EDWARDSVILLE, IL- According to theintelligencer.com, a crash that took place on Monday, May 14, 2018, killed a teenager near Edwardsville. The teen has been identified as 18-year-old Paden DeBardeleben. Illinois State Police say that the accident occurred on Maple Road and Illinois Route 157 at about 4:20 p.m.
The investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing, but early reports indicate that DeBardeleben was going north on Route 157 and a vehicle in the southbound lane was making a left turn onto Maple Road. Debardeleben attempted to avoid striking the vehicle that was making a left turn and lost control of his vehicle. The teen’s car flipped and ended up in a ditch.
Left turns present risks to drivers and to pedestrians. One study conducted by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration indicated that the “critical pre-crash event” for 22% of accidents was a vehicle turning left. Of all accidents, 36% occurred at an intersection.
The number of people killed in traffic accidents has been on the rise in Illinois. After dropping from 1,248 deaths in 2007 to 911 in 2009, the numbers have been steadily rising and by 2016 the number of people killed in the state was 1,082.
The reason for the increase in traffic-related deaths in Illinois is unclear, but according to Ken Kolosh, of the National Safety Council, there are two factors that might be contributing to the rising number of fatalities. First, Illinois is one of a minority of states that does not have a motorcycle helmet law. Secondly, in 2014, the state made the decision to increase the speed limit on Illinois Highways.
Many accidents are still attributed to drunk driving and speeding, both of which have long plagued roadways across the country.
Call us at 312.422.0500 and schedule an appointment with our experienced car accident lawyers today. The free consultation is completely confidential and we will discuss your options and formulate a plan to help you obtain the compensation that you deserve.
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