Navigating Congested Chicago Roadways Safely
Chicago, Illinois is home to many people. Like many metropolitan areas, there are a few main modes of transportation that people use: cars, bicycles, mass transit and walking. Unfortunately, all it takes is for one person to not pay attention for an accident to happen. These accidents can cause devastating injuries that prevent someone from working and enjoying their everyday life. Many of these accidents happen during heavy traffic times. If you’ve been injured in an accident, a Chicago car accident lawyer from Krzak Rundio Gorman, Injury Attorneys can assist you in pursuing your claim.
What Kinds of Traffic Accidents Happen Regularly in Chicago?
In 2013, motor vehicle crashes increased in Illinois by 4 percent. At the same time, 130 Chicago citizens died in traffic accidents. This included 34 pedestrians and three bicyclists. Motor vehicle accidents can involve another motor vehicle, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Individuals injured outside of motor vehicles tend to have severe injuries because they lack protection from the impact.
Factors like speeding, distracted driving, road rage and driving while intoxicated all contribute to the high number of accidents. They’re also preventable. One driver’s negligent decision to text or disobey the speed limit could be fatal to someone who is on the road with them.
Bicyclists and pedestrians also need to follow the rules of the road as well. Bicyclists need to signal their intentions and do their best to not swerve into lanes of traffic. Pedestrians should look for crosswalks and wait for traffic signs before going into the street. Pedestrians should be on the lookout for drivers who are not paying attention.
When Are the Streets Most Congested in Chicago?
Chicago streets follow the typical traffic pattern of most major cities. There’s usually a morning rush hour that lasts from about 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.. Traffic then resumes in the late afternoon at 3 p.m. and lasts to around 6 p.m. During these high-traffic times, people are usually focused on getting to work or getting home. They may be frustrated at the amount of traffic, drive aggressively or not pay as much attention to their surroundings as usual. It’s important to be as alert as possible in these situations to avoid a collision.
Around the times of high traffic, the following interstates are almost always affected. There’s a greater chance of someone not signaling a lane change or not anticipating the car in front of them suddenly hitting the brakes.
- I-90/I-94
- I-294
- I-290
- I-88
- I-55
Exercising caution and knowing the busiest times of traffic in the city will help you get to your destinations more safely. You may have more peace of mind during these peak rush times that you’re doing everything possible to keep yourself safe and you’re also doing everything you can to protect the other people sharing the road around you. Unfortunately, not all drivers are as diligent as they should be.
The Chicago personal injury lawyers at Krzak Rundio Gorman, Injury Attorneys proudly represent the rights of citizens of Illinois. If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
