Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog

The Chicago car accident lawyers at Levin & Perconti encourage everyone to wear their seat belts and reinforce how important seat belts are. Seat belts are a very necessary and simple safety measure to take whenever traveling in a car. Whenever you are a passenger in a car make sure to always buckle your seat belt and if your seat does not seem to be equipped with a seat belt, either look under the seat to see if it is stuck and can be recovered or move to another seat with a seat belt. Additionally, do not ride in a car without proper seat belts or in a car with more people that there are seat belts. As a driver always make sure that all of your passengers buckle their seat belts. Always make sure to wear your seat belt properly with the lap belt across your hip and the shoulder strap across your body diagonally. Following these simple steps and always remembering to buckle your seat belt as soon as you get into the car can make all the difference in the case of a car accident. The Click it or Ticket campaign has been a very successful campaign in increasing awareness and importance of seat belts. According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the concept behind the campaign is to remind people that no matter when or wear they are driving if they are caught not wearing a seat belt they will be ticketed. This simple message has worked on many and the national seat belt rate is currently at its highest rate of 82%.

The seat belt law is Illinois is that all front seat occupants of all ages are required to wear a seat belt. While passengers in the back seat are not required to be belted, the laws are different when it comes to minor passengers or minor drivers. Under the Child Passenger Protection Act, all passengers under 16 years must be belted regardless of where they are sitting in the car. Additionally, any drivers under 18 must only have the amount of passengers in the car that there are seatbelts and during first six months of a minor’s license they can only have one passenger under the age of 20 in the car at any time (there are exceptions for immediate family members). All passengers under 18 have to wear a seat belt no matter where they are seated if the car’s driver is under 18. For a better understanding or more complete set of Illinois seat belt laws, please click on this hyperlink to Cyber Drive Illinois. In Illinois all children under the age of 8 must be in a safety seat, whether it be a car seat (rear-facing for babies) or a booster seat (front-facing for older children). If a child is over 40 pounds they may ride in the back seat in only a lap belt if the car is not equipped with a shoulder belt. Child seat belt safety laws are very serious and parents of the child are responsible for ensuring that any person transporting their child has the proper equipment and are subject to fine if not obeyed.

Remember that seat belts are easy to wear and can safe lives!

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Posted In: Current Issues , Tips for Readers

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There are certain issues that affect elderly drivers and that are important to keep in mind as you get older. Safe Roads Alliance offers some of the obstacles that elderly people may face on the road as well as links to other useful information regarding the elderly and driving. With age, certain physical changes can make it harder to driver, such as possible hearing and vision impairment, slower reflexes and medication interactions. To see more about what affects elderly drivers, please click on the link. According to the National Institute on Aging, the elderly body may be affected in many ways that can affect driving such as joints may get stick, muscles may weaken, visions may change, hearing may get worse and reaction time may be slower.

While many elderly drivers are aware of conditions that affect their driving abilities and are able to monitor themselves and know when they should not be on the road in order to hopefully avoid car accidents. Unfortunately, some times people do not realize that their conditions are affecting their driving and making it dangerous for them to remain on the road. According to the AARP website, there are certain steps someone should take if they believe an elderly friend or relative should not be on the road, and they include: assessing the situation by riding with the person firsthand, talking to the person about driving and your caring about their well-being, and then suggest alternate options to their driving such as taking a driving refresher course, limiting driving to certain times of day or in familiar areas only, or finding alternate modes of transportation, whether it be public transportation or rides with other drivers, in order to avoid car crashes.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Current Issues , Tips for Readers

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Some states have taken a new approach to handle the dangers behind teenage driving. New York recently put certain laws into effect that will restrict young drivers in the hope that they will lead to fewer teenage car accidents. According to an article on WIVB.com, the law requires more driving time between when teenagers receive their driver’s permits and their driver’s license. Teenagers must clock 50 hours, certain ones at night time, with only people over 21 in the car with them at the time. This law relies on parents of teenagers to be honest and to respect the reasoning behind the law of trying to make sure teenagers are ready and have practice when they are allowed to be behind the wheel without any supervision. Illinois has been looking into their teenage driving laws, and while Illinois did recently add extended driving time with parents before licensing, many feel that Illinois could use stronger teenage driving rules. Please click here to see the discussion on Illinois driving laws.

