Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Our Illinois car accident attorneys read on the Illinois Attorney General website about a new campaign that will reduce the number of teens texting while driving. Lisa Madigan, Illinois Attorney General, joined with the Secretary of State, other Attorney Generals, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to create a new campaign that targets teens who drive, in order to reduce the high number of serious injuries and even fatalities that are caused when teens text behind the wheel.

A new website, StopTextsStopWrecks.org was created in support of the campaign, and the campaign also calls for administering educational tools to schools nationally to alert teens of the dangers of texting while driving. Although for most teens texting is second nature, it can be extremely dangerous when they are behind the wheel. Because teens lack the experience that adult drivers have, they are more likely to be involved in an accident. When texting is thrown into the mix, it can have a deadly outcome. The Secretary of State in Illinois has made it a top priority to ban texting for all drivers of all ages by helping to pass legislation in early 2010.

Some websites, such as the National Safety Council, include helpful tips and tools for both parents and teens, and has some interesting statistics. Out of the National Safety Council’s Top 5 Tips to Reduce Teen Driver Crashes, banning the use of phones while driving is number three.

As reported in some of our earlier blog posts that discussed teen driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that, “distracted driving is the number one killer of American teens.” Close to 80% of teenagers have admitted to texting while driving, which means their eyes are not on the road, comparable to driving with their eyes closed.

The article reports that the Ad Council has donated $88.7 million in advertisements to support the attorney generals’ campaign against distracted driving. Our Chicago car accident lawyers support awareness campaigns such as these, because we know that teens that text while driving can find themselves in fatal accidents. In past months, we are happy to have reported on a lot of media coverage surrounding distracted driving and we hope this trend will continue. Texting while driving should be on everyone’s mind and a topic of family conversations. We encourage our readers to discuss the dangers of driving while texting with their teens, as well as discussing the risks involved when driving distractions. Making them aware of the issues, and especially the dangers to themselves and others, may help teens make the right choices when they get behind the wheel.

Recently, myFoxDetroit.com reported that there is a new technology coming to Ford automobiles that helps to detect when a driver is drowsy. According to the article, 40 percent of drivers say they have fallen asleep while operating a vehicle. This alarming statistic is what motivated companies such as Ford to create new technology to prevent accidents. The system recognizes the lane lines, and when a driver starts to alter their path from that of the lane lines, the car sends alarms to wake the driver up. By using cameras, and alarms, vibrations in the steering wheel, and the program helps to keep drowsy driver safe on the road.

Our Illinois car accident attorneys encourage further development of this type of technology, because when someone drives drowsy, they don’t only endanger their own safety, but also the safety of others on the road. As mentioned in some of our previous blog posts, organizations such as DrowsyDriving.org offer some helpful resources and alarming facts that should encourage readers to avoid driving drowsy. Some warning signs that drivers should avoid driving include:

• Difficulty focusing
• Heavy eyes or head
• Inability to pay attention to the road
• Yawning often
• Lane drifting
• Or feeling restless

In order to prevent accidents and possible injury, our readers should always make sure they are well rested before driving, and if you are driving on a long road trip, it is important to take frequent breaks. If you do feel any of the warning signs of drowsiness approaching, make sure to pull over and get the necessary rest. Remember, caffeine and other stimulants are no substitute for sleep.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a driver who fell asleep behind the wheel, contact our Chicago car accident lawyers to see how we may be able to help you. We have successfully handled many cases involving negligent drivers, and a lawsuit would not only help you to receive fair compensation, but can also to bring attention to the seriousness of driving drowsy. Being involved in this type of accident can result in serious injury, which can also mean expensive medical bills, or not being able to work for a period time. Therefore it is important to seek compensation for the harms caused. Please contact us to discuss your potential lawsuit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Continue reading "Belleville Woman Files Lawsuit Against Negligent Distracted Driver" »

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

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

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

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

Continue reading "Miss Illinois Speaks to Teens About Safe Driving" »

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

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

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

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

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

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

Last week, WGNtv reported on how Illinois participated in the National Child Passenger Safety week. In order to acknowledge the importance of the week, the state of Illinois set up 82 child safety seat checkpoints (a place where parents can have child seats checked to ensure proper use) throughout the state. These events took place to educate parents on the importance of proper car seat use. A survey that was reported noted that around three-fourths of all toddlers involved in accidents are less likely to be seriously injured or killed when safety seats are used properly.

In order to help spread the word on safety seat use, our Illinois car accident attorneys thought that it was important to discuss state laws related to car seat safety. According to Cyber Drive Illinois, there are several seat safety requirements for babies and younger passengers. These requirements include:

• Children under the age of 8-years-old have to be in secured in a child safety seating system. Parents are held responsible for ensuring their child has a child safety seat, regardless of who is driving carpool that day.

• Children over 40 pounds can be transported while only wearing a lap belt

• Children between the ages 8 and 16 must wear a seat belt

• Violating these laws could result in a $75 fine, court supervision, and if there is a subsequent violation, an even higher fine

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are four types of seats each with their own set of rules. The first type is a rear-facing seat that must go in the vehicle’s back seat and is recommended for newborns up to 20 lbs (with a minimum age of 1 year). The second type is a forward facing seat in the backseat and recommended for children 4 and up from 40-65 pounds. Finally, there are booster seats for children 4-8 to ride in the back seat.

Certain websites, such as Buckle Up Illinois, offer tips that aid in assembling and installing car seats and remind readers of the rules related to seat security safety. Child safety seat awareness is incredibly important, due to the fact that thousands of children are reported seriously injured or even killed in accidents nationwide. Our Illinois car accident attorneys advise parents, grandparents, babysitters and anyone who transports a child to consult these tips if they have questions about safety seats and seat belts. Some things drivers can do to ensure child passenger safety is to make sure the harness straps are secure and tight, that the seat is securely attached to the vehicle, and make sure the type of child seating system you have is age appropriate.

Continue reading "Chicago Accident Lawyers Discuss National Child Passenger Safety Week" »

Our Illinois accident attorneys were happy to read an article in the Washington Times that discussed a recent bill introduced by a Chicago alderman to ban cell phone use by bicyclists. The bill that would extend hands-free distracted-driving laws to everyone on the road, which would include bicyclists.

The article reported that a high number of cyclists talk and text while they are riding around, even in heavy downtown traffic. Making this distraction illegal could make streets safer for all motorists and cyclists. As we have noted before, Chicago is becoming a very bike-friendly city. Just recently, plans were announced to expand the City’s bike-share program. Mayor Rahm Emanuel also plans to implement over 100 miles of protected bike lanes. Proponents of the new regulations say an anti cell phone law for cyclists could contribute to safer bike lanes. All drivers, no matter what type of vehicle they are operating, should be focusing on the road and their surroundings, not on social media, texting, talking on cellular telephones, or other distractions.

Our attorneys agree that this Chicago bill would further protect the safety of bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. We also encourage bicyclists to be familiar with the rules and laws for bike operators in their own communities. Chicago Bike Laws is a site where our bicyclist readers can go to look up the City of Chicago’s bike laws. Also, the Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road is a pamphlet that states general rules and regulations for bicyclists across the state. Some general bicycle safety tips include:

• Riding in single file
• Ride one to a bike
• Avoid riding in the dark
• Check the bike equipment often
• Stay closest to the right side of the road
• Have both hands on the handlebars at all times

Our Chicago accident attorneys encourage bicyclists to put down their cell phones even before this bill is official. When riding your bike in the city, you should wear helmets at all times, and avoid all possible distractions. Unfortunately, when accident occurs between bikes and larger vehicles, it is often the bicyclist who faces the most severe injuries. Following these bicycle safety tips will not only help keep cyclists safe, but will also protect the safety of other people on the road. If you have any question regarding a Chicago bike accident, please contact our lawyers to discuss your possible claim.

Today, the Chicago Tribune discussed how Chicago drivers paid the highest congestion penalty in American last year, meaning time and gas wasted sitting in traffic. The congestion penalty averaged $1,568 in time and fuel per motorist struck. This comes as no surprise to the many commuters in our office who experience Chicago congestion on a day to day basis. Traffic congestion is not only costly to drivers, but can increase the risk for car and trucking accidents. Therefore, we felt it necessary to discuss the dangers that arise in congested areas.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that drivers in areas of congestion tend to become aggressive. When motorists are stuck in traffic, they are more likely to become frustrated, which can result in aggressive behaviors such as lane changes, pushing through red lights or stop signs, following to close, or speeding when giving the opportunity. Aggressive driving behaviors such as this in a congested area can lead to car accidents. Our Chicago car accident attorneys acknowledge that rush hour traffic can be extremely lengthy. However, drivers need to stay calm and not let their frustration affect their driving behavior. The best thing to do is to find an alternate route, but if that is not possible avoid aggressive driving at all costs.

