Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Earlier this week, an Illinois auto accident attorney of ours read an article posted by WJBDRadio.com about how winter weather last weekend caused many Illinois car accidents. The article concluded that there were close to 200 accidents because of the winter weather. These examples show that freezing rain, as well as snow, and extreme temperatures can all lead to extremely dangerous conditions for driving. The report noted that most of the affected drivers lost control of their vehicles, due to a decrease of friction, and this lack of control can cause drivers to harm themselves, or even hit others on the road.

After reading about these accidents that occurred because of winter weather driving conditions, our Chicago auto accident lawyers thought that once again going over some safe winter driving tips could be beneficial. The Illinois Department of Transportation offers some great tips, all starting with making sure that your car is ready to be driving in the winter. This means that you should have made sure that your car is in good shape, that you have winter tires, your wipers are working and you have plenty of radiator, windshield, and power steering fluid. It is also important to make sure that you have a full tank of gas and emergency supplies in your car. This could include jumper cables and basic tools, extra clothes or blankets, food, a flashlight, a first aid kit, and a cell phone so you can make sure you can contact someone if you need help. Also, having salt or sand could help should your car get stuck and you need to create extra friction on the ground.

Planning your trip is also incredibly important. Firstly, you should only be driving if it is absolutely necessary. If you can avoid driving in bad weather, do it. Make sure you have your route planned out, and tell someone else where you are going. Once you are on the road, we read on AAAExchange.com some tips that could help from swerving or decrease your chances of being involved in an accident. First and foremost, always drive slower in bad weather. Instead of following the three-second rule (finding a stationary object in the distance, and once the car ahead of you passes it count how many seconds you are apart), you should increase it to the nine-second rule. Also, remember that when there is less friction on the ground, it takes longer to stop. If you need to stop, “Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.” This will help to prevent you from swerving or losing control.

As a Chicago car accident attorney of ours mentioned, we know that people need to be on the road at all times, even when weather is bad. However, slowing down, and having a prepared car and planned trip, could help you avoid being in an accident, or help you should you be involved in one. Please drive safely this winter season, not only to protect yourself, but also to protect the people that you share the road with.

A Chicago car accident lawyer at our firm saw an article that was posted on USAToday.com yesterday that discussed how recently teenagers have been waiting longer to get their driver’s license. This comes as a bit of surprise to use because it used to be that teenagers were excited and persistent about getting their license. The article found that because of the increase in public transportation, such as the “L”, the train, buses, and other means of transportations, teens have had no problem delaying getting their license. Another reason that teens are waiting longer is because the Internet and social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, make communicating with friends more accessible and doable from home. Research done by Gartner Research showed that “nearly half (46%) of 18- to- 24-year-olds would pick Internet access over having their own car.”

Our Illinois car accident lawyers feel that it is important that teens learn safe driving practices at an early age, such as with a driver’s permit, Also, some teenagers 18 and older fail to take certified driver’s education courses which can be detrimental when on the road. Inexperienced drivers can cause many severe accidents, including when teens are not aware of or do not follow traffic laws. Driving recklessly, maybe because of music, too many passengers, or technologic distractions, can also cause serious injury or even fatality not only to the teenage driver themselves, but also everyone that they share the road with.

People who are injured as a result of these drivers’ mistakes regardless of whether or not they were a passenger in the car, a pedestrian, a cyclist, or in another vehicle, can seek action to hold these negligent drivers accountable for their actions. Filing a lawsuit allows seriously injured people, or the loved ones of someone who may have been killed in an accident to seek reasonable compensation, and peace of mind. It also brings attention to the negative actions of the negligent driver, and hopefully show others what not to do.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, pleases contact us to see if a Chicago accident lawyer at our firm could help you. When involved in an accident, costly medical and and hospital visits could result in large sums of money to be paid. Also, if you are seriously injured, you may also need to take time off from work resulting in a loss of wages, or even be unable to work permanently. Filing a lawsuit would help to recover from those hefty costs. Please contact us to discuss your potential case.

