Where Do Car Accidents Most Occur in Orland Park?
Residential neighborhoods, highways, and suburban roads are all correct answers to the question, “Where do car accidents happen most in Orland Park?”
Unfortunately, knowing this won’t prevent you from getting into one.
Whether coming to or leaving from this southwest Chicago suburb, our Orland Park resources make it easy to identify where, how, and why car accidents happen.
With this knowledge, you can confidently pursue maximum compensation for damages with the help of an experienced Orland Park car accident attorney.
Where Do Car Accidents Happen in Orland Park?
Residential Neighborhoods
The peaceful tree-lined streets of Orland Park’s residential neighborhoods may seem like unlikely places for car crashes to occur.
However, with the increase in distracted driving and speeding, these areas have become more dangerous for pedestrians and drivers alike.
The Orland Park Police Department responds to thousands of crashes every year in residential neighborhoods, such as:
- Greenwood Acres
- Deer Run
- Eagle Ridge
- Silo Ridge
Even at slower speeds in residential neighborhoods, collisions can still cause severe injuries, costly medical bills, and even wrongful death.
Suburban Roads
High traffic volumes from commuters, weekend shoppers, and commercial vehicles make the suburban roads in Orland Park a prime location for car crashes.
Intersections on these roads are where car accidents most occur in Orland Park; however, other notable suburban roads in the village include:
- LaGrange Road
- Harlem Avenue
- Southwest Highway
- Wolf Road
Accidents on the road can involve one or multiple vehicles, creating a nightmare situation for injured victims seeking compensation for damages.
Fortunately, injured parties who trust a car accident attorney in Orland Park to handle their claim can focus on recovering while legal professionals navigate case complexities.
Highways
As a tri-state commuter town, Orland Park is home to several major highways flooded with big commercial vehicles, speeding commuters, and distracted drivers.
The combination of these factors often leads to dangerous and deadly accidents on highways, such as:
- I-80
- U.S. 45 (Lagrange Road)
- Illinois 7 (Southwest Highway)
- I-57
Whether on a freeway, tollway, or expressway, you need an experienced Orland Park car accident lawyer to help you recover damages for the severe injuries and losses these collisions create.
Parking Lots
It is easy to underestimate the number and intensity of parking lot accidents in Orland Park.
However, the village is home to several busy shopping centers and malls, creating a breeding ground for parking lot accidents in areas such as:
- Orland Square
- Orland Park Place Shopping Mall
- The Crossing at Orland Park
While initial injuries may seem minor in a parking lot accident, delayed symptoms can take weeks or months to manifest, diminishing your ability to work, spend time with family, and enjoy everyday activities.
Why Do Car Accidents Happen in Orland Park?
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the leading cause of auto accidents not just in Orland Park but in the USA as a whole.
This epidemic of negligent driving is most dangerous during slow-moving traffic or at high freeway speeds due to:
- Cognitive distractions that take the mind off the road
- Visual distractions that take the eyes off the road
- Manual distractions that take the hands off the wheel
Illinois state law deems distracted driving a negligent offense, allowing car accident victims to recover damages from the at-fault party.
If distracted driving led to your car accident in Orland Park, seek an experienced personal injury attorney in Orland Park to help you hold the negligent driver accountable for their actions.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving behaviors create a dangerous environment for other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Reckless behaviors that lead to auto accidents in Orland Park include:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Failure to yield
- Failure to signal
- Erratic lane changes
It may feel like you are at fault for someone else’s reckless driving, but you have the right to file a claim or lawsuit against them for any injuries and damages.
Intoxicated Driving
All Chicago suburbs report higher rates of DUIs and alcohol-related car accidents than the state average. Unfortunately, Orland Park is no exception to this trend.
Intoxicated drivers in Orland Park are more likely to cause accidents due to:
- Impaired judgment and reaction time
- Poor coordination and vision
- Difficulty maintaining speed and staying in lane
Though Illinois has legal limits for intoxicated drivers, they do not supersede the duty of care in operating a motor vehicle.
This means that if alcohol is present and found to have affected driving ability, you may still be entitled to pursue a personal injury claim.
Inexperienced Driving
Whether from lack of road confidence, unawareness of traffic laws, or underestimating the weight and responsibility of driving a car, inexperienced drivers in Orland Park can cause accidents by:
- Failing to maintain proper speed
- Driving too slow for road conditions
- Misjudging turns and lane changes
Just because you are a new driver doesn’t mean you are not expected to drive responsibly. If an inexperienced driver caused your car accident, seek legal help to ensure they are held accountable for their actions.
What Type of Car Accidents Occur Most in Orland Park, IL?
Rear-End Collisions
It’s no surprise that a Chicago suburb with high rates of distracted and reckless driving experiences a high volume of rear-end collisions. These accidents most often occur at intersections, in parking lots, and during stop and go traffic on the highway.