Also be predictable, and don’t make any sudden lane changes to confuse drivers around you. You should also time traffic lights, to make sure that you do not drive through a red light, and finally expect the unexpected. Just because you may be calm, it may not mean that everyone else on the road is. Our Illinois accident attorneys urge all drivers to look out for themselves and others on the road. Drive safely and calmly, and avoid aggressive driving. If you are injured in an accident caused by an aggressive driver, you may be able to seek legal action to recover compensation for damages such as lost income or hospital bills. Contact us to discuss how we may help.

Yesterday, our Chicago car accident lawyers read an article posted by the Chicago Sun-Times regarding a hit and run accident on the West Side of Chicago. The victim was seriously injured when a car hit her and then left the scene of the accident. The car has not been found, and Chicago police are still investigating the accident. After reading this article, our Chicago pedestrian attorneys felt it necessary to remind readers on what to do if you are involved in a hit and run accident.

According to Helium.com, there are close to 700,000 hit and run accidents annually in America. A hit and run accident occurs when the driver hits another vehicle, a pedestrian, or another object, and flees the scene. If you are a victim of a hit and run accident, the first thing you should do is to make sure you are not injured, and that others in your car or with you are not injured. If there are any injuries, take the appropriate medical measures and call 911and report all relevant information and details, including the extent of any injuries, and if you can give them a description of the car and the direction the car was headed. You should also take pictures with either a camera or a cell phone if possible. If there are witnesses of the accident, ask them to stay at the scene to be interviewed, with their statements recorded. And finally after the accident, notify your insurance company and if you or a loved one is seriously injured, contact an Illinois car accident attorney to see how they may be able to help you.

Hit and run accidents are common and are often tied into other driving offenses. Drivers will often make the decision to leave the scene because they are intoxicated, driving without insurance or driving on a suspended license. However, the consequences and punishment will be far worse for you if you flee. Hit and run is a serious offense, and citations and tickets will be issued related to how severe the damage of the accident is, how the driver interacts with the police and other law enforcement, and also the driver’s past history regarding criminal activity and driving tickets or citations. Both civil and criminal penalties may be issued to the driver, including fines, a suspended or even lost license, and even jail. According to Deadly Roads, the Illinois state law regarding hit in runs is that, “The driver of any vehicle involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting in personal injury or death of any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident, or as close thereto as possible and shall then forthwith return to, and in every event shall remain at the scene of the accident”.

Continue reading "Chicago Woman Seriously Injured in Hit and Run Accident" »

Our Chicago car wreck lawyers read in the Battle Creek Enquirer recently that the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study on the topic of tightening the drivers licensing process for teens. Results showed that some teens wait to get their licenses until they are 18 years old to get around the supervised-driving requirements that are necessary for receiving a license at 16. However, avoiding the supervised-driving requirements results in more inexperienced older teens on the road, and due to the fact that they are less experienced, they may be more likely to be involved in an accident.

The study examined crashes that involved teens ranging from 16 years old to19 years old, over a period of 21 years. The study showed that there was a decline in crashes in the 16-year-old range over 21 years, however, there were more fatal crashes involving 18 year olds. This led the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to consider extending licensing requirements for the 16-year-old age group to all first-time drivers under the age of 21. Some requirements would include two completed class levels of driver’s education, a skill and road tests, and 50 hours of logged experience with a responsible adult in the car.

The Journal of the American Medical Association determined that “graduated driver licensing programs are designed to reduce crashes involving teenagers by delaying full licensure while allowing beginners to obtain initial driving experience under lower-risk conditions.” It continues on to say that the graduated driver licensing (GDL) well reinforced the driver’s education classes by adding certain restrictions for new drivers.

Teen drivers are inexperienced; however, they often feel comfortable enough on the road to allow distractions into the car. Many teens admit to texting while driving talking with passengers in the car, or simply not having their mind and focus on the road at all times. It is especially critical for new and inexperienced drivers to stay focused and avoid all distractions to reduce their risk for accidents.

Our Illinois car accident attorneys have discussed issues related to teen driving before, and this study continues to support that teens should be extra cautious when driving due to a lack of experience. We support the idea of extending licensing requirements to all new drivers, not just 16 year olds in order to prevent Teen drivers, as discussed in the study, can reduce the risk of a car accident related fatality by being willing to get more hours under their belt while learning, by taking driver’s education classes seriously, and most importantly by staying focused and alert when finally on the road.

The New York Times discussed a study that looked at the correlation between pedestrian injuries and bicycles. Usually our Chicago pedestrian accident attorneys focus on the damage that cars can do to people, however it is also important to realize that a pedestrian can acquire serious injuries from being struck by a bicycle. The study reported that, from 2007 to 2010, approximately 1,000 pedestrians were hospitalized after being struck by bicyclists. An alarming 55% of accidents occurred in an urban city.

This study is just the beginning, because it only surveyed pedestrians who were already hospitalized; there surely are other pedestrian-cyclist accidents that were not included in the study because they did not go to the hospital. Some states are even passing new laws to make reporting bicycle-pedestrian accidents mandatory. This will allow authorities to develop new rules to reduce the occurrence of this type of accident.

It is also important to look at where the accident occurred, so better signage and infrastructure can be implemented to better protect both the bicyclists and pedestrians. It would be beneficial to ordain bike lanes separate from motorists and pedestrians to make streets and roads safer. Our Chicago bicycle accident lawyers have seen a number of new bike lanes such as this, including one on Kinzie Ave. close to our office. We would be curious to see if this change has reduced the number of pedestrian-bicycle accidents in the area, because these clearly marked lanes draw attention to the presence of bike traffic. Comparably, car accidents account for a much higher number of pedestrian injuries. But, this does not mean that bike accidents and safety should be ignored.

According to FoxNews, some cities are also planning to start bike-sharing programs where bikes can be rented and deposited, in order to encourage cycling. With more bicycles on the streets, it will be crucial for these cities to educate the public on all aspects of safe cycling. Chicago has a bike-share program in place, but just this week the City announced that this program will be expanded

Safety education and infrastructure investments are being made continuously to protect motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians who share the road. The Illinois Rules of the Road states “bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other road way user” and it is important to keep that in mind. The Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road also states the bikes have to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are on sidewalks or crosswalks, to slow down and go around them, or give them an audible signal to make your presence known. In many places, including Chicago, cyclists are not allowed to bike on sidewalks.

Our Illinois bicyclist and pedestrian attorneys advise our readers to pay attention to to pedestrians when cycling. Bicyclists should pay attention to bicycle safety laws and regulations in their city to make sure that they are protecting themselves, and pedestrians that they share the road with. Contact our Illinois bicycle attorneys with any questions.

Recently, WQAD reported a fatal Dixon Illinois car accident in which an elderly woman was killed whenshe pulled out in front of a truck on a highway on Saturday afternoon. She reportedly stopped at a stop sign and then drove her van into oncoming traffic and was struck on the side by the pickup truck. She was unresponsive at the scene of the accident, and later that evening was pronounced dead. The driver of the truck had a few minor injuries due to the crash.

HelpGuide, a source that helps with health challenges, issued an article that lists safety tips for seniors on the road. Driving abilities slowly deteriorate with age, which brings our attention to driving safety and adjustments that need to be made. Our Chicago accident attorneys encourage senior citizens to reduce certain factors so they can stay safe, and so other drivers on the road can stay safe.

All drivers should understand how aging affects driving. The site states that, “fatal crash rates rise sharply after a driver has reached the age of 70.” Aging results in a loss of strength, coordination, and flexibility, which are all crucial to operating a car safely. Our Illinois car accident attorneys are also aware that elderly people also have a tendency to have neck pain, which can make it hard to check blind spots, leg pain which can make it difficult to use the pedals and loss in arm strength, which can make it difficult to use the steering wheel. Reaction time also slows down, and it can also become more difficult to pay attention to the road, road signs, and other drivers on the road.

Many senior citizens do not realize or identify health issues that can lead to accidents. Some problems that require attention and awareness in order to be corrected include:

• Conflicting Medicine Combinations
• Vision Difficulties
• Hearing Difficulties
• Reflex, Reaction, and Range of Motion Difficulties
• Loss of Memory
• Confusion of Rules of the Road
• Increased Driving Tickets or Citations
• Close-Call Accidents

It is important for families to address these issues in order to maximize safety on the road, including the safety of the driver, and others on the road. Elderly people should take care of their health and use any appropriate driving aids that are necessary. Like everyone on the road, they should drive defensively and pay attention, and most importantly, elderly people should listen to the caring concerns of their family and friends.

