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5 Questions About Wrongful Death Claims in Illinois
If you have unexpectedly lost a loved one, you are bound
to be suffering from emotional turmoil and concern for the
future. The death of a family member due to someone else’s
negligence can feel especially unfair, and it can be
difficult to deal with the legal ramifications along with
your grief and personal loss. Fortunately, an attorney can
help you manage the process of seeking compensation
through a
wrongful death
claim. If you are unsure whether such a claim is possible
in your situation, you may benefit from the answers to the
following questions.
When Can a Wrongful Death Claim Be Filed?
In Illinois, a wrongful death claim is generally possible in similar situations to a personal injury claim—namely, when the person’s death was caused by the negligence or intentional malicious actions of another party. In most cases, a claim must be filed within two years of the victim’s death, though the statute of limitations is extended to five years if the death was the result of certain forms of murder, homicide, or manslaughter.
Complications with Internal Car Accident Injuries
One of the most common causes of
car accident
injuries is the blunt force trauma of the collision.
Sometimes, the effects of this trauma are immediately
apparent. For example, an injury victim may suffer broken
bones or visible bruising, or bleeding. However, blunt
force trauma can also cause internal bleeding and injuries
that may not be so obvious. Getting medical attention
immediately after an accident is important not only to
diagnose the full extent of your injuries and get the
treatment you need, but also to document your injuries for
the purposes of filing a
personal injury claim.
Common Internal Injuries in Car Wrecks
Some internal injuries that may be caused by car accident trauma include:
- Broken or fractured ribs
- Punctured lungs
What Happens After a Car Accident with Multiple Injury Victims?
In a recent case in Lake County, a man is facing charges
for allegedly causing a
multi-vehicle accident
resulting in injuries to one person and the death of
another. Unfortunately, accidents involving several
vehicles and injury victims are not uncommon in Illinois,
and they can be some of the most complicated cases when it
comes to recovering compensation for the victims. If you
or a loved one has been injured in such an accident, you
may have many confusing details to navigate, and you can
benefit from the help of a
personal injury
attorney who has experience with similar cases.
Is There Enough Insurance Coverage for All of the Victims?
In most personal injury cases involving car accidents, a victim’s compensation comes from the negligent party’s liability insurance. However, auto insurance policies have limits on the amount of payment this coverage can provide. In Illinois, when a driver has only the minimum liability insurance coverage required by law, these limits are $25,000 per injury victim and $50,000 per accident. If the same driver is responsible for injuries to several people who each file a personal injury claim, these limits may be insufficient, especially if any of the victims’ injuries are severe.
What Medical Expenses Can Be Covered in a Personal Injury Claim?
If you are injured in a
car crash
or any other
serious accident, you may need substantial medical attention, both in the
immediate aftermath and throughout the course of your
recovery. Your medical care can be quite costly, often
reaching into the range of five or even six figures. These
costs can easily become unmanageable, especially if you do
not have health insurance to help you cover the expenses.
Fortunately, if you can demonstrate that your injuries
were caused by someone else’s negligence, you can hold the
liable party accountable for your damages, including the
full extent of your medical expenses.
Covering the Costs of Your Medical Care
Depending on the type of injuries you have suffered and their severity, your necessary medical care and treatment may include some or all of the following:
- Emergency care - This may include the costs of ambulance transportation from the accident location to the hospital, as well as the costs of treatment provided in the emergency room.
How Do Fatal Illinois Car Accidents in 2021 Compare to Past Years?
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
maintains a running total of traffic accident fatalities
each year, which provides important data to identify
trends and inform the state’s efforts to implement safety
measures. Two years ago, we looked at the
2019 fatality statistics in Illinois
and noted that there had been a decline in
fatal accidents
from the previous year. Unfortunately, this trend has
reversed in the last two years, resulting in a troubling
increase in accident fatalities. With this in mind, it is
important to take all available safety precautions when
you are on the road and to understand what you can do if
you lose a loved one in a fatal car crash.
Fatal Car Accidents and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Illinois law enforcement reports that the rise in car crash fatalities has coincided with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, despite there being fewer drivers on the road overall, there was a substantially higher number of fatal accidents compared to 2019. Officers cite higher speeds and greater use of alcohol and drugs as contributors to this increase. Statewide, fatal accidents increased by 16 percent from the previous year, and in Chicago, fatal accidents increased by 45 percent. These numbers made 2020 the worst year for fatal Illinois car accidents in 13 years.
Who Is At Fault for Accidents Involving Drowsy Truck Drivers?
