Car Accidents

        According to the Illinois Department of Transportation ("IDOT"), "[a] total of 298,347 crashes occurred on Illinois roads in 2022," and 83,783 people were injured. That's about 817 traffic crashes per day and more than nine crash injuries per hour. And according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, men are 37% more likely than women to be involved in a car accident. Of the "1,147 fatal crashes occurred in 2022; 21% of these crashes involved alcohol," per IDOT.

       If you end up injured in a car wreck in Illinois, it's a good idea to: 1) call police and get a report; 2) take photos of the accident and your injuries, if it's safe to do so; 3) exchange contact information with the other driver if you feel comfortable; 4) get medical attention immediately; and 5) stop worryin', call GURIAN.

      It's important to get medical attention whether you feel hurt or not. Even if you can't see an injury, it might be there and adrenaline from an auto accident could mask the pain for hours or even days. And according to IDOT, "Medical treatment provided shortly after a severe injury crash greatly increases the chance of survivability of serious injuries."

      After Cook County, DuPage County has the highest number of car accidents per year in Illinois, per IDOT. The next highest is Will County, then Lake County, Kane County, Winnebago County, and so on. 

      Here are some more vehicle crash stats from IDOT: "In 2022, there were 298,347 crashes involving motor vehicles in Illinois. Injury crashes accounted for 20% of these crashes (59,795), while fatal crashes (1,147) accounted for less than 1.0% of these crashes. Crashes involving an A-injury accounted for 12.1% of injury crashes. Crashes involving pedestrians accounted for 1.4% of total crashes, 16.9% of fatal crashes and 6.2% of injury crashes. Crashes involving pedalcyclists accounted for less than 1.0% of total crashes, 3.1% of fatal crashes and 3.8% of injury crashes. Crashes involving speed accounted for 31.8% of total crashes, 43.8% of fatal crashes and 36.7% of injury crashes. Crashes involving motorcycles accounted for 1% of total crashes, 12.6% of fatal crashes and 3.7% of injury crashes. Crashes involving tractor-trailers accounted for 4% of total crashes, 12% of fatal crashes and 3.1% of injury crashes. Crashes occurring in work zones accounted for 2.3% of total crashes, 3% of fatal crashes and 1.9% of injury crashes. Crashes involving deer accounted for 4.9% of total crashes. There was an average of 1.1 deaths per fatal crash. 82.9% of fatal crashes occurred on dry roads. 46.6% of fatal crashes occurred during daylight hours.

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