Our Illinois accident attorneys encourage all senior citizens to take extra precautions when driving, to pay attention to the road and avoid distractions, and to also look for warning signs of unsafe driving. For any questions, please contact us.

Over the weekend, CarmiTimes reported a serious accident involving a tour bus occurred, injuring several people. A group of people was headed to Chicago for a family reunion, including several children. In the accident, several children and adults were tossed from their seats when one of the bus’s tires blew out, forcing the driver to lose control of the automobile, drive off the road, and crash into a tree. A total of thirty-seven people were sent to the hospital.

A tire blow out is defined as a rupture that air escapes through to the point where the wheel and steering can no longer support the weight of the automobile, according to CarPartsPlus. When a tire blows out while driving, it can cause a serious problem especially when on the highway or interstate. The National Safety Council provides several tips that can be helpful when in this type of accident. Our Illinois car accident attorneys encourage drivers to follow these safety tips in case a blow out should occur.

An important thing to remember when a tire blows out is not to slam on the brakes, but instead let your car gradually reduce speed and coast to safety. If possible, move the automobile towards the emergency lane or towards the nearest exit. You should steer as your vehicle slows down so it rolls to a safe place. Try to avoiding stopping in traffic and to lower your risk of a rear-end accident or side collision. It is also important to turn the emergency flashers on in your car immediately.

The National Safety Council concludes that the most important things to remember when having tire issues on the highway are:

• Never stop in the middle of traffic
• Get the vehicle safely away from the roadway and oncoming traffic before attempting to change a tire
• Only change the tire if you can do it without putting yourself or anyone else in danger
• And finally, after changing your tire, make sure to get it checked out by a professional to make sure there is no damage left over

Our Chicago car accident attorneys encourage all drivers to take the proper safety steps when a tire blows out or fails on the road. If you have been injured in this type of accident, or have lost a loved one, there are some instances when the tire company may be liable. Please contact us to talk about your legal rights to a potential lawsuit.

Because summer is coming to an end, our Illinois car accident attorneys thought it would be helpful to remind drivers of what to do when driving near school buses, or through school zones. According to the Illinois State Police website, drivers should operate with caution when sharing the road with school buses. The Illinois state laws requires that all school bus drivers stop prior to crossing a railroad, and when doing so, use the warning lights. Drivers should be aware of these stops and should be prepared to stop behind school buses. Other drivers should also always maintain a safe following distance behind buses in case an emergency occurs and the bus needs to back up.

There are also specific laws to protect children when they are being picked up or dropped off by school buses. When buses are stopped with their lights on and the stop arm fully extended, children assume it is safe to cross. In actuality, this moment is where the majority of injuries and fatalities occur due to motorists who don’t stop or illegally pass a bus. It is important to always remember to stop whenever you see flashing signals, red signs, or the stop sign on a bus. All buses have the extended control arm to warn drivers behind and ahead to stop. If you see flashing yellow lights, that means that the school is preparing to stop and you must come to a full stop. Drivers who do not stop can be ticketed. The penalty for a first offense of passing a bus of $150. The second offense within five years of the first conviction has a minimum fee of $500 and a suspended license.

With many kids starting back to school this week and after the holiday, our Illinois injury attorneys also thought it was important to reminder drivers of school zone laws. According to CyberDriveIllinois, a school speed zone is a “special speed limit while passing schools.” On school days, there are more children around schools than on weekends or evenings so the speed limit is reduced to protect children on or near the streets. The legal speed limit in a school zone is 20 miles per hour. Drivers who do not follow this limit will be ticketed.

As the new school year begins, we hope that it is a safe one for students and all drivers who share the road with them. Our Illinois injury attorneys advise readers to practice extreme caution in school zones, around buses, and near children. If you or a loved one has been injured during a school bus or school zone related accident, please contact us to see how we may be able to help you.

Over the weekend, the Chicago Tribune reported a Lake County motorcycle accident involving two passengers. A motorcyclist was driving, with his daughter as a passenger, when they hit a car while turning left. The motorcyclist was killed in the accident, and his young daughter was seriously injured.

Motorcycle safety information is not only important for motorcyclists, but also important for all drivers to be aware of how to operate safely when sharing the road with motorcyclists. Although in this accident it sounds like the motorcycle driver was at fault, in many instances motorcycle accidents can happen because drivers may not be able to see motorcycles, especially if their undivided attention is not on the road.

Also, this example highlights the importance of helmet use for motorcyclists. Although motorcyclists are not required under Illinois law to wear them, our Illinois injury attorneys strongly support helmet use. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2008 in Illinois, there were a total of 121 motorcycle riders killed. Of those 121 riders, only 25% were wearing helmets, and 74% were not. Though helmets cannot protect motorcyclists from all accident related injuries, perhaps if some of these victims had worn helmets, they could have had suffered less serious injuries. The article continues to say, “Helmets are estimate to be 37-percent effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders”. Motorcyclists are not protected by a hard exterior, like a car, so they must rely on their helmets and other gear (i.e. goggles, boots, gloves, denim, leather, etc.) for protection.

Another factor in this accident was that the motorcycle was making a left turn. Left turns are always tricky, especially at an intersection with a traffic signal. If a traffic light turns yellow while a driver is waiting in an intersection to turn left, there can certainly be a potential collision if drivers do not yield. The Illinois Rules of the Road claim that over half of all motorcycle accidents happen at intersections. They continue to say that the most common situation in which a motorcycle accident occurs is when an “oncoming automobile makes a left turn in front of a motorcycle.” Drivers should always watch for motorcyclists and other vehicles before turning left. Motorcyclists must follow the rules of the road just like all other drivers, and the Illinois Rules of the Road say that when turning left, always signal and follow traffic signs. The rules also say that motorcyclists should always yield the right-of-way to vehicles currently in an intersection, including checking oncoming traffic, even if it may be your turn to make the turn, in order to avoid an accident.

Continue reading "Lake County Motorcycle Accident Illustrates Importance of Motorcycle Safety " »

Over the weekend, NBCChicago recounted an Illinois car accident that occurred on the Bishop Ford Freeway. An 18-year-old man, his mother (a mother of five), and another man, were all killed in a car accident that happened during the early hours of Sunday morning. It appears that the car accident happened because the victims’ car was either moving very slowly or stopped in the middle lane when an oncoming SUV rear-ended their car. The man driving the SUV claims that he did not notice the car because their lights were not on. His daughter was a passenger in his car, and neither of them suffered from any serious injuries; they were both wearing seatbelts. NBCChicago says that even hours after the crash, “there were no indications that drugs, speeding or alcohol were to blame”.

The teen driver who died was not wearing a seat belt, but his mother and the other man were. It is reported that the teenager’s mother was a wonderful caretaker, with incredible strength and faith. Reports from NBCChicago, the Chicago Tribune, and CBSChicago all conclude that the cause of the car stalling is currently unknown and it does not sound like any particular driver was at fault.

Although we are unsure of if this accident could’ve been avoided or not, it is important to know what to do if your call should stall in the middle of a lane. According to RoadSense, if possible you should try to safely signal and move to the shoulder of the road. You should then put on your emergency lights. Monitoring your fuel level and keeping your car maintained can help prevent this from happening. As discussed in previous posts, it is crucial to move your car safely away from traffic if a problem should arise. Also, if you witness a stalled car, or a driver that may need help, make sure to pull over away from traffic as well, and cautiously walk over to try to help. If necessary, call 911. We hope that readers will use this knowledge if their car should stall or if they witness an accident of this type.

If you have been a victim in a rear-end accident or have lost a loved one due to a negligent driver, our Illinois accident attorneys may be able to help you receive fair compensation. When a loved one is wrongfully killed, a lawsuit can be filed to help you seek fair compensation and justice for your loss. Contact our Illinois car accident lawyers to see how we may be able to help you.

Yesterday, BND reported on a Belleville, Illinois car accident in which an SUV operated by a teenager collided head-on with a van operated by a woman with children in the back. The accident also involved three other cars. The operator of the minivan was airlifted to a hospital with serious, but not life threatening, injuries. The five children in her car were taken by ambulance to a hospital.

The driver of the SUV was a 17-year-old teenager who swerved into the opposite lane for an unknown reason. He also hit another driver who was trying to turn left. After initially hitting the minivan and the driver who was turning left, the cars caused a chain reaction that included two more vehicles that were behind the minivan. The citation for the teenager was improper lane usage, and when taking to police, he recounts, “I don’t remember what happened; I just hit the car.”