Rear-end collisions often result in:
- Whiplash
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back and spinal cord injuries
Even if you think you may be at fault for a rear-end car accident, seeking legal help to fully assess the situation is vital. Sometimes, the other driver may have been driving recklessly or distractedly, making themresponsible for the collision and you capable of seeking compensation for damages.
T-Bone Collision
Common at intersections or when making left turns, T-bone collisions result in serious injuries for drivers and passengers, including but not limited to:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Severe whiplash
These auto accidents are often caused by distracted, reckless, or intoxicated driving.
In these situations, seeking legal representation to hold the at-fault party accountable and pursue compensation before your medical bills become a financial burden is crucial.
Hit and Run Accidents
Whenever a driver flees the scene, it is considered a hit and run. Unfortunately, these types of accidents are not uncommon in Orland Park.
While a hit and run accident can happen any place, they often occur in:
- Parking lots
- Intersections
- Quiet residential streets
Though it may seem impossible or hopeless, you still have rights if you are involved in a hit and run accident. Contact a personal injury attorney who can help you explore avenues for compensation through your own insurance or other means.
Rollover Accidents
Rarely leaving drivers and passengers unscathed, rollover accidents result in life-threatening injuries caused by drivers:
- Overcorrecting turns
- Swerving to avoid collisions
- Driving under the influence
- Poor road conditions (e.g. potholes)
In addition to being among the most devastating types of car accidents, rollovers are often the most expensive.
With upfront costs of injuries frequently exceeding $250,000 and lifetime costs potentially reaching into the millions, it is crucial to seek legal help in recovering medical expenses, lost earning potential, and non-economic damages.
Is It Expensive to Hire an Orland Park Car Accident Attorney?
Whether it’s where car accidents most occur in Orland Park or not, many people are hesitant to pursue legal help because they associate it with high costs.
However, consider the costs associated with auto accidents in Orland Park to understand why you may need a lawyer to recover maximum compensation for damages:
- Whiplash injuries: Upfront costs average $4,000 per incident; lifetime costs could total hundreds of thousands or millions in treatment, physical therapy, and lost earning potential.
- Traumatic brain injuries: Upfront costs average $100,000+ per incident; lifetime costs are estimated to be $3+ million for medical devices, home care, and ongoing treatment.
- Permanent paralysis: Upfront costs average $500,000+; lifetime costs can exceed $4 million in lifelong medical care and lost earning potential.
- Emergency Room visit: In Orland Park, ER care often exceeds $1800 per visit. With the potential for delayed injuries requiring new visits, this could mean tens or hundreds of thousands in medical bills over a lifetime.
- Paramedic care: In Orland Park, paramedic care, which includes ambulance rides, life-saving services, and extractions, has an upfront cost of $2,000 to $5,000+.
- Broken bones: If no surgery is required, costs can still exceed $2,500 per bone, not including casting and any needed physical therapy. When surgery is required, the cost averages $25,000+ per bone treated.
- Soft tissue damage: Often requiring physical therapy, chiropractic care, and injections to recover fully, these injuries can quickly rack up tens or hundreds of thousands in medical costs and millions in lost earning potential.
- Internal bleeding: A serious and potentially life-threatening injury, the average cost for treating internal bleeding is $30,000+, with potential lifetime costs reaching into the millions.
A personal injury lawyer may be unable to change the outcome of your car accident. Still, they can help you navigate the complex legal process and fight for maximum compensation through negotiation or litigation.
In fact, studies show that hiring a personal injury lawyer can result in a much higher settlement amount than self-representation. With most personal injury lawyers taking cases on a contingency fee basis, the overall costs of hiring an Orland Park car accident attorney are often outweighed by the long-term financial benefits.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Personal Injury Claim in Orland Park, IL?
The Illinois statute of limitations for personal injury claims resulting from car accidents is two years from the accident date. This means you have two years to file a claim for damages before it expires, and you are no longer eligible for compensation.
However, this deadline may or may not adjust depending on:
- If the at-fault driver is a government employee or entity, you may have less time to file your claim
- If the accident caused injuries to a minor or disabled person, there may be an extension to the statute of limitations
- If wrongful death occurs due to “violent intentional conduct, there may be a more extended time limit for filing a claim
With the time it takes to get over the shock, treat injuries, gather evidence, and build a strong case for compensation, time is of the essence to successfully secure your rightful compensation – no matter how long you think you have to file a claim.
You Have Rights After a Car Accident No Matter Where It Happens in Orland Park
The question, “Where do car accidents happen most in Orland Park?” is not as important as understanding your rights afterward.
Whether you are involved in a rear-end collision, T-bone accident, hit and run, or rollover in Orland Park or any other location, seeking legal help and understanding your rights is essential.
Learn about those rights and your legal options with a confidential and free case evaluation from our Orland Park car accident attorneys.