Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog

New Year’s weekend this year doesn’t just entail a ball dropping and people celebrating 2012, but it also brings a new seat belt law that goes into effect January 1st. Our Illinois auto accident lawyers saw that the Journal Standard posted an article online that discussed the new seatbelt law, and what comes with it. The new Illinois law states that “all vehicle occupants in Illinois- even those in the back seat- will be required to wear a safety belt as part of a recently approved law amending the state’s vehicle code.” The Illinois State Police is working with other government groups to create a campaign that will help spread the word about the new law.

The goal of this law is to prevent people from being injured or killed if involved in car accidents. One Illinois State Trooper said that when passengers or drivers do not wear a seatbelt, regardless of where in the car they are sitting, they are in harm’s way and can also be a danger to others. Currently in Illinois, the law states that drivers and front-seat passengers are always required to wear seatbelts. But, in the back seat, only children who are less than 16 years old have to wear seatbelts. If the driver is 19 or older, back seat passengers who are over 16 years old do not have to wear seatbelts at all.

With the new law in place, everyone in the car will be required to have a seat belt. If a driver should violate this law, they will be issued a $60 fine. However, the law does not apply to limousines, buses, and emergency vehicles. Although some officials believe that the law is too invasive, our Chicago accident lawyers do not see a down side in requiring all passengers and drivers on the road to wear a seat belt.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belts save close to 13,000 lives annually. It is also the most effective thing drivers and passengers can do to better protect themselves in a car accident. Also, many people don’t know that airbags and seatbelts are designed to work together, meaning they function together. If a driver or passenger isn’t wearing a seat belt, they can be thrown into airbags that can severely injure someone or even result in death. Also, the cross body shoulder belt should never be pushed behind the driver or passenger, because then it is not able to protect them from flying forward.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys encourage everyone in the car to always wear a seatbelt. Even though some people may claim that they are uncomfortable or not helpful, the truth is that they are lifesavers. Not only are they lifesavers, but now they are mandatory for every passenger and driver in Illinois.

Two days ago, our Chicago auto accident lawyers read on the Chicago Tribune online about a fatal train-car collision in Palatine. According to the report, a man drove around the railroad crossing gates, and his vehicle was struck by a Metra train. The driver was killed in the collision.

In light of this tragic accident, our Illinois auto accident attorneys thought that it would be beneficial to discuss safety when it comes to crossing railroad tracks. According to MyStateLine.com, Illinois has the second-highest number of railroad crossing related accidents nationally. This is due to the fact that there are so many trains in the Chicagoland area, including commuter trains, local trains and freight trains.

In elementary school, everyone learns to “Stop. Look. Listen” and “Look. Listen. Live!” for trains. These phrases may lose emphasis as people get older, but they are a good reminder to prevent you from being seriously injured by a train. Stopping is crucial before crossing tracks, because it gives you the opportunity to look both ways to scout any oncoming trains. Listening is equally as important because sometimes a train may not be visible, but it can be heard and visa versa.

The Illinois State University Police’s website presents some common causes of railroad crossing collisions, including:

• Drivers misjudging how fast and how close the train is
• Drivers racing the train instead of waiting
• Crossing after one train passes, but not double checking for another train in the opposite direction
• Driver distraction

Drivers should always be alert around railroad crossings and look for the yellow and black RR sign when nearing tracks. Trains come often, and at unexpected times, so it is important for drivers to anticipate anything and everything. Also, if the driver has started crossing the tracks as the gate goes down, keep going, and don’t stop once you’ve started. Drivers should never cross the tracks until there is enough clearance for them to get through, meaning that in traffic, cars should not sit on the tracks. And as illustrated by the accident above, drivers should never go around the gate or try to beat the gate. This dangerous and avoidable practice happens all too often, and in many cases the consequences are deadly.

From the perspective of a Chicago car accident attorney, most serious train-car accidents can be prevented if drivers put safety first when operating their vehicles in or around Chicago area railroad crossings. We hope that this tragedy will remind readers of the true dangers involved in railroad crossings in order to prevent accidents involving serious personal injuries or fatalities.

Less than a week ago, The Chicago Tribune reported a decrease in fatalities that were alcohol-related in the state of Illinois. The article reported that in 2010 there were about two thirds of the amount of alcohol-related fatalities as there were in 2006. The Illinois Department of Transportation publicized these statistics in hopes that they would remind drivers about the dangers related to drunk driving, especially as we get closer to New Year’s.

On a related note, our Illinois car accident lawyers also read in the Courier-News that this New Year’s Eve, there will be over 200 police departments, as well as the Illinois State Police, all of whom will be conducting roadside check points, seatbelt enforcements, and impaired driving patrolling. Over the next two weeks, these law enforcement officials will be hunting impaired motorists and drivers who aren’t buckled up.

Programs such as “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” will be heavily enforced to ensure that drivers are being safe this New Year’s Eve, one of the most dangerous holidays for driving every year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that roadways are most dangerous between 12:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. With this in mind, as well as the New Year’s tradition of staying up until midnight and welcoming in the New Year, we encourage drivers to stay off of roads past midnight this holiday weekend if possible.

With the increase in traffic that holiday’s tend to bring along, the ISP hopes that seat belt safety checks, as well as looking for speeding drivers, will help cut down on the number of people injured or killed in car accidents. According to the Illinois Tollway Authority, “about 15.4 million vehicles were expected to use the Illinois Tollway system between Dec. 24 and Tuesday, Jan. 3.” This statistic is close to a 3% increase from 2010.

