Waukegan Auto Accident & Personal Injury Attorneys

Auto Accident & Personal Injury Attorneys Waukegan Illinois

Auto accidents in Illinois remain a pervasive public safety concern. According to the latest statewide data, in 2023 there were 299,133 motor vehicle crashes reported across Illinois.

Among these, 61,547 crashes resulted in injury, and there were 1,142 fatal crashes that caused 1,240 deaths.

That’s roughly 820 crashes per day statewide — and more than three people killed per day on average in traffic-related incidents.

Illinois has over 10.6 million registered motor vehicles and around 9.17 million licensed drivers, which underscores the huge volume of vehicles on the road and the exposure to risk.

Thus while the vast majority of crashes do not result in death, the aggregate toll — in injuries, hospitalizations, property damage, and human suffering — remains large.

Illinois Auto Accident Trends: What the Data Reveals

Fatalities & Rates

• In 2022, Illinois recorded 1,268 motor vehicle traffic fatalities from 1,147 fatal crashes. 

• The “mileage death rate” in 2022 was 1.22 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT). 

• That rate marked a 10.9% decrease from 2021 (which had a rate of 1.37) — a promising drop. 

• However, over a longer stretch (2018–2022), the fatality rate still rose about 27.1%. 
  

So while there has been some recent improvement, long-term trends remain concerning.

Causes & Risk Factors

• Speed remains a major contributing factor. In 2023, speed-related crashes accounted for about 31.1% of all crashes, 36.3% of injury crashes, and 44.9% of fatal crashes. 

• Crashes involving motorcycles — though a small fraction of total crashes (about 1.1%) — disproportionately contribute to fatalities: they made up 14.1% of fatal crashes in 2023.

• Pedestrians and pedalcyclists remain vulnerable: pedestrian-involved crashes accounted for 1.5% of total crashes, but 17.3% of fatal crashes. Cyclist-involved crashes, while under 1% of total, still contribute to a share of serious crashes.

These patterns highlight how certain conditions — like speeding, vehicle-pedestrian or vehicle-motorcycle interactions — remain especially hazardous.

Geographic & Demographic Patterns

Accident risk isn’t evenly spread across Illinois: metropolitan areas, especially the Chicago region (Cook County, Illinois including Chicago, Illinois), tend to experience disproportionately high numbers of crashes, injuries, and fatalities. Accident Data Center

In urban zones, dense traffic, frequent intersections, mixed road users (cars, bikes, pedestrians), and higher stress levels — combined with speeding and distracted driving — help explain elevated crash rates. Meanwhile, county-by-county breakdowns show some regions contribute more heavily to the statewide totals than others.

Even outside cities, rural roads can be especially dangerous due to high speeds, longer emergency response times, and limited infrastructure — meaning serious crashes or fatalities may be more likely per accident.

The Human Cost: More Than Just Numbers

Each crash represents injuries — often severe — lost wages, medical bills, mental trauma, and sometimes life-altering consequences for survivors. Though many collisions result only in property damage or minor injuries, the sheer number of incidents each year means thousands of people endure serious injuries or trauma.

Speed-related crashes, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian or cyclist collisions — all contribute to a disproportionate share of deaths and serious injuries, even if they represent a smaller fraction of total collisions. This amplifies the impact on families and communities when tragedy strikes.

Moreover, from a public-policy perspective, these crashes strain emergency services, burden healthcare systems, and cost taxpayers and insurers. Some reports estimate motor vehicle crashes cost Illinois (and broader regions) billions annually when considering medical costs, property loss, lost productivity, and long-term care.

What This Means — And Where Illinois Needs Progress

• Speed and reckless driving remain top issues. The fact that nearly half of fatal crashes involve speed suggests enforcement (speed limits, safe driving campaigns) must remain a priority.

• Protecting vulnerable road users is critical. Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists fare far worse in collisions. Infrastructure improvements — sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes, safer crosswalks — plus driver education about sharing roads, could reduce these risks.

• Data-driven interventions have promise. Continued research and analysis of crash data (time of day, location, driver age or behavior, types of collisions) can help target enforcement, road design, and public education to where it matters.

• Public awareness matters. Many crashes are preventable. Encouraging seat-belt use, discouraging speeding, discouraging impaired driving, and raising awareness about pedestrian and bicycle safety — at both individual and community levels — remains vital.
  

Auto accidents in Illinois are incredibly common — nearly 300,000 per year statewide — and while most result in minor injury or property damage, a significant number lead to serious injury or death. The favorite culprits remain speeding, risky driving behaviors, and crashes involving vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Although recent data indicates a small decrease in fatality rates, Illinois still faces a substantial public-health and safety challenge. Addressing it will require sustained efforts: smarter infrastructure planning, better enforcement of traffic laws, enhanced awareness campaigns, and community engagement to reduce risky behavior.

That way, the statistics might gradually shift — from tragedy and loss toward safer roads and fewer crashes for everyone sharing Illinois’s streets and highways.

Additional Types of Transportation-Related Accidents

The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C. can offer comprehensive care for other types of accidents and personal injuries sustained due to transportation accidents including:

• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Insurance coverage disputes

Additionally, we offer services for personal injuries outside of the realm of auto-related accidents including:

• Wrongful death claims
• Medical malpractice
• Nursing home abuse
• Construction accidents
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

How to Seek Legal Counsel From Our Waukegan Personal Injury Attorneys

If you live in Waukegan, Illinois or the greater Chicago area and have been the victim of an auto accident, call the Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C. We have over 20 years of experience assisting clients in Waukegan, Illinois collect compensation for auto accidents. Call us local at (847) 395-2200 or toll-free at (855) 760-6746 for a free initial consultation.

325 Washington Street, #204, Waukegan, IL 60085