Introduction
Hancock County, with the county seat of Carthage, has a population of 19,104 according to the last U.S. Census. The county was formed in 1825 and was named in honor of John Hancock.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hancock County has a total area of 814 square miles, of which 794 square miles consists of land and 21 square miles is water.
Major Highways
Hancock County has a strong agricultural presence and many residents working in the medical field, farming, manufacturing, transportation, and retail, keeping its roadways busy. Unfortunately, this also means that motor vehicle accidents are common including agricultural truck accidents, parking and 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, Hancock County had 350 motor vehicle accidents. Of these accidents, one (1) was fatal, 61 resulted in injuries, and 14 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 Hancock County include: U.S. Highway 136, Illinois Route 9, Illinois Route 61, Illinois Route 94, Illinois Route 96, and Illinois Route 336.
Climate and Weather
Hancock County weather is typical for Illinois, with highs averaging 87 °F during the summer months and lows averaging 13 °F during winter. On average, Hancock County gets 39.3 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
Hancock County has approximately 8,040 households with 55.3% of these households consisting of married couples and 27.5% with children under the age of 18. The median household income of Hancock County is $42,587 and the median income for families is $55,162, making Hancock County a middle-class, family-oriented community.
Hancock 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.
Hancock County lawyers at America’s Consumer Lawyer can also assist during these difficult times including incidents of nursing home abuse and neglect, motor vehicle accidents, premises accidents, and child accidents, abuse, or neglect.
Communities
Cities: Carthage, Dallas City, Hamilton, La Harpe, Nauvoo, Warsaw
Town: Bentley
Villages: Augusta, Basco, Bowen, Elvaston, Ferris, Plymouth, Pontoosuc, West Point
Unincorporated Communities: Adrian, Breckenridge, Burnside, Chili, Colusa, Denver, Disco, Durham, Elderville, Fountain Green, Joetta, La Crosse, McCall, Middle Creek, Niota, Old Niota, Powellton, Saint Mary, Stillwell, Sutter, Tioga, Webster
Townships: Appanoose, Augusta, Bear Creek, Carthage, Chili, Dallas City, Durham, Fountain Green, Hancock, Harmony, La Harpe, Montebello, Nauvoo, Pilot Grove, Pontoosuc, Prairie, Rock Creek, Rocky Run-Wilcox, St. Albans, St. Mary’s, Sonora, Walker, Warsaw, Wythe
Education
- Carthage Elementary School District 317
- Dallas Elementary School District 327
- Hamilton Community Consolidated School District 328
- Illini West High School District 307
- La Harpe Community School District 347
- Nauvoo-Colusa Community Unit School District 325
- Southeastern Community Unit School District 337
- Warsaw Community Unit School District 316
- Mendon Community Unit School District 4
- Morthland College
When sending your child off to school you assume they will remain safe, however, this isn’t always the case. School bus 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
Hancock County has many activities and attractions to offer its residents and visitors, including:
- Nauvoo Historic District
- Carthage Jail
- Nauvoo State Park
- Baxter’s Vineyards and Winery
- Joseph Smith Historic Site
- Pioneer Pastimes
- Wildcat Springs Park
- Lake Hill Winery
- The Flood Museum
- Trail of Hope
While most of the time spent at these attractions will be enjoyable and uneventful, accidents can occur, including slip and falls, drowning accidents, dog bites, drunk driving, bicycle 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.