As we have discussed in some of our previous posts, the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists has expanded their “Drunkbusters” plan for the December holiday weekends. Our Chicago accident lawyers encourage our readers to call in seemingly drunk drivers to the police, and should that driver be drunk and convicted of DUI, the caller may receive $100.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers hope that with the New Year’s holiday coming up, drivers will take the risk of driving impaired seriously, and avoid it. Drunk driving is 100% avoidable and preventable. Some holiday tips that we have already mentioned include making sure that there is a designated driver, if there is no designated driver- have a family member or friend who is sober drive, take a taxi cab or public transportation, or worst comes to worst, stay at the host’s house. These options always trump driving intoxicated on the road, which cannot only endanger yourself, but also others who you share the road with.

Today, our Illinois accident attorneys read about a head-on collision in Chicago in the Chicago Sun-Times. The article reported that the collision resulted in two fatalities, and left three seriously injured. Apparently one of the drivers involved in the accident lost control, causing their car to crash into an oncoming car head on. Police are still working to identify some of the victims, and look further into what caused the car to lose control.

According to Safety.Transportation.org a head-on collision “typically occurs when a vehicle crosses a centerline or a median and crashes into an approaching vehicle.” However, they can also occur when a driver consciously, or unconsciously, starts to drive into oncoming traffic. These types of accidents are a result of accidental maneuvers on the road, such as running off of the road, or trying to pass another car on a two lane street or highway.

The site continues to say that majority of head-on-collisions occur on rural roads and tow lane roads. Our Illinois auto accident lawyers also read that construction areas, or places where there could be confusion on which lane is which could also cause these types of accidents. Drowsiness, distraction, speeding, or driving under the influence also cause drivers to be less alert and aware on the road, which can also cause these types of accidents. Drivers can help themselves greatly by avoiding these bad driving habits and allowing themselves to stay focused on the road.

There are many things that states can do to help reduce these types of accidents, as well, such as installing new infrastructures. These infrastructures can include but are not limited to installing rumble strips in the middle of two lanes, having wider cross sections for two lane roads, try to provide a center left turn lane in intersections, and have a median between two opposite facing roads. Marking the road better, for example with dashed lines in the center if passing is acceptable or a solid line if it is not, or installing signs that indicate a surface with a loss of friction, or even sharp curves, could also be beneficial.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers encourage our readers to always stay awake, alert, cautious, and sober when driving on the road. Although other drivers may not always behave on the road, it drastically helps to reduce your chances of being involved in this type of crash if you practice safe driving. Looking out for signs that indicate changes in the road or if passing is acceptable are always good things to do, as well as making sure that you are going an appropriate speed and not weaving throughout lanes.

Last Thursday, our Illinois auto accident lawyers saw that M.KnoxNews.com posted an article online that discussed how car manufacturer Toyota is being sued for a fatal car accident. A Marine veteran was killed in the crash when he lost control of his Toyota vehicle, crossed over many lanes, and eventually ran off of the road, hitting a sign. The car was heavily damaged, and the Marine was killed at the scene.

The family of the Marine is suing Toyota for the automobile manufacturer’s electric throttle system. The electric throttle system is said to be responsible for “unintended acceleration from Toyota owners over recent years,” while also claiming “Toyota could have solved the problem by installing a break override system used in European models.” The car manufacturer denies that they were responsible for the fatal car accident.

After reading this article, our Chicago car accident attorneys wanted to let our readers know that filing a defective product lawsuit, such as the lawsuit against Toyota, can help victims and families receive fair compensation for their resulting injuries, or even fatalities. Being involved in a car accident caused by a car’s defective design can result in expensive medical fees, doctor appointments, hospital visits, and a temporary or even a permanent leave from work.

This accident is a strong example of how improperly designed vehicles can lead to serious accidents. Our Chicago auto accident lawyers have seen this devastation, having represented a victim in a similar case that settled for $3 million against a confidential car manufacturer. Our lawyers found that the negligent automobile manufacturer improperly designed the victim’s vehicle’s fuel delivery system. After a head on collision, the improperly designed fuel delivery system led to a fuel-fed fire and resulted in the death of all passengers in the car.

Although according to the report, Toyota has not had any recall in regards to the electric throttle system, there have been other recalls on different Toyota products and parts. Earlier in 2011, there was an investigation of the electronic throttle system, however it only recalled the sticky pedal of some cars. At Levin and Perconti, we encourage our readers to get their cars checked regularly for any abnormalities, and also remain aware of any recalls related to your vehicle. Recalls.gov is a great source of information for finding out the latest news on Government recalled products, including vehicles.

Our Chicago accident lawyers read an article on BusinessWeek.com discussing the issue of accidents at intersections. The report noted that close to two fifths of all traffic-related accidents occur at intersections, and drivers are three times more likely to be involved in accidents at intersections with flashing lights instead of stop signs. Researchers are trying to determine if it is the lights causing confusion that are inducing the accidents, or if it is related to how dangerous the intersections are. Also, the study showed that motorists who are exiting off of highways are also more likely to be involved in a car accident, which could be speed related or merge related.

The researchers are working to further understand what causes accidents at intersections in order to decide what preventative measures should be taken. The site also reports that, “A key finding of the study is that intersection accidents are affected by the larger traffic network around them, and that fixing a dangerous intersection will reduce accidents on neighboring streets.” Street and intersection safety depends on the safety of nearby streets and intersections. The study concluded by saying that intersections that have traffic lights are proven to be the safest.