Yesterday, the Daily Herald reported on how in 2012, there may be new cell phone, drivers education, and helmet laws that Illinois motorists will need to be aware of. Some of the new anticipated legislation that our Illinois car accident attorneys read about includes:

• Mandatory helmet requirements for motorcyclists and any passengers
• Prohibiting the use of hand-held cellphones for drivers
• Enforcing and increasing consequences for drivers who misuse disabled parking passes or licenses
• Requiring 18-year-olds to have taken a driver’s education course in order to get their license
• Increasing the learner’s permit age from 15-years-old to 16, and enforcing nighttime regulations such as curfew
• Ensuring that drivers who have repeatedly been caught driving without insurance or on a suspended license face consequences

All of these new regulations, or modifications on old legislature, are being discussed and the creation of them has not been affirmed. Requiring 18-year-olds to take a driver’s education class would only be beneficial, not harmful, in the eyes of a Chicago auto accident attorney. Driver’s education classes are fundamental in providing the rules of the road to new drivers, making young drivers aware of both the rules and the risks associated with operating a vehicle.

And, in addition to the current texting ban in Illinois, prohibiting hand-held cellphones would only help to decrease distracted drivers on the road. Another potential new law that the article pointed out was mandatory helmet use for motorcyclists. Illinois is one of three states in the United States remaining that doesn’t have a helmet law. Once again, this helmet law will only benefit motorcyclists, not causing any harm. Safety gear, such as helmets, is crucial to motorcyclists’ safety because bikes lack the protection that cars have. During the warmer months, we frequently read about motorcyclists who are seriously injured or killed in motorcycle accidents. Although helmets may not prevent all injuries, they lower ones’ risk for serious brain injuries if involved in a crash.

As an Illinois accident attorney, one could see why these laws could be controversial; they put more government control into driver’s lives. However, we do believe that these laws are for the safety and protection of drivers and people they share the roads with. We hope to see these new laws passed in 2012 because they cover many of the issues that are pressing the safety of today’s drivers.

Over the weekend, our Chicago car accident lawyers saw an article posted by the Chicago Tribune that discussed a recent Cook County accident. A former Chicago police officer was found guilty of drunk driving, and reckless homicide. The negligent driver had been drunk, hit a 13-year-boyand fled the seen. The boy later died from his injuries. This article reminded us of the dangers of driving under the influence, and also why drivers should never leave the scene of an accident.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website, almost 30 people die every day because of an impaired driver. Deaths and injuries caused by drivers who are driving under the influence are completely avoidable. By enforcing the BAC law of a 0.08% maximum for drivers who are 21 and older, and an absolute zero tolerance law for drivers who are under 21, states can make firm examples of intoxicated drivers. Some other consequences that can make examples include taking away or suspending license, and requiring treatment for second or third time offenders. We support the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Transportation intheir use of sobriety checkpoints. Sobriety checkpoints, according to the CDC are “traffic stops where law enforcement officers assess drivers’ level of alcohol impairment.” These checkpoints have been proven to help reduce DUI related accidents by one fifth.

One Chicago auto accident lawyer recommended that individuals should always have a designated driver planned before going out. Also, when friends around you are drinking and thinking about driving impaired, don’t allow it. Take their keys away, and find a sober ride, call a cab, or even take public transportation. Finally, if you are the host of a party, remind all the partygoers to have a sober ride home.

In the case above, the impaired driver also made the decision to leave the scene of the accident. As we have said before, when a person is involved in an accident, they are required to stop. This allows the drivers, pedestrians, or bikers to swap any information they may need, or help anyone who could be injured. It is unlawful to flee the scene, and can have serious consequences including possible jail time.

Our Illinois auto accident lawyers believe that there are no excuses for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or leaving the scene of an accident. As you can see from this particular instance, a young man lost his life because the reckless driver made the decision to drink and drive. We want our readers to be safe on the road not only for their own benefit, but also for the benefit of the people that they share the road with.

An Illinois auto accident lawyer at our firm pointed out an article that was posted recently by USAToday.com that discussed a study showing drivers want in-car technology that helps to avoid accidents. Some of these in- car technologies include “features such as lane-changing and blind-spot warning systems and cars that automatically call 911 if they’re involved in a crash.” Close to 85% of those surveyed also mentioned that they want technology that would enable their car to automatically stop itself before calling 911 or emergency services to report a problem. Pairing safer vehicles with safer drivers and newer technologies could help drivers avoid serious accidents. Automated driver-aid and traffic awareness technologies are also in demand, as well as communication technologies that help drivers stay connected.

