Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog

According to a report from the Insurance Research Council, the number of uninsured drivers is expected to increase from 13% (in 2007) to a predicted 16% by 2010. The IRC attributes this steep rise to the economic downturn. With more and more people losing their jobs, they are forced to cut back on expenses such as car insurance.

The projected increase would be harmful to all motorists because it would increase the risk of car accidents with uninsured drivers. This means that when someone is involved in an accident where an uninsured motorist is at fault, they will not receive compensation for their damages. We recommend purchasing underinsured and uninsured motorist insurance to protect yourself and loved ones in the event of an accident.

In Chicago, many accidents involving uninsured motorists occur each day. The Chicago car accident lawyers of Levin & Perconti have represented hundreds of car accident victims in cases involving uninsured motorists and may be able to help you. Call 312-332-2872 for a free consultation with one of our attorneys.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Chicago Car Accident , Current Issues

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State police in Illinois have announced a program that aims to decrease the number of injuries and fatalities as a result of motorcycle accidents. The campaign will be aimed heavily at motorcyclists but will also educate motorists. The most important thing that a motorcyclist can do can is wear a helmet, along with other protective clothing such as long sleeves and boots. Wearing a helmet will help to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury if a motorcycle accident occurs. Read more about the Illinois safety program to reduce motorcycle accidents by clicking the link.

If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, we encourage you to contact Levin & Perconti at 312-332-2872 to review your case.

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Posted In: Current Issues , Illinois Accident , Motorcycle Accident

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According to an article on Mystateline.com, over 25% of reported car accidents are caused by distracted drivers. One of the ways that many drivers are distracted is by text messaging while driving. This dangerous practice takes drivers' eyes and minds off the road and can have devastating consequences.

Recently, the Illinois state House passed new legislation that bans people from texting while driving in Illinois. Those who are caught texting while driving will receive tickets and repeat offenders can end up in jail. The new rule will help to decrease the number of car accidents in Illinois. To read more about the new legislation banning text messaging while driving, follow the link.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Chicago Car Accident , Current Issues , Illinois Accident , Legislation-Illinois

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According to a Crash Report by the Chicago-based Active Transportation Alliance, Hopkins Park in Kankakee had the most pedestrian accidents in the Chicago area. The study used Illinois Department of Transportation data from 2004-2007. Other Chicago-area towns that had high accident rates include: Oakbrook Terrace, Harvey, Markham, Countryside, Oak Park, Rosemont, Summit, Calumet Park, and Midlothian.

The report also states that there are over 800 traffic accidents in Chicagoland each day. If you are involved in a car or truck accident anywhere in the State of Illinois due to someone else’s negligence, we encourage you to call Levin & Perconti to discuss your case. Our attorneys have successfully handled thousands of car and truck accident lawsuits and can help you seek justice and fair compensation for your damages.

Read the Crash Report here.

Read the Chicago Tribune accident report coverage.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Chicago Car Accident , Current Issues , Pedestrian Accident

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Scientists are currently developing a car accident reporting system designed to automatically call for help when a car crash occurs. Scientists working on the project from Georgia Southern University say that in car accidents involving rollovers, drivers and passengers are often unable to call for help. Accidents like these occurring in remote areas are at risk for a delayed response by rescuers. The new technology would use a global positioning system device in addition to an inclinometer to detect rollover and wireless technology to evaluate the conditions of a vehicle involved in an accident. Read more about this car accident prevention system.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Current Issues , SUV/Van Accident , Tractor/Trailer Accident , Truck Accident

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Deaths related to car accidents have declined in at least 40 states, including Illinois, said a recent survey by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA). While this winter in Chicago we have seen many car accidents, deaths, and wrongful death lawsuits filed due to icy road conditions, overall, Illinois car crash deaths have declined by 16 percent. The main reasons cited for the decline are high gas prices during the first half of the year and general economic difficulties in the second half of the year leading people to drive less. Other reasons include an increase in seat belt use and enforcement of traffic laws, and a trend in drivers reducing speed to improve fuel efficiency. Read the full article about the decline in car accident deaths.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Current Issues , Wrongful Death

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A personal injury lawsuit is being filed in the aftermath of a car accident that left a 10-year-old boy in critical condition and killed four others, including his mother. The boy’s family is seeking over $13 million in damages. The man who caused the accident has been indicted with numerous counts, including driving under the influence of alcohol. The suit also names two bars where the defendant consumed alcohol although he was visible intoxicated, and a woman who allegedly lent the man the car he was driving when he caused the fatal car accident. The boy suffers from brain damage, multiple bone fractures, and a damaged spleen, kidney and liver after the car crash. Read more about this car accident lawsuit.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Current Issues , Injuries to Minors and Children , Wrongful Death