Our Illinois auto accident lawyers remind readers that the Illinois Rules of the Road cautions drivers to go slowly when approaching and driving through intersections because there could be pedestrians nearby, other traffic, or weather and road conditions. Also, drivers should always come to a complete stop at an intersection, regardless of if it is a flashing light, a stop sign, or a stop light. When at a four-way intersection with stop signs or red flashing lights, the first driver who stopped should be the first to go. However, if two motorists stop at the intersection at the same time, the vehicle on the right should go first. Pedestrians always have the right-of-way when drivers are making a turn at any intersection, and also when the driver has made a complete stop at an intersection.

Also, we wanted to point out that in Illinois, there are four warning signs when intersections are ahead. All of them are yellow diamonds, and inside the first one is a cross which is representative of a cross road ahead. The next sign looks like a sideways T, which means that there is a side road intersection. The third sign is an upright T, which is appropriately representative of T intersection, and finally, there is the Y intersection, which is appropriately representative of three roads that form a Y. To clear up any confusion about flashing lights, when there is a flashing red light, it means stop and yield the right-of-way to traffic that is inside the intersection and then proceed when the intersection is clear. A flashing yellow light means that drivers can proceed, but should do so cautiously.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys hope that our readers will be alert and cautious when driving through intersections. Being alert of pedestrians nearby, and aware of what type of light or crossing sign you are approaching can help to avoid accidents. Because intersection accidents are so common and can even be fatal, we hope that drivers will pay special attention when at these types of intersections.

As our Illinois car accident lawyers have previously reported, during the holiday season, there is an increased number of drunk drivers on the road. This is because people are likely to be leaving holiday festivities where alcohol may have been consumed. Yesterday, we saw that the Chicago Sun-Times posted an article online that stated that if drivers report drunk drivers on the road, they could receive $100 from an anti-drunk driving group.

The Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists has created this program called Drunkbusters, and is starting to spread it throughout the state of Illinois for the next two upcoming weeks. If a caller reports an impaired driver that is later arrested for driving under the influence, the caller can receive $100. In some Illinois counties, the program runs year round, however for this holiday season, the program is being expanded state-wide.

Since Drunkbusters began over 20 years ago, the group has paid out close to $450,000 to callers who identify and phone in drunk drivers, and has also helped to arrest over 4,450 drivers. The article reports that “The program is funded by fines collected from convicted drunk drivers.” Mothers Against Drunk Driving notes that the holiday season can bring incredible risk and danger to drivers on roadways and highways because of drunk driving. Although the NHTSA reported that drunk driving related fatalities decreased in 2010, groups such as MADD and the NHTSA are still working towards eliminating this statistic. Last year, in the second half of the month of December, over 400 people were killed in under-the-influence related crashes.

As our Chicago car accident lawyers have said in some of our previous blogs, drunk driving is completely avoidable and preventable. During the holiday season, it is crucial to make sure that there is always a designated driver or another way home from a festive holiday party. If there is no designated driver, try finding an alternative ride home, such as a sober family member or friend. When a family member or friend cannot drive you, take a taxi cab or public transportation. Worst comes to worst, sleep at the host’s to prevent endangering yourself by getting in the car drunk, and also to prevent bringing potential serious harm to others on the road.

Our Chicago accident lawyers hope that our readers will have a safe, healthy, and happy holiday and New Years with their loved ones and friends. However, we also hope that people who are intoxicated will remain off the road in order to ensure that everyone’s holiday season remains a happy and joyous one to celebrate, instead of one spent in a hospital or even mourning over the loss of a loved one. Drunk driving is a serious crime and cannot only endanger the driver themselves, but anyone who is on the road with them.

Recently, our Illinois accident lawyers saw on ABCNews that using a hands-free phone device is proven to be just as risky as holding the phone to your ear while driving. When using a cellphone, it requires “listening, processing, and thinking about what’s being said- even if you’re in the driver’s seat trying to concentrate on dinner.” Cellphones are a huge distraction for drivers, regardless of if they are being used hands free or not.

Hands-free is equally distracting because it takes the driver’s mind off of the road. However, this is controversial because having passengers, children, or music in the car also takes the mind off of the road. A researcher from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that there is more evidence showing that using a cellphone while driving increases the likeliness of being involved in a car accident. However there is no evidence that using devices such as hands-free or wireless reduces the likeliness of being involved in an accident. According to research, about two fifths of drivers said that they don’t see using hands-free cellphones as dangerous, however only one tenth said the same about cell phones.

Most drivers believe that because they are using hands-free or wireless devices, they can keep their hands on the steering wheel. Our Chicago auto accident attorneys want to make our readers aware that they are also using their concentration and focus on the conversation, instead of keeping their brain alert and aware of what is happening on the road.

Forbes.com also recently reported about how headsets and other hands-free devices could be dangerous. In the article, they state that the NHTSA conducted research that found that one out of every 11 traffic related fatalities were a result of distracted driving. There is a nation-wide push to implement a ban on all cell-phone use, which would include hands-free devices, but it is controversial because it is difficult for police and law enforcement to enforce.

