Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Following up with our recent posts regarding National Teen Driver Safety Week, our attorneys thought it was important to review the top ten reported teen driver mistakes recently highlighted in The Chicago Tribune. According to the report, teen drivers are almost four times more likely that older drivers to get in an accident, so by discussing these tips with your teens you may decrease their risk of serious injury in an accident.

The most common mistake by teen drivers is being distracted while driving. According to Distraction.org, teens have the highest population of distracted drivers. Distractions range from visual and manual distractions, such as looking away from the road, using your hands for something other than driving, or simply not paying attention. Technologies, food, music, and other passengers also distract teens from the road.

Teens also take more risks while driving. They are more likely to ignore traffic signs and change lanes aggressively. Researchers concluded that this was likely due to the fact that teen brains have two times the amount of activity in the impulse section of the brain, and this section does is not fully developed until one is twenty years old. One of the top risks teens take is speeding. Because they are new on the road, teens have not discovered their response time and do not understand the relationship between speed and stopping properly.

Other risk factor mentioned in the article include drug and alcohol use and driving drowsy, which can result in just as serious accidents as driving under the influence, and affects many teens with busy schedules. They may be on a sports team, be at the library studying, or just coming home late from a busy day. The article reports that driving drowsy contributes to 1,500 deaths annually.

Driving without a seatbelt is also something that 24% of drivers 16 to 24-years-old do. Because seatbelt safety is so important, and can save lives, many car manufacturers today have a built in seatbelt reminders. Our readers know that seat belt use can greatly reduce a person’s risk for serious personal injuries or death if involved in an accident; however teens and adults continue to operate and ride in vehicles without buckling up.

Following too closely is another driving mistake teens often make. This ties in with driving aggressively, and experts accredit this to teens wanting to show off and force other drivers to move out of their lane. This aggressive behavior can result in serious accidents. And finally, the article notes that it is very important that teenagers and their parents properly maintain their vehicles.

Throughout our practice representing clients in serious car and trucking accident cases, we have unfortunately spoken to too many families who have lost loved ones because of driver negligence. By highlighting these popular mistakes, our Chicago car accident lawyers remind parents of teens and our readers of the dangers of teen driving and some possible ways to avoid them. We hope that teen drivers consider these risks when getting behind the wheel and understand that these driving behaviors can not only cause serious injury or even death to themselves, but also other passengers in their car and others on the road.

Earlier this week, our Illinois car accident attorneys read an article in the Central Valley Business Times regarding the newest iPhone software that may make texting while driving easier. The iPhone 4S has new software, which allows for the phone operator to speak into the phone to the voice activation software, called Siri.

Along with Siri’s many functions, it specifically can read a received text out loud, or send a verbally dictated text to another phone. Although this software helps to make driving and texting safer, many states have anti-texting while driving laws most of which do not include hand-free texting with speech recognition programs.

While we acknowledge that these programs make texting while driving safer, anything that takes a drivers mind or eyes off the road for even a split second is risky. However, surveys have shown that about 45 % of drivers admit to texting even though they live in a state where it is illegal to text and drive. Our Chicago car accident lawyers will never condone texting while driving and will continue to raise awareness surrounding the dangers. But we hope that these people will choose safe options, such as hands free and voice programs instead of traditional texting, to avoid serious accidents.

Voice-recognition software programmers who support the new technology believe that their technologies can help to regulate a safer use of technology while driving, because although it is difficult to change driver’s behaviors, there are newer options that they will not ignore. Some organizations such as the National Safety Council believe hands free equipment still puts drivers at risk. However studies show that using hands-free technology does create a lower risk of being involved in a car accident. Most do agree, though, that more research is necessary to discover how efficient voice activated technology is.

Our Illinois car accident lawyers believe that programs such as Siri have the potential to be beneficial to drivers’ safety if it is used correctly. Texting is a distraction that is completely preventable and avoidable, but as studies show, many people do partake in texting while driving. As discussed in some of our previous blog posts the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to avoid texting, talking and other distractions. Distracted drivers using “hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. By eliminating cell phone use altogether, our readers can reduce their risk for serious injuries. Still, should you partake in texting while driving, consider using programs like Siri to lower your likeliness of being involved in an accident.

In most posts related to bicyclists, we discuss the dangers they face when sharing the road with larger vehicles. However, earlier this month, our Chicago bicycle accident attorneys read in The Wall Street Journal that some new studies have recently surfaced, discussing cyclists and the dangers they pose. The article reported that bicycles are not only dangerous for the riders, but also to pedestrians who are on the streets. A study showed that each year, bicyclists could cause up to 1,000 pedestrian injuries in urban cities, such as Chicago.

Addressing the study regarding cyclists causing injuries to non-cyclists, some say that this could be related to the rapid increase in the amount of bicyclists that are on the road in the past five years. The average of 1,000 pedestrian injuries per year by bicyclists includes those who have been admitted to hospitals for treatment. In Chicago, our team has noticed an increase in the number of bicyclists on the streets. The City has made changes to accommodate this increase, including opening a number of bike lanes. Bike lanes can not only help to prevent accidents between cars and bikes, but will also hopefully lower the number of accidents between bikes and pedestrians, since bicyclists will not have to ride on the sidewalks to avoid obstacles on the streets.

There is some controversy regarding this recent study, however, because it seems as though the researchers have supplied these numbers without addressing the context as to where they apply. For example, urban cities such as Chicago are more likely to have a higher population, with more pedestrians so it is inaccurate to generalize these statistics to other parts of the nation. The Wall Street Journal continues on to say that many of the pedestrian injuries were minor and easily treated.

Our Chicago bicycle accident lawyers acknowledge that although some data can be misrepresented, it is still evident that there is a correlation between an increase in bikes on the streets and pedestrian accidents. We encourage our readers to take all of this information into account, and to be especially careful of pedestrians when cycling in an area that has a dense pedestrian representation.

