Illinois Car Crash Statistics
In 2014, an estimated 1274 drivers were involved in traffic accidents that killed 924 people in Illinois. Of those accidents –
- 531 involved a single vehicle
- 492 involved a vehicle departing the roadway
- 348 involved at least one speeding vehicle
- 209 involved a vehicle rollover
- 111 involved a large truck
Though teen drivers are generally inexperienced behind the wheel and more willing to take risks, the vast majority of drivers who were in fatal accidents were over the age of 21. In fact, 1,138 adult drivers and 117 drivers under the age of 21 were involved in fatal crashes and collisions in 2014. While in 2005, ten drivers under the age of 15 were involved in fatal accidents, no 15-year-olds were involved in 2014.
Despite the work the state has done in improving highway safety, seat belt and helmet use are areas that need improvement. About 621 passenger vehicle occupants died in collisions and crashes, and 245 of them were not wearing seatbelts. While this number is near half of the unrestrained deaths (428) that occurred in 2005, the NHTSA estimates that potentially, 47 additional could have been saved by the use of seat belts and child restraints in 2014 alone.
Sadly, of the 118 motorcycle riders that were killed in accidents in one year, 81 were not wearing helmets. The NHTSA estimates that if all riders would wear their helmets, and additional 31 lives could have been saved.
Speeding continues to be a significant factor in the number of traffic fatalities each year and 348 lives were lost because of it, though this does represent a decline from a ten-year high of 556 speed-related deaths in 2006.
Drunk driving is another key factor in the number of traffic deaths that occur each year. In fact, 317 roadway fatalities involved a driver with a blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit of 0.08.
Pedestrians and Bicyclists
While the state has seen a decrease in the number of joggers and walkers killed each year by roadway traffic, from 165 pedestrians in 2005 to 123 in 2014, Illinois must do more to ensure the safety of the most vulnerable roadway users.
Bicyclists are also at a serious disadvantage when it comes to sharing the road with motor vehicles. In fact, 27 cyclists were killed in 2014, up from the ten-year low of 19 in 2009.
Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident? Call Us Today!
Illinois highways and bi-ways are dangerous. If you’ve been injured in a car accident or lost a loved one in a fatal crash, you need a dedicated team of attorneys and legal professionals fighting for your rights. Our attorneys have a long and proven record of helping the victims of car accidents get the compensation they deserve.
Call us today if you or a loved one were injured in
- Commercial bus crash
- School bus accident
- Pedestrian accident
- Bicycle accident
- Truck crash
- Motorcycle collision
- Commercial vehicle accident
- Semi-truck crash
We’ll fight insurance companies, negligent operators, and reckless drivers to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.