Introduction
Ford County, with the county seat of Paxton, has a population of 14,081 according to the last U.S. Census. The county, the last of Illinois’ 102 counties to be formed, was named after Thomas Ford, the governor of Illinois from 1842-1846.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Ford County has a total area of 486 square miles, of which 486 square miles consists of land and 0.6 square miles is water.
Major Highways
Ford County has many residents working in agriculture, health care, manufacturing, transportation, and retail keeping its roadways busy. Unfortunately, this also means that motor vehicle accidents are common including agricultural truck accidents, parking lot accidents, work zone accidents, car and truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and accidents involving animals.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), in 2017, Ford County had 262 motor vehicle accidents. Of these accidents, one (1) was fatal, 65 resulted in injuries, and 13 of these accidents resulted in A-injuries, or injuries that are classified by IDOT as any injury, other than a fatality, that prevents the injured person from walking, driving, or continuing with the activities they were capable of prior to the accident. This can include severe lacerations, skull and chest injuries, broken limbs, and abdominal injuries.
The major highways that run through Ford County include: Interstate 57, U.S. Route 24, U.S. Route 45, Illinois Route 9, Illinois Route 47, Illinois Route 54, Illinois Route 115, and Illinois Route 116.
Climate and Weather
Ford County weather is typical for Illinois, with highs averaging 85 °F during the summer months and lows averaging 14 °F during winter. On average, Ford County gets 37.2 inches of measurable precipitation in the form of rain, snow, or hail, which not only contributes to motor vehicle accidents, but also slip and falls, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle accidents.
Demographics
Ford County has approximately 5,676 households with 52.8% of these households consisting of married couples and 30.6% with children under the age of 18. The median household income of Ford County is $48,667 and the median income for families is $62,889, making Ford County a middle-class, family-oriented community.
Ford County takes seriously the health and safety of its children, families, and senior residents offering various programs geared towards promoting healthy lifestyles, providing accessible and affordable medical care to lower-income residents, and ensuring that children, adults, and seniors are provided access to any additional help they may require during difficult times.
Ford County lawyers at America’s Consumer Lawyer can also assist during these difficult times including incidents of nursing home abuse and neglect, motor vehicle accident, premises accidents, and child accidents, abuse, or neglect.
Communities
Cities: Gibson City, Paxton
Villages: Cabery, Elliott, Kempton, Melvin, Piper City, Roberts, Sibley
Unincorporated Communities: Clarence, Guthrie, Perdueville, Stelle
Townships: Brenton, Button, Dix, Drummer, Lyman, Mona, Patton, Peach Orchard, Pella, Rogers, Sullivant, Wall
Education
- Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Community Unit School District 5
- Paxton-Buckley-Loda Community Unit School District 10
- Tri-Point Community Unit School District 6-J
When sending your child off to school you assume they will remain safe, however, this isn’t always the case. School bus accidents, defective sports equipment accidents, gym and physical education accidents, lack of supervision, playground injuries, and school district negligence are just a few examples of the types of school injury cases America’s Consumer Lawyer has experience with.
Attractions
Ford County has many activities and attractions to offer its residents and visitors, including:
- Lake Sibley
- Bayles Lake
- Lake Iroquois
- Paxton Park District
While most of the time spent at these attractions will be enjoyable and uneventful, accidents can occur, including slip and falls, dog bites, bicycle accidents, drowning, camping accidents, and motor vehicle accidents.
Agruss Personal Injury: People, First
We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at America’s Consumer Lawyer, we put people first.