Recently, our Chicago personal injury attorneys read an article posted by USAToday
online about a new study that concluded that woman drivers are at a greater risk for injury when involved in a car accident. The reasoning for this is that there is a lack of car safety designs that are made to fit a woman’s body.

The study looked at a decade’s worth of data and found that women drivers who wore seatbelts were at a greater risk for personal injury than males, and furthermore found that women drivers in seat belts had more severe injuries to the chest and spine than men. The study concluded that “female motor vehicle drivers today may not be as safe as their male counterparts; therefore, the relative higher vulnerability of female drivers when exposed to moderate and serious crashes must be taken into account.”

According to ABCNews, the American Journal of Public Health reported that some devices in cars that are used for safety do not aid women because they do not fit their bodies well. Because of a woman’s stature, which is normally smaller in height and weight, female drivers sit differently in cars than men do. ABCNews continued on to say that some safety systems are made to fit men’s bodies because studies show they are more likely to be involved in deadly car accidents. However, car manufacturers and governmental figures have been working on resolving this issue recently.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys encourage car manufactures to continue working on making car safety design more gender neutral. Hopefully these changes will help to ensure the safety of both women and men. As we have discussed in previous posts, car manufacturers continue to redesign vehicles with driver and passenger safety in mind. Not only do they consider the physical aspects of drivers, now more and more carmakers are focusing on driver behaviors and adapting vehicles with driver actions in mind. For instance, many new cars are equipped with technology to detect when a driver is falling asleep or is distracted.

We support continued efforts to improve driver safety and look forward to seeing how car manufacturers adapt their designs in reaction to this new study. Since vehicles play such a crucial role in our everyday lives, it is important for them to continue to improve safety features. Unfortunately, no matter how safe the car, we can never prevent driver errors completely. Even with awareness campaigns and the threat of fines and other penalties, there will always be some drivers who disobey traffic laws or operate their vehicles in a negligent manner. For twenty years, we have worked for victims to hold these wrongdoers responsible for the harms caused. Contact us if you have been injured by a reckless driver to discuss how we can help you.

Early this morning, our Chicago accident attorneys read on The Chicago Tribune website about a pedestrian safety campaign along Wacker Drive. The City posted 32 mannequins up and down Wacker Drive this morning to represent pedestrians who were killed by cars last year in Chicago. The purpose of the campaign is to draw attention to the significance of pedestrian related car crashes, and to motivate drivers to be aware of the pedestrian’s presence on the street. Along with the mannequins, the safety campaign implemented messages citywide, posted on buses, garbage cans, and notice boards, as well as talking with cab drivers, schools and elder drivers.

The Chicago Tribune reported, “About 80 percent of vehicle-pedestrian crashes in Chicago occur at intersections and commonly involve people crossing the street with the walk signal.” The most common cause of pedestrian accidents and fatalities is when drivers do not pay attention to the illuminated walk signal, or simply don’t yield.

Along with the citywide awareness, the campaign will also install crossing flags in certain neighborhoods with the pedestrian icon painted on sidewalks. The Chicago Department of Transportation continues to offer new pedestrian initiatives, along with Illinois state law requiring cars to not only yield, but to stop when pedestrians are present. This pedestrian safety awareness campaign comes just three days after a woman pedestrian was killed on the West Side of Chicago.

Our Illinois pedestrian accident attorneys have successfully handled many pedestrian related accidents, and if you or a loved one has been involved in this type of accident, we may be able to help you. Some of our successful cases include a $10 million settlement for a 5-year-old boy who lost his leg and half of his pelvis when hit by a fire truck, a $1.25 million verdict for a woman pedestrian who was hit by a bus, while in a crosswalk, and a $1.25 million settlement for an elder woman pedestrian who was hit while she was walking across a bus terminal.

Because pedestrians have no protection, when hit by a car, the damage can be incredibly severe. These types of accidents can result in extensive medical bills, wage loss, and serious disability. Although filing a lawsuit cannot undo the past, it can help the victim or the victim’s family to receive fair compensation and some piece of mind Knowing that all wrongdoers have been held accountable. Please contact our Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers to discuss your potential lawsuit, and see how we may be able to help you.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, in 2010 there were 131 motorcycle related fatalities, which is close to 15% of all motor vehicle crash related fatalities. This alarming statistic represents almost a 30% increase in motorcycle fatalities in the last decade. Of the 131 motorcycles related fatalities, only two of them were wearing a certified helmet, and 110 of the people killed were not wearing helmets at all. There are no laws requiring helmet use in Illinois but our Illinois motorcycle accident lawyers encourage that all motorcyclists use helmets, because they can potentially save lives.

Motorcyclists, because of the size of their vehicles and lack of protection, are most at risk for serious injury in an accident. Motorcyclists should wear helmets and reflectors to make themselves as visible as possible, helping other drivers on the road to notice their presence. Motorcyclists should also drive extremely defensively and cautiously. Because of their size, motorcyclists are hard to see, especially when on the highway, near trucks, in intersections, or at night. By paying close attention to road signs and signals of other vehicles, motorcyclists can avoid serious injury in an accident.

Additionally, car and truck drivers need to be aware of motorcyclists and do their part to avoid accidents. Truckers and drivers should always double check their blind spots before changing lanes and also keep an eye out for motorcyclists when turning. Making yourself aware of the presence of motorcycles can help you to avoid a possible accident with one.

What do you do if you are injured as a result of someone else’s mistakes on the road? Our Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys help injured motorcyclists and their families recover compensation for the harms caused. When they are involved in an accident, motorcyclists are often subject to more serious injuries. Accidents with other vehicles may cause them to fall off their bike, and can lead to serious brain or spinal cord injuries.

