The first fatality caused by a motor vehicle happened not too long after automobiles first took to the roads. Even though new safety features and safe-driving awareness programs try to reduce the number of fatalities, accidents continue to happen. Sadly, many people in Illinois expect to hear about a car accident tragedy, leading some to wonder if people are becoming numb to such accidents.
Car accidents, severe injuries, and tragic fatalities
Fatal car accidents take the lives of approximately 40,000 people each year, and more than 3 million suffer injuries. Those numbers won’t likely decrease much unless people become less reliant on driving. However, not everyone has a viable alternative to commuting via a car or SUV. Public transportation has limits in certain areas, and rideshares could be expensive.
Someone does not need to be driving a car to suffer a terrible mishap. Pedestrians and bicyclists are among those persons killed in vehicle collisions. Survivors may feel rage if negligence causes death.
Litigation and car accident deaths
Speeding, tailgating, distracted driving, and intoxicated driving are common reasons for severe car accidents. Any driver who engages in these or other reckless behaviors could be held liable for injuries and fatalities. Gross traffic violations and willful negligence might make a defense a challenge. Perhaps the negligent party may seek a rapid settlement.
Wrongful death claims could fall under an insurance policy’s liability coverage. However, the insurance company is only responsible for paying up to the policy’s limits, but the limits could be quite high depending on the insured’s particular policy. Still, a negligence-caused death could leave a family with tremendous financial losses, and even a high insurance settlement may not be enough. Suing beyond the policy’s limits may be an option if the negligent party has sufficient assets.