As we have mentioned in some of our previous Chicago car accident lawyer blog entries, new technologies, such as ones that can wake a drowsy driver up, or self-park, have been created or are close to being created. There has definitely been a visible demand for products such as these for tech savvy drivers. However, some in-car technologies may also be dangerous.

Features such as GPS, music, Bluetooth, or other communication systems can be just as dangerous as using hand held technologies. When buying a car with all of the technological bells and whistles, it is important to remember to only use them at safe points in time, such as when the car is parked. Using these devices and technologies while the car is in motion can lead to distracted driving. While we support technologically advanced safety features such as waking up a drowsy driver or blind spot warning systems, other types such as communication options can be dangerous.

When on the road, we want to remind drivers that their first priority is not plugging in an address to a GPS system or trying to get the voice control system to work. A driver’s first priority is staying alert and aware on the road. Using technology when driving can lead to cognitive distractions, which is when the driver does not have their mind focused on the road.

Our Chicago accident lawyers encourage automobile makers to continue coming out with new technologic safety features, but we also encourage drivers to make safe decisions on the road. We hope that drivers will take their safety and the safety of others they share the road with into consideration when choosing to manipulate devices in the car. New technologies are great, as long as drivers stay alert and aware on the road.

Last night, the Chicago Tribune posted an article online that discussed how distracted drivers might not be the only factor in pedestrian related accidents, but pedestrians who are tuned out may play a factor as well. Smartphones, music, grooming, and even reading can all be issues for drivers, but these distractions can be just as dangerous and life threatening for pedestrians. The article reports, “Serious injuries to pedestrians listening to headphones while walking have more than tripled in three years.” Close to 70%, well over half, of pedestrians involved in train or car accidents who were listening to headphones were killed, according to the study. Over 60% of those pedestrians who were killed were men that were under the age of 30-years-old. Many universities see accidents like this, because of the dense population of pedestrians, most of whom probably own and regularly use headphones.

Because headphones have become so popular over the years, with the inventions of smartphones with music capabilities as well as MP3 players, there has been a clear increase of pedestrian accidents. Our Chicago auto accident lawyers saw that USAToday.com reported on the topic as well. The article clarifies that most drivers are aware of the risks of texting while driving, but more and more people are seen with headphones in their ears and new handheld technologies, yet are unaware of the dangers of distracted walking.

An Illinois auto accident attorney in our firm thought going over pedestrian safety would be beneficial for our readers. First, always stay alert. As the articles above mention, don’t let distractions such as headphones or text messaging get in the way of your safety. You are responsible for making sure that you are walking in a safe path. Pedestrians should be particularly careful when crossing intersections, because drivers may not see them, or could not yield the right-of-way while turning left and right. Pedestrians should also make sure to wear clothing that stands out when it is dark out, but also try to refrain from waking around in the dark when visibility is limited. We understand that there not always be a crosswalk available, but when there is, use the designated path. Crosswalks are much more safe. However, if you should have to walk in the street, make sure that you are walking facing traffic so you are more visible.

From the point of view of a Chicago car accident attorney, we hope drivers will always make sure to yield the right-of-way when there are pedestrians present. They should also always be aware and alert and avoid distractions to prevent accidents with pedestrians. But we also hope that pedestrians will be more alert in order to avoid accidents that could result in very serious injuries, or even fatalities.

Today, a Levin and Perconti Chicago accident lawyer brought an article that was posted online yesterday, by the Lake County News-Sun, to the attention of our firm. The accident involved a 19-year-old Antioch woman involved in a five-car accident. One of the vehicles involved lost control, due to bad weather a few weeks ago. The driver of the vehicle that went out of control was ticketed for speeding in non-permitting weather conditions. After the first car lost control, it collided with another motorist. In attempts to avoid the accident, the car that the teenager was in and another car collided, and they went off of the roadway. The fifth vehicle involved had pulled over to help with the first crash, but then was hit by the second accident. The accident occurred in early January, but after spending weeks in the hospital, the teenager passed away last Friday because of the seriousness of her injuries from the accident.