Injuries of this magnitude may result in significant medical bills, and lead to lifelong disability and the inability to work. If a motorcyclists’ injuries are the result of an accident caused by another driver’s negligence, the victim has right to hold all wrongdoers accountable in a court of law. Filing a lawsuit can not only help the motorcyclist receive fair compensation, but can also set an example for negligent drivers. If you or a loved one has been affected by an accident of this nature, please contact our Illinois motorcycle attorneys to discuss your potential case.

Last week, our Chicago car accident attorneys read an article in the Los Angeles Times discussing child seat belt and safety seat use. In the article, it stated that kids who are minorities are less likely to wear seat belts or be secured in car seats, which can result in a higher risk for injuries due to car accidents. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ conducted this study that looked at children 16 years old and younger. The study concluded that less than half of the children surveyed were in any form of restraint, which includes seat belts and safety seats. The study also showed that the Hispanics, Native American, and African American children had the lowest use of safety restraints.

Researchers involved in the study found that close to 13% of children injured in car accidents needed an emergency operation or medical attention, and the use seat belts and safety seats significantly lowered the risk of serious injuries. Although some states still do not have a mandatory seat belt law, seat belt use nationwide has increased, helping to reduce child fatalities in car accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, children under the age of 8 years old must be in an appropriate safety seat for their age and size. A child 8 years or older in Illinois can use an adult seatbelt when they are heavier than 40 pounds and if they are sitting in the rear seat. When parents and guardians disobey these laws, there is a $75 fine for the first offense. The NHTSA also suggests that parents should choose a car seating system based on how it fits both the child, and the car it will be used in, and recommends that all children under the age of 13 years old should sit in the back seat of the car.

Sites like Safekids.org offer surprising statistics and tips for parents. The site reports a study that says “correctly used child safety seats are extremely effective and reduce the risk of death as much as 71%.” There are now plenty of resources for parents and families to use to learn more about how to protect their children in the event of a serious car accident. Along with websites like this that give statistics and guidelines for car seat use, many communities now offer car seat checkup events, where certified technicians and mechanics show parents safety tips and make sure that the car seat fits. In Chicago and throughout Illinois, there are a number of organizations that will inspect your car seat to make sure it is properly installed. In Chicago, this includes some police stations and the community education units of some fire departments.

Our Illinois car crash lawyers advise all parents to keep their children secured in safety seats at all times until they are of appropriate age and weight to sit in the backseat with a seat belt. Sitting in a proper fitting safety seat will not only reduce a child’s risk for serious injury should there be an accident, but can also provide peace of mind for the parent driver.

Wrapping up National Teen Driver Safety Week, our Illinois car accident attorneys thought it would be both important and beneficial to discuss teen seat belt safety. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, teens are less likely to use seatbelts than adults in cars, and that close to 20% of teens do not use seatbelts. The NHTSA also reported that in 2009, “The majority (56%) of young people 16 to 20 years old involved in fatal crashes were unbuckled.” Teendriversource.org is a website that discusses teen driver safety generally, and has some interesting statistics about teen seat belt safety use. The website notes that when exposed to education about seat belt use, teens are more likely to use seat belts.

How can you educate your teen? The Center for Disease Control website has tips for parents to encourage seatbelt use. Because seat belts reduce injuries and fatalities from car crashes by over 50%, parents should act as role models and wear a seatbelt always. Parents should also require that all children and teens in their car are buckled safely into their seatbelt or child safety seat and remind passengers frequently to buckle-up.

On a broader level, states can continue enforcing the Buckle-Up law, such as the one in Illinois. BuckleUpIllinois.org states that the Illinois Safety Belt Law requires every driver and front seat passenger to wear seat belts. Small children under the age of 8 years-old must be fastened into the appropriate child safety seat. Our Illinois accident lawyers promote the Illinois Safety Belt Law, along with the Click It or Ticket Mobilization. The Click It or Ticket Mobilization’s goal is to not give out as many tickets as possible, but it is, however, used to increase awareness and motivate people to use seatbelts. The thought process is that if the public believes that they will get a ticket, they will avoid it by simply clicking their seatbelt.

Because teens are amongst the least groups likely to wear seatbelts, our Chicago car accident attorneys encourage parents, teachers and other families members to stress the importance of seat belt use and require it when riding with teens. By simply fastening his or her seat belt, a teen can avoid not only a ticket and fine, but also increase their chance of survival should they be in a severe accident. Through driver’s education programs, parent conversations, and using their parents as role models, we hope the number of teens wearing seatbelts will continue to increase. We encourage our readers to discuss the importance of seat belts so that Illinois teenagers will recognize their importance and make seat belt use a priority.

Continuing on with this week’s theme of National Teen Driver Safety Week, our Chicago car accident attorneys thought it would be beneficial to discuss the Graduated Driver Licensing program. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recognizes that drivers between 16 and 17 years old have a very high rate of fatal deaths related to car accidents. The two leading factors to this alarming truth are that teenage drivers are often very inexperienced, and do not necessarily behave in the same way that experienced drivers would.

In order to address this issue, some states have created a Graduated Driver Licensing program that has three stages, and helps teens to avoid risks on the road. A majority of the states have implemented this system, and studies show that, “adopting GDL laws will lead to substantial decreases of crashes for this age group- anywhere between 20 and 50 percent.” This is a significant decrease, and our Chicago accident lawyers believe that all states should consider a GDL model.

According to CyberDriveIllinois.com, the three phases of Graduated Driver Licensing includes the permit phase, the initial licensing phase, and the full licensing phase. The permit phase requires a parent or guardian in the passenger seat while a teen is learning to drive. There is a curfew in Illinois for permit phase drivers, and the teen must drive with a permit for at least nine months. Also, before a teenager can get their initial license, they must drive with their parents or guardian for at least 50 hours and must wear seat belts.

