How Do Fatal Illinois Car Accidents in 2021 Compare to Past Years?

 Posted on August 24, 2021 in Car Accidents

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) maintains a running total of traffic accident fatalities each year, which provides important data to identify trends and inform the state’s efforts to implement safety measures. Two years ago, we looked at the 2019 fatality statistics in Illinois and noted that there had been a decline in fatal accidents from the previous year. Unfortunately, this trend has reversed in the last two years, resulting in a troubling increase in accident fatalities. With this in mind, it is important to take all available safety precautions when you are on the road and to understand what you can do if you lose a loved one in a fatal car crash.

Fatal Car Accidents and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Illinois law enforcement reports that the rise in car crash fatalities has coincided with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, despite there being fewer drivers on the road overall, there was a substantially higher number of fatal accidents compared to 2019. Officers cite higher speeds and greater use of alcohol and drugs as contributors to this increase. Statewide, fatal accidents increased by 16 percent from the previous year, and in Chicago, fatal accidents increased by 45 percent. These numbers made 2020 the worst year for fatal Illinois car accidents in 13 years.

As the pandemic has continued into 2021, the number of fatal accidents has also continued to increase. As of this writing, there have been 727 traffic fatalities in Illinois this year, which is an increase of 55 from the same time in 2020.

2021 Fatal Accident Statistics in Detail

The 2021 data from IDOT indicates that certain factors and accident characteristics are overrepresented in fatal motor vehicle crashes. For example:

• In at least 174 of the fatal accidents so far, seat belt restraints were used improperly or not at all.
• In 112 of the fatal accidents so far, at least one driver lacked a valid driver’s license.
• 89 of the fatalities so far have occurred in accidents involving semi-trucks
• 83 of the fatalities so far have been pedestrians, and 82 have been motorcyclists.

Recovering Compensation After a Fatal Accident

The consequences of a fatal car crash are tragic for both the victim and any surviving family members. If your loved one was killed in a fatal accident, you may be searching for some degree of solace for your loss. Talking to an attorney can help you determine whether you may have a case for wrongful death based on the negligence of another party involved in the accident. If so, you may be able to obtain financial relief for your loved one’s medical bills and funeral expenses, as well as the loss of their financial support and companionship.

Contact a Lake County Wrongful Death Attorney

At Salvi & Maher, LLC, we have great compassion for fatal accident victims and their families, and we want to help you secure the relief you need. For a free consultation with a Waukegan car accident lawyer, call our office today at 847-662-3303.

Sources:

https://apps.dot.illinois.gov/FatalCrash/snapshot.html

https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/despite-pandemic-2020-was-deadliest-on-illinois-roads-in-13-years/

https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Resources/Safety/Crash-Reports/crash-facts/2019%20Crash%20Facts.pdf