This accident should remind all Chicago drivers to drive more slowly and cautiously in winter weather driving conditions. As we have mentioned before, Weather.com has some great tips for driving safely in winter weather. The first tip that they offer is to decrease speed. Speeding in winter driving conditions caused the accident previously discussed, and slowing down could make the roads safer. Drivers should give themselves plenty of stopping room, and use the 9 Second Rule. Drivers should pick a stationary object ahead, and should start counting seconds after the car in front of them passes the object. There should be at least nine seconds in between the time that the car in front of you passes the object, and you pass the object, when the roads are slick.

When the roads have snow and ice on them, they have less traction so tires can’t stick as well. Our Illinois car accident lawyers know that when speeds are increased, it makes braking very difficult and cars can go out of control. Brake gently and slowly to avoid skidding on icy or snowy roads. Also, turning your lights on will not only help you to see better, but will also help other motorists on the road see you more clearly. Be careful when driving on bridges or roads that aren’t used much, because they are typically the first to freeze. However, AAAExchange.com suggests that drivers should not stop if they can avoid it. They say, “If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it,” because coming to a complete stop may require more distance than you have.

When asked what the number one tip is for winter driving, any Chicago car accident lawyer would say to avoid driving in dangerous conditions. Staying home keeps you and your loved ones safe. Even if you think you are the best driver in the snow, many others that you share the roads with aren’t as cautious and can cause harm to you. If you don’t absolutely need to leave the house, stay where you are and stay safe.

Today, an Illinois car accident attorney at our office read an article online posted by WGNRadio.com about a Chicago hit-and-run accident. The police have not been able to locate the driver who hit the victim, but apparently the motorist struck the victim and drove away. A photo surveillance camera captured a picture of the car at close to 5:00 Monday evening. Although the pedestrian appeared injured, the driver didn’t stop.

After seeing this article, we thought it would be beneficial for our readers to be aware of what constitutes a hit-and-run accident. When a person is involved in an accident, they are required to stop. Stopping allows the driver to provide any information that the other drivers, pedestrian, or bikers involved may need, and also for the other involved drivers to help should there be an injury. Failure to stop after an accident has serious consequences, which can include anything from hefty fines to prison time. A negligent driver may have their license revoked, have to pay for properly damages and may even be subject to a lawsuit. If the hit-and-run accident should lead to a fatality, the accident is considered a felony.

If you are in the victim or witness of a hit-and-run accident, you should get as many descriptions of the vehicle and driver as possible. This can include the color, make, and model of the car, as well as the license plate number. Characteristics of the driver, as well as where they drove off too, could also be helpful information. After getting identification information, call 911. The police will help to further investigate what occurred, and how to go about finding the negligent driver. Next, if you have been injured or experienced property damage contact your insurance provider. Taking pictures, either on a disposable camera, digital camera, or even cell phone, can be beneficial later. Finally, contact a lawyer. Our Chicago car accident lawyers have successfully represented seriously injury victims in many hit-and-run accident cases and may be able to help you, or a loved one, seek reasonable compensation for your injuries.

This particular accident also brings up the importance of surveillance video cameras and photo photography to help to track down offenders. John Perconti, one of our Illinois accident attorneys, was recently quoted in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin discussing the importance of video cameras in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. We have relied on video evidence in a number of cases and anticipate that this practice will grow as more and more, buildings and businesses employ the use of these cameras to monitor their premises. With this growth, we are interested to see how videos are used as evidence to support plaintiffs and defendants alike.

At the end of last week, our Illinois car accident attorneys read an article on The Madison St. Clair Record online page about a recent accident lawsuit filed in Madison County. The accident involved a woman who stopped for traffic, when another vehicle that failed to stop for traffic hit her vehicle from behind. The woman claims that she “sustained severe injuries to her neck, back, spine, head, and face” after being rear-ended. Not only did she suffer from serious injuries, but she also was unable to work, had several medical fees, and sustained an “impaired earning capacity and lost her enjoyment of life.” The defendant is being sued for negligently driving too fast, not maintaining a proper lookout, and failing to brake, stop, or swerve to avoid the collision. The plaintiff is seeking $100,000 plus costs.