The next phase, the initial licensing phase, is completed once the teenager has participated in a driver’s education class, and parents have certified that they have completed 50 hours of practice with a parent. Also, for the first year of driving with a license, the driver can only have one passenger at a time, and must not obtain any convictions for at least six months. Finally, the full licensing phase occurs once drivers are 18 years of age. At this pint, there are no restrictions related to age, except that drivers under the age of 19 may not use a cell phone.

The GDL program not only helps to teach teens the basics of driving, but also ensures that they spend a good deal of time learning to drive with an adult in the car. This experience coupled with driver’s education courses where they learn about other risks involved in driving, such as drinking and driving, distracted driving, and aggressive driving, help teens to become more well-rounded drivers. Our Illinois car crash lawyers support a Graduated Driver Licensing model and hope that all states will eventually adopt it so we can continue to see a decrease in the amount of car crash related fatalities amongst teenagers.

Because it is National Teen Driver Safety Week, our Illinois car accident attorneys thought it was be important to discuss the issue of alcohol use among teen drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the highest cause of death amongst teenagers today is fatal car crashes. Teen drivers greatly increase their risk for serious injuries or even death when alcohol is involved. However, due to “high-visibility enforcement,” there has been an overall decrease in teen drinking, and also an overall decrease in car accidents involving teens that are alcohol related.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers online tools that our readers can use to review the dangers of underage drinking and drinking while driving. The NHTSA website also offers an excellent Community How-To Guide on its Underage Drinking Prevention website. The site not only offers tips for community leaders on how to address the issue of underage drinking and driving, but also reviews why it is important to prevent teens from partaking in underage drinking altogether.

The main reason why prevention is so important is because teenage bodies are still going through many physical changes and still developing. Their lack of experience and knowledge with alcohol can cause serious harm and injury to their bodies and especially their brains. Our Chicago car crash lawyers want to reiterate how seriously alcohol can impair the coordination of a driver, especially a teen driver who is so inexperienced with both driving and drinking separately.

Websites such as SADD.com, are great resources created for teens and run by students. Students Against Destructive Decisions reported that in 2008, almost 13% of people 12 years old and higher drove drunk at least once during the year. In the same year, close to 12,000 people were killed in drunk driving accidents, which accounted for almost one third of all fatal car accidents. Also, impaired driving fatalities have almost double the likeliness for drivers who are between the ages of 18 and 20 than those who are over 21 years old. These statistics reveal the ongoing safety risk that drunk drivers pose, and highlight the need for ongoing programs to remind teens of the dangers of drunk driving.

As we have said before, in order to avoid this type of injury or even fatality, the easiest solution is to avoid drug or alcohol use, especially while driving. Driving under the influence is 100% preventable and it is crucial that drivers learn to make smart decisions at an early age. Teens who have been drinking should never get in the car with a driver who has been drinking or drive their own car.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys encourage our parent readers to talk with their teens about the dangers of impaired driving. It is important that teens know that driving under the influence can cause serious injuries and even death, and is completely avoidable and preventable. We encourage all of our readers to discuss this very serious topic with their teenager, in hopes that the number of teen fatalities related to alcohol will continue to decrease.

In the midst of National Teen Driver Safety Week, USAToday reported about a State Farm survey which concluded that over half of all parents admit to being distracted by devices- such as cellphones, GPS systems, or the radio- while teaching their teens to drive. However, when the survey asked teens, they said that over 60% of parents were distracted when teaching them to drive.

After reading this report, our Illinois accident attorneys wanted to remind our parent readers that they are role models for their teen drivers. If parents want teens to stay off the phone and stay focused on the road, they should set the same example while teaching them the rules of the road. The survey also reported that over half of the teens surveyed had been in the car when their parents drove and used the cell phone simultaneously. A Transportation Secretary stated that putting the cell phone away when driving “is not just common sense safe behavior, it’s a life-long lesson for the children in the backseat.” Continuing on with National Teen Driver Safety Week, parents should help teach their teens to drive safely.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys also read on Market Watch online that although there are many organizations spreading the word about the risks of distracted driving, it is often the parents’ behaviors that teach teens that driving while distracted is okay. If parents want their children to avoid distractions when on the road, they should avoid distractions not only when their teens are in the car observing or driving, but also at all times when behind the wheel. While their teen is behind the wheel learning to drive, parents should be equally as alert in order to teach more effectively and be an alert coach.

Whether behind the wheel or riding with a teen driver, parents should set the example that they want their teens to follow. Our Illinois car crash lawyers encourage teens and their parents to spend more time behind the wheel together, and to become educated together. When a teenager learns to drive, it is a great opportunity for parents to brush-up on their driving skills and also learn about how to be a safer driver themselves. Hopefully the messaged being sent to teen drivers this week will resonate with parents and other family members so that everyone cuts down on distracted driver. If parents teach their children about driving safety, they will feel more comfortable with their teens behind the wheel, and will instill in them the qualities of a driver that they want their teen to possess. We hope all of our readers will avoid distractions, when they are with their teen in the car, and when their teens are not in the car as well.

This week the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced National Teen Driver Safety Week, a week developed to help prevent teen deaths and serious injuries in car accidents. The goal is to teach teens and parents about issues such as distracted driving, seat belt safety, the Graduated Driver Licensing program, and alcohol awareness.

The NHTSA reports that car accidents are the number one cause of teen deaths. A lot of this has to deal with the lack of driving experience teens have, combined with dangerous driving habits such as speeding, alcohol consumption, drug use, distractions, driving during the night, and not wearing seat belts. This week was created to teach teens about the individual dangers that each of these contributing factors poses. Our Illinois car accident lawyers encourage our readers- parents, teens and family members alike- to pay attention to the increased media attention this week and seek information on how to be a safer teen driver.

