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Studies Show that Daydreaming Leads to More Injurious and Fatal Car Accidents
If you are like most people, you probably get lost in
your thoughts from time to time. Whether you are thinking
about a work obligation, family issue, or simply your
grocery shopping list, getting lost in thought or
“daydreaming” happens to everyone. However, when a
motorist daydreams while driving, the consequences can be
deadly. Inattention is consistently associated with an
increased chance of being involved in a
motor vehicle collision. In fact, some studies suggest that daydreaming behind
the wheel is an even greater issue than cell phone use
behind the wheel.
Study Shows that One in Ten Fatal Collisions Were Caused by Daydreaming
By the time a motorist has been driving for a few years, driving becomes second nature. Most drivers do not have to consciously think about applying the brake when they see brake lights ahead or flipping the turn signal when changing lanes – they simply do it automatically. Unfortunately, this automation can lead drivers to become disengaged from the driving process.
How Comparative Negligence May Influence Your Motorcycle Crash Injury Claim
The weather is finally starting to warm up in the
Waukegan area. Some individuals are taking their
motorcycles out for the first time this year. While
enjoyable, riding a motorcycle can be a dangerous hobby.
If you or a loved one were hurt in a
motorcycle collision, it is important to know your rights. You could be
entitled to financial compensation for damages. However,
the amount of compensation that you may recover may be
influenced by a legal theory called “comparative
negligence.”
Damages in a Motorcycle Collision Case
If you were injured in a motorcycle crash, you could potentially recover compensation for damages through a personal injury claim. Compensation for the damage to your motorcycle and other personal property, medical expenses, lost wages from missed work, and pain and suffering may be recoverable. Damages in a fatal motorcycle accident may include the loss of your loved one’s income and services, the loss of companionship or guidance provided by your loved one, medical and funeral expenses, and more. However, in motorcycle accident cases, the legal concept of comparative negligence can reduce the compensation you are entitled to.
What Are My Legal Options if My Loved One Was Killed by Reckless Driving?
Motorists driving on public roads have a legal “duty of
care” to the people around them. This means that drivers
have a legal obligation to follow traffic laws and drive
in a reasonably prudent manner. Driving with “willful or
wanton” disregard for others’ safety is considered
reckless driving. If your family member was
killed in a reckless driving accident, it is important to know your rights. You may be able to
hold the driver civilly accountable for your loved one’s
death in addition to any criminal consequences the driver
faces.
Criminal Penalties for Reckless Driving That Results in a Person’s Death
Reckless drivers do not usually intend for anyone to be injured or killed. Nevertheless, driving at excessive speeds or with gross negligence can lead to criminal charges. In Illinois, a motorist who causes an accident that results in death may be charged with reckless homicide. This Class 3 felony is punishable by a jail sentence of up to five years. Criminal charges brought by the state against the reckless driver may get justice for your loved one, but criminal charges do not address the damages suffered by the surviving loved ones. In addition to criminal charges, you may also be able to bring a civil claim against the reckless driver.
Viral Video of Woman Who Put Gorilla Glue in Her Hair Raises Product Liability Questions
Everyone makes decisions that they later regret. For one
woman, the choice to substitute Gorilla Glue Spray
Adhesive for her usual hairspray is one decision that may
stick with her for the rest of her life. In a video
originally featured on the popular social media platform
TikTok, the woman explained that the glue left her hair
tightly affixed to her scalp for over a month. The viral
video has created a good deal of controversy across the
internet. Some say that the woman has no one to blame but
herself for the sticky situation while others point to
misleading labels and insufficient product warnings as the
cause of the problem. Regardless of fault, the issue
brings up important questions about
product liability.
Product Manufacturers and Designers Owe a Legal Duty to Consumers
Product liability law deals with the legal obligations that product manufacturers, designers, and retailers have to consumers. Parties must ensure that their products do not contain defects that may put consumers at an unreasonable risk of injury. Product liability claims are typically brought under the legal theories of strict liability, negligence, or breach of warranty. An individual may have a valid product liability claim if a defective product caused him or her injury and the injury led to damages.
Who Is Legally Liable for a Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one were involved in a
truck accident, a personal injury claim may allow you to recover
financial compensation for your vehicle damage, medical
bills, disability, pain and suffering, and other losses.
However, it is not always easy to identify the party who
is “liable” or legally responsible for a truck accident.
Many people assume that the truck driver is automatically
at-fault for a serious truck accident, however, the
trucking company, a manufacturing company, or even a
government entity such as a state may be liable for a
truck accident.
Truck Accidents Caused By Truck Driver Negligence
A large percentage of truck accidents are caused by negligent driving. Distracted driving is a particular concern. Because of their massive size, commercial trucks take a long time to stop. If a truck driver is looking down at his or her radio, GPS, or cellphone when a stopped vehicle or other obstacle appears in front of him or her, the results can be catastrophic. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is another issue that may lead to horrific truck accidents. Truck driver fatigue and violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) rules regarding rest breaks and drive time may also be the cause of a major truck accident.
When Is a Bar or Nightclub Liable for Patrons’ Injuries Caused by Fighting?
Did you know that over 80 percent of homicides and 37
percent of assaults are committed by people under the
influence of alcohol? Alcohol is thought to increase
impulsive and aggressive behaviors because of the
substance’s effect on the brain mechanisms that typically
inhibit these behaviors. It is no surprise then that
physical altercations are common in bars, restaurants,
nightclubs, and other establishments that serve alcohol.