Our Illinois car accident attorneys believe that phone calls can wait until the driver is out of the car or has pulled over. Of course, if there should be an emergency on the road by all means use a cellphone to call 911, but for chit chat and making appointments, or other things of that sort, we highly suggest waiting to make or accept a phone call. Not only can using a phone can cause distracted drivers to injure themselves, but they increase their risk of potential potentially injuring others on the road.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys saw that MyStateLine.com posted an online article that states that the Illinois State Police have recently seen an increase in aggressive drivers. Some state troopers believe that if drivers were more focused on the road, and avoided distractions, it would help to decrease or even eliminate road rage. Also, being in the middle of the holiday season, streets and highway can become especially crowded. With more cars on the road, there is more traffic, which allows for added agitation and road rage. The State Trooper interviewed states that drivers should not “take matters into their own hands. If you see someone driving aggressively or tailgating you then report it, but don’t try to fix it yourself.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that aggressive driving occurs when a driver partakes in numerous traffic offenses that could harm other people or property. RoadRagers.com offers a ton of useful information about aggressive drivers. Many different things can cause aggressive driving and road rage, but according to the site there are three main types to categorize what causes road rage. They are the environment, instructive responses, and territorial defensiveness. The environment includes heavy traffic, the weather, another driver’s behavior, loud noises, and going somewhere in a hurry. Instructive responses are when the driver acts to retaliate against another driver for acting carelessly. The final category is territorial defensiveness. This is when the driver acts aggressively to defend their space on the road in response to another motorist’s actions.

After further looking into aggressive driving, our Illinois auto accident lawyers saw on SmartMotorist.com that the number of miles being driven annually has increased over 35% in the last decade. This increase, as well as the increase of cars on the road, also leads to an increase in aggressive driving.

Our Chicago accident lawyers saw on Edmunds.com that there are several preventative measures that can be taken to avoid road rage. They include:

• Being well rested
• Allow extra time for travel
• Do not use driving as a means of calming down
• Do not listen to aggressive music
• If it seems as though the driver is gripping the wheel tightly, breath
• If your feet are cramping, use cruise control if you are able
• Take a break every two hours on the road to rest and stretch
• Do not take other’s driving behavior personally
• Stay calm and drive courteously

We also suggest that if you see another driver acting aggressively on the road that you do not respond by acting aggressively back, but stay behind the car, giving yourself plenty of space in-between. We encourage our readers to call the police with as many descriptive details that they can take without endangering themselves.

Today, our Chicago car accident attorneys saw that Autoblog.com posted an article online discussing the government’s most recent drunk driving statistics. These statistics showed that although the amount of alcohol related motor vehicle fatalities decreased in 2010, there were still over 10,000 alcohol related deaths on our roads. In order to continue the efforts of decreasing these fatalities, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched a new campaign, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

Our Illinois auto accident attorneys support campaigns like these because they create drunk driving awareness. In the presence of the holiday season, the NHTSA has created new televised commercials that show a group of drunk men getting arrested while driving home drunk from a bar, with ghostly police men in the background that are “meant to convey the idea that ‘they’ll see you before you see them’.” Drunk driving is responsible for almost one third of all traffic related fatalities.

In other articles, Autoblog.com reported how new technologies are being created to help decrease the amount of drunk drivers on the road. These new technologies include a push to start car button feature that can measure the driver’s blood-alcohol content level. If the level is over the legal limit, the car will not start. Infrared sensors determine the BAC, but the developers are still working on how to make the push button work quicker, and work when the car is in all temperatures.

Due to the holiday season, the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign begins tomorrow, goes through New Years and ends on January 2nd. Because many people are celebrating with friends and family during the holiday, there are an increased number of drunk drivers on the road.

Our Chicago auto accident lawyers encourage our readers to always have a designated driver, this holiday season and throughout the year. As we have said in previous posts, if there is no designated driver, call a taxicab or get driven home by a family member or friend, and worst comes to worst, spend the night at the host’s house. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol endangers everyone one the road, and is completely avoidable. Drunk Driving can result in jail time, the loss of the driver’s license, expenses and fees, and increased insurance rates. If you should see a drunk driver on the road this holiday season, call the police and take down any descriptors you can without compromising your own safety.

Our Illinois accident attorneys saw an article that Time online posted focusing on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study that we briefly covered a few days ago. The article states that driving and texting simultaneously has increased close to 50% over the past year and 20% of all drivers say that they have used text messaging or emailing while driving. However, the use of headsets has increased along with the amount of people who are using hand-held devices.

The survey continued on to show that the majority of drivers on the road will not hesitate to answer a phone call while operating a car, and will not pull over, but continue driving once already on the phone. Even though many states have worked to ban texting while driving statewide, despite those efforts there was still an increase in texting while behind the wheel.

The Governors Highway Safety Association acknowledges that simple educational efforts are not going to change drivers’ behaviors. What the GHSA does believe will be helpful is stronger enforcement of the texting while driving laws. A spokesperson for the GHSA believes that drivers need to be in fear of receiving a ticket for texting while driving, and until then, they will continue to partake in those behaviors.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers also saw that Wired.com responded to the NHTSA study by saying that enforcing the laws that are already in place against texting while driving is the best place that states can start. Pairing reinforcement of these laws with the aggressive educational campaign would help to instill in drivers’ minds that texting while driving is an unacceptable behavior.