The Chicago Sun Times acknowledged National Teen Driver Safety Week, reporting that 68 teens are killed in a car accident ever week. The Sun Times offers some great tips about teaching teens how to do a car maintenance check, knowing where the spare tire inside the car is, how to handle certain emergencies, and keeping up to date with oil changes. The report also notes that it is important for parents to set limits with their teens so guidelines are clear and understandable. These limits could include certain destinations, certain passengers, and scheduled check-in times. After setting these limits and reviewing this tips, readers can feel more comfortable with their teens on the road because they have the proper training to know how to deal with certain accidents.

We were also happy to read that the Senate is working on a bill with a $10 million grant program to help states draw attention to seat belt use and the distracted driving epidemic to coincide with National Teen Driver Safety Week. The Hill reported that the bill would include funding for broadcast and print advertising in support of State distracted driving laws. Our Illinois car crash lawyers are happy to share in the messages of National Teen Driver Safety Week and strongly support the Senate’ move to raise awareness. We hope that with increased media coverage, teens will realize the dangers that exist on our roads and highways and will begin to think about how they can best protect themselves and others.

Last week, the State Journal-Register posted an article about an Illinois car accident involving a drunk driver who crashed his car, killing his daughter,7, who was a passenger. The driver was charged with aggravated driving under the influence, with a bond of $1 million. The driver drove his car off the road, and landed into a ditch with most of the damage occurring in the front part of the car. Although his daughter was sitting in a child seat and had a seat belt on, she died from the impact of the crash. The Illinois State Police are still investigating, but acknowledge that this was the driver’s second DUI and third offense involving alcohol.

According to MADD.com, endangering a child by driving under the influence of alcohol with them in the car should increase the driver’s punishment, and should be considered as child abuse. Many states do have laws that enhance fines and sentences for drunk drivers found with a child passenger. In Illinois, fines and penalties are worse for a drunk driver who has a passenger under the age of 16-years-old in the car.

The Illinois Statute states that anyone who drives with a blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit and causes an accident that injures a passenger under 16 is guilty of aggravated driving under the influence. The first offense for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol with a passenger under 16 years of age has an automatic and fixed fine of $1,000. This also results in at least 6 months in jail and several weeks of community service. These laws and regulations are used to protect children passengers who are unable to operate a car or find their own means of transportation.

Our Chicago accident attorneys want our readers to be aware of the dangers associated with driving under the influence. This article highlights the fact that this reckless behavior can not only affect the driver, but their passengers, or other drivers on the road. Injuries to children as a result of DUIs are serious crimes, but are completely preventable. Our Illinois car crash lawyers have successfully handled many cases involving careless drivers, so please contact us to see how we may be able to help you if you were seriously injured in an accident. Taking action can help you receive fair compensation for the harms caused, and also bring awareness to the severity of drunk driving.

Yesterday, USAToday posted an article online about how approximately 50% of child car booster seats do not function properly. The article states that nearly half of the 83 seats tested did not fit properly with seat belts, and the article even lists some that parents should avoid altogether. Booster seats are for kids who are too large for car seats. They serve to raise children up to better fit them in seatbelts made for adults. Unfortunately, as our Illinois car accident attorneys read, not all booster seats do this well.

According to the report, when used properly, booster seats reduce the likeliness of a child who has out grown a car seat of getting injured in an accident by almost 50%. However, half of these seats don’t fit well with belts already in the car. Some advocates are upset that there are no safety standard requirements for booster seats, although new ratings are urging manufacturers to create more secure and better fitting seats.

Should a child not be secured properly into a booster seat, they can be tossed around in the car during a crash, and even suffer personal injuries and lacerations from the seat belts themselves. However, they do play a role in protecting children from serious personal injuries. The article notes that the “IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) said states that raised requirements for booster seats to cover children through ages 7 or 8 had 17% fewer fatal or debilitating injuries to booster-seat-age children.” When buying a booster seat, we suggest that you search for a seat that fits both the child, and the specific car.

According to the Washington Post, it is not important for parents to spend time searching for a booster seat with a specific color or features such as a cup holder. Parents instead should really focus on finding the right seat for the child and if it will work safely in all the cars it will be used in. While we still need to be aware of what seat our child is sitting in, booster seat ratings have improved since 2008 and hopefully new studies will bring more awareness that will encourage manufacturers to have higher standards. Be sure to research booster seats before you buy, in order to ensure that they have a “Best Bets” rating.

Our Chicago car crash lawyers hope that all of our readers will check their booster seats in order to ensure the safety of their children. The wrong booster seat can further injure a child should they be involved in an accident, where as the right one can secure them in place safely. If you have been involved in an accident where your child was not held securely due to a faulty booster seat, please contact us to see how we may be able to help you.

Yesterday, our Chicago car accident attorneys read a report on the USNews Health website about how smoking marijuana can seriously increase crash risk for drivers. The article reported that a new study concluded that driving after smoking marijuana makes drivers twice as likely to get into an accident. The risk becomes even higher if other drugs or alcohol have been used. This study comes at a time when more and more states are legalizing or considering legalizing the use of the drug for medicinal purposes.

In 2009, a study found that more than 10 million people, 12 years old and over, have driven after using illegal drugs. Furthermore, about 28 percent of drivers who die in car accidents test positively for drugs in their system. The reason why marijuana can be so dangerous to drivers is because it slows down reaction time, alertness, and coordination for the driver. Although there are some conflicting studies, generally it has been found that the use of marijuana has a very negative affect on driving.

