Posted on June 24,2020 in Car Accidents

Americans overwhelmingly do not get as much sleep as they should. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults get at least seven hours a night. However, busy work schedules, child care tasks, and other responsibilities often take precedence over sleep. The CDC estimates that 38 – 44 percent of Illinois adults get less than the recommended amount of sleep each night. When a person is sleep-deprived, their brain is not functioning at an optimal level. This is why fatigue is such a large contributor to injury-causing car accidents.

Falling Asleep at the Wheel

Sleep deprivation can cause memory issues, difficulties with concentration and problem-solving, and slowed reaction times. Some sleep-deprived individuals even experience episodes of “microsleep” where they fall asleep for a few seconds without even realizing it. This makes drowsy driving extremely dangerous. Alcohol and drug use can significantly exacerbate the dangers of sleepiness behind the wheel. Shockingly, one in 25 drivers admits to falling asleep at the wheel at least once in the previous month. It is estimated that drowsy driving causes up to 6,000 fatal car accidents every year.

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 Posted on June 17,2020 in Personal Injury Lawsuits

For many people, fireworks are one of the most enjoyable parts of summer. Whether you are visiting a public fireworks display or setting off small fireworks in your backyard, watching the lights streak across the sky is fun for all ages. Unfortunately, fireworks can also be very dangerous. There are many steps you can take to help prevent fireworks injuries. However, if you or a loved one is injured in a fireworks accident this summer, you should know that you may be entitled to compensation.

Preventing Common Fireworks Injuries

Fireworks can be fun, but they can also cause severe, sometimes disfiguring injuries. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that, in the weeks surrounding Independence Day, 180 people per day visit emergency rooms due to fireworks-related injuries. Over 44 percent of these ER visits are for burns. The hands, fingers, face, eyes, and legs are the areas of the body that are most likely to suffer from a fireworks injury. If you plan to enjoy fireworks this summer, make sure to immediately back away from fireworks after lighting them, never point or throw fireworks at another person, and douse used fireworks in water before throwing them in the trash.

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 Posted on June 08,2020 in Personal Injury Lawsuits

Summer weather has finally arrived in Illinois which means that many people will be enjoying the sunshine out on the water. Boat accidents are less common than car accidents, but the results are often just as disastrous. Over 600 individuals lost their lives in boating accidents in 2018, and thousands more were injured. 

There are many different reasons that a boat accident can occur, but many boat accidents resulting in death or serious injury are the result of operator negligence. If someone else’s recklessness caused a boat injury in which you or a loved one were seriously hurt, you may have a valid personal injury claim. You or your loved one could potentially be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.

Top Causes of Boating Accidents

Some people do not take the responsibility of operating a boat nearly as seriously as they take the responsibility of driving a car. While roads are often congested with vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians, lakes and other bodies of water may appear nearly empty. A boat operator may feel a false sense of confidence based on this perceived emptiness and make reckless decisions as a result. For example, people who would never think to drive under the influence of alcohol may justify operating a boat drunk. Alcohol use is the top known contributor to fatal boat accidents. Boaters may also operate the boat at excessive speeds or in an erratic manner. This combined with improper lookout and operator inattention can lead to catastrophic collisions and other boat-related injuries.

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 Posted on June 02,2020 in Premises Liability

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), More than 4,000 young people pass away every year from complications caused by excessive drinking. It is against the law for people under age 21 to purchase alcohol, but it is estimated that 11 percent of the alcohol consumed in the United States is consumed by underage individuals. Underage drinking can have horrific, life-altering consequences—not only for the drinker but for others as well. Young people who do not know how intoxicated they really are may get into catastrophic car accidents that result in serious injuries and death. For all of these reasons, Illinois passed a measure called the Drug or Alcohol Impaired Minor Responsibility Act. According to the act, adults who allow underage individuals to drink may be liable for injuries or deaths caused by drunk driving accidents or by the drinking itself.

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 Posted on May 29,2020 in Motorcycle Accidents

Illinois is known for its icy, windy, and often snow-covered winters. When spring finally arrives, many people are eager to get back to the warm-weather activities they love. For motorcycle enthusiasts, little compares to the excitement of the first ride of the season. Unfortunately, riding a motorcycle can be a risky mode of transportation. Because the vehicle offers virtually no protection to the rider in the event of an accident, many motorcycle accidents result in catastrophic injuries or death. Just under 5,000 riders lost their lives in fatal motorcycle accidents in 2018 alone. If your loved one passed away in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent party, you may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.

When is a Motorcyclist’s Death Considered a “Wrongful Death?”