The Washington Post also covered the NHTSA study, noting how distracted driving is one of the biggest contributors to highway crash fatalities, with close to 3,100 deaths last year alone. It is up to state legislatures and police forces to enforce the current laws, and decide if total cellphone use in automobiles should be illegal as well. New technologies, such as a Smartphone application that disables mobile devices automatically in moving vehicles, are available but not taken advantage or easily enabled. Hands free equipment does free up the drivers’ hands, but the article also states that it does not make the driver less distracted than they are if they are holding the phone.

Our Illinois car accident attorneys encourage our readers to stop using cell phones while driving to avoid all distractions possible. Distracted driving takes a driver’s eyes, minds, and hands off of the road, which can prove to be dangerous and even fatal for not only themselves, but also other people that they share the road with. We hope that all states will start enforcing texting while driving laws more vigorously to reduce texting related motor vehicle fatalities.

Our Chicago accident lawyers read about an article posted by the Chicago Sun-Times that discussed a serious Illinois rollover car crash. A driver lost control of their car and hit several trees and a light pole. There were five people in the car, including three people who were tossed out of the vehicle from the impact of the crash. All five of the passengers were sent to nearby hospitals. Police are still working to further investigate the causes of the serious accident.

Our Illinois car accident lawyers chose to cover this incident to highlight the dangers and causes of rollover. According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, “most rollovers occur when a driver loses control of a vehicle, and it begins to slide sideways.” According to the IIHS, over 50% of single-vehicle accident fatalities are related to rollover accidents. Another cause of rollover accidents is other collisions or forceful events between vehicles. When cars collide it can force the vehicles to roll.

Rollovers have the potential to lead to serious injury or even death. Like the accident reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, many rollovers can result in the ejection of passengers from the vehicle. When a passenger is ejected from a vehicle, it increases the risk of injury or death. Although rollover accidents occur in fewer than 3% of all car accidents, those 3% are responsible for over 33% of passenger deaths. SUVs and pickup trucks are more prone to rollover accidents. This is because of the structural differences in these larger cars, compared to smaller cars.

Larger cars are more likely to have a higher center of gravity, and additionally, these types of cars are used to carry many passengers or a lot of cargo which can further increase the center of gravity, making them more likely to roll over than a smaller car that is closer to the ground. Furthermore, SUVs and pickup trucks are driven on country roads where rollovers are more likely because of the uneven ground. The IIHS also reported a study that showed that pickup truck drivers and passengers are less likely to wear seat belts, which makes these passengers at a higher risk for injury or death should they be involved in a rollover accident.

In order to reduce the amount of rollover accidents that occur, automobile manufacturers are working forward to make safer cars. Factors such as the SSF (static stability factor) and ESC (electronic stability controls) are being redesigned and reengineered in order to decrease the center of gravity and help prevent skidding, slipping, and the loss of control. Driving cautiously, especially in slippery winter conditions, can help to prevent these types of accidents.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers encourage our readers to always buckle up, because over 60% of rollover related fatalities were not wearing seatbelts. Should a rollover accident occur, the seat belt could save lives by protecting people from being ejected from their seats. When looking for a car, make sure to buy those that have head-protecting side curtain airbags that can be triggered by sensors when in a rollover accident. Also, the roof of the vehicle, should be strong enough to withstand a rollover accident.

On Thursday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the lowest amount of annual traffic-related fatalities in over six decades. The data showed that in 2010, “highway deaths fell to 32,885 for the year, the lowest level since 1949.” Even though Americans traveled close to 46 billion more miles during 2010, the decline in traffic fatalities still occurred. This number shows our Illinois car accident attorneys that across the country, we are progressively making our roads and cars safer. Along with decrease in traffic-related fatalities, there has also been a decrease in DUI related accidents and pedestrian, motorcycle, truck accidents.

However, despite this good news, the study still raised concerns over the epidemic of distraction driving. Due to the overwhelming number of incidents involving distracted drivers, the NHTSA created a new crash category called “distraction-affected crashes.” Some distractions include cell phone use and the use of other technologies. Although as a nation we have worked together to reduce traffic-related fatalities, there is a lot that still needs to be done to limit the number of people killed or seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents.

The distracted driving survey looked into driver behaviors and how drivers view distracted driving. “ It looked at into when people answer calls, and when people would and would not use their cell phone or text. Our Chicago auto accident attorneys encourage the NHTSA to continue these initiatives to end distracted driving through educating the public, new laws and enforcement, and through technological advancements in vehicle design. Over 75% of drivers surveyed would send a text message or answer their phone when driving, yet almost 100% of those surveyed said they would feel unsafe if they were a passenger in a car where the driver was texting or on the phone..

Our Illinois accident lawyers remind readers that any activity that takes your mind or eyes off the road can be considered to be distracted driving. This includes, texting, using a cellphone, eating, socializing with passengers, reading, watching a video, using technology such as GPS, grooming, or adjusting the music in the car. All of these distractions not only put the driver at risk, but they also risk the safety of passengers and others on the road. We hope that our readers will continue to help the decrease of roadway fatalities by avoiding these types, as well as other types, of distractions when on the road.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys saw that MSNBC.com reported that a recent study found that, “nationwide restrictions on teenage driver’s licenses could save 2,000 lives and billions of dollars each year.” The National Safety Council published the report, which specifically examined what could happen if the Graduated Driver Licensing program was implemented nationally.