After reading this, an Illinois accident lawyer in our firm mentioned that it might be a good idea to review some ways our readers can prevent a rear- end accident. As we have said before, make sure that your brake lights are always functioning. These simple lights are actually crucial in signaling to drivers behind you that you are slowing down or stopping, and better allow them to follow suit. Also, checking your rear-view mirror often, and making sure that they are properly adjusted, allows you to see if someone is tailgating behind you. Should you realize that someone is tailgating you, switch lanes, or pull over, and allow them to pass you.

If you are driving behind someone, avoid tailgating, by using a safe following distance, so if you should have to stop, you have enough room to do so. The “3 Second Rule” is an important rule to be aware of to avoid following to closely. In order to use the rule, first selected an object on the road ahead of you (i.e. a sign, large tree, or overpass). When the motorist in front of you passes the stationed object, count to three slowly. If you pass the object before you are finished counting to three, you are following the car in front of you too closely. If the weather outside is poor, for example, heavy rain, fog, or snow, count to nine seconds instead of three.

From the perspective of a Chicago auto accident attorney, we encourage safe following distances to all drivers to avoid rear-end accidents. We have represented a number of clients in rear-end lawsuits, and know that these accidents can lead to severe injuries and even death. Using a safe following distance protects you from becoming a tailgater, as well as allowing you plenty of stopping room and reaction time should a potential accident be foreseen. Making some of these life-saving tips a habit, such as making sure your brake lights are working and checking your rearview mirror, can be very beneficial as well to prevent injuries. If you should see someone behind you tailgating, or someone that appears to have road rage, allow him or her to pass. Try to take down their car information and description, without putting yourself at risk, and notify the police.

A Chicago auto accident lawyer of ours pointed out an article posted on Forbes.com recently that discussed how an increase in elderly drivers within the next 20 years would pose a threat to other drivers on the road. The article states that, “in April of 2010, there were over 40 million Americans over the age of 65, and in the next ten years, another 35 million will reach that mark.” This huge increase is due to the fact that baby boomers are getting older.

The NHSTA suggest that if you are a member of the 65 plus age group, or have a loved one who is, you should ask these questions: Do you get lost easily, even on familiar routes? Is your car dented? Have you recently received any warnings or tickets? Have you had any near accident experiences recently where you were at fault? Has a health or eye physician asked you to limit, or stop, driving? Do signs, or traffic signals, and highway driving overwhelm you? Do you take any medicines that could impair your driving? Do cars behind you pile up because of your slow driving? DO you have any issues (diabetes, arthritis, glaucoma, etc.) that affect your driving?

If you have answered yes to all, a few, or even one of these questions, our Chicago car accident attorneys encourage you to reconsider your place on the road. The AAA has an online test, called the Roadside Review, which checks to see if you are physically and mentally sound enough to be on the road. The AAA also offers classroom education classes that help older drivers learn skills that can help them to be safer on the road. Some insurance agencies even give a discount if a person over a certain age participates in these classes. The CarFit is a third program that the AAA offers. This program helps older people to find cars that fit them, and have the safety qualities and other features that they need.

We understand that going from being very independent to less independent can be very frustrating and upsetting for many people, and that mobility is extremely important to that independence. However, our Illinois auto accident lawyers are concerned with keeping all drivers on the road safe. Every person will eventually come to a point in their lives when driving could be dangerous, not only to the driver themselves, but also to other people that they share the road with. If you have older family members, keep an open dialogue about the dangers of elderly driving, so that when the time comes for your loved one to stop driving, everyone is prepared for this tough decision.

A female Illinois auto accident lawyer of ours pointed out an interesting study reported by MSNBC that discussed how it has been proven that women are better drivers than men. Even though there has been an ongoing societal joke that women are bad drivers, this study proves otherwise. According to the study, “80 percent of all fatal and serious car crashes are caused by male drivers.” It continues on to say that women are close to 30% less likely to cause an accident. Also, for every one female that gets a DUI, three males get one as well. Women only had about two thirds of the amount of accidents that males did in 2007.

