Common Causes of Car Accidents in Chicago

Understanding the most common causes of car accidents in Chicago not only helps drivers avoid danger but also helps accident victims prove negligence and seek compensation when another party is at fault.

Car accidents in Chicago are a daily reality, especially on high-traffic roads like I-90, Lake Shore Drive, Cicero Avenue, and Western Avenue. With congested intersections, aggressive drivers, and changing weather conditions, Chicago’s roads pose unique risks to motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were over 96,000 reported crashes in Chicago in 2023. Of these, nearly 19,000 involved injuries, and 110 were fatal car crashes. These numbers reflect the significant impact of preventable driver behavior, especially in areas with high pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Distracted Driving Remains One of the Leading Causes of Chicago Car Accidents

Distracted driving is one of Chicago’s most common causes of car accidents, especially during rush hour on congested roads like the Kennedy Expressway. Stop-and-go traffic creates a high risk for rear-end collisions when drivers take their eyes off the road for even a few seconds.

Texting, checking GPS, changing the music, and eating behind the wheel distract drivers from their surroundings. In heavy traffic, those brief lapses often end with one driver striking another vehicle from behind. These crashes can result in serious injuries, including broken bones, internal injuries, and spinal cord injuries, even at lower speeds.

Under Chicago’s Municipal Code (9-40), drivers must exercise reasonable care and avoid actions that endanger others. A negligent driver who causes a crash while distracted can be held liable for medical bills, property damage, and lost wages resulting from the accident.

Speeding Is a Major Factor Behind Many Auto Accidents in Chicago

Speeding remains one of the leading causes of car accidents in Chicago, often turning what might have been a minor fender bender into a severe collision. T-bone accidents are prevalent at intersections like Cicero and Madison or near CTA train crossings, where drivers trying to beat a yellow or red light end up hitting another vehicle at full speed.

A driver going too fast has less time to react, less control over the vehicle, and a much longer stopping distance. When that driver fails to obey traffic signals, the result can be a violent crash with life-altering consequences. These accidents often lead to broken bones, internal injuries, and other serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment.

Under Illinois law, drivers who exceed the speed limit and cause harm to others may be held liable for the damages they cause, both physical and financial.

Impaired Driving Is One of the Deadliest Causes of Car Crashes

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one of the deadliest causes of car accidents in Chicago. Impaired drivers are more likely to drift into oncoming traffic, miss red lights, or make dangerous turns, especially at night on highways like I-55 or the Eisenhower Expressway.

Wrong-way crashes and high-speed collisions are common results of impaired driving, and they often end in fatal car crashes or life-altering injuries. Victims may suffer broken bones, internal injuries, or spinal cord injuries due to the force of the impact.

Despite decades of public awareness efforts, impaired driving continues to take lives. Under Illinois law, a driver who causes an accident while under the influence can face serious criminal charges and civil liability.

For accident victims and their families, holding the at-fault party accountable through a personal injury claim may help recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Reckless Driving Habits Are Behind Many Auto Accident Injuries

Reckless driving is a common cause of car accidents in Chicago, especially on multi-lane roads like Lake Shore Drive, where vehicles frequently merge. Aggressive behaviors such as weaving through traffic, tailgating, and brake-checking can lead to serious sideswipe crashes or multi-vehicle accidents.

When a reckless driver suddenly changes lanes without signaling or cuts too close to another vehicle, there’s little time for others to react. On busy highways, one careless move can create a chain reaction that causes injuries to several drivers and passengers.

These types of accidents can leave victims with car accident injuries ranging from soft tissue damage to more serious injuries like broken bones or internal injuries. Illinois law requires drivers to operate their vehicles with reasonable care. When a driver fails to do so and causes harm, they may be held liable for the damages others suffer on the road.

Bad Weather Often Contributes to Accidents in Chicago

Chicago winters bring snow, slush, and black ice, which majorly affect many auto accidents. Even one driver losing control on highways like the Dan Ryan Expressway can trigger a multi-vehicle pileup, especially during rush hour or after sudden snowfall.

Ice patches and reduced visibility make stopping, steering, or avoiding other vehicles harder. Drivers who fail to slow down or leave enough space during poor weather conditions are more likely to cause serious crashes.

Under Illinois law, drivers must adjust their speed and driving behavior to match road conditions — ignoring this responsibility can lead to severe consequences.

Accidents caused by a vehicle striking others in icy conditions often result in serious injuries. When drivers fail to use reasonable care during inclement weather, they may be liable for medical bills, property damage, and other losses.

Accidents Caused by Failure to Yield and Running Red Lights

Failing to yield the right of way and running red lights are leading causes of car accidents in Chicago, especially at high-traffic intersections like North Avenue and Halsted. One common scenario involves a driver making a left turn and misjudging the speed or distance of oncoming traffic, resulting in a violent T-bone collision.

These accidents often cause severe damage to the side of a vehicle, leaving passengers with crushed doors, broken bones, and severe leg injuries. Some collisions even lead to internal injuries or long-term mobility issues.

Drivers must obey traffic signals and yield to oncoming traffic before making a turn. When a driver fails to follow these traffic laws and causes a crash, they may be held liable for the injuries sustained by others. Victims may be able to recover compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Drowsy Driving Is a Quiet but Dangerous Cause of Car Crashes

Drowsy driving doesn’t get as much attention as other risks, but it remains one of the more dangerous causes of car accidents in Chicago. Fatigue slows reaction times and can cause drivers to fall asleep behind the wheel, even for just a few seconds. That’s enough time to drift off the road and into serious trouble.

In neighborhoods like Bridgeport or Jefferson Park, drowsy drivers have been known to veer into medians, slam into light poles, or crash into a parked vehicle. These off-road collisions can leave behind significant property damage and cause serious injuries to anyone inside or near the impacted area.