GDL laws were established to protect younger drivers from serious injury. They say that teenager cannot get their driver’s license until 18 years of age, that younger drivers cannot use cellphones when driving, establish a curfew for younger drivers, and restrict the number of passengers. Some states’ have enacted laws that require some or most of the GDL principles, but the goal is to make them mandatory nationwide. The potential $13.6 million dollar in savings accounts for medical costs, insurance costs, police and emergency ambulance costs, car damages, and costs to employers.

According to CyberDriveIllinois.com, there are three phases in the Illinois Graduated Driver Licensing program. The first phase is the Permit Phase for drivers who are 15 years old. In order to require a permit, parent or guardian consent is necessary, and the teenager must be enrolled a certified driver education course that has a written and visual exam. There is also a curfew that ends at 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends. Before a driver can move onto the Initial Licensing Phase, they need to have their license for at least nine months with a driving minimum of 50 hours. They may also have only one passenger in the front seat that must be the parent or guardian, and only the number of passengers that there is room for in the back seat. And finally, cellphone use is not allowed.

During the Initial Licensing Phase, the driver must have completed 50 hours of driving practice and a certified driver’s education course. During this phase, they may obtain their driver’s license. The same curfew as the Permit Phase applies, and all passengers (driver included) under the age of 19-years-old are required to wear seatbelts. For the first year that the driver has their license, or until the driver turns 18 years old, they are only allowed to have one passenger in the car who is under 20 years of age (unless the additional passengers are a sibling or child). Cellphone use is still not allowed.

Finally, drivers between the ages 18 and 20 years old have reached the Full Licensing Phase. This means that there are no age restrictions, except that drivers under the age of 19 years old may not use cellphones. There is also no curfew.

Our Illinois auto accident lawyers support this program, a sentiment shared by most parents. According to the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety a 2010 survey found that parents reportedly like stronger licensing policies that offer curfews and age restrictions. They also think that offering longer learning periods can be beneficial. Our Chicago auto accident lawyers encourage the GDL program and all that it offers, as well as making it mandatory nationally, to keep young drivers safe on the road.

Our Chicago accident lawyers read an article in the Chicago Sun-Times that discussed a 2008 fatal drug related car accident. A 20-year-old Tinley Park man who was under the influence of marijuana and Freon was steering his car with his knees so he could text, when he hit a pedestrian. The impact of the collision killed the pedestrian. After hitting the pedestrian, the driver than crashed into a stoplight, and then another automobile. The driver has been sentenced to seven years in jail and was cited, “eight times for driving offenses including speeding, disobeying traffic signals and failing to yield to emergency vehicles” and has been involved in other accidents that resulted in injuries.

After reading this article, our Illinois auto accident lawyers thought that it would be important remind readers of the risks involved with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, as well as the dangers involved with texting while driving.

Driving under the influence is a preventable action, and as seen in this instance, can cause serious injury or death. During the holiday season, many people are likely to have a few drinks at a holiday party with their friends and family. It is important to not drive if you have been drinking, and ask a friend or family member to drive you home. If no one can drive you, call a taxicab or even spend the night at the host’s house. Even if you feel like you can drive home, you should never get on the road when you are under the influence, not only because you can harm yourself, but also because you can harm others on the road.

According to Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration program, almost 200 people die on New Year’s, and close to 40% of accidents during the Christmas holiday involve drunk drivers. If you are on the road and see someone who looks like they may be driving drunk, be sure to stay behind them. Try to take down the license plate number and notice other descriptors of the car without compromising your own safety, and call 911.

Texting while driving is completely avoidable, and the problem continues to grow throughout Illinois. Every day, we see drivers on the streets of Chicago looking down at the phones while driving. These unsafe driving practices need to stop. Sites like FCC.gov have good information related to texting while driving. Not only is distracted driving dangerous, but texting while driving is also illegal in Illinois. In order to prevent this unsafe practice, we need to continue educating other drivers about the risks of distracted driving, and teaching new drivers that using cellphones while driving is not acceptable.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys encourage our readers to avoid distractions and also avoid driving while under the influence this holiday season. As we have seen from the Tinley Park accident, these types of accidents aren’t only detrimental to the negligent driver, but also other people on the road.

Earlier this week, The Chicago Tribune reported a Northfield accident that involved a pedestrian fatality. A middle aged man was hit by a vehicle and was pronounced dead shortly after. After reading this, our Chicago car accident attorneys thought it would be beneficial to once again discuss pedestrian safety.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has an in depth site that is devoted to pedestrian safety. According to the CDC, older adults, children, and drivers and pedestrians who are under the influence of alcohol are most likely to be involved in a car-pedestrian accident. These types of accidents are are also more likely to occur in metropolitan areas where there are more people walking around, at night, and at non-intersection points. In order to help prevent serious injury, pedestrians need to be extremely careful and cautious when they are crossing at intersections. Often times, drivers fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at intersections, and can turn without noticing them.

Pedestrians should make sure that it is safe to cross, even if you have the right away. In order to avoid being hit, pedestrians should also try to increase their visibility. At night, they can hold a flashlight or wear reflective clothes. One good rule of thumb that all pedestrians should follow is to only cross and walk where you are supposed to. Pedestrians should always try to cross the street at a marked crosswalk and walk on the sidewalk when there is one. When there isn’t, a pedestrian should walk facing traffic.

