Do Certain Types of Car Accidents Cause More Serious Injuries?

 Posted on February 13, 2025 in Car Accidents

When you think of the average car accident, you might imagine a fender bender or a crash that results in mild bruising or a broken bone at worst. Some collisions are inherently more dangerous than others, however, and if you or somebody you know has been caught in a serious car accident, it is in your best interests to seek out an attorney as soon as possible.

At Schwartz Injury Law, we have the resources and legal knowledge to help you navigate car accident claims involving serious injury. When you work with our attorneys, we can file a claim on your behalf and make an aggressive case for your right to compensation.

Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are highly perilous by nature. The sheer size difference between a 16- or 18-wheeler and the average car means that a collision will almost certainly place the driver in serious danger. There are numerous causes of truck accidents, ranging from simple distraction, poor conditions on the highway, or drowsy driving. Truck accidents are also a common cause of fatal crashes, resulting in wrongful death suits against the truck driver, trucking company, packing company, and even other drivers on the road.

In Illinois, the surviving family of the victim of a truck crash can pursue compensation for damages in a wrongful death claim. Compensation in these claims can include funeral expenses, as well as non-physical damages like grief. A personal injury attorney can help you file a claim after a loved one’s fatal truck crash, fighting to hold the driver at fault accountable.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are often caused by drunk drivers who fail to realize they are driving in the wrong lane. Poor conditions like low visibility can also contribute to head-on collisions, frequently taking place at night. When two cars collide at full speed, the results can be fatal.

Even when they are not fatal, head-on accidents carry a high risk of catastrophic injury, leaving victims with irreversible damage. For example, traumatic brain injuries, when the brain is seriously injured due to a forceful impact, often result from head-on collisions. The effects of a traumatic brain injury may include recurrent headaches, difficulties with speech, or issues with memory loss and may result in the victim’s inability to work long into the future.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle riders are at extreme risk of injury in any auto collision, especially if the rider is not wearing any protective equipment. Even in minor crashes, a motorcyclist can be flung off the bike, resulting in broken bones or road rash.

In many cases, motorcycle accidents are the result of other drivers not paying attention to the road. Texting while driving is a common cause of these collisions, as a driver is less likely to notice a motorcycle in his or her peripheral vision than a car. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is critical that you document your injuries early on to maximize the value of your claim.

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents frequently occur at crosswalks or intersections when drivers ignore the right of way. It goes without saying that injuries in pedestrian accidents can be incredibly severe, especially for children and the elderly. In best-case scenarios, the blunt force of getting struck by a car can result in multiple fractures, but there is a real risk of other serious injuries, including internal hemorrhaging.

A personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation for a pedestrian accident by gathering evidence for your claim. Witness statements can help prove fault for the collision, but your lawyer may also be able to secure footage from traffic cameras or dash cameras. Other supportive evidence may include a doctor’s report or photos of the vehicle.

Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents are not unique to a specific type of vehicle; any collision that knocks a car off balance can cause the vehicle to flip over. Airbags can absorb some of the shock in a rollover accident, but they cannot provide absolute protection for every possible crash.

Rollover accidents frequently result in compression and crush injuries, including serious spinal cord injuries. The spinal cord is essential for transporting signals from the brain to the muscular system, controlling movement. Any damage to the spinal cord can cause paralysis, which can affect the lower half of your body (paraplegia) or from the neck down (quadriplegia).

Fault in Car Accidents

Proving that the other driver was at fault is crucial for getting the payment you deserve out of a settlement or verdict. Illinois adheres to comparative negligence in car accident claims, which means that you can collect compensation from a personal injury claim as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault for an accident. A crash report issued by a police report may name the driver at fault, giving you the right to pursue compensation through an insurance claim.

However, any percentage of fault you shared for the accident could be deducted from your total settlement. For instance, if you could have reduced the severity of a T-bone accident by reducing your speed, you might get paid a lower sum than if the other driver was entirely at fault. However, determining fault can be very subjective. A car accident lawyer at Schwartz Injury Law can advocate for you, arguing for the full value of your claim in negotiations with the negligent driver’s insurance company.

Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help With My Claim?

After a serious car accident, having a skilled legal representative at your side can make a significant difference when filing a claim. If your injuries have left you hospitalized, a personal injury attorney can take on the lion’s share of the work, returning to the scene of the accident to gather critical evidence and communicating with insurance companies so you do not have to.

Moreover, an attorney can give you an accurate appraisal of what your claim may be worth and defend your rights in negotiations with insurance adjusters. At Schwartz Injury Law, our car accident attorneys have a history of success, having secured millions in compensation for our clients in need. In one case, we recovered $2 million through an injured client’s uninsured motorist policy after an auto collision.

Meet With a Joliet, IL Car Accident Lawyer

Have you been badly injured in an auto accident? At Schwartz Injury Law, our Will County, IL personal injury attorneys are ready to sit down with you and discuss your best options for securing real compensation. Our firm has trial experience, and if the liable party will not agree to a fair settlement outside of court, we are more than ready to take your case to a judge. To schedule a free consultation, call our offices at 708-888-2160 today.