The reason that stricter teenage driving rules are so important is because teen drivers are involved in so many tragic car accidents every year. According to the CDC's fact sheet on teen driving, in 2008, nine teenagers between 16 to 19 died daily from injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents. Teen drivers are commonly involved in car crashes because of lack of experience, underestimation of dangerous situations, speeding, and drinking. If states impose stricter laws on teenage drivers, there will be a reduction in these tragic yet preventable automobile accidents among teenagers.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Current Issues , Injuries to Minors and Children , Legislation-Illinois , Legislation-National News

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The number of drunk driving accidents and drunk driving fatalities each year are very high and are avoidable and something that needs to be addressed. According to Alcohol Alert, Illinois is among the top ten states in terms of number of alcohol-related fatalities and in 2008 there were 434 alcohol deaths. Each state has two types of offenses that may be issued in connection with driving under the influence, one of which is the offense of driving under the influence and the other which is driving with a blood alcohol concentration of over 0.08. To read more about the drunk driving statistics and what legal measures are being taken to keep drunk drivers of the road, please click on this hyperlink.

While the state-imposed punishments are definitely a deterrent and hopefully do keep the number of alcohol related car accidents much lower than they could be, it is not possible for cops to see and in turn stop everyone that is driving under the influence. Because of this, it is important for drivers to make a personal choice to not drive while under the influence, to try to discourage others from driving under the influence, and to report any erratic drivers that they see while on the road. Making these choices to help fight the drunk driving problem in our state could make a huge difference and help fight this terrible and avoidable problem that leads to many deaths and car crashes every year.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Current Issues , DUI/Drunk Driving

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Toyota announced earlier today that they are issuing a recall on cars that have a certain type of floor mats that come standard in many of their models. The floor mats are being recalled because there is a serious danger that the gas pedal may get caught in the floor mat and jam, causing drivers to be unable to stop their car in time to avoid car accident. The Toyota models that are directly affected by this newest recall are Highlanders, Corollas, Venzas, Matrixes, and Pontiac Vibes.

The danger behind this type of problem is that if drivers are experiencing stuck gas pedals and are therefore unable to control their vehicle, there will be many more car accidents caused when these drivers are unable to control their car. This extremely dangerous problem must be addressed immediately. Toyota is handling the problem by taking all cars affected and either replacing the gas pedals or modifying the surface on which the pedal sits in order to keep the gas pedal from sticking. If you have any reason to believe your car may be affected by this recall, or even if you have a newer model Toyota, please check this list of recalls issued by Toyota to see if your car is affected so you can take it to your local Toyota dealership to get the problem fixed immediately.

Unfortunately this is not the first of this type of recall that Toyota has been forced to make recently. Earlier this year, Toyota issued a recall for a different problem that also involved unintentional acceleration. An additional recall from 2009 is still in affect as well. According to Consumer Affairs, some customers that experienced problems early on have found that Toyota was not quick to deal with these horrible deficiencies in their vehicles, and while no figures have been released how many car accidents have occurred that may have been avoided in Toyota had immediately dealt with this problem, the likelihood that many of these avoidable car crash occurred is high.

If you find yourself driving and the gas pedal gets stuck, it is important to try to stay calm and Toyota has recommended that if you apply firm and steady pressure to the brake, the car will be able to be controlled again. If you have had an accident as a result of a stuck gas pedal, please contact a local car accident attorney to see what actions can be taken, hopefully in order to keep this scary incident from happening to other drivers.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Current Issues , Design Defect in Vehicle

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While the number of car accidents resulting from pavement-edge drop-offs remain high, little efforts are being made to improve the roads safety. These drop-offs cause about 160 deaths a year and injure thousands more, and according to The New York Times, the drops are easily fixable. The drop-offs are common in construction work zones and cause a great deal of car accidents along with other safety hazards at work sites. Unfortunately, the laws and regulations governing safety measures in work zones are virtually non-existent and what precautions are in place are rarely followed. To read more about the issues with dangerous work zones, please click on this link.