There are two criteria in Illinois law regarding wrongful deaths. A death is considered wrongful when:

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 Posted on May 26,2020 in Accident Liability

Electric scooters can be fun, cost-effective means of travelling. Unfortunately, these scooters can also be dangerous for both scooter riders and other people. Since electric scooters started increasing in popularity, emergency rooms have seen more and more scooter-related injuries. Scooters that are used improperly or left in walkways or sidewalks can be a hazard for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. If you have been injured because of a negligent scooter driver, you may be curious as to whether you can bring a personal injury claim for damages. Liability for scooter-related accidents can be tricky, so it is important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to get the help you need.

Scooters Can Cause Serious Injuries to Non-Riders

Ten e-scooter vendors distributed scooters throughout Chicago last summer as part of a pilot program. A survey was conducted to learn residents’ opinions about the influx of scooters. While 84 percent of scooter riders supported continuing the program, interestingly, only 21 percent of non-riders wanted the program to continue.

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 Posted on May 22,2020 in Brain Injuries

 Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) often occur when an incident such as a car accident or fall causes the head to be struck or violently shaken. TBIs can also be the result of an object penetrating the skull and damaging brain tissue. A traumatic brain injury can cause significant, long term pain and suffering. The injured person may experience symptoms that dramatically reduce his or her ability to work or even enjoy life. He or she may need expensive medical care and rehabilitation. In some cases, a personal injury lawsuit may help a person recover compensation for medical expenses and other financial losses incurred by a TBI.

Concussions and Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries

TBIs can vary dramatically in severity. The mildest form of TBI is a concussion. If you have a concussion you may experience dizziness, headache, double vision, nausea or vomiting, light and noise sensitivity, confusion, or balance problems. While the symptoms of a concussion are often temporary and do not cause long-term health complications, some people develop a condition called post-concussion syndrome (PCS). Individuals who have experienced head trauma in the past may be more likely to develop this syndrome. PCS can cause anxiety, irritability, depressed mood, and problems with concentration and memory. An individual with PCS may also experience long-term headaches, dizziness, and trouble sleeping. These symptoms can dramatically interfere with the person’s day-to-day life and may last weeks or months after the injury.

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 Posted on May 20,2020 in Wrongful Death

The death of a close family member is heartbreaking regardless of the circumstances surrounding the death. However, when a loved one is killed due to the negligent, careless, or intentional acts of another party, the loss can be even more tragic. Not only do surviving loved ones have to deal with their personal loss, they must also manage the financial loss caused by the death. Fortunately, surviving family members of the deceased may be entitled to compensation for their losses through a wrongful death claim.

When is a Person’s Death Considered a Wrongful Death?

Not every unexpected death is considered a wrongful death. The Illinois Wrongful Death Act states that a wrongful death is a death caused by “wrongful act, neglect, or default.” If the deceased person, should he or she have survived his or her injuries, would have been able to pursue damages through a personal injury lawsuit, then the representative of the deceased person is permitted to pursue damages through a wrongful death lawsuit. There are almost countless situations that may lead to a wrongful death claim.

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 Posted on May 13,2020 in Personal Injury Lawsuits

The human body is an incredible machine. Bones, muscles, ligaments, and nerves all work in harmony to allow us to move around and respond to our environment. The back is an especially intricate part of the body. Damage to the spinal cord, vertebrae, cartilage, back muscles, or other parts of the back can lead to excruciating pain and reduced movement that may last years if not a lifetime. If you or a loved one have recently suffered a back injury, you should know what your legal options for pursuing compensation are.

Types of Back Injuries

If you have experienced severe back pain, you know just how miserable it can be. Working, maintaining your home, caring for children, enjoying hobbies, or even finding a comfortable resting position may be nearly impossible. There are many different types of back injuries that can cause this type of suffering including:

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 Posted on May 06,2020 in Car Accidents

In Illinois, individuals who are hurt in auto accidents caused by recklessness or intentional wrongdoing may choose to bring a personal injury claim against the party responsible for the accident. Often, people assume that car accident injury claims are brought by an injured driver against another driver. However, the claimant in a personal injury case may be an injured driver, passenger, or a pedestrian. A passenger hurt in an accident may bring a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver even if the at-fault driver was operating the vehicle the passenger was riding in. If you or a loved one were hurt in an auto accident caused by negligence, read on to learn about your right to pursue compensation.

Who is Liable for an Injury-Causing Accident?

Traffic accidents are rarely black and white. There may be a number of factors that led to the accident. Driver inattention, speeding or violation of traffic laws, driving under the influence of alcohol, hazardous weather conditions, and many other elements could all contribute to a serious wreck. It is also possible that more than one person’s actions may have contributed to the accident. 

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