New drivers on the road, teenagers specifically, pose a lot of risk to not only themselves but also towards other drivers. Teenage drivers are not only inexperienced compared to veteran drivers, but are also more prone to distractions such as their telephones, texting, social media, friends and music while driving. While it is not confirmed why the teenage driver swerved into the opposite lane, it is not improbable that there were distractions involved.

We encourage teenagers to be involved with programs such as Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) to learn about safe driving practices. Parents should also talk to their teens about safe driving. Many parents take steps to limit the number of passengers their teen drivers can have, but it is difficult for parents to monitor other distractions. As we mentioned in a recent blog post, we also hope car companies and cell phone companies will continue to create new technology that limits the use of certain features whilst driving.

At one time or another, we all will have a teen driver in the family. It is important for teens to learn smart driving practices early, so they develop the skills needed to drive safely throughout their lifetime. Just like all other motorists, teen drivers have a responsibility to obey all traffic laws, signs and should be prepared to react to unusual conditions. When they fail to do so and cause personal injuries to someone else, it is important that they are held responsible. Our Illinois car accident attorneys have successfully handled many cases involving negligent driving, and if you have been a victim or lost a loved one due to another driver’s mistake, we may be able to help you receive fair compensation.

In warmer weather, there is a tendency to see more bicyclists on the roads, sidewalks, and bike paths. Our Chicago injury attorneys always notice an increase in the number of calls we receive about bicycle accident injuries in the spring and summer. Bicyclists in Illinois are responsible for following rules similar to most other motorists, so we thought it would be helpful to remind our readers-bikers and drivers alike-about basic bike Rules of the Road in Illinois.

Bicyclists should drive in the same direction as other motorists on the road, but in some instances road blockage can cause the cyclist to have to move inward to avoid the obstructions. Bicyclists have the right-of-way on the road when it comes to bicyclists and motorists. If your car is riding next to a bicycle and for whatever reason you are required to pass it, the Illinois Rules of the Road booklet suggests that drivers "do so slowly and leave at least 3 ft. of passing space".

Blog readers may recall that last summer, Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation for bicyclists into law in order to better safeguard cyclists around Illinois. The law, which has recently been established as effective, created penalties for motorists who drive aggressively towards cyclists. We urge motorists to pay close attention to bicyclists, however, it is also crucial that cyclists still operate their bikes safely and wear a fitted helmet to lower their risk for serious injury should accident occur.

When a bike and car are involved in an accident, the bicyclist usually suffers from worse injuries due to the sheer size difference. When drivers are aggressive, disobey road signs or do not pay attention to smaller vehicles or bicycles on the road, a serious accident can occur. If a cyclist is involved, especially one who is not wearing the proper safety equipment such as a helmet, it is probable that the smaller vehicle or bicyclist will suffer from more severe injuries.

Continue reading "Attention to Bicycle Safety Can Reduce Chance of Illinois Car Accident " »

Tailgating is one of the most common causes of Illinois car accidents. The term tailgating refers to when one vehicle follows another vehicle without leaving a safe distance in between. Tailgating, along with speeding, weaving lanes, flashing headlights, and other driving issues, are all considered to be aggressive driving behavior, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These behaviors can lead to increasing fines, suspended licenses, or violations. Most people who tailgate follow too closely because they are in a rush, are trying to speed on the road, or trying to get the car in front of them to move over. This act may seem like a one-time thing and harmless, however it has the potential to create serious Illinois car accidents, leading to possible personal injury or wrongful death.

In the Illinois Rules of the Road booklet, they suggest that drivers use a two-second rule to help regulate a safe driving distance. The rule suggests that all drivers pick a stationary object on the road ahead of them. As soon as the vehicle ahead goes past the stationary object, count two seconds out loud, aiming not to pass the same object within the two-second count. If you do pass the stationary object within the two-second rule, you are considered as following to closely. If the car in front of you brakes suddenly, this can lead to a rear-end accident. It is also important to remember that when being followed to closely by someone else, it is considered aggressive driving to slam on your brakes causing them to either have to swerve or rear-end you. If someone is tailgating your vehicle, try to move over to the next lane slowly or pull off of the road onto the shoulder allowing the tailgating car to pass.

According to the Illinois DMV Vehicle Code, it is stated that, “The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.” Not doing so is considered aggressive driving and can result in citations.

Aggressive driving can cause severe accidents, such as pedestrian fatalities, or harm to yourself or other motorists on the road, and even wrongful death. If you have been injured in an accident caused by an aggressive driver, or have lost a loved one due to a negligent driver, you may be able to receive fair compensation and peace of mind knowing that the wrongdoers were held accountable for their actions. Please contact our Illinois accident attorneys to review your potential case.

According to KFVSNews, a young man who was driving at 5:45 a.m. caused a recent car accident. According to the report, the man had fallen asleep at the wheel, and while no other cars were involved, the car operator veered off of the road, hitting a mailbox and ultimately hitting a tree. Although the man was wearing a seatbelt, and no major injuries occurred, this incident highlights the fact that driving drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and has the potential to cause severe, even fatal, Illinois car accidents.

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) breaks down the hard facts of driving drowsy, saying that driving drowsy or sleepy can slow the operator’s reaction time, lower awareness and focus, weaken judgment and can potentially cause a serious accident. The NSF cautions that it is difficult for officials to identify driving drowsy because there is no Breathalyzer or blood test that can be used to confirm that sleepiness was a factor in an accident. However, the NSF reports “several states are considering legislation that would allow police to charge drowsy drivers with criminal negligence if they injure or kill someone while driving if they have not had adequate sleep”.

NSF testimony tells the story of a family who was driving to dinner at a restaurant. On the way to the restaurant, a young driver who had not slept in over a day collided with the family’s vehicle. A young boy, one of his sisters, and his mother all passed away in the accident, leaving one sister surviving, without a family. This car accident resulted in the wrongful death of three people, and could have been avoided if the driver would have waited to be more rested to operate the vehicle.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys advise all drivers to make sure that you are well rested and focused when operating any motor vehicle.

What can you do to reduce the risk of injuring yourself or others?

• Get sufficient sleep…caffeine will not cut it
• Do not drink alcohol before you drive, especially if you feel fatigued
• Try to avoid driving late at night
• Make frequent stops on long trips
• Get a ride from an alert friend or family member

Driving drowsy can lead to fatalities, pedestrian injuries, or result in the operator of the vehicle themselves suffering severe injuries. If you have been a victim of a car accident of this nature, or have lost a loved one because someone else fell asleep behind the wheel, please contact us as we may be able to help you seek compensation for your loss or injuries.

Many victims of car accidents may not fully understand that meaning of buzz phrases like "tort reform," or the fact that it may have implications for their own legal rights. But any attempt to limit access to the justice system may affect victims of all kinds,including those injured by negligent drivers on the road.

The war to take away victim rights continued today with the release of a “judicial hellhole” report by a front group for big business. The American Tort Reform Association is an organization propped up by corporate interests like Dow Chemical, Exxon, Pfizer, and others. Their goal is to influence the passage of legislation that will ensure that people who fall victim to their negligence will have less ability to seek justice in the court system.

In a response president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association explains that the latest report is nothing more than a stunt to further the corporate “tort reform” agenda. The fact remains that both victims and potential tortfeasors deserve a fair hearing in the civil justice system. Instead, the big businesses want to stack the deck so that they do not even have to present their case in court. They’d prefer a “free pass” any time that they injure consumers and engage in dangerous or unfair practices.

No community is improved when corporate interests are allowed to meddle with the justice system for its own gain. It is imperative that the common sense political forces stand up to this blatant misuse of business power and influence. Major CEOs and small-town working people deserve the same legal rights. It’s a simple principle that must be preserved.

Continue reading "Big Business Attempt to Take Away Legal Rights" »

Bicycle riders need to make sure that they are aware of and follow all of the appropriate laws that are in place to protect both bike riders and other drivers on the road. Similarly, drivers need to be aware of the laws regarding bike riders to also help ensure the safety of all those that are on the road together. One important rule for bikers to always remember and always follow is that bicyclists must travel in the same direction as vehicle traffic and whenever it is safely possible should travel directly to the right of cars, and this is so that everyone is traveling in the same direction which hopefully makes it less likely that a bike and car will get into a collision.

