Understanding Liability in Holiday-Related Accidents
The end of each year brings a holiday season full of festivities and celebrations, but it also creates numerous potential dangers for residents and travelers throughout Chicago. Holiday-related accidents are incredibly common from the end of October through the beginning of the new year. If you’ve been injured in an accident during the end-of-year holiday season, understanding how liability is handled in Illinois can help you make informed decisions about pursuing compensation.
Car Accidents During the Holiday Season
Travel increases around Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hannukah, New Year’s, and various other special occasions and holidays in the last few months of the year. With increased traffic comes an increased risk of car accidents. According to the National Safety Council, Christmas, New Year’s, and Thanksgiving are among the most dangerous times for car accidents. Heavy traffic, inclement weather, and long hours on the road that lead to drowsy or distracted driving all contribute to the increased number of holiday car accidents. Driving under the influence is also a major contributor to motor vehicle accidents during the holiday season.
Illinois follows a fault-based system when determining who is responsible for the damages caused by a car accident. If you were injured in an accident caused by another driver’s negligence or recklessness, you may be entitled to pursue damages and hold that driver accountable for the harm they’ve caused. Often, this is done through settlement negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, but the exact process will vary depending on the circumstances of your accident.
Chicago Premises Liability Accidents and the Holiday Season
Accidents on public and private property are also common during the holiday season. From icy, slippery conditions on sidewalks and parking lots to hazardous conditions in stores and private residences, the chaos of the holidays can easily lead to premises liability accidents in Chicago.
Property owners and occupiers have a duty to maintain their properties and keep the premises reasonably safe for visitors. Failure to uphold that duty could mean that they are liable for any injuries that occur as a result of the dangerous conditions on their property. However, property owners do not owe the same standard of care to every type of visitor. For example, invited guests at a holiday party and customers shopping at a holiday sale are owed a higher duty than someone who is trespassing on a property.
Some common examples of premises liability accidents include:
· Slipping and falling on a snow-covered sidewalk
· Tripping on uneven flooring or a debris-covered walkway
· Being struck by falling items, like poorly secured holiday decorations
· Getting electrocuted by loose or damaged wires
· Being trampled or crushed by a large crowd of shoppers
If the property owner’s failure to maintain their property contributed to an accident, they could be liable for the injuries their negligence caused.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, premises liability accident, or other holiday-related accident in Chicago or the surrounding areas, contact The CP Law Group. Our legal team provides compassionate, skilled representation that allows our clients to focus on their physical recovery and well-being. We will work tirelessly to help you reach a fair settlement or pursue a lawsuit to get the compensation you deserve. Call us at 844-546-4878 (that’s 844-5-IM-HURT) or reach out on social media to @TheCPLawGroup to schedule a free consultation.