If you or a loved one were
injured in a bar fight
or another physical altercation while in a commercial
establishment, it is important to know your rights. You
may be entitled to compensation for your pain and
suffering, medical bills, and other damages.
Personal Injury Claims Involving Assault and Battery
Most victims of assault and battery know that the aggressor can face criminal charges for his or her violent conduct. Fewer realize that they may have the option of bringing a civil claim for damages in addition to the criminal charges. If somebody attacked you in a bar or other commercial establishment or you were injured by other patrons who were fighting each other, you may have several legal avenues for pursuing compensation for your damages. You may be able to bring a personal injury claim directly against the individual who hurt you. You may also be able to bring a premises liability claim against the establishment itself.
How Can a Personal Injury Claim Benefit Me After a Spinal Cord Injury?
Damage to the spinal cord can lead to painful,
debilitating symptoms. The spinal cord is responsible for
sending signals from the brain to the body. A spinal cord
injury can lead to loss of sensation, loss of motor
function, and even paralysis. If you or a loved one
recently suffered a
spinal cord injury
due to another party’s carelessness, you may have a right
to compensation through a personal injury claim.
Holding a Negligent Party Accountable for Your Spine Injury
Spinal cord injuries are commonly suffered in car accidents, slip and fall accidents, construction accidents, and other incidents caused by negligence. Whether your spine injury was caused by a drunk driver, distracted driver, negligent property owner, or another party, you deserve justice. A personal injury claim can help you hold the negligent party accountable for your debilitating injury. Personal injury claims are civil actions that are separate from any criminal consequences that the at-fault party may face. You can bring a personal injury claim in addition to criminal charges or in the absence of criminal charges.
What Factors Can Affect the Value of a Car Accident Injury Claim?
If you or a loved one were involved in a serious
auto accident, you probably have questions about your legal rights.
You may already know that a personal injury claim may
allow you to recover financial reimbursement for your
medical bills and other damages, but you are unsure of
what your case is worth. You may ask, “How much
compensation am I entitled to through a personal injury
claim?” The exact amount of compensation that an injured
person may be able to recover after a car accident varies
dramatically from case to case. The amount you may be
entitled to will likely be influenced by the severity of
your injuries, whether there is shared liability for the
accident, and several other factors.
The Severity of Your Injuries and Your Prognosis
In a car accident injury claim, damages often include medical bills, future medical care, and other injury-related expenses. If your injuries required significant medical treatment such as surgery or specialist treatment, this would likely increase your potential payout. If your injuries require ongoing care such as physical or occupational therapy, this too will likely increase the value of your claim. The severity of your injuries will probably affect the amount of work you will need to miss and therefore increase the amount you may be entitled to for lost income. Catastrophic injuries and injuries resulting in permanent disability often lead to higher payouts. However the severity of your injuries and your prognosis are just some of the many different factors that can influence the value of your claim.
What Types of Damages Are Common in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases?
While injuries like broken bones, lacerations, and
contusions are almost always immediately apparent,
injuries to the brain are often harder to recognize. In
fact, a person may sustain a severe brain injury and have
little to no sign of damage on the outside of his or her
head. Brain injuries range from mild to severe. Many
traumatic brain injuries
(TBI) begin subtly but eventually lead to severe symptoms.
TBI symptoms can prevent an individual from working,
fulfilling their responsibilities, and even enjoying life.
If you or a loved one sustained a traumatic brain injury,
you may be entitled to financial compensation for your
damages.
Medical Expenses and Lost Income
Traumatic brain injuries may be caused by a car accident, act of physical violence, slip and fall accident, or other situation in which the head is forcefully struck. To diagnose TBI, a doctor may order CT scans, x-rays, and other tests. Some TBI suffers even require an emergency craniectomy to surgically relieve pressure from swelling. Between ambulance fees, hospital bills, surgery, testing, and other medical costs, treating a TBI can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. The financial burden created by medical expenses may be exacerbated by the fact that the injured person cannot work while he or she is recovering. Through a personal injury claim, you may be entitled to compensation for your past and future medical bills, lost income from missed work, and any impairment to your income-earning ability.
Study Suggests Distracted Driving Has Increased Significantly During the Pandemic
Everyone knows that using a cell phone while you are
driving is unsafe. Taking your eyes off of the road or
your hands off of the wheel for even just a few seconds
can have disastrous effects. If you are traveling at 55
miles per hour and you look down at your phone for five
seconds, you drive the length of a football field without
looking where you are going. The National Traffic Safety
Administration estimates that about 660,000 drivers are
using a cell phone while driving on an average day.
However, studies conducted by Zendrive suggest that the
issue of
distracted driving
is a far greater concern than we ever realized. Even more
alarming, the issue seems to be worsening.
Nearly 70 Million People Use Their Phones While Driving Everyday
Cell phones and other handheld electronic devices have become an essential part of most people’s lives. Whether it is reading a text message, replying to email, looking up directions, or finding the perfect song, we use our cell phones for multiple reasons throughout the day. For many, using a cell phone while driving is a very difficult habit to break. However, it is a habit that leads to thousands of severe injuries and deaths every day. According to Zendrive’s study, nearly 60 percent of car accidents involve cell phone use behind the wheel. Just under 17 percent of auto collisions studied involved cell phone use during the five seconds immediately preceding the collision. Zendrive estimates that almost 70 million people are using a cell phone while driving on any given day.
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.