Chicago accident attorneys remind drivers of vehicles to remember a few simple rules regarding bikers so they can do their part to keep the streets safe for everyone. First off, drivers need to make sure to always keep a safe distance and to allow about three feet of passing space between their car and a biker, and make sure to always give them this adequate room in order to keep them safe in the event of a sudden stop. Additionally, when making a turn make sure to check to make sure a bicyclist is not passing on the right or the left before you make your turn, and always use a turn signal to allow the biker to know of your plan to turn, in order to help prevent accidents. Lastly, make sure after parking your car to look out for bikers before possibly opening your door into their pathway. To read more about simple tips to help avoid a bike accident, please click on this link. These few simple safety measures taken by bikers and drivers could make all the difference in preventing biking accidents !

A fatal car accident that occurred on July 5th and left a teenage girl dead has been found to be caused by texting while driving. The teenage driver was killed after she got into an accident and her car rolled over and she was ejected from the vehicle. The police investigators found the victim's cell phone next to her body and upon opening it discovered an unfinished text message time-stamped at close to the same exact time of the crash. The victim was also not wearing her seat belt at the time the accident occurred. To read more about this teenage car crash, please click on this link.

This accident is just one of so many accidents that are caused by texting while driving. Studies have shown that text messaging while driving can be as dangerous and impairing as driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. While many drivers think that they can just quickly read or send out a message without getting too distracted from the road, this is unfortunately often not the actual case and so many people get into accidents as a result of text messaging while driving. Illinois injury attorneys remind drivers that it is illegal to send or read text messages in Illinois while driving, and that if you are driving anywhere it is never a good idea because of the inherent dangers it creates. Hopefully the anti-texting laws will create change and people will stop doing something so dangerous and that places themselves and others in such great danger.

Illinois is one of the states that does not have a law requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets while riding. In 2008 alone, there were over 5,000 deaths across the country that were attributed to motorcycle accidents, and the number of these accidents that end in fatalities are highest when the rider is not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. According to The Pantagraph, when motorcyclists are wearing a helmet at the time of a crash they are up to 37 percent less likely to be killed as a result of injuries sustained in the bike crash. The reason that helmets are so crucial, especially with motorcycles, is that there is absolutely no cushioning or protection to keep the rider from suffering serious head and brain injury, absent a helmet. To read more about how important helmets are in a motorcycle accident, please click on this link.

The reason that it is so surprising that Illinois has not yet put a helmet law into effect is that it is clearly known how effective helmets can be at saving lives in the event of a motorcycle accident. The state of Illinois is very strict on enforcing seat belts laws for riders in cars, and a helmet law could be enforced in a similar manner for motorcyclists. Illinois accident attorneys encourage all motorcyclists to always wear a helmet, and to make sure any passenger wears a helmet, regardless whether a law is passed requiring helmet use. The law would certainly help to ensure that more people wear helmets, thereby helping to reduce the risk of serious person injury or death in a motorcycle crash.

A recent study shows that older drivers are actually safer drivers than many other age groups. Many people believe, and previous studies have supported, that older drivers are similar to teenage drivers in terms of the frequency of car accidents and overall unsafe driving. However, the recent study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, show that the rate of fatal accidents in which people over 70 were involved has significantly decreased in the past decade. Interestingly enough, the number of accidents in middle age drivers has also decreased, but much less than the decrease seen in older drivers. Several theories are believed to have led to this large decline, including both stricter renewal laws for elderly drivers, as well as older drivers being more aware of what types of environments and driving situations are unsafe for them to be driving in and in turn not driving in these unsafe situations as frequently.

According to Fox News, one of the reasons for this safety increase among older drivers is likely a result of many states are imposing more rules and limitations on older drivers that seek to renew their license. These restrictions include some states requiring vision tests for older drivers, and others not allowing renewal online or even my mail among older drivers. These restrictions among older drivers help to ensure that drivers that are not safe to be on the road will not be allowed to renew their license. However, even in states that do not have strict rules for elderly drivers seeking to renew their licenses, the numbers of accidents among elderly drivers have been decreasing. The study suggests that another reason for the decrease is that even when the law does not try to impose restrictions on elderly drivers, the drivers themselves will often limit themselves. For example, many elderly drivers are aware of certain driving conditions in which they feel uncomfortable and will no longer drive in those situations, such as late at night or on high traffic highways. The combination of these two changes in recent years among elderly drivers has likely been what is reducing the number of accidents among this age group, and hopefully this trend will continue and more elderly drivers will stay safe and avoid traffic accidents. To read more about this study on the reduction in elderly car accidents, please click here.

Road rage among drivers is a dangerous problem and according to AAA, is responsible for about 1,500 deaths each year and is another way that driving can lead to injury and even death, other than car accidents. A range of behaviors and actions can be classified as road rage, ranging from yelling and screaming at other drivers to actually taking action either by getting out of the car or by using the car as a weapon in a way that can even end up killing another driver. Letting another driver upset you to the point where you feel you have to get revenge on them specifically, and where your anger goes beyond just the general annoyance you may feel in traffic or at bad drivers, constitutes road rage and is a behavior that needs to be controlled, so you do not do something that could hurt others or yourself. While it may seem that you have to act out against another driver, Chicago injury attorneys remind you to try to keep your cool and that injuring another is never the right answer. Make sure to always take a break or not drive when you are angry and when driving try to stayed as relaxed as possible, because this will help keep you from letting small road annoyances mount into a bigger issue. Listening to music that helps you feel calm is a good option if you know you get angry at other drivers easily, as is taking deep breaths or doing some light stretches before setting out on the road. Additionally, making sure you have adequate time to get where you are going so you do not feel like you are rushed and like other drivers are slowing you down. If you feel that no matter what you do you always get very angry at other drivers, it may be useful to seek some professional help to find out how to best keep your anger from getting the best of you. Taking these few simple steps could help keep you from seeking revenge on a driver and doing something that you will regret after the fact.

According to Illinois Driving University's website, there are certain steps to take to help keep you from ever having to deal with a furious driver and to keep you safe while on the road. When you are driving make sure to never provoke an angry driver, and if a driver starts to get in your face or cut you off or follow you, try to get out of the situation and do not ever let them get the best of you to the point where you get angry as well. Certain situations should be avoided while driving to not get a driver angry at you in the first place, such as do not tailgate another car, do not drive too slowly in a passing lane, do not talk on your cell phone while driving, do not cut other cars off, do not lay on the horn and do not stop in the road in order to talk to someone. While many of these suggestions may seem like something that would not be that big of a deal, they are small things to avoid doing while driving, and could be the action that puts an angry driver over the top. Being an aware driver that respects others on the road can make all the difference in ensuring that other drivers will respect you as well and will have no reason to become angry with you and may keep you from becoming the victim of road rage. If you would like more information on the dangers of aggressive driving, please click on this link.

A recent study has shown that Chicago cab companies have a complex system in place that may limit the amount that passengers are able to collect in the event of a personal injury or wrongful death resulting from a cab accident. The way the system is structured, a person injured is likely to never recover more than the $350,000 minimum required by the City of Chicago, even in cases where the injured party requires lifetime medical care or when the family is suing on behalf of a victim that was killed as a result of an accident.

According to The Chicago Sun Times, this change in damage recovery resulted about twelve years ago when Chicago stopped cab companies from being able to have a monopoly on owning cabs within the city, and as it stands now, no one company can own more that twenty five percent of city-issued taxi medallions. Prior to this, two Chicago cab companies had a complete monopoly on the system and typically held multiple layers of insurance, which would be available to protect the company in the event of a lawsuit and provide higher monetary damages for victims. The new system allow companies to argue that the driver is a private agent and without being able to show that the driver is an agent of the company, the recovery can be much lower for victims. While the legislature coming in to stop monopolies is good for cab companies and clients alike, these changes made it harder for injured victims of Chicago taxi accidents to recover the amount they deserve for the harm or injury caused. To read more about the damage recovery caps for cab accidents in Chicago, please click on the link.

During the summer months, the number of motorcycles out on the road increases greatly. With the influx of motorcycles rides due to the warm weather, it is important to remember certain safety tips to make sure this enjoyable pastime does not result in any serious personal injuries. Luckily, motorcycle riders seem to be exercising greater caution, as seen by the recent drop in motorcycle fatalities. According to Health Day, deaths on motorcycles have decreased about ten percent, which is the first decrease in the last eleven years. To read more about the recent drop in motorcycle accident deaths, please click on this hyperlink.

Experts believe that the decrease in fatal accidents is due to a variety of factors, including the economy, the poorer weather over the past year, fewer new riders, and state attention to safety programs. Many states have started to encourage and make laws that require that certain safety measures be taken while riding motorcycles. While it is not yet a requirement in every state to wear a motorcycle helmet when riding, many more states are requiring it and it is one of the most important precautions a rider can take. Given that motorcycles offer no protection in the event of a motorcycle crash, riders should always protect their heads by wearing a helmet. Additionally, Illinois accident attorneys remind riders to always drive only when the conditions are safe to do so and make sure to always pay attention to the road and your surroundings. Taking these few steps can make all the difference and ensure a safe and run ride!