Almost everyone has had the experience of feeling drowsy
while driving, especially given our busy lifestyles and
tendencies to stay up late or forgo the sleep we need to
stay fully rested. While
drowsy driving
may seem fairly innocent, it can have very serious
consequences. This is especially true for drivers of
commercial semi-trucks, who can easily lose control of
their vehicle and cause an accident if they start to drift
off to sleep even for a few seconds. If you have been
injured in a
truck accident, drowsy driving may have been a contributing factor, and
you could be entitled to compensation from multiple liable
parties.
What Causes Drowsy Driving?
Drowsy driving, otherwise known as driver fatigue, can happen for many different reasons. Lack of sleep is one of the most common, including in cases in which the driver generally does not get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each day, as well as cases in which the driver is on the road late into the night. Drowsiness is also a common side effect of many medications, and it can start to take hold when a driver has consumed alcohol or certain other drugs.
Back-to-School Season Could Mean More Bus Accidents
With many Illinois students returning to in-person
schooling in the coming weeks, school buses will become a
common sight again on the roads. Just like any other motor
vehicle, school buses are sometimes involved in accidents
that result in serious injuries. Although these accidents
are fairly uncommon, they can be some of the most
complicated when it comes to recovering compensation. If
you or your child is injured in a
school bus accident, a
personal injury
attorney can help you determine who is at fault and take
the appropriate steps to settle or resolve your claim.
School Bus Accidents in Illinois
Illinois has had its fair share of serious school bus accidents, with perhaps the most notable being a 1995 railroad crossing collision in Fox River Grove, in which seven students lost their lives. Certainly, not every school bus accident results in such tragic losses, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) reports that school buses are actually one of the safest forms of transportation for passengers. However, in 2019, there were still more than 1,200 school bus accidents in Illinois. More than 200 of those crashes resulted in injuries.
How Can Police Officers Recover Damages for Car Accident Injuries?
Law enforcement officers often have dangerous jobs, and
they can be injured in any number of ways while performing
their duties. Of course, there is the risk of intentional
injury at the hands of a criminal suspect or a person who
chooses to target a police officer, but patrolling
officers are also often injured in
car accidents. Just this past weekend, an Illinois State trooper in
Chicago was injured while conducting a traffic stop when
he was struck by a driver who was subsequently charged
with a DUI. Fortunately, officers and their families have
options for recovering compensation for injuries sustained
in the line of duty.
Workers’ Compensation and Other Benefits
Like most employees in Illinois, law enforcement officers who are injured in the course of their work are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits through their employers. These benefits provide for the costs of an injured officer’s medical care, and they can also provide lost wage benefits when the injuries result in long-term or permanent disabilities. Officers also have additional protection under the Illinois Public Employee Disability Act, which provides benefits in the full amount of the officer’s salary for the first year of their disability. These benefits are often the first place an injured officer should look for the compensation they need.
How Prevalent Are Jet Ski Injuries in Illinois?
This summer,
jet ski accidents
have been brought to public attention in Illinois after a
couple of tragic incidents. In June, a man died in the
Illinois River near Peoria when his jet ski became
submerged. Then, in July, another man lost his life in a
collision between his jet ski and another in Lake Michigan
near Chicago. There is clearly a risk of serious injury
for anyone who rides a jet ski, but you may wonder just
how prevalent these accidents are, and what you can do if
you or a loved one is injured.
Illinois Jet Ski Injury Statistics
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) publishes an annual recreational boating report, which includes statistics regarding accidents, injuries, and fatalities throughout the year. According to the most recently published report, between October 1, 2019, and September 30, 2020, there were 36 recreational boating injuries and 21 fatalities throughout Illinois. Twelve of those injuries were due to accidents involving personal watercraft, including jet skis. Fortunately, there were no personal watercraft fatalities during that time frame, but recent accidents demonstrate that the risk is there.
Tips For Avoiding Injury When Your Car Stalls on the Highway
If you have ever traveled on the
interstate,
you have likely seen a car stalled on the side of the
highway and been thankful that it was not you. However,
anyone could find themself in a similar situation, whether
due to unexpected engine troubles, a blown tire, or some
other cause.
Stalling on the highway is not just an inconvenience, it can also put you at risk of serious injury from passing drivers. Just last weekend, two people were injured in a collision on I-94 in Lake County after a woman’s vehicle broke down. You may be able to avoid similar injuries by understanding the safety precautions you should take if your own vehicle stalls.
What Should I Do If My Vehicle Breaks Down on the Interstate?
It is easy to be caught unaware if your car breaks down on the road. However, it is important to try to stay calm and consider taking the following actions to protect yourself and your passengers:
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.
Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.