Some say that high testosterone, higher likeliness to take risks, or higher likeliness to be aggressive could be factors. The study also shows that, “traffic violations are higher for male drivers in almost every single category from reckless driving, failure to yield, seat belt violations, or speeding.” Because of this, a man needs to pay close to $100 more for car insurance. It was also proven that men are more likely to be killed in car accidents, and that they spend more time in the car which means more miles. However, if two identical car accidents occurred, one with a man and one with a female, men are more likely to be seriously injured or even killed.

This comes as a surprise based on some of the studies we have talked about in the past. As a Levin and Perconti Chicago car accident attorney blogged about earlier this year, cars are designed to protect men better than women. The American Journal of Public Health found that seatbelts and other lifesaving devices that are used in cars, such as airbags, are not designed to fit women or smaller drivers and passengers. The weight of the driver, the height of the driver, and the way they are positioned in the seat, all play a role in how effective the safety devices are in protecting the driver. Automobile manufactures are working towards making sure that vehicles have more female friendly safety features, and this could help to reduce their likeliness of being involved in an accident.

Because of testosterone, as well as men being more likely to take risks, aggressive driving could be a factor. Aggressive driving is when a driver uses a combination of traffic offenses that could endanger or hurt another person or even property. Speeding, improper lane use, and improper passing are all examples of aggressive driving. In order to avoid being an aggressive driver, allow yourself plenty of time to reach your destination, and to never operate a vehicle when you are upset or angry. If you should see an aggressive driver, do not try to race them or make eye contact, get out of their way. If you can remember a description of their car with their license plate number as well as calling the police with the information without compromising your safety, do so.

Our Chicago accident lawyers hope that both men and women will work to be safer drivers to avoid car accidents and the risk of serious personal injury. By making sure to not be as aggressive, as well as avoiding distractions and staying awake and alert, accidents across the board can be reduced.

With today’s heavy snowfall, an Illinois auto accident attorney of ours suggested that we remind our readers of how dangerous winter driving conditions can be, and what they can do to drive more safely. We saw in the Morris Daily Herald an article regarding the Illinois State Police and how they are reminding drivers statewide to use their headlights in winter weather. It can help increase visibility, especially in a situation where it might be difficult to see, and it can also help motorists to see when another vehicle is near by. Both taillights, as well as headlights, are important to have on so drivers can see your car from the front and behind.

We also saw that the Paris Beacon-News wrote an article earlier this afternoon that discussed how the Illinois State Police is encouraging motorists to stay off the road today. When the snow is paired with heavy winds, such as the storm today, it can make it very difficult to see. Some Illinois motorists were even stranded in today’s storm because of visibility issues causing crashes.

The Weather Channel provided some tips from safely driving in snow and ice, however their number one tip is to avoid driving at all. Remember to not go out driving until after the snow plows and salt trucks have done their routes. If you do choose to go out, make sure you’re car is prepared with a full tank of gas, emergency kit, cell phone, snow tires, and full wiper fluid. When driving in winter weather, drive more slowly and cautiously then you normally would. This allows plenty of stopping time, because when the roads are wet there is less friction, which means that it takes longer to stop. Don’t use cruise control, and be especially careful on places like bridges, ramps, and overpasses.

If your wheels do skid, do not accelerate. Steer in the direction that you want to go in, and slowly pump the brakes. Should you get stuck, do not spin your wheels. Turning the wheels from side to side will help get snow out of the way, making it easier for your car to get out by lightly accelerating. Finally, putting a rough substance, such as gravel or pebbles, or even kitty liter in front of the wheels will help to add traction and make it easier for the car to get out.

A Chicago car accident attorney of ours also pointed out that the Illinois Department of Transportation also offers online services for motorists to track the weather online before they drive. Websites like www.Weather.gov as well as www.GettignAroundIllinois.com give the latest road conditions. You can even call IDOT at 1-800-452-4368. Our Chicago auto accident lawyers encourage our recommend staying off the road in these dangerous weather conditions, but should you need to drive, please do so carefully.