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

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A trend has emerged in Illinois in which car accidents involving deer have decreased. In 2008 there were 814 fewer deer crashed that the year people and the number of people injured in these deer and car accidents has also decreased. According to The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), people need to remember that that deer accidents are hard to avoid, and more likely to occur in the fall at dawn and dusk, that it is crucial for drivers to be alert, wear their seatbelt and for motorcyclists to make sure to wear helmets. For more information on the decrease in deer and car accidents and more tips to avoid these types of accidents, please click here.

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

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The Illinois police department is increasing their patrols for the duration on the holiday season. The operation is called “Operation Save 100” with the goal of cutting down at least 100 fatalities caused by car accidents between Thanksgiving and the end of the holiday season. According to the Northwest Herald, the increase will focus on certain areas and will involve seat belt patrols which will hopefully save lives especially when the weather conditions are bad and also will focus on trying to stop drunk drivers. The holiday season is a very dangerous time for drivers in terms of encountering drunk drivers on their way home from holiday parties. To read more about this initiative to reduce fatal car accidents in Illinois, please click on this link.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Chicago Car Accident , Current Issues , Illinois Accident , Tips for Readers

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A new ordinance is scheduled to go into effect on January 1st, in which drivers found to be driving without a license or with a suspended license (often as a result of a car accident or other impaired driving incident) will have their car impounded, requiring drivers to pay a $500 fine and a $165 towing fee to get their car back. The supporters of the ordinance say that these fees are intended to deter drivers from driving without a license and that hopefully people will think again before getting into a car without a license. People that are opposing this ordinance feel that just charging offenders and then letting them get right back on the road after paying money does not solve the problem. Regardless of what this ordinance will end up accomplishing, driving without a license is a serious issue and many of these unsafe drivers are responsible for Illinois car accidents and something should be done to try to keep the numbers of unlicensed drivers off the road. If you are interested in finding out more about this ordinance, click on the hyperlink.

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Posted In: Current Issues , Legislation-Illinois

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Illinois law requires that all drivers have car insurance when operating a motor vehicle. In order to be in compliance with this mandatory insurance law, the minimum coverage amounts are as follows: as least $20,000 for the injury or death of one person in a car accident, at least $40,000 for the injury or death of more than one person in a car accident and at least $15,000 for damage to the property of another person in a car accident. Every driver must carry their insurance card in their vehicle and present it to any requesting law enforcement officer. Insurance companies will automatically send an insurance card to their insured and will send a new one when the previous one expires. The Vehicle Renewal Registration Application that all drivers must fill out when renewing their registration each year now has a signature requirement promising that they have current insurance to cover the registration period. Drivers that fail to keep their insurance current, or lack insurance completely, are subject to a $100 reinstatement fee as well as current proof of insurance on the first offense. If it is a repeat offense, the driver is subjected to a four-month suspension period of their license in addition to the punishments of a first time offender. For more information on the mandatory insurance requirements, click here. If you have been injured in a car accident involving an uninsured motorist, the Chicago car accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti may be able to help you seek justice. Call 312-332-2872 for a free consultation with an accident lawyer.

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

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Due to the large number of car accidents resulting from drivers texting while driving, Illinois House Bill 71 was passed by both houses. If the bill is signed into law by the governor, police can pull over and fine anyone found texting while driving. The bill has certain exceptions for situations such as emergencies, or when the texting can be done hands-free. For more information on this Illinois text ban legislation, click here.

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

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A statewide survey shows that seat-belt use is up over 15 percent since 2003, and over 75 percent of people said they wore seat-belts when traveling in cars. The increase in seat-belt usage would hopefully lead to less serious injuries resulting from car accidents. The Department of Transportation also says that the number of fatal accidents has fallen over 10 percent in recent years and that the number of car accident deaths in Illinois are as low as it has been in 80 years. For more information on this survey, click here.

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Posted In: Automobile Accident , Current Issues , Tips for Readers

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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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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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