- May 13, 2023 |
- Personal Injury
Common Causes of Personal Injury Accidents in Illinois
Common Causes of Personal Injury Accidents in Illinois
1. Car Accidents:
The most common cause of personal injury in Illinois is car accidents. Car accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, including reckless driving, speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence.
Car Accidents Statistics in Illinois
The most common causes of car accidents are distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, and hazardous road conditions. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, in 2019, distracted driving was the leading cause of fatal car accidents in Illinois, accounting for 22.6% of all fatal crashes. Speeding was the second leading cause of fatal car accidents, accounting for 17.7% of all fatal crashes. Impaired driving caused 15.6% of all fatal crashes, and hazardous road conditions caused 7.3% of all fatal crashes.
2. Slip and Fall Accidents:
Slip and fall accidents can occur due to a variety of factors, including wet floors, icy sidewalks, uneven pavement, and dangerous stairs.
Slip and Fall Accidents Statistics in Illinois
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, slip and fall accidents were the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths in the state from 2017 to 2019. During this period, there were nearly 3,000 deaths from slip and fall accidents, accounting for 13.7% of all unintentional injury-related deaths. The majority of these deaths (62.4%) were among individuals aged 65 and older. The majority of these slip and fall accidents occurred in the home (41.8%), followed by public places (17.5%) and outdoor locations (14.5%).
3. Medical Malpractice:
Medical malpractice can occur when a healthcare provider deviates from accepted standards of care, resulting in an injury or death.
Medical Malpractice Statistics in Illinois
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there were 1,547 medical malpractice claims reported in Illinois in 2019. Of those, 858 resulted in payments totaling $434.2 million. The average payment for malpractice claims was $507,515. The highest payment for a single claim was $18 million. In total, Illinois paid out over $2.2 billion in malpractice claims from 2000 to 2019.
4. Dog Bites:
Dog bites can occur when a pet owner fails to control their pet, resulting in an injury to another person.
Dog Bites Statistics in Illinois
A According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there were 2,715 dog bite-related injuries in the state in 2018. Of these, 1,876 were treated in hospital emergency departments, 674 in ambulatory care centers, and 165 in physician offices. The majority of bite victims were children under the age of 10, with boys being more likely to be bitten than girls. The most common type of dog breed involved in the bites was pit bulls (30.2%), followed by German Shepherds (9.5%), mixed breed dogs (8.5%), and Labrador Retrievers (7.5%).
5. Product Liability:
Product liability occurs when a manufacturer produces a defective product that injures someone.
Product Liability Statistics in Illinois
Product liability in Illinois in 2022 will be subject to the same laws that have been in place since the early 2000s. These laws require companies to provide safe and reliable products to consumers and to take responsibility if a product causes an injury or death. The Illinois Product Liability Act, 735 ILCS 5/13-213, holds manufacturers, distributors, and retailers responsible for any injuries or damage caused by their products.
The statute of limitations on product liability claims in Illinois is generally two years from the date of injury or death, but this can be extended in certain cases. In addition, the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, 815 ILCS 505/2, provides consumers with protection from deceptive practices by businesses and sellers.
This law requires companies to disclose all material facts about their products and services to potential buyers and provides remedies for those who have been misled. Finally, the Illinois Uniform Commercial Code, 810 ILCS 5/2-314, protects consumers from sellers who breach their warranty obligations. This law requires sellers to provide buyers with written warranties and allows customers to bring claims for damages if the warranties are breached.
6. Construction Accidents:
Construction accidents can occur due to a variety of factors, including improper safety protocols, faulty machinery, and hazardous materials.
Construction Accidents Statistics in Illinois
The Illinois Department of Labor publishes an annual statistical report on construction accidents in the state. The report includes information such as the number of accidents, the types of accidents, and the severity of the injuries. In 2019, there were 1,301 construction accidents reported in Illinois. Of these, 683 resulted in at least one injury, and 43 resulted in a fatality. The most common type of accident was falls (541 cases), followed by electrical accidents (214 cases) and struck-by accidents (169 cases).
The majority of the injuries were minor, with only 110 cases resulting in lost days from work. The report also provides information on the leading causes of construction accidents in Illinois. Falls were the leading cause of injuries, accounting for 46.3 percent of all cases. Struck-by accidents were the second most common cause of injury, accounting for 24.2 percent of all cases. Electrical accidents were the third leading cause, accounting for 19.4 percent of all cases. Overall, the statistics show that construction accidents in Illinois are relatively common, but most do not result in serious injuries. However, it is important for employers and workers to take the necessary safety precautions to ensure the safety of everyone on the job site.
7. Wrongful Death:
Wrongful death can occur due to the negligence or intentional wrongdoing of another individual, resulting in the death of the victim.
Wrongful Death Accidents Statistics in Illinois According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2018, there were 1,061 total deaths from motor vehicle traffic crashes in the state of Illinois. Of those deaths, 155 were due to wrongful death. This means that 14.6% of motor vehicle traffic deaths in Illinois were due to wrongful death. Nationwide, the percentage of motor vehicle deaths due to wrongful death was slightly higher, at 15.7%.