Our Illinois auto accident lawyers believe that it is also the responsibility of motorists to work to decrease pedestrian related accidents. Not only are car manufactures working to change vehicle design to protect pedestrians, according to Edmunds.com, but there are also several programs that are working to increase awareness about pedestrian safety. Recently, the City of Chicago placed mannequins and flags throughout the city to make drivers notice pedestrians more. By making the mannequins stand out, having messages on benches and garbage cans city wide, and the use of flags, it brought attention to the importance of pedestrian safety to drivers. It is up to drivers to always be aware and alert, and on the look out for pedestrians.

Our Chicago auto accident lawyers encourage programs such as the City of Chicago’s to promote pedestrian awareness. The safety of pedestrians relies on both pedestrians and drivers. Pedestrians need to try to make themselves as visible as possible and only cross at appropriate places, and drivers need to stay alert on the road in case a pedestrian should be nearby.

The Chicago Tribune reported yesterday that some types of road conditions have stronger correlations to male drivers than female drivers, and vice versa. A study by Purdue University showed that “men over age 45 are much more likely to crash their vehicles on icy and snowy roads.” When further studying if the type of vehicle played a role, the study saw that older men who drive pickup trucks have an even greater risk of crashes in winter weather. This might be because pickup truck and SUV drivers typically have four-wheel drive, which makes it easier to accelerate in bad driving conditions, but four-wheel drive does not make it easier to stop quickly. The study also reported that men who are under 45 years of age have a greater chance of being involved in serious accidents that are on dry, non-slick, roads. This could be because they are overconfident or cocky on these roads.

When examining female drivers, the study showed that all ages of women “lose control and crash on rain-slicked roads most often because of their failure to sense reduced friction of wet pavement.” A civil engineer who conducted the study believes that this is because women do not change their speed, regardless of if the pavement is wet or dry. Because there is reduced friction of wet road, the lack of change in speed doesn’t balance the reduced friction. However, women have a decreased risk of crashes when it is snowing.

With bad winter weather fast approaching, our Chicago car accident lawyers thought it would be beneficial to discuss tips for how to drive in certain weather and road conditions to avoid an accident or serious injury. Cartalk.com provides a winter driving checklist that can prove beneficial for all drivers. Before driving in winter conditions, it is important to check the battery, coolant, wipers, defrosters, and get an overall tune-up. Make sure that the gas tank is always at least 2/3 full of gasoline to prevent freezing, add a block heater to the car, get snow tires, have emergency supplies, have a phone in the car, and most importantly, drive slowly and cautiously. The Illinois State Police suggest that winter weather drivers:

• Plan their route before travel, making sure they know of alternative routes as well
• Let someone know that they are traveling in these weather conditions
• Check weather information on the radio
• Travel with company
• Travel in a convoy
• Drive defensively
• Be alert and aware of black ice, ice patches, and bridge conditions
• If a storm arises, pull off of the road and seek shelter
• If your car breaks down in bad weather stay inside the car, running the engine and heater for quick intervals, but make sure to open a window a crack to avoid carbon monoxide build-up.

Our Illinois accident attorneys hope that when travelling this winter, our readers will drive slowly and cautiously to avoid a serious accident. Even when it is not snowing, there is always a risk for ice or black ice. If the weather is really bad, we suggest avoiding driving altogether, but are aware that sometimes it is necessary, so use caution and stay in communication with loved ones throughout your travels. We hope that all of our readers have a safe and happy holiday season and.

Our Illinois auto accident lawyers read in The Daily Herald that the Chicago suburb of Wheeling is working to create and promote safe paths for pedestrians and cyclists. According to the report, the plan aims to “improve traffic safety, promote economic development and enable residents to lead a healthier lifestyle.” It will also create a public event to inform the community about the plan. The village hopes to create a fully paved bike and walking path which will not only put paths where there were none before, but will also help to link the town to other nearby paths. Overall, the paths and awareness campaign will cost over $1 million, with 80 percent being paid for by a grant from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program.

As our Chicago car accident attorneys have posted before, the City of Chicago has recently promoted bicycle safety in response to the growing number of people using bikes for transportation around the city. In addition to efforts to raise awareness surrounding safe biking and sharing the road with cyclists, the city has also created a bike rental program and a number of bike lanes. The City of Chicago recommends a seven part safety check that includes: tire air, chain safety, correct wheel spin, making sure tires are free of glass and debris, correct gear shifting, tight handle bars, and solid brake function.

In order to bike safely, cyclists should be properly equipped. Some basic safety equipment for bikers includes helmets, a flat tire fixer, a carrying rack, toe clips for pedaling safety, ankle straps to avoid getting pants caught in the chain, sunglasses or goggles, night and foul weather gear, as well as lights and bells. Maintenance checks are also important for all bikers. It is important to find a bike helmet with a strong rating. The rating can be found inside of the helmet with either a green or blue Snell sticker, or an F1447 certification label. A good, snug fit is also important so that the helmet stay in place. Adjusting the chinstrap and using foam pads in the inside can help ensure the correct fit of the helmet.

When using bike paths in Chicago and those planned paths in Wheeling, cyclists should be courteous to pedestrians on the path. They should yield when in doubt of if they should proceed, or give the other person on the path the right of way. Cyclists should stay to the right except to pass, making sure to signal so pedestrians and other cyclists can see. It is perfectly acceptable to call out comments to others such as, “on your left!” when passing. Lights should be used at night and be placed both in front and back of the pedestrian or cyclists. Slow marks are often posted on paths too; these can be in the form of thick white lines that are painted on the path. It is important to obey all signals on the path, to ensure every user’s safety.

