If you’ve spent any time driving around Schaumburg, you know how chaotic some intersections can get. Whether you’re on Golf Road, Higgins Road, Roselle Road, or Meacham Road, the moment when someone makes a left-hand turn in front of you can change your life in an instant. I’ve seen too many clients seriously injured by drivers who misjudge gaps in traffic or ignore signals altogether. Left-turn accidents at intersections are one of the leading causes of severe injuries in Schaumburg and the surrounding cities like Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, and Palatine.
What most people don’t realize is how hard it can be to prove fault in these situations, especially when you’re the one hit by a turning driver. If you’re dealing with painful injuries, a totaled vehicle, and rising medical bills, you’re likely wondering how the legal process works and whether you even have a case. That’s where I come in. I handle catastrophic injury claims that result from intersection collisions, including those caused by improper left turns.
When a driver turns left across oncoming traffic, they have a legal duty to yield. If they miscalculate the speed or distance of an approaching vehicle, the result is often a high-impact crash. These accidents are especially dangerous at higher speeds, which we often see at intersections near highways or major suburban thoroughfares like I-290 or Route 53.
In these types of crashes, the oncoming driver often strikes the turning vehicle at full speed. That force can cause traumatic injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, spinal injuries, and internal damage. I’ve represented people who were permanently disabled after being hit in these types of collisions, some who couldn’t return to work and others who faced lifelong medical needs.
Under Illinois law, the driver turning left is usually presumed to be at fault because they are required to yield. But insurance companies rarely make things that simple. They often try to shift blame onto the other driver, claiming they were speeding, distracted, or ran a red light.
That’s why we act quickly to secure evidence. I often pull intersection camera footage, traffic light timing reports, and police accident reconstructions. I also work with crash analysts to prove who had the right of way and how fast each vehicle was going. Sometimes, witnesses can make or break a case, and their statements help lock in liability.
Schaumburg sees its fair share of left-turn accidents at busy intersections like:
Whether your crash happened here or in nearby cities like Rolling Meadows, Buffalo Grove, or Mount Prospect, I’ll make sure the right evidence is collected, and your case is built for maximum compensation.
In left-turn collision cases that result in catastrophic injuries, the financial recovery can and should go beyond medical bills and property damage. I fight to recover damages for:
In some cases, when the at-fault driver was especially reckless, punitive damages may also apply. I work hard to calculate the true value of your claim so you’re not left covering costs years down the road.
Evidence can disappear quickly. Traffic footage gets deleted, road conditions change, and witness memories fade. That’s why I recommend calling my office as soon as possible after the crash. I send preservation letters to the at-fault driver’s insurance company and start collecting what we need to protect your case right away.
Most of the time, yes. Under Illinois traffic law, the driver making a left turn must yield to oncoming traffic. If they turn and cause a crash, they are usually presumed at fault. However, the other driver’s actions are also considered. If the other driver was speeding or ran a red light, the insurance company might try to argue shared fault. In those situations, I work with evidence from traffic cameras, witness statements, and accident reports to establish who had the right of way and whether the turn was legal or not.
Get medical help first. Even if you feel okay, internal injuries or head trauma may not show symptoms right away. If you are able to, take photos of the crash scene, vehicle damage, and intersection. Collect contact information from witnesses and request a copy of the police report. Do not speak with the at-fault driver’s insurance company without legal advice. They may try to twist your words to shift blame. Contact my office immediately so I can begin protecting your claim and preserving key evidence.
Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means you can still recover compensation as long as you were less than 50 percent at fault. If you are found partially at fault, your settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but are 20 percent at fault, you would receive $80,000. Insurance companies often try to push more blame onto the injured party to save money. I push back with facts, witnesses, and video evidence to keep that from happening.
You typically have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois. That sounds like plenty of time, but waiting can hurt your case. Key evidence, like video footage and traffic signal data, may only be stored for a short period. Witnesses may be harder to find months after the crash. If the injuries are serious, getting legal help early gives you the best shot at securing the full compensation you deserve.
These crashes often cause significant trauma, especially when the oncoming vehicle strikes the side of the turning car. I’ve seen clients suffer from traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal bleeding, shoulder and knee damage, and permanent nerve injuries. In some cases, victims need surgery, long-term rehab, or assistive devices. The physical and financial toll of these injuries can last for years, and that’s why it’s important to pursue a claim that covers future needs, not just short-term costs.
If you were seriously hurt in a left-turn crash at an intersection in Schaumburg or any surrounding area, call SJ Injury Law today. These cases can be difficult to prove, and your injuries may deserve far more than what an insurance company is offering.
We help injury victims in Schaumburg, Chicago, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Northbrook, Palatine, Prospect Heights, Wheeling, Park Ridge, Rosemont, and Glenview. We handle every case personally and build your claim for maximum compensation.
Contact our Schaumburg motor vehicle accident attorney at SJ INJURY LAW by calling (847) 434-3555 to receive your free consultation. Let’s talk about your injuries and what options are available. You don’t have to take on the insurance company alone, and you don’t have to wait.
At SJ Injury Law, we’re ready to help you Claim Your Justice™.
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