With the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, many more people will be on the road than usual and according to AAA about 28 million people are expected to be traveling by car this weekend. With the wave of travelers, it is important to remember certain safety tips if you are going to be on the road this weekend. Even before you leave there are certain safety precautions to take to avoid car accidents. Always make sure to be well rested, because being tired can distract your focus from the road and making driving very dangerous. Additionally, if you feel too tired while driving please stop and rest before resuming driving. Before you leave make sure to inspect you car, making sure the oil and fluid levels are where they should be, the brakes are working, tires are full, and any other minor maintenance is taken care of. You would not want to get stuck on the road because of a small problem that could have been taken care of before you left. When you are ready to get on the road, make sure that all of you passengers are wearing their seatbelts and never drive with a suspended or expired license or if you have been drinking. When you are driving make sure to not let distractions take your focus off of the road. This can include using your cell phone, adjusting the radio, or trying to eat while driving. All of these activities take your focus off the road, if even just for a second, and can result in a car crash.
The increase of drivers over holiday weekends, and in the summer in general, make accidents more frequent and likely, so please be extra cautious and alert while driving this holiday weekend. Chicago injury attorneys bring you these tips to have a safe and fun holiday weekend and to remind you that these few simple steps can make all the difference in having a safe and easy drive.

In Illinois, cops are planning to crack down on seat belt usage this holiday weekend. The law in Illinois is that all drivers, all passengers riding in the front seat of a car, and all passengers under nineteen riding anywhere in the car, must be wearing a seat belt at all times the car is in motion. According to The Chicago Tribune, while this law is always in effect, Illinois state police say that they will be extra hard on people this weekend and be watching for seat belt violations extra carefully. The reason behind this crackdown is that holiday weekends are always a time of higher accident rates and more careless driving, so the cops want to make sure that everyone is wearing seat belts to try to keep the roads safer and any injuries less severe. To read more about the Illinois State Police’s safety plans to help keep people safe in the event of car accidents during the coming holiday weekend, please click on this hyperlink.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belt usage has been steadily on the rise in recent years, and in 2008 was up to ninety percent. While these numbers are good and it is obviously good that the statistics continue to rise in this regard, it is important for everyone to wear a seat belt. Chicago injury attorneys remind readers that seat belts can safe lives and can be what keeps someone from receiving serious personal injuries if they are involved in a car crash. Please make sure to do your part to reduce traffic accident injuries and always wear your seat belt and make sure that your passengers always wear their seat belts.

Given the recent rise in temperature, more and more motorcyclists are on the road in Chicago. While motorcycle riding can be a very enjoyable hobby for many people, it is important to remember to always be safe and aware when operating or riding on a motorcycle. Taking a few simple safety precautions can be the difference between life and death in the unfortunate case of a motorcycle accident. To read about Share the Road Safely’s motorcycle safety tips, please click on this link.

The first and possibly most important safety measure that all motorcycle operators and riders should take is to always wear a helmet. Brain injuries are the most common injury with a motorcycle accident and wearing a helmet is a simple way to help avoid this type of injury. While helmets are not required in the state of Illinois, riders should take it upon themselves to always wear helmets. Since motorcycles are so small and do not really offer any protection it is important to be extra cautious and alert and always pay attention to the road. Additionally, be aware of were a truck’s blind spots are and make sure to stay out of these areas and make sure to always maintain a safe speed always following the speed limit of the area you are driving in. Before you get on your bike to go for a ride make sure that you have recently done a safety inspect on the bike. Please follow these few simple tips to stay safe and avoid traffic accidents!

Oprah Winfrey has started a new campaign urging everyone to make their cars “no phone zones”. The goal behind this campaign is to get people to not use their cell phone to call or text while they are driving, with the goal of reducing car accidents. Cell phone use in cars has been proven to be very dangerous, and the distraction that it causes to drivers has even been compared to the impairment that alcohol can have on a driver. Oprah is asking her viewers to “sign” a no phone zone pledge on her website having them agree to not use their phone while driving, and already has over 200,000 people that have agreed to partake in this pledge.

According to PC Mag’s website, Oprah has many organizations behind her and in full support on this pledge, including the Department of Transportation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and many others. Many states (close to half) have enacted anti-texting laws that make it illegal to text while the car is in drive. Illinois is one of the states that has an anti-texting law which went into effect earlier this year. Additionally, a law has gone into effect nationwide that bans the use of cell phone for text messaging among all government workers. Congress is looking into more options including a possible incentive program for drivers that avoid texting while driving. While these laws are very important in preventing car crashes, more steps need to be taken by individual drivers to help fix this dangerous problem. To read more about Oprah Winfrey’s new anti-texting campaign, please click on the hyperlink.

A group of Illinois teens were given the opportunity to take a defensive driving training course taught by professional drivers in order to help teach them how to deal with certain dangers of the road, such as skidding on the road and obstacles in the road. The reason that these young teens were able to participate in this program was as a reward for having one of the best teen driving awareness programs which works to try to reduce the number of teenage car accidents. This course was taught by professional race car drivers who knew how to handle the situations they were teaching the students. The defensive driving course has very hands on and would teach students how to deal with dangerous situations by showing them what would happen and then how to properly react in order to stay safe. While the students did say some of the things they were taught to do were scary they also said that learning how to react made them feel like it would keep them from getting into a dangerous situation in real life and when they were on the road all by themselves and hopefully helps them avoid car crashes. Parents of these students also agreed that this program was a great idea and that they hope that it will make kids more away of the potential dangers of driving. While parents know the dangers and can try to explain to their children how to avoid them, it can often be hard to explain it in a way that makes sense and parents of children that attended this course felt that this approach was a great experience for their children. To read more about the teenage defensive driving lessons, please click on this link.

As prom season approaches, please make sure to discuss with your children the importance of safe driving on prom night. Teenage drivers are a very high risk group to begin with, as car accidents are the leading cause of death for children aged 16-19 years old. According to the Center for Disease Control, this age group is four times more likely to crash than older drivers. The high likelihood of teenage driving accidents is due to inexperience , distraction, and other issues common to young drivers. Since teenage drivers are more likely to be involved in car accidents generally, it is important to talk to them about the additional dangers that may present themselves on prom night.

On prom night, many underage kids may consume alcohol and unfortunately may still decide to get behind the wheel. Given the inherent dangers in driving while under the influence, it is crucial for teenage kids to understand that they should never try to drive even after one drink. Additionally, it is important to make sure that they understand that other kids may try to drive while drunk and that it is important to tell an adult or the police if that person insists on driving while under the influence in order to stop them from getting hurt or from hurting others.

An additional problem that presents itself on prom night is that teenage drivers may be driving much later than they are usually allowed to or are familiar with. Make sure teenage drivers understand that if they feel in anyway uncomfortable driving in any situation on prom night that they should call an adult to come pick them up. For more information on teenage driving, please click on this link. Please remember these important tips and talk to your child before prom to try to reduce the number of teenage car accidents this prom season!

A wrongful death lawsuit settled for just over $2 million dollars in connection with a June 2009 accident in which four people died and another was seriously injured. The car accident occurred after an off duty police officer was at a bar and drank a great deal of alcohol before getting behind the wheel of her car and then later drive into oncoming traffic. The court found both defendants, the police officer responsible for the accident and the bar responsible for serving her liable for the wrongful death of the four individuals. The lawsuit money was divided up between the families of the four victims, the sole survivor and the plaintiff’s attorneys. According to the Courthouse News Service, manslaughter charges are still pending against the police officer. To read more about this car crash lawsuit settlement, please click on this hyperlink.

It is important for bars and any establishment that serves alcohol to realize that they may be held liable for over-serving customers or for failing to stop them from leaving if they are aware that the person is clearly intoxicated. While not all drunk driving accident lawsuits choose to name the bar as a defendant in the case, this may be an option, so we encourage owners to be aware and alert of what is going on throughout your establishment in order to protect patrons and others on the road. If you or a loved one was injured in a drunk driving accident and would like to discuss your legal options, please contact an Illinois accident attorney today.

A recent study was done to help determine when people suffering from various types of dementia should no longer be legally allowed to drive. The issue with people with advanced types of dementia driving is that dementia affects the brain and memory and in its advanced stages can affect a person’s memory, attention, language, and ability to problem solve. This can be dangerous for a driver because paying constant attention to the road and being oriented to what is going on is crucial to be safe on the road and help avoid car accidents.