The Los Angeles Times reported earlier this summer about how driving under the influence of marijuana led to one fatal hit and run accident. A driver, who was under the influence of marijuana and other drugs, drove his car off of the road and killed a runner. The driver, who was sentenced to almost 11 years in prison, had been prescribed medical marijuana. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted a study and found that almost 17% of all nighttime drivers were on various drugs, nearly 9% on marijuana alone. Because medical marijuana use is becoming so prevalent in some states, and because studies like these are showing the negative side affects for drivers, some states are reevaluating and conducting more research to better understand the effects of this drug and what they can do to combat intoxicated driving.

Our Illinois car accident attorneys strongly urge all drivers to avoid driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Getting behind the wheel is a conscious decision and these dangerous practices are one hundred percent avoidable and preventable. When drivers take the risk of driving with drugs or alcohol in their system, not only do they put their own lives at risk, but they also endanger everyone on the road, including bikers, pedestrians, and other motor vehicles. Our Illinois car crash lawyers have successfully handled many cases of this nature, and if you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk or intoxicated driver, we may be able to help you receive fair compensation for the harms caused. Please contact us with any questions or inquiries you may have.

According to an article published Monday by MSNBC, some car companies are coming out with new technology that helps drivers to avoid accidents involving animals on the road. Specifically, Volvo’s new program “City Safety” can stop a car to prevent an accident from occurring, and this program is now being applied to avoid accidents with animals.

Versions of this program use infrared laser sensor technology to sense what is going on in front of the vehicle- this is now being applied to avoid car accidents, hitting pedestrians, and now animals. This announcement comes days after a study by State Farm Insurance was released that revealed there were over one million deer hit in the last year. These accidents can cause significant damage to cars, roads, and people. Volvo is still working on creating this technology, which is difficult to perfect because animals move erratically. Using cameras, lasers, and radar systems, Volvo could lead the way for other automobile makers with this type of technology.

When an animal jumps or runs into the road, it can be a startling and dangerous experience for drivers. Our Illinois car accident attorneys found some helpful tips on what to do when there are animals on the road from State Farm’s website. Most importantly, it is important to stay alert. Drivers should be aware of road signs that signal animal crossings, and be scanning their eyes across and down the road.

Also, some tips that may not be so well known include that fall is peak season for deer related car accidents because of the hunting and mating seasons. This means that deer are more likely to roam than they would be during winter, summer, or spring. Dusk and dawn, when it is especially hard to see, are when deer eat and hunt, which also cause deer to roam more than they normally would. Use your headlights and breaks smartly, and definitely do not swerve if you see an animal in the road, because it can cause more harm to you. Although it may damage your car, it is safer to hit the animal than to swerve to avoid it or brake suddenly. These actions could cause far worse accident to occur.

The Wall Street Journal also reported on the topic of deer collisions, saying that in Illinois the likelihood of a collision between a car and deer is about 1 in every 250. Illinois is ranked 31st in the nation for most collisions with dears. Since Fall is peak season for animal collisions, our Chicago car accident attorneys remind drivers to be more alert and aware about accidents with animals in order to prevent them. Not only can these accidents kill the animal, but they can also cause serious damage to cars and lead to serious injuries or fatalities.

Earlier this month, our Illinois accident attorneys read an article on Connect Amarillo that discussed the Center for Disease Control’s latest examination of drunk driving in America today. According to the report, approximately four million American citizens have admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol, which doesn’t include the many that have not admitted it. The Center for Disease Control study found that in the past year, there were approximately 112 million instances in which impaired drivers were on the road. The number of drunk drivers on the road is decreasing, however, these findings are still shocking. The study found that young men are the most common group to drive drunk and many of these incidents involve binge drinking. Although drunk driving is a known problem, we believe that more needs to be done in order to reduce the number of personal injuries and deaths caused by drunk drivers.

In order to combat these high numbers, the Center for Disease Control, along with our Chicago accident attorneys, encourages states nationwide to increase the number of “sobriety checkpoints .” These checkpoints will draw the public’s attention to the issue and instill the idea that police are cracking down on drunk drivers. The CDC also recommends maintaining the minimum drinking age and the use of devices that detect when a driver formerly charged with drunk driving has been drinking.

Organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving are dedicated to reducing the amount of drivers under the influence of alcohol on the road, in the hopes of eventually eliminating them. MADD has a great website that offers tips to drivers on what to do should you see a drunk driver. According to their site, there are certain things you can look for to spot a drunk driver, including someone who:

• Drives very fast or very slow
• Tailgates close behind other vehicles
• Weaves or swerves
• Comes close to being in an accident
• Suddenly brakes
• Drives in between lanes
• Turns abruptly

If you spot a drunk driver, you should stay far away from them. You should memorize the vehicle’s license plate number and get a thorough description of their car. However, if it is too difficult, do not put yourself in danger trying to get all of the information down. Lastly, you should pull off of the road or onto the shoulder and call the police with a location of where you were and the vehicle you saw.

We hope that the CDC’s study will make people realize how many drunk drivers are on our roads and how devastating and dangerous driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be. If you or a loved one has been involved in this type of accident, or if you have any questions related to driving drunk, please contact our Chicago accident lawyers to see how we may be able to help you. Filing a lawsuit can not only help injured victims receive fair compensation for the harms caused, but can also help raise awareness surrounding the issue of drunk driving.

Our Chicago bicycle accident attorneys were happy to read an article on Wednesday in the Chicago Tribune announcing that the City Council passed an ordinance banning bicyclists from texting or talking on a cell phone unless using a hand-free system. This will give cyclists the same rules and regulations in regards to using cell phones that other motorists in the city of Chicago have.

A fine of $20 will be collected for the first offense, and could go as high as $500. In a recent blog post, our Illinois bicycle accident lawyers discussed a Chicago bike accident that involved a biker who had been texting. Texting and talking on the phone is not just dangerous for larger vehicles, or motor vehicles, but is especially dangerous for pedestrians and bikers due to the lack of protection.

