Sudden Stop Accidents

Dedicated Car Crash Lawyers Counseling Victims in Schaumburg and Wheaton

A driver who suddenly hits the brakes can cause accidents on the road. On busy streets, sudden stops can cause chain reaction accidents. On highways, sudden stop accidents can be deadly, due to the high speeds at which vehicles are traveling. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a sudden stop accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need to reach out to a skilled Wheaton or Schaumburg car accident attorney who can help. At Therman Law Offices, we are committed to helping our clients pursue the maximum amount of compensation possible in their cases.

Causes and Consequences of Sudden Stop Accidents

A sudden stop accident takes place when one driver suddenly stops and the vehicle behind them rear-ends them. Drivers may need to come to a sudden stop for a variety of reasons. For example, a person may have been crossing the road, debris may appear suddenly in the road, or someone may have abruptly cut off the lead driver. The severity of a sudden stop accident will, among other things, depend on how fast the vehicles were traveling. Sudden stop accidents can lead to serious and long-term injuries, including broken bones, spinal cord injuries, soft tissue injuries, traumatic brain injuries, severe lacerations and contusions, and whiplash injuries.

When it comes to operating a motor vehicle in Illinois, all drivers have a duty to drive safely and in a way that does not endanger others on the road. This includes following relevant traffic rules and regulations, such as refraining from speeding, tailgating, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or texting and driving. Most sudden stop accident liability is rooted in the theory of negligence. Negligence takes place when a driver fails to use reasonable care behind the wheel, thereby causing an accident and resulting injuries. Reasonable care is defined as how a prudent or sensible person would act in the same or a similar situation.

Typically, the driver of a vehicle that hits the rear of another car is presumed to have been negligent. This is because drivers are supposed to leave enough braking distance that if the car in front of them suddenly stops, there is enough time to come to a complete stop as well. However, there may be some cases in which the leading driver may be at fault for causing a sudden stop accident. For instance, if the leading car’s brake lights were not working, the rear driver may not have known to slow down and stop. In such a scenario, the leading driver would likely be found negligent because a prudent driver would understand the risk of accidents associated with not fixing faulty or defective brake lights.

If you are able to establish the other party’s negligence, you will be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages for your harm. These damages include but are not limited to medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, therapy bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other losses related to the accident. Calculating damages in a particular case can be a complicated process, but an experienced attorney can help you come up with an appropriate dollar amount. It is important to note that the compensation can come through a settlement negotiation or a jury award.

Get Assistance from a Knowledgeable Attorney in Schaumburg or Wheaton

If you have been injured in a sudden stop accident caused by someone else’s negligence, we can help. At Therman Law Offices, our injury attorneys understand how stressful it can be dealing with a car accident and its aftermath, and we will try to make the process as seamless as possible for you. The nuances of Illinois personal injury law can be complex, but with many years of combined experience, we understand how to pursue these claims. We proudly represent people in Wheaton, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Streamwood, Elgin, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Bensenville, Wood Dale, Bloomingdale, Roselle, and Carol Stream, among other communities. To learn more, call us at 312-588-1900 or contact us online.