accident scene and the cars involved
• Information from law enforcement and official accident reports

What are the speed limits in Aurora, Illinois?

There are a range of penalties for disobeying the speed limit. All come with financial costs. Depending on how flagrant the offense is and how many offenses drivers have, they can also lose driving privileges and face court appearances. Speeding offenses categorized as misdemeanors can come with jail time.

Speed limits vary throughout Illinois depending on the type of road involved. According to the Illinois State Police (ISP), maximum speed limits are:

• 70 mph on interstate highways outside urban areas
• 65 mph on rural interstates
• 55 mph on highways close to or in major cities and on other highways
• 30 mph in urban areas unless other posted restrictions apply

A maximum 60 mph limit applies to certain vehicles traveling outside urban areas, including:

• Towing vehicles
• House cars and campers
• Private living coaches
• Vehicles licensed as recreational vehicles
• Any vehicles towing other vehicles
• Vehicles “designed or used for the carrying of a gross weight of 8,001 pounds or more”

Despite potential penalties, drivers continue to speed, causing harm to others on the road. When a speeding driver hurts you, you have the right to hold them accountable and demand compensation for your losses, and an Aurora speeding accident attorney from Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates is ready to help.

What is the “duty of care” drivers owe one another?

A duty of care is a legal obligation to take proactive behaviors to protect others and avoid behaviors that put others in danger. Every driver on the road owes everyone sharing those roads a duty of care. Drivers must obey traffic laws and follow the rules of the road. They must be intentional about driving safely and avoiding accidents. They must also refrain from dangerous driving behavior, such as driving under the influence, driving while distracted or fatigued, or driving recklessly.

Knowing the speed limit, obeying it, and driving reasonably for road conditions are part of a driver’s duty of care. If the speed limit is 70 mph, but weather conditions produce slick roads or poor visibility, drivers must adjust to those conditions and slow down.

The same rule applies to drivers nearing or crossing intersections, approaching or traveling around curves, approaching the crest of a hill, driving on narrow or twisting roads, or when any other reasons for caution exist.

What are the current speeding accident statistics for Illinois?

According to the Illinois Highway Safety Annual Report, speeding is a traffic safety area of focus for state authorities. For the most recent full year of data collection, the report shows that of the 1,210 total fatal motor-vehicle crashes, 32.1% were speed-related. More specifically, the data shows that speed factored into 449 traffic fatalities and accounted for 32.8% of total accident-related injuries, with 2,736 of them considered serious injuries.

Illinois’ 32.1% rate is slightly higher than those seen nationwide. For the same year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports speeding as the cause of 29% of crash fatalities–12,330 deaths. The dangers associated with speeding include:

• Increased risk of losing control of the vehicle
• Reduced effectiveness of vehicle safety features
• Longer distance required to stop
• Higher degree of crash severity and subsequent injuries
• Higher crash costs

What is the potential value of my speeding accident claim?

Your attorney will also assess the value of your losses. Economic losses are those affecting your finances. For example, your medical costs and future care expenses, income loss, property damage, and all other costs associated with the accident. Injuries associated with speeding accidents are often severe, bringing a high probability for expensive intervention and long-term care.

Speeding accident victims may sustain:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Burns
• Amputations
• Internal organ damage
• Complex bone fractures

Such severe injuries also prevent victims from returning to work, adding future lost income and job benefits to the list of economic losses.

Non-economic losses affect your quality of life, emotional state, relationships, and physical comfort and abilities. Accounting for every economic loss and putting a dollar amount on non-economic losses is difficult. Sadly, victims often underestimate their costs and future needs and undervalue the losses that do not come with an actual bill.

When calculating your settlement demand, your experienced attorney will know all the details and account for every dollar you deserve.

How can I ensure I get a fair settlement?

If another driver’s speeding caused your accident, the settlement demand typically goes to that driver’s insurance and legal representatives. Most likely, those parties will respond by making a lower counteroffer. Just as your attorney will present evidence to support your claim, the other side will work to cast doubt on your claim.

Illinois personal injury laws follow a comparative negligence system. Victims can only seek compensation if they are 50% or less at fault for the accident. Those eligible to file but still hold some fault will see their compensation reduced by that percentage. Your attorney will fight to protect you from unwarranted blame and to keep your settlement intact.

Most car accident cases are settled through negotiation. The attorneys at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates will work to achieve that outcome. Still, we will also be ready and willing to fight in court if the other side refuses to make a respectable offer or intentionally slows down the negotiation process. Our goal is always to do what is best for you.

How much does it cost to hire a speeding accident lawyer?

Some injury victims avoid calling an attorney because they fear they cannot afford the legal fees. When hiring a speeding accident attorney from Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, you can put those concerns aside. We work on a contingency basis. You only pay your skilled Aurora car accident lawyer once you receive a settlement.

A percentage of that settlement will pay your attorney’s fees, with no hidden surprises. We will tell you what to expect before you officially partner with us. We work on contingency because we are confident in securing substantial client compensation. Our case results show we have the track record to support that confidence.

We are committed to getting justice for our clients

Victims deserve justice, and the attorneys at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates are committed to delivering that justice. You can depend on our experienced, attentive team to fight tirelessly for you, keeping you well-informed of every case development.

It’s hard to underestimate the damage a speeding driver can cause. Still, we are here to help you hold that driver accountable so you can reach maximum recovery and secure your financial future. Call (800) 985-1819 or message us about your situation and schedule a free case review.