When on the road, regardless of your means of transportation, it is important to stay alert and focused on the road ahead of you by avoiding distractions. Road.cc is a website dedicated to bicycle news, and they also reported on the issue of bicyclist cell phone use. According to Road.cc, there is a ban throughout Chicago on the use of phones for texting, sending e-mails, or using the Internet in school zones, and near construction sites. Bicyclists are road users as well, and they have the same responsibilities as drivers on the road. Diving distracted on a bicycle can cause crashes into inanimate objects, other bikers, pedestrians, and motor vehicles.

Early this year, according to ABC7News, Illinois created a campaign called “Drive Now. Text Later .” This campaign’s goal is to make road users aware of the distractions cellphones can create. Because of growing technology, the state understands that texting and cell phone use will not cease anytime soon, so in order to factor that into society’s needs, the state created this campaign to advertise the dangers associated with technology and driving. Surprisingly, some Illinois residents are unaware that texting while driving is illegal, so it is important to continue to raise awareness surrounding the dangers. As one Illinois State Trooper quoted in the report cautioned, “When you are behind the wheel, pay attention to driving. The text message can wait .”

Our Chicago bicycle accident lawyers support the ban for the safety of all drivers on the road, and also encourage cyclists to comply in order to stay focused on the road. Motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians should have their eyes on the road ahead where they are going, instead of down at their phone. It is easy to lose focus, but it is also easy to avoid distractions. Driving distracted is completely avoidable and preventable. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of another driver’s distractions please contact us to see how we may be able to help you.

On Tuesday, WMBF News reported a story involving a motorcycle accident that lead two people to suffer extremely serious personal injuries. A motorcycle, with two passengers , collided into a stopped van. The motorcycle’s driver was not wearing a helmet, but the passenger was, and after police investigated, they concluded that the driver was under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Due to this finding, our Illinois motorcycle accident attorneys believe that many things could have been done to likely prevent such a serious accident from occurring.

As we have mentioned in previous posts, it is important that not only motorcyclists, but also all drivers, avoid driving under the influence. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is dangerous because it makes the driver lose focus, and not as alert as they might otherwise be. Operating a motorcycle under the influence of drugs or alcohol is an especially dangerous combination, because there is an increased risk for serious injuries to motorcyclists because they lack the protection that a car offers.

In addition to staying sober, motorcyclists should also make sure to have the proper safety equipment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association notes that it is crucial to have the correct eye protection, gloves, jackets and pants, shoes, and of course helmets. Bugs, dust, and rocks can get into driver’s eyes, making it hard to see so it is important to have safety goggles or a helmet with a shield in order to protect the eyes. If an accident should happen, it is very important for riders to be wearing clothing durable enough to protect them from abrasions, along with footwear that covers the feet and even part of the legs. Gloves can help drivers keep their hands more firmly on the steering controls.

In order to stay safe on the road, our Chicago accident lawyers once again remind motorcyclists not only to wear the proper protection, but to also avoid distractions and driving under the influence at all costs. Motorcycle accidents can have devastating effects on individuals and families, because more often than not, the injuries are severe and can be life-changing. We have seen many victims of motorcycle accidents sustain significant brain and spinal cord injuries, which may require a lifetime of medical care and assistance. If the accident was the fault of a negligent driver, victims can take action to seek fair and reasonable compensation. If you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident and suffered serious injuries, you may have a cause of action. Feel free to contact our motorcycle accident lawyers to discuss how we may be able to help you.

The Madison St. Clair Record recently reported that an Illinois car accident lawsuit was filed by an injured Belleville woman against a distracted driver. The injured woman was stopped at a red light, when the defendant’s vehicle hit her from behind. The lawsuit claimed that he was distracted by his cell phone. The woman filed the lawsuit against the driver, who is an employee of an automobile related company. The suit asks for more than $150,000, claiming that there were several including her personal injuries, loss of income, and court fees.

Texting while driving, and distracted driving in general can cause more than minor injuries and court fees. This dangerous practice can lead to serious injury, and even death, and as our Chicago car accident attorneys have mentioned many times before, driving distracted is completely avoidable and preventable.

According to distraction.gov, there are three main types of distraction, including visual which is when a driver is not looking at the road, manual which is when the driver does not have their hands on the wheel, and cognitive, when a driver does is not focused on the road ahead. Some common causes of these distractions include but are not limited to: using a cell phone, talking to other people in the car, reading, pets, using technology, or playing with the music in the car.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that almost 16% of all car accident deaths in 2008 were related to driver distractions. The state of Illinois currently has a ban on all cell phone use for bus drivers, ban on cell phone use for drivers under the age of 19, on texting for all drivers, and also a ban on the use of cellphones while in school zones. Individual municipalities have their own rules, including Chicago which has banned cell-phone use for all drivers.

The issue of distracted driving is gaining the attention of celebrities, such as Oprah and Justin Bieber, along with our Illinois car accident attorneys who continuously encourage drivers regardless of age to avoid all possible distractions. Several car companies are also creating new technology that helps drivers avoid distractions and continue to do so, as well as cell phone companies creating applications for smart phones enabling phone use while the car is in motion.

Our Chicago car crash lawyers consider distracted driving as serious as driving intoxicated, and like drunk driving it is completely avoidable and preventable. Driving distracted can cause serious injury and even death, not only to you, but also to others on the road. We have seen the devastation caused by negligent drivers and make it our goal to help victims hold wrongdoers accountable. If you or a loved one have suffered catastrophic personal injuries or wrongful death at the hands of a distracted driver, we may be able to help you receive fair compensation. Car crash lawsuits not only help victims seek justice, but also help to bring awareness to the issues involved with distracted driving.

