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Avoiding Car Crashes on Thanksgiving
The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that more than 500 people could die on American roads during the Thanksgiving holiday period because of the increased number of travelors on the road and the frequency of alcohol consumption at most family gatherings. Approximately 29 percent of motor vehicle accident fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver during Thanksgiving. Insurance research and analysis website ValuePenguin states that Texas is the 17th most dangerous state for people to drive in during Thanksgiving with a holiday motor vehicle fatality rate of 1.58 per 100,000 residents.
Being involved in a crash can lead to painful injuries and heavy financial burdens, including medical expenses and vehicle repair costs. Any person dealing with injuries after a car accident this November should quickly seek the help of a Waukegan car accident attorney.
Pedestrians Face Daily Dangers
You do not have to look too hard to see how frequently pedestrians are in the news for being involved in various motor vehicle accidents in the greater Lake County area. On October 19, 2022, the Lake & McHenry County Scanner reported that the McHenry County Coroner had identified a 47-year-old woman who was struck and killed while trying to cross Algonquin Road in Lake in the Hills.
If you or a loved one were involved in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to recover monetary compensation for your medical bills and other damages.
How Pedestrians Can Stay Safe
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) outlines eight safety tips for both drivers and pedestrians when it comes to pedestrian safety. This is good to understand because the truth of the matter is that both drivers and pedestrians have important roles to play in avoiding motor vehicle collisions.
What Traffic Rules Must Drivers of Recreational Vehicles in Illinois Follow?
Recreational vehicles (RVs) can be an enjoyable way to travel and see the country. During the pandemic, many families turned to RV travel as a safer way to take a vacation. However, these large vehicles come with an additional set of safety concerns that do not necessarily pertain to drivers of smaller personal vehicles. Although there is some debate regarding whether a special license should be required to operate such a massive vehicle on public streets, in Illinois, only requires those operating very large RVs or towing excessive weight to obtain a special license. For all other RVs, only a regular driver’s license is required. RV accidents can be every bit as serious and destructive as commercial truck accidents due to the heaviness of the vehicle and the strong forces involved in these collisions. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a recreational vehicle, an attorney may be able to help you obtain financial compensation.
Spooky Halloween Drunk Driving Facts
Halloween can be fun for children, teenagers, and adults alike. Children may look forward all year to the night they dress up in a costume and roam their neighborhoods, collecting candy. Teenagers and adults may look forward to Halloween costume parties, where alcohol tends to flow freely. While “responsible sober driver” may not be the most fun Halloween costume ever, it is essential that a member of each group takes on this role unless public transportation is an option. The combination of drunk drivers and droves of children outdoors after dark can create an extremely dangerous situation. It is almost impossible to avoid drunk drivers around Halloween, as they are everywhere. If you are injured in a crash caused by an intoxicated driver, you are likely entitled to compensation. An attorney can help you pursue the compensation you are due after suffering harm at the hands of a drunk driver over the holiday.
Why You Must Contact the Police After a Car Accident
Many people prefer to avoid contact with the police where possible. This is quite understandable. After being involved in a car accident, quite a few people will be hesitant to contact the police and wait for them to arrive at the scene or to meet them at the emergency room. However, after most car accidents that take place in Illinois, there is a legal requirement that you must report the accident to the police. While you may be apprehensive about doing so, filing a police report can protect you legally and help your case when the time comes to file a claim against the at-fault driver. Police officers are generally considered to be neutral and trustworthy witnesses and skilled investigators in court. Having an officer available to support your assertion that the other driver is responsible for the accident can be invaluable in car accident litigation should settlement negotiations fail. It is also essential to be represented by a skilled attorney during the process of pursuing car accident compensation.
What if I Cannot Return to My Job After Being Injured in a Car Accident?