Our Chicago auto accident lawyers support projects such as the Wheeling bike and pedestrian path because it creates a safe place for community members to use and enjoy the outdoors. We hope that other towns will follow in these footsteps to create a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists. Whether on a bike path or city street, cyclists should practice safe biking and always ride with the proper equipment to avoid serious injury.

The Telegraph recently reported a fatal motorcycle crash. Although the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, his motorcycle failed to follow the curve of the road and he ran off the road, and reportedly died at the scene. Police are continuing with further investigation to see if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.

Though it appears no one was at fault this accident highlights the risks that all motorcycle riders face. Even though this motorcyclist was wearing a helmet he was fatally injured, illustrating that motorcycle riders are still in danger of serious injuries even when they have the appropriate safety gear. As you know, motorcycles are so much smaller than other automobiles and they do not have the same exterior metal protection. Due to this, when motorcyclists are involved in accidents, they have less outer protection, and are more likely to be ejected from their vehicles.

Our Illinois auto accident lawyers found a great website for information on motorcycle safety, Ride Safe, which lists the most common types of motorcycle crashes. These include failure to negotiate both left and right and bends on roads, collisions at intersections and junctions, collisions while passing, and finally, a loss of control. In order to avoid accidents involving bends on roads, motorcyclists should look at the path of trees or telephone poles that are around the road, and drive cautiously and slowly so the motorcycle is easier to maneuver. When approaching an intersection, be extra cautious and make sure that the motorists around you can see you on your motorcycle before executing any turns. For passing related collisions, remember it is not safe to pass when nearing:

• Bends
• Intersections
• Cross-walks
• Hills
• Troughs
• Double white or yellow lines on the road

Finally, the site attributes many crashes caused by loss of control to following too closely and road surface conditions. Following to closely may cause an accident if another driver loses loss of control, so in order to avoid this make sure that there is plenty of room in between vehicles and there is enough stopping distance. Road surface conditions, such as potholes, ice, snow, and rain can make a motorcyclist loose control as well, so when the weather is bad, make sure to drive cautiously.

The Illinois Department of Transportation offers free motorcycle courses, the Cycle Rider Safety Training Program, that address three different groups of motorcyclists. There is the beginner course, the intermediate course, and the experienced course. The courses are completely free to Illinois residents, who are 16 years and older with a driver’s license. Drivers can register online through the IDOT and complete that program at one of the many stations closest to them.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys continue to encourage every rider to take these courses to understand how to properly operate their vehicle. It is also crucial to understand the different causes of accidents in order to best know how to avoid them. It is also important for riders to wear safety gear such as helmets and padding and make themselves as visible to other drivers as possible. We hope these tips will help motorcycles safely operate their vehicles in order to prevent serious injury or death in an Illinois motorcycle accident.

The Chicago area is a major hub for train travel. Throughout all of Illinois, there are hundreds of passenger and freight trains moving about the state every day. Since many of our readers are commuters, or drivers who travel frequently near train tracks, our Illinois car accident lawyers thought that it would be beneficial to discuss train and railroad-crossing safety. Whether you are a pedestrian or a driver who is crossing train tracks, there is always a significant risk for a serious accident with a train to occur. The Minnesota Public Radio online posted an article related to several pedestrian fatalities when crossing train tracks. The article states that, “on average, 12 people or vehicles are struck by a train each day in the United States.” MPR reports that pedestrian-train accidents occur because people are in a hurry and try to beat the train across the tracks to save a few seconds. The same can be said for rushed drivers who attempt to drive around gates.

Another cause for train related accidents are distractions. When pedestrians and drivers are distracted by their cell phones, radios, social media, or simply being unaware of their surroundings, they may not see or hear the train coming because their minds are elsewhere. This is one of the reasons why our Chicago accident lawyers believe that it is crucial for everyone on the road- pedestrians and drivers alike- to always stay alert and aware when on the road, especially near train tracks.

As with any safety initiative, some of the best ways to prevent these types of accidents is through public awareness and education. People are typically unaware of how quickly trains really do move, leaving only twenty seconds between the gate going down and the lights going on. Furthermore, people do not realize that even if the train is able to see a pedestrian or vehicle in advance, that same twenty seconds wouldn’t give a train enough time to stop. The best way to avoid being in this type of accident is to be alert when nearing a railroad crossing, and do not think that you can beat the train across the tracks. This thinking is dangerous, and leads to severe injuries and even death.

According to DiscoverLivesTeam.com there are several types of railroad track signals that all drivers and pedestrians should be aware of. The first is the full stop. This signal is when the red lights are on, and the gate is fully down. Another important signal to be aware of is the proceed signal. In this signal, the light is green, and the gate is up, which means that it is safe to cross. And lastly, there is the caution signal. This is when the light is yellow and the gate is coming down. Railroad crossings usually have heavy signage nearby to caution driver that there are railroad tracks close by. When pedestrians or drivers see these signs, they should remain alert to avoid any sort of collision with a train. With this being said, sometimes gates and lights malfunction, so the driver or pedestrian should listen for the train coming, and make the safest decision of stopping and waiting for the train to pass by.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers hope that our readers will take railroad safety seriously to avoid being involved in an accident with serious injuries. We always hear news accounts of people who try to beat the train or ignore warning signals, and due to the sheer size of trains, in most instances the negligent pedestrians or drivers suffer serious injuries. It is always best to play it safe and remain patient to protect yourself and others who sharing roadways and railways.