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Chicago Road Rage Lawyer
Representing Victims of Road Rage Accidents in Chicago
A Chicago road rage lawyer can ensure aggressive drivers face justice for their reckless behavior. We thoroughly investigate road rage incidents, negotiate with insurance, and demand full compensation for your expenses. Contact us today for a free consultation about your legal rights.
Verdicts and Settlements from Our Road Rage Cases in Chicago
- $3,200,000 for a pedestrian struck in a crosswalk
- $2,000,000 for a rollover collision
- $1,000,000 for a wrongful death car accident
Important Chicago Laws About Road Rage
According to the Illinois Vehicle Code, reckless driving involves operating a motor vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for property or public safety. Depending on whether the angry driver seriously injured someone, the punishment can range from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class 3 felony (§625 ILCS 5/11-503).
Chicago also punishes aggressive driving behavior, which is covered under §9-40-140 of the Chicago Municipal Code. It’s illegal for drivers to operate a vehicle negligently, heedlessly, or in a way that could endanger others, such as swerving across traffic lanes.
Types of Road Rage Accidents Caused by an Aggressive Driver in Chicago
In a 2021 study, around 90% of drivers stated that road rage was very dangerous, but 25% of drivers admitted to engaging in aggressive driving within the past 30 days. Road rage car accidents can lead to serious injuries as they often occur at high speeds or involve sudden movements.
Common Chicago road rage accident causes include:
- Brake Checking: This is when an aggressive driver unnecessarily slams on the brakes, often in response to tailgating.
- Tailgating: Reckless drivers may follow other motorists too closely, forcing them to speed up. These road rage crashes are often rear-end collisions that result in serious injuries to other drivers.
- Cutting Off Other Drivers: Drivers may swerve into another lane without signaling.
- Aggressive Lane Changes: Road rage may involve weaving in and out of traffic, typically without signaling.
- Ignoring Traffic Safety Measures: Drivers might barrel through traffic cones, ignore red lights, and enter one-way streets.
- Sideswiping and Ramming: In these instances, drivers intentionally slam their cars into the back or side of another vehicle.
- Blocking and Chasing: The at-fault driver may try to stop a car from leaving a parking lot or chase it off the road.
- Speeding: This form of aggressive driving is often due to the driver being frustrated at delays or running late.
Common Car Accident Injuries Caused by Aggressive Driving Behavior
A car accident caused by road rage can seriously injure or kill fellow drivers. Common physical injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Paralysis
- Amputations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal organ damage
How a Lawyer Proves Liability in a Chicago Road Rage Accident Case
To hold an aggressive driver liable, a road rage accident lawyer must establish the four elements of negligence:
- Duty of Care: The angry driver was responsible for acting with due care around others, including avoiding aggressive behavior.
- Breach of Duty: By acting aggressively, the at-fault driver failed to uphold their duty of care.
- Causation: The road rage incident caused your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered losses as a result of the Chicago road rage accident.
What is My Road Rage Accident Claim Worth?
There is no guaranteed settlement amount for a car accident caused by aggressive driving. Our lawyers will evaluate your personal injury claim based on factors such as your financial losses, whether you suffered severe injuries, how clear liability is, and available evidence.
Our personal injury lawsuit settlement calculator can provide a rough estimate of what you may receive, but only an experienced attorney can determine how much your case is worth. Contact us today for a free review of your options.
Potential Compensation You Can Get From the At-Fault Party in a Chicago Road Rage Case
A road rage accident lawyer can pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. These include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Funeral and burial costs for wrongful death
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Grief
- Inconvenience
For serious accidents, you may also receive punitive damages, a type of financial compensation meant to punish the defendant for road rage car accidents. However, these may not apply to all cases, and they are only awarded by a jury, so you can’t receive them in an insurance settlement.
Illinois follows the State Farm v. Campbell precedent, which states that punitive damages awarded cannot be disproportionate to the harm caused by the defendant’s actions. In general, these damages are capped at 3 times the economic damages awarded by the court (§735 ILCS 5/2-1115.05).
What to Do After a Road Rage Accident?
A Chicago road rage accident can lead to life-threatening injuries, so you must act quickly. Follow these steps as soon as possible.
- Get away from the belligerent driver and check yourself for injuries.
- Call 911 and explain that you’ve been the victim of a road rage incident.
- Make a police report and share your side of the story.
- Gather evidence from witnesses and the other driver if it is safe to do so.
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene and your injuries.
- Seek medical attention, even if you don’t feel injured.
- Do not admit fault to the insurance company.
- Contact a Chicago road rage accident attorney for a free consultation.
How Our Chicago Law Firm Investigates Your Road Rage Claim
We will thoroughly investigate the incident and build a strong case on your behalf, including:
- Reviewing police reports
- Gathering evidence through the legal process
- Taking depositions and interviewing witnesses
- Working with accident reconstruction experts
What is The Time Limit to File a Car Accident Claim in Chicago?
You have two years from the date of the road rage car accident to file a lawsuit (§735 ILCS 5/13-202). This short period means you need to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Why You Need a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer
Our road rage accident lawyers are highly skilled at investigating these crashes and negotiating with insurance companies. We’ll fiercely protect your legal rights, ensuring you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries and that irresponsible drivers are held accountable for their behavior. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we win a settlement for you.
Contact a Chicago Road Rage Attorney Near You
Our road rage accident lawyers are committed to getting justice for your personal injury claim. To schedule a free initial consultation with an award-winning lawyer, call us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form.
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Had a car accident and I was referred by a close friend about this attorney.He very patient and answer all my questions.Helped me get back more than I expected.
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Our downtown office, near the Richard J. Daley Center, Dirkson United States Courthouse, and the Chicago Workers’ Compensation Commission, offers convenient access from Aurora, Joliet, and Waukegan via I-90, I-94, and I-290.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757
We also serve clients from Champaign, Elgin,Naperville, Springfield and throughout Illinois.
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.