According to The American Academy of Neurology, new guidelines have been issued to determine at what level of advancement people with various forms of dementia are no longer safe when driving. A type of rating scale has been implemented that allows doctors to use a combination of information received from both a person with dementia’s caregiver and from an observation of the person themselves to determine what level of dementia they are suffering from. The reason that this testing scale is appropriate is that doctors have found that not all patients suffering from dementia are incapable of safely driving and that as many as 76 percent of patients with mild dementia are safe to drive.

It is important for caregivers to be alert and aware of dementia patients driving and if anything seems out of the ordinary such as car crashes, moving violations, avoiding certain driving conditions, or generally becoming more aggressive or impulsive, as these may be warning signs of dementia advancing or getting to a point that may make driving unsafe. If you notice these type of changes, please contact a doctor to the get the dementia patient tested for driving. To read more about the new guidelines for safe driving and dementia patients, please click on this hyperlink.

In Illinois, all drivers must have car insurance for every motor vehicle they own including cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. All drivers must carry their insurance card, issued by the insurance company upon issuance or renewal of the insurance policy, with them at all times and be willing to show it to any police officer that asks. While it is very important to always keep your insurance card with you at all times, if you forgot it but the insurance policy is up to date some officers will allow you to prove that you have current insurance in either court or by mail to avoid a penalty. In Illinois, if a person is found to be driving without car insurance, the first offense will result in the suspension of the drivers license until the driver pays a $100 fee and shows prove of current evidence. According to Cyber Drive Illinois, the driver will also be fined $500 for driving without insurance and will be fined $1000 for driving the same car in the time period in which the license plate is suspended. Aside from just checking at traffic stops or after accidents, Illinois has started randomly selecting cars and sending the owners a questionnaire asking for current insurance policy information, and that information will be double checked with the insurance provided. To read more about the Illinois requirements for car insurance and where you can obtain car insurance, please click on this link.

The Chicago injury attorneys at Levin & Perconti strongly believe in the importance of car insurance, not only to keep drivers from getting fines, but to protect drivers in the event of a car crash. Under Illinois law, the minimum amount of insurance required is as follows: $20,000 for the injury or death of one person in a car accident, $40,000 for the injury or death of more than one person in a car accident, and $15,000 for damage to another person’s property. While this is the state required minimum, there are certain more extensive types of policies that can protect and cover drivers even if the other person involved in the accident and who is at fault has little or no insurance themselves. One type of policy that is available in Illinois is underinsured motorist policy which means that you are protected by your insurance company and can recover damages when the other driver that caused the accident’s minimum coverage will not cover the damages. Additionally, in Illinois there is the option of obtaining and uninsured motorist policy. This is similar to the previous policy but means that your insurance company will protect you against uninsured drivers that are at fault for an accident as opposed to drivers with minimum insurance. Levin & Perconti recommends these policies because of how much protection they can offer to drivers in the event of an accident with a driver who is at fault but their insurance will not be able to cover the damages of the driver who is not at fault. Damages from a car accident can be extensive, so it is always good to protect yourself and your loved ones by having a thorough and extensive car insurance policy.

A car accident lawsuit has been filed against a police officer who is believed to have been texting while driving, which then caused a fatal accident. The car accident occurred several weeks ago and happened when the police sergeant allegedly unsafely and illegally changed lanes to enter the highway and crashed into a passenger car killing one of the people in the vehicle. According to WOAI's website, the family of the victim, as well as a surviving passenger from the crash, have filed the wrongful death lawsuit against he police officer, even though the police reports show that both drivers were to blame. The attorneys representing the victim are trying to ensure that phone records are not destroyed or tampered with so they can see if the officer was in fact texting at the time of the accident. If the officer is found to have been texting when the accident occurred this could be very serious because of how recent studies have shown the danger of texting while behind the wheel. Texting while driving is becoming outlawed in many states, including Illinois. To read more about this tragic accident, please click on the link.

According to the Health Finder website, over half a million people were injured and close to 6,000 killed last year in accidents that were caused by distracted drivers using their cell phone (either talking on or texting). Given the incredibly high number of accidents caused by driver distraction with cell phone usage, many states are cracking down on this problem by banning certain phone actions while driving. It is virtually impossible to pay complete attention to the road while checking your cell phone for a text or responding to one and this is a problem that is entirely avoidable. This distracted while driving danger also applies to police officers, and not just other drivers, and if the police officer in this case was found to be texting at the time of the accident he could face serious consequences. Even if the practice is not outlawed where he was driving, the court is very likely to find that he was at fault and that the other driver was not at fault if the officer was distracted by his cell phone at the time of the accident. Please remember how dangerous cell phones can be in terms of distracting a driver and that even one second of not paying attention to the road can lead to tragic accidents.

A Chicago bicyclist was killed on March 30th when he was struck by a car on the West Side of Chicago. The biking accident occurred when the biker was riding on North Waller Avenue and a car failed to slow down and struck the biker. According to Chicago Breaking News, the biker’s injuries were so severe that he unfortunately was unable to recover and died shortly after the biking accident. The driver that struck the man was cited with negligent driving as well as failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. To read more about this tragic car accident, please click on this link.

While drivers must always be aware of bikers and be careful to avoid hitting them, there are also certain safety precautions that bikers can take to ensure their own safety. The Chicago accident attorneys at Levin and Perconti offer several tips for bikers to remain safe while on the road. First of all, bikers should always ride as close to the curb as possible and only veer more into the road to avoid other bikers or a dangerous situation in the road. Additionally, bikers should always have at least one hand on the handlebars and never being holding on to something that would make it impossible for them to use both hands when necessary to control the bike. Whenever there is a bike path adjacent to the street, the biker should always ride on the path instead of the street. Bike should never have more people riding that there are seats available. In addition to these safety tips, all bikes should be equipped with reflective lights to help insure cars can see them and should always have a working brake. Following these tips and making sure your bike is safe to be riding can help you have a safe and enjoyable ride!

An Illinois woman that suffered serious personal injuries in a car accident this past December has filed a lawsuit against the driver of the car who the victim alleges caused the accident. According to The Telegraph, the complaint alleges that the defendant was negligent in that he failed to keep his vehicle in control, failed to stop his car in time to avoid a car accident, failed to keep a proper lookout, and that he crossed the center line. The police reports from the car accident show that the defendant lost control of his car and caused the accident because his car struck black ice and he could not control the vehicle once it struck this very dangerous type of ice. To read more about this car accident and the lawsuit in connection, please click on this link.

Black ice can be even more dangerous that other types of ice because it is more transparent, appearing the color of the ground below it, making it at times impossible for drivers to see. This type of ice occurs when very few air bubbles get trapped inside the ice which is what makes the ice so transparent. This type of ice can be very dangerous on the road to drivers and is also often a danger to pedestrians that may also not notice it while they are walking.

According to the United States Department of Transportation website, icy pavements cause close to 200,000 car crashes yearly and account for 3% of all motor vehicle accidents each year. When the pavement condition is altered, such as when there is ice or black ice, the vehicle performance and driver’s capability to handle the vehicle are both compromised. Because of these problems that occur with ice it is important for drivers to be extremely cautious when driving in icy conditions, preferably choosing not to drive if possible. If you must drive be sure to drive slowly and very cautiously while always paying extra careful attention to the road.

The Toyota recall continues on and at this point it is unknown what Toyota intends to do to combat the problems they have been facing in the past few months. Documents that were recently released show that back in 2007 Toyota was first made aware by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of floor mats becoming jammed and cause the gas pedal to get stuck, causing car accidents. Toyota’s response in 2007 was to develop a “game plan” to keep from having to have a huge recall. At this time Toyota only recalled a small number of cars (55,000) with a specific type of single floor mat in order to “solve” the problem causing vehicle crashes. Unfortunately, this did not solve the problem and three years later Toyota is in the middle of multiple recalls due to problems in their vehicles. Most recently, Toyota has recalled more than 400,000 cars and are being forced to change the brake pedals in response to a faulty brake pedal. This comes in the wake of recent recalls due to gas pedals causing acceleration and airbag problems, in all totally about 6 million cars. Toyota has faced drops in sales due to all the recent problems that were found in their vehicles. In February of 2010, Toyota sales slipped close to 9% and Toyota had pulled eight models from their line up. More than 20 people have died as a result of recent Toyota car problems and it is crucial that Toyota take active measures to ensure that safety is their priority and reduce the number of car crashes caused by their vehicles.