Under Illinois law, a driver who operates a vehicle while too tired to drive safely may still be considered negligent. If their fatigue leads to a crash, they can be liable for injuries, vehicle damage, and medical bills.

Tailgating Frequently Leads to Accidents in Chicago Traffic

Tailgating is a common and dangerous habit on Chicago roads, especially during heavy traffic on expressways like the Kennedy or Eisenhower.

When drivers don’t leave enough space between vehicles, they have little time to react if the car in front of them suddenly slows down or stops. The result is often a rear-end collision that triggers a chain reaction crash involving several vehicles.

These types of car accidents are known for causing whiplash, as well as hand and wrist injuries from drivers instinctively gripping the steering wheel during impact. Even at lower speeds, the sudden force can lead to lasting pain and the need for medical treatment.

Under Illinois law, drivers are expected to maintain a safe following distance. A negligent driver who causes a crash by tailgating may be held liable for the injuries sustained and property damage caused in the accident.

Improper Lane Changes Can Cause Serious Multi-Vehicle Car Accidents

Improper lane changes frequently cause car accidents in Chicago, particularly in downtown areas where drivers often weave through lanes to gain position. When a driver changes lanes suddenly or without signaling, it increases the risk of a side-impact collision, especially in dense traffic with limited space to react.

These crashes can set off multi-vehicle accidents, damaging several cars in seconds. Backseat passengers are often hit hardest in these situations, facing serious injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, or internal injuries due to the force of impact from the side.

According to Illinois law, drivers must signal lane changes and check blind spots to avoid endangering others. If a driver fails to follow these rules and causes a car crash, they can be held liable for any injuries sustained and the resulting medical bills or property damage.

Inexperienced Drivers May Be a Contributing Factor in Many Accidents in Chicago

Newer drivers often lack the experience and confidence to handle Chicago’s fast-paced and unpredictable traffic. This is especially true near highway ramps and interchanges, where quick decision-making is critical. Merge-related car accidents are common near spots like I-94 and Lower Wacker Drive, where traffic moves quickly and space is limited.

Inexperienced drivers may hesitate, merge too slowly, or misjudge the speed of oncoming traffic, causing a rear-end collision or forcing other vehicles to swerve into adjacent lanes. These crashes can lead to serious injuries, particularly in high-speed areas where impact forces are more significant.

While everyone has to start somewhere, all drivers must follow traffic laws and use reasonable care behind the wheel. If a crash occurs because one driver failed to merge safely or caused confusion on the road, they may be held liable for injuries sustained and any resulting property damage.

Vehicle Defects Can Be the Underlying Causes of Car Accidents

Not all car accidents in Chicago are caused by driver error. Sometimes, a single-vehicle crash may result from a mechanical failure or defective part, not a mistake by the person behind the wheel. Tire blowouts, brake failure, or steering malfunctions can all cause a driver to lose control, especially in high-traffic areas like Lake Shore Drive or near Soldier Field.

These crashes often result in a vehicle striking a guardrail, median, or other vehicles, leading to serious injuries for the driver and passengers. While it may appear that one driver caused the accident, the real issue might be a defective part or a missed recall.

In these situations, a personal injury claim may focus on the manufacturer or maintenance provider rather than the driver. Victims still have the right to recover compensation under Illinois law for medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic damages.

Poor Road Conditions Also Cause Accidents in Chicago

Chicago’s aging infrastructure is another factor behind many auto accidents, especially for motorcyclists, who are more vulnerable to uneven surfaces.

Deep potholes, poor drainage, and crumbling pavement pose serious risks in areas like Humboldt Park or Englewood. A motorcyclist hitting a pothole at speed can easily lose control, leading to a one-vehicle crash with serious injuries or worse.

Poorly marked construction zones and inadequate signage can also cause confusion or sudden swerving, increasing the chances of a car crash or motorcycle accident. While drivers are expected to use caution, the city or a construction contractor may be liable if poor road maintenance contributed to the crash.

In these cases, accident victims may be able to recover compensation for injuries sustained, especially if the road hazard was reported and ignored or created through negligence during repairs or ongoing construction.

Many Accidents Are Caused by Multiple Factors Working Together

Some car accidents in Chicago aren’t caused by a single mistake — they happen when several risk factors combine.

For example, a speeding SUV on I-290 might hit a patch of black ice during a cold morning commute. The driver overcorrects, loses control, and rolls over into oncoming lanes. In that scenario, speed, poor weather conditions, and driver response contributed to the crash.

Multi-factor accidents like these can involve complex questions of fault and liability. It’s not always just one driver or issue — it might be a mix of reckless driving, unsafe road conditions, and weather.

Understanding how different factors play a role for accident victims can be key to proving negligence. A thorough investigation can help identify each at-fault party and strengthen a personal injury claim to seek compensation for injuries, property damage, and other losses.

Free Consultations for Chicago Car Accident Victims!

If you’ve been hurt in any of the car accidents described above — whether it involved a reckless driver, poor weather, a mechanical failure, or a combination of causes — it’s essential to speak with a Chicago car accident attorney as soon as possible.

These cases often involve serious injuries, expensive medical bills, and questions about who should be held liable. Without legal guidance, proving negligence or recovering full compensation can be difficult.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we help accident victims pursue personal injury claims and hold the at-fault party accountable. Whether you’re dealing with lost wages, property damage, or ongoing medical treatment, we can review your case and explain your options at no cost.

We offer free consultations to help you get answers and protect your rights. Call us at (888) 424–5757 or fill out our contact form today if you or someone you love has been injured in a car crash.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.