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A train accident has caused the death of a 62-year-old woman who was hit by a train at a railroad crossing. No one was injured aboard the CSX freight train, bound for Chicago. The car accident occurred just west of Pittsburgh. Read more about this train accident.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Current Issues , Train Accident

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Chicago’s train system has been riddled with difficulties lately including car accidents, truck crashes, pedestrian accidents, security issues, and derailments. Another derailment that occurred this morning will affect 5000 passengers. The 72-car freight train from Canada derailed in Buffalo Grove, Illinois on its way to Chicago. Two of the cars were holding a hazardous and toxic material, sulfur, but is not dangerous, according to a spokesperson. No injuries were caused by the derailment. For the full story, click here.

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Posted In: Current Issues , Pedestrian Accident , Train Accident

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The American Association for Justice has released a new litigation packet for car accident attorneys. The new claims packet for personal injury attorneys involved in car crash lawsuits addresses claims handling, procedures and processes, common defenses, bodily injury claims, medical claims, and bad faith claims.

For more information.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Current Issues

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A mayoral candidate recently threatened insurance companies with a class-action lawsuit if they refuse to lower automotive insurance premiums for local residents. The candidate stated that most people leave his city because car insurance is too costly. He also stated that he would create an initiative to reduce vehicle theft, speeding, and accident rates.

For the full article.

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Posted In: Current Issues

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Mayor Daley has warned Chicago drivers to drive slower when the weather turns ugly and snowy. Snowy weather creates dangerous conditions prone to car accidents. And now, Chicago politicians are warning that street plowing will be slower.

For the full article.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Current Issues

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Eight people, including two paramedics, were injured in a Chicago car accident Saturday morning. The car crash involved a four-vehicle collision that included the paramedics’ ambulance. All victims were transported to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

For the full article.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Current Issues

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If you are personally involved in a car accident or witness one, please do the following:
1. Stop your car in a safe, well-lighted public place.
2. Help a person who has suffered injuries from car accident if necessary or requested. Protect the person from traffic, cover the injured person for comfort and to avoid shock. Do not move an injured person unless absolutely necessary. Call 911.
3. Warn other drivers, using flares if available.
4. Ask everyone involved for names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, and license plate numbers.
5. Notify the nearest police station as soon as possible.

For more information.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Current Issues , Motorcycle Accident

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Wearing your seatbelt properly is an important part of operator and passenger safety and has been proven effective in reducing personal injury in car accidents.

1. The lap belt should be worn across the hip bones - never be positioned across the stomach or soft part of the abdomen.
2. The shoulder strap should be as snug as possible and yet allow the driver to reach important controls. Adjust the shoulder strap so it is comfortable. Wearing the shoulder strap tucked under the arm or behind the back is dangerous and can cause serious personal injury.

For more information, check out the Cyber Drive Illinois.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Current Issues

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Under Illinois law, adults who willfully provide alcohol to persons under 18 years of age are civilly liable for death or injuries caused by a minor’s intoxication. If a child was killed in a car crash because he was intoxicated, the adults who served the child would still be liable if a wrongful death lawsuit was filed.

Of course criminal repercussions accompany this conduct too, illustrated by the recent jury verdict in Lake County finding a Deerfield couple guilty of allowing underage drinking in their basement last October where two of the guests were killed in a car accident after leaving the couple’s home.

Yesterday, two Cook county parents were cited for permitting a minor to become intoxicated. The parents would have also been responsible for any death or injury that came as a result of their serving these minor’s alcohol.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Current Issues , Legislation-Illinois

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Illinois law looks for the immediate cause of fatal occurrences when determining if the insurer is liable. Insurance companies have argued that accidental death contributed to by preexisting disease or infirmity is not entitled to coverage. In a recent case, a woman was killed in an automobile accident partially caused by a previously diagnosed seizure disorder. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennedy ruled that the insurer was liable because the immediate cause of the woman's death was the car accident, not the seizure. Another example involves an alcoholic who died from alcohol poisoning who was deemed covered because the immediate cause of his death was the amount of alcohol in his blood; his alcoholism was only an underlying condition that may have contributed to his death. Insurance companies have denied their liability in numerous circumstances but the consensus is that searching beyond the immediate cause of death to find secondary contributing causes is unnecessary.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Current Issues

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