If you lost a loved one to a negligent driver in Illinois, you’re not alone. The National Safety Council estimates that in 2019, 38,800 people died and 4.4 million people had to be medically treated because of car crashes. While both numbers represent a 2% decline from the previous year, they are nonetheless staggering.
Positive impact of vehicle safety features
The preliminary report from the NSC did not touch on the subject of causation, but experts have suggested a few explanations. One is the impact of advanced driver-assistance systems, which are proven to prevent crashes or, when that’s not possible, mitigate their severity. ADAS features include:
• Forward and rear collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure warning
• Blind-spot alert
Collision warning and AEB can be an especially powerful combination with the first alerting drivers to an impending collision and the second applying the brakes when driver don’t react quickly enough. Some vehicles also make night driving less dangerous thanks to adaptive headlights.
The effect of city-wide safety measures
Over the last few years, several cities have formed Vision Zero action plans for the reduction of traffic crashes, redesigning high-crash regions and so on. The vision in question is that of a future with zero traffic fatalities and severe injuries. It may take some time for the NSC to fully trace the effect of these measures.
Seeking out a wrongful death lawyer
Since your loved one died at the hands of a negligent driver, you may have a valid wrongful death claim. If your case is successful, your family may be reimbursed for loss of support and consortium, funeral and burial expenses and any pre-death medical bills. In your effort to ensure a strong case, though, you may want a lawyer to give assistance and to represent you at the negotiation table.