Recently a proposal has been made that would allow Illinois drivers, both passenger and truck drivers, to drive up to 70 miles per hour when outside the city limits of Chicago. According to My Suburban Life, this new proposal is very controversial and is being considered on the heels of the recent speed increase that allows truck drivers to drive the same maximum speed on cars in Illinois (65 miles per hour). The reasoning behind the 65 miles per hour law was that many thought that allowing all vehicles to travel the same speed would reduce car accidents by creating a more uniform speed across the board. Since this law is relatively new the statistics have not yet shown whether or not this hope of less car accidents has actually occurred. Proponents of the 70 miles per hour proposal argue that the roads were created to handle this speed and that this was the speed in place before a nationwide reduction in speed back in the 1970s (in an attempt to conserve gas and energy) and that 33 states currently have this increased speed limit in place. Opponents of the new proposal say that this will create a huge safety issue and that allowing this additional speed is inevitably going to lead to more traffic and safety issues. Unfortunately the statistics available do not offer a definitive answer as to whether or not higher speed limits lead to higher car crash rates. To read more about this Illinois speed limit proposal, please click on this link.

The Chicago car accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti are interested to see what information is revealed either supporting or against this proposal and wants to remind all drivers of the importance of following the posted speed limit whenever driving. In addition to not going too fast it is also important to not drive too slowly, because driving at a drastically different speed than other drivers, whether it be fast or slow, can lead to traffic accidents.

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!

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.

A recent study has found cell phone distraction is more likely to cause car accidents in densely populated areas. The study looked at the rates of car accidents in densely populated areas before and after the cell-phone ban laws went into effect. The results of the study showed that there was a higher drop in car accident fatalities in the heavily congested areas, as well as a higher drop in non-fatal car accidents. According to Science Daily, the reasoning that the conductors of the study believe that there is such a difference based on the congestion of the city, is because in a higher traffic area it is much easier to hit a car when distracted by a cell phone, because the cars are so much closer to each other. In other words, if you are driving on a road with no traffic and you get distracted and lose control of your car for a second, there is a much lower chance you will hit something than when you are stopped right behind another car in a heavily congested area. To read more about this study, please click on this link.

This study is very relevant for drivers in Chicago, because the city of Chicago is very densely populated and the streets are often very congested. To read about car accident rates in the city of Chicago, please click on this link. While the cell-phone ban is currently in effect in Chicago, many drivers still ignore the law and continue to use their cell phone while driving in the city. In addition to the law and potential citations you an receive for using your cell phone while driving in the city, this study offers an additional reason to not let yourself be distracted by your cell phone while driving in a heavily congested area.

Many people are concerned with the way that Toyota is handling their recent recalls in the past couple weeks. The problem that have been identified in several Toyota models involve an safety issue where gas pedals have been sticking. This is a huge safety issue as a stuck gas pedal can lead to severe car accidents if the driver is unable to control their vehicle. The more recent concern is not just over the fact that this safety issue exists but that Toyota has been slow in their response to address the problem. To read more about the Toyota recalls, please click on this link.

According to Yahoo News, the Transportation Secretary says that it took Toyota awhile to recall the vehicles once the problem was initially discovered and that the government is considered penalizing Toyota for their delay. Toyota is suffering a big blow to their image with these recent safety issues, with their stock falling, and the company that has always prided itself on safety, losing business to other companies that are stepping up in the wake of these Toyota safety issues. To read more about other companies stepping in, please click on this link. For additional info on the trouble that Toyota may be in for their slow responses, please click here.

These types of safety issues in vehicles are very important to deal with because of the severity of what these issues can cause. Many car crashes may result from these faulty gas pedals and other similar safety oversights, and this is why it is so crucial for car companies to be very thorough in their quality checks and to immediately address any issues that so come up. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of negligence on the part of a car company or another driver, please contact an Illinois accident attorney to discuss your case and see what your possible options may be.

A chain reaction car accident occurred in Chicago today, which was initially caused by the snow fall earlier this morning. Very early this morning an intoxicated driver lost control on the snowy roads and hit a median on the highway, and then a truck struck the car after it hit the median. According to Chicago Breaking News, another truck trying to avoid the accident was struck by another truck traveling behind it and jack-knifed across all the lanes of traffic. The highway had to be closed for several hours to deal with this horrible mess of cars. To read more about this Chicago accident, please click on this link.

While the city of Chicago does try to prepare for the weather and reduce car accidents by clearing the snow as soon as possible, drivers need to be cautious because all roads usually cannot be cleared in time for the morning commute. Drivers need to be aware of the weather and drive slower and more cautiously given the harsh conditions. If the roads have a lot of traffic make sure not to follow others cars too closely as it is much harder to stop quickly in icy road conditions. Also keep in mind that right when snow (or rain) begins to fall is when the roads may be the most dangerous because the roads are just becoming slick.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has offered several tips to help keep families safe over the holiday season, hopefully reducing the number of Illinois car accidents this season. IDOT first recommends to make your vehicle winter ready by assuring that you regularly check all car equipment and make sure everything is running smoothly because the Illinois winter weather can be very tough on vehicles. Next, it is important to have an emergency survival kit in your car, in the event of a car accident or other car trouble. This kit should include items such as an ice scraper and other items to clean an icy windshield, jumper cables, antifreeze, shovels, tire chains, salt and other basic tools that could come in handy in an emergency. In the event that you get stuck in your vehicle it is important to have blankets, extra coats, gloves, hats, food, candles, fire extinguisher, flashlights and flares. Also remember to always have a cell phone, preferably with a backup battery source on you at all times when traveling in a car. Whenever you are planning a trip somewhere in horrible weather, make sure you are only driving in these terrible conditions at times when it is absolutely necessary, because so many car accidents happen at times when people should not even be driving in such dangerous conditions. If you must travel check the weather conditions along the route prior to departure to give you a better idea of what to expect. Current road conditions can be found at www.dot.il.gov and Interstate rest areas are equipped with monitors that display this current road condition information as well. Also make sure to always let others know where and when you are leaving and make sure to let them know when you safely arrive. If you are planning to travel to an unfamiliar area try to travel in daylight areas and bring detailed maps along with you. Also, as in any driving situation, make sure you have proper personal identification, car registration and insurance and a full gas tank. When you are on the road make sure to always have your seat belt fastened and drive cautiously, always willing to seek refuge if weather conditions become too severe to continue driving. Always be alert and aware of your surroundings. If you do become stranded make sure to pull off as far of the road as possible to try to avoid a car accident and do not panic! Use your best judgment to determine if you should leave your vehicle to try to seek help (be aware of the temperature outside) and if you decide to stay in your vehicle and wait for help make sure to stay moving when possible to increase body heat. Please follow these tips to avoid car accidents and have a safe holiday season! For more IDOT tips, please click on this hyperlink.

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.

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.

A new emergency contact system was been created in Illinois in order to help the families of car accident victims receive word of the accident sooner. Illinois drivers can now enter their emergency contact information on the secretary of state’s website, www.cyberdriveillinois.com, so their families can be contacted as soon as possible following a car accident. This information will only be available to law enforcement and emergency services people and will remain confidential to the public. This will hopefully help families be notified of a car accident as soon as possible. For more information on this new system, click here.

Illinois Public Act 96-143 creates a new offense of operating an uninsured motor vehicle that causes bodily harm to another person. It will now be a Class A misdemeanor under the Vehicle Code. The language states that if a person “causes, as a proximate result of the person’s operation of the motor vehicle, bodily harm to another person” they will have violated the statute. This new statute will greatly affect car accident cases in Illinois. To read the entire statute, please click the link.

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.

There has not been a substantial increase in the number of vehicle owners that have been driving without liability insurance in Illinois. A larger increase was expected as a result of the recession, but even with the numbers as they are there is still a big concern with uninsured drivers. There are over half a million uninsured drivers in Illinois and if caught driving without insurance drivers face a mandatory three month suspension of their driver’s licenses and then a $100 reinstatement fee for the driver’s license, a $100 reinstatement fee for the license plate and a $500 fine paid to the courts, as well as showing proof of current insurance. Courts will sometimes only place the driver under supervision if they purchase insurance after the offense. One way to try to cut down on this problem is by requiring vehicle owners to list their insurance company and policy number when renewing their vehicle registration. For more information on uninsured vehicle owners in Illinois, click here.

It is important to remember over the holiday weekend to be careful when traveling. One important suggestion to help stay safe in your travels is to not text while you are driving a car. Don’t forget that other drivers could be texting while driving and so it is extremely important to pay close attention when driving in order to avoid car accidents. While holiday travel has been lower over the past couple years, more holiday car travel is expected this year because gas is lower than it was last year. Another important caution to take when traveling this holiday season is too make sure never to drink and drive. For more information of ways to stay safe this Fourth of July weekend, please click here.