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Over the weekend, we read an article in PJStar about a Peoria car accident. The accident involved a teen driver who was seriously injured in the two-car crash and later reported dead. His car reportedly slid, causing it to crash into another car. The accident report stated that the car slid because the road conditions were slippery and wet. After reading about this horrible accident our Chicago car accident attorneys decided to remind our readers about some tips on driving in difficult road conditions.

According to SmartMotorist.com, there are several things to check before driving on wet roads, when it is raining, or when fallen leaves are abundant. Make sure that when you get in the car, your shoes are not too wet to the point that they could slip on the peddles. Also make sure to check your lights, including head lights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals to ensure they are working properly. You should also check tire pressure and the tread on your tires. If the tread is worn significantly, it may cause your case to spin or slip.

For safe driving in wet or difficult weather conditions, it can be hard to see well, and or stop suddenly. Drivers should slow down, especially when driving through puddles, and be certain to follow the 3-Second-Rule. The 3-Second-Rule means that drivers should drive with a following distance of at least 3 seconds in between the driver ahead of them and themselves. Be more alert as well, meaning avoiding all distractions at all costs.

Many drivers are not aware that driving in fall leaves can also cause slick road conditions. We found some useful tips for fall driving on the Minnesota Safety Council’s site and thought we would share them. The number one thing to remember is that fall leaves can be as slippery as ice, so it is important to drive slowly over them. Also, the first frost of the year usually occurs in autumn, so freezing temperatures can make roads and bridges icy. The site states that “frost, sunshine, wet leaves on the road, school buses, and kids horsing around” are all common in the fall so it is not only important to pay attention to what elements (i.e. rain, fog, sleet, snow) are on the road, but also who is on the road. In the autumn, there is also less day light, meaning it gets darker quicker at night, so it is important to make sure your lights are working, and acknowledging when it is too dark to drive.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers encourage our readers, and all drivers on the road, to consider these factors when driving this fall season. As discussed earlier, with autumn comes new types of weather and also an abundance of school buses on the road, so it is important to stay focused.

Over the weekend, BCRNews reported that this year’s Miss Illinois is using her title to help reduce distracted driving in teens. The message she is sending is that when teens are behind the wheel and on the road, they are responsible for making their own decisions, which includes allowing themselves to become distracted or not. The article states that, “when speaking about distracted driving, they are always considered collisions and not accidents because they are 100 percent preventable.”

As we have mentioned before in other blog posts, when teens get behind the wheel, they face a serious risk for accident-related injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that almost 35% of teen deaths are caused by automobile related accidents. Distracted driving can cause serious injury and death, but these injuries are completely avoidable. We remind our readers that distracted driving includes talking with passengers in the car, texting, social media, cellphones, eating, or listening to music. Taking your eyes off the road for any reason is dangerous, even for a brief moment.

According to Cyber Drive Illinois, there are several safety tips for teens to remember when getting behind the wheel. These tips include always wearing a seat belt and making sure that everyone in the car is wearing a seatbelt. Additionally, these tips remind teens to stay sober when driving, and never get in a car with an intoxicated driver. Finally, avoid distractions. Experienced and inexperienced drivers alike should be focused on the road so they can react quickly to changes in conditions, sudden moves or stops by other drivers, and changes in traffic patterns.

As Chicago accident attorneys, we cannot stress enough the importance of spreading the message to teens to take the issue of distracted driving seriously. We commend Miss Illinois for her efforts to raise awareness Distracted driving, along with driving drunk, are situations that are completely avoidable and preventable. Through the driver’s education programs, and inspiring speakers such as Miss Illinois, we hope that teen drivers can become more aware of ways to prevent accidents and become more defensive drivers.

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Recently, our Chicago car accident attorneys read in the Chicago Tribune that looked at how Chicago-area driver’s education cars fared in crash-tests and discovered that many of the vehicles used are some of the worst-rated cars on the road. In some suburbs, driver’s education cars are over ten years old. In Chicago schools, they are reported to have “oldest and worst-rated driver’s education cars in the state”. According to KMOV, an analytical study on Chicago cars examined around 1,300 cars in 60 Chicago districts.

The Chicago Public School website says that they use their driver’s education system in order to establish skill in main areas, including inside of the classroom and in class simulators, and behind the wheel experience. However, unsafe vehicles can pose a threat for serious personal injuries to new student drivers.

Parents in the City of Chicago have several options that are not associated with the public school system but have teen courses for a tuition fee. DMV.org talks about course requirements for Illinois driver’s education programs. The course requirements include 30 hours of in classroom training and six hours of documented instruction. Along with this behind the wheel training with an instructor, there is also a behind the wheel requirement for hours behind the wheel with a guardian or license driver. Although we are happy that the school district offers driver training, our Illinois car accident attorneys hope that the City of Chicago will continue to improve the driver’s education program and the vehicles they usein order to make teens on the road safer drivers.

Good driver’s training is crucial to protect teens from crashes. Programs not only teach teens how to drive, but also raise their awareness surrounding safe driving practices. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that approximately 35% of teen deaths are caused by motor vehicle accidents. Some things that teens learn in driver’s education programs, along with the hands on experience of how to operate a car, is the importance of seat belt use, learning about different distractions, and learning about the risks of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Specifications for teens include driver education if the person is 18 years old or younger, 3 months of driving with a permit, 25 hours of driving with a parent or guardian, following curfew, and a passenger restriction of no more than one other person in the vehicle for the first six months of driving.

Our Chicago accident attorneys encourage the City of Chicago to implement a higher standard of driver’s education outside the classroom, while still instilling the high quality of information that teen drivers learn within the classroom. Although difficult as the city and school district face cuts, we also hope to see an improvement in the types of vehicles used in driver’s ed.