Car accidents have the potential to alter the way a person lives for the rest of their life. Not all injuries will heal, even with extensive treatment. Some injuries will cause long-lasting or permanent harm. Many people who have suffered a severe injury in a car accident have serious concerns about whether they will be able to return to work, and if not, how they will support themselves or their families. If you have suffered a permanent or chronic injury as a result of a car accident caused by another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation that could cover your lost future income. Claiming these types of damages can be difficult, as the other party will likely resist paying this type of award, which could be of significant financial value. If you have been forced to change careers or stop working due to car accident injuries, you will likely need to work with an attorney to recover the amount of compensation you need to make up for your lost ability to work.
Pursuing Compensation for a Road Rage Accident
Road rage incidents have been increasing nationwide. The reasons for this are multi-faceted and complex - there is no one single identifiable cause for this increase. Some people became quite used to empty roads during lockdowns. During a time of economic stress, people tend to work longer hours and become less patient on their commutes. Even higher degrees of political conflict can have an effect on how drivers interact with one another on the roads. With road rage incidents becoming ubiquitous, so are car accidents that stem from them. Lawyers are seeing an increase in clients who were injured by another driver who was clearly infuriated, whether with them personally or with traffic in general. If you were injured by a driver with road rage, you may be entitled to compensation. In some cases, injuries inflicted by road rage drivers who were more than careless in causing the accident can lead to higher awards or settlements. An attorney can assess your case and guide you through the process of filing a claim.
3 Most Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents
Being involved in any type of collision, no matter how minor, can put a motorcyclist at extreme risk of harm. Motorcycle accidents can result in injuries severe enough to alter the course of a person’s life. While the risk of a traumatic brain injury can be somewhat mitigated with the proper use of a motorcycle helmet, the risk of neck and spinal cord injuries generally cannot. Neck and back injuries can cause paralysis, or long-lasting pain and disability. Wrongful death cases related to fatal motorcycle accidents must all too often be brought by the victim’s surviving family members. While motorcyclists encounter many sources of danger on the roads, careless drivers are perhaps the single greatest threat. Drivers often fail to use reasonable caution in sharing the road with motorcyclists, who have little protection in the event of an impact. If you were injured by a careless driver while riding a motorcycle, an attorney may be able to help you recover compensation.
Compensable Damages in a Car Accident Case
The financial costs and losses associated with a motor vehicle accident can be burdensome. In addition to the initial medical costs, there may be future costs associated with ongoing care. Many car accident victims are not yet healed - to the extent that they will heal - at the time their claim is settled, and yet, future expenses must be accounted for. For those whose income is needed to support themselves and their families, lost wages may be a major source of concern. Both future healthcare costs and lost wages may be compensable damages after a car accident claim. After a car accident, the not-at-fault party or parties may be able to recover a variety of types of compensation. The goal of pursuing compensation after a car accident is to place you roughly in the position you would have been in had the accident not occurred. It is critical to have the guidance of an attorney throughout the claims process.
The Intersection of Products Liability and Motor Vehicle Accident Claims
While motor vehicle accidents and product liability claims are frequently thought of as discrete concepts, sometimes, the clear cause of a motor vehicle accident is the defectiveness of a vehicular component. As the manufacturer of a culinary appliance may be liable should the heating element initiate a fire in which people are injured, so may the manufacturer of a car part be liable should a defect in that part cause a vehicle to crash, injuring occupants or others. Rarely is it the fault of a driver when he has unwittingly purchased a braking system, tire, or steering system with dangerous defects. Demonstrating that a vehicular collision was indeed caused by a defective car part can be complex and often necessitates a skilled investigation by a trained attorney.
Product Liability Claims Process
Contact a Lake County Vehicle Accident Attorney Who is Ready to Help You
If you or a member of your family has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact our office. Call 847-662-3303 to set up a free initial consultation at one of our four convenient locations. There is no risk because we only collect fees if you collect compensation. With offices in Libertyville, Waukegan, Richmond, and Chicago, we represent clients in Lake County, Cook County, DuPage County, and McHenry County.
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