Car Accidents

Despite all the hype, fully self-driving cars are not yet commercially available to the public. In limited geographical areas, individuals can sometimes be passengers in these vehicles. However, mastering the technology behind these cars has proven highly costly, and a wider rollout has taken much longer than expected. Even Tesla, who offers an “Autopilot” feature and boasts that their cars can run by themselves, admits (sometimes) that there needs to be a human at the…

Unless you sell cars or work as a car accident attorney, the world of auto insurance can quickly get overwhelming. To help our community navigate this often-confusing industry, Clifford Law Offices is dedicating a new series on this blog to breaking down the elements of your auto insurance: what they are and why they matter when it comes to protecting yourself and your family on the road. Today, we start by answering some questions about…

Any car accident is a high-stress, overwhelming experience for those involved. But sometimes it is impossible to avoid an accident. As an average U.S. adult, you are likely to be in three to four car accidents during your lifetime, regardless of whether the crash is your fault or not. So, it’s a good idea to know exactly what steps to take in the aftermath. Talking to your insurance company is a part of this process….

Deaths in traffic crashes are on the rise in Illinois, according to a recent analysis from the National Safety Council (NSC). During the first quarter of 2020, the state saw a “very, very disturbing” 11 percent increase in fatal crashes compared to the first quarter of 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic may be partly to blame. Some officials have suggested that more people staying home has pushed traffic volume down, freeing up space on city roadways…

While most car accidents are the result of driver negligence, there are also a number of crashes that happen each year because of bad roads and missing or incorrect signage. Recent numbers show that in Illinois alone, 57 percent of major local and state roads (in Peoria and Bloomington) are in poor condition, and statewide, 8 percent of bridges are structurally deficient. And those numbers don’t even include the numerous potholes, damaged signage, and other…

In the aftermath of a car accident, the prospect of phoning an attorney’s office and getting representation for your case can seem daunting, especially if your accident resulted in significant physical or emotional stress. Can you even afford an attorney? Will they honestly fight for your fair compensation? What are your odds of winning? These and many more questions go through the heads of most people involved in a traumatic car accident, and you are…

Car accidents are traumatic events that physically and emotionally exhaust victims, and most of us involved in a crash would like to resolve the situation quickly. For simple fender-benders, that may be possible. However, in the event of bigger accidents that involve injuries, damage to property, and significant mental stress, it is often in your best interest to file a claim for compensation. When that happens, the process of reaching a settlement after an accident…

By 2021, all major car manufacturers will offer some version of an autonomous vehicle (AV). Already, cars like the Tesla Model 3 and Audi’s A8 offer autonomous functionality. At the same time, rideshare companies like Uber are testing self-driving vehicles, Ford is partnering with food delivery companies like Domino’s and Postmates, and Waymo (Google) has been granted permission to transport people in robo-taxis in the state of California. But while AVs are undoubtedly a huge…

Whenever you are involved in a car accident where the other party is at fault, you have the right to seek compensation for damages to both your vehicle and your physical and mental health. Sometimes, however, car crashes aren’t just pure accidents—they involve some kind of negligent behavior from the other driver, like drinking and driving or driving while texting. These behaviors are not just illegal, they are dangerous forms of driving with potentially serious…