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Injuries Caused By Reckless Driving Can Trigger Personal Injury Lawsuits
Car accidents
injure approximately 3 million individuals in the United
States every year. While many of these injuries are minor
cuts and bruises, traffic accidents can also result in
severe injuries that affect the injured person for many
months or even years. Sadly, many of these serious car
accidents are avoidable. They may be caused by a driver
who is not paying attention to the road, is under the
influence of drugs or alcohol, or worse, intentionally
chooses to disobey traffic laws.
When a person knowingly drives in a way that puts the motorists, passengers, and pedestrians around him or her in danger, he or she may be charged with reckless driving. If you or a loved one were involved in an accident caused by reckless driving, a personal injury lawsuit may help you hold the reckless driver accountable for their wrongdoing.
Tips for Minimizing Your Risk of an Accident While Driving in Winter Weather
Illinois is known for its harsh winters. The combination
of icy roads, low visibility due to snow, and an increased
number of vehicles on the highways can make driving during
the winter holiday season especially perilous. This time
of year, many people are also attending holiday parties
and events where alcohol is served, which increases the
number of drunk drivers. The National Highway Safety
Administration (NHSA) estimates that over 75,000 Americans
are injured in
car accidents
that occur when it is snowing every year. If you or a
loved one were injured in a car accident this winter,
contact an experienced attorney to learn about your
options for compensation.
Stay Safe While Traveling This Holiday Season
If you plan to travel for the holidays, there are several steps you can take to minimize your chances of being injured in a car accident. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can to do stop other drivers from driving under the influence of alcohol, violating traffic laws, or otherwise driving unsafely. However, you can ensure that you are taking steps to keep yourself and your passengers as safe as possible.
Can I Sue If I Was Infected With E. coli Due to Contaminated Lettuce?
You may have already heard the news about a serious E.
coli outbreak caused by contaminated romaine lettuce in
the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) is currently investigating three different E. coli
outbreaks which are thought to have originated at farms in
Salinas, California. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) is advising consumers to throw away any
lettuce that they currently have which was grown in the
Salinas region including packages of salad mixes, hearts
of romaine, and even organic romaine lettuce. Restaurants
and retailers are expected to throw out contaminated
lettuce as well. If you or a loved one have contacted an
E. coli infection after being exposed to contaminated
romaine lettuce, you may be eligible for compensation
through a
defective product
injury claim.
Improperly Loaded Truck Cargo Can Cause Horrific Auto Accidents
The trucking industry is essential to our way of life.
Truckers haul more cargo than trains, airplanes, or ships,
and they do so under conditions that few could tolerate.
However, the trucking industry is also responsible for
thousands of auto accidents every year, many of which are
caused by falling or unsecured truck cargo. When freight is improperly loaded or secured, items can
shift within the truck’s trailer or fall out onto the
road. Truck accidents caused by loose cargo are often
fatal or result in serious, life-changing injuries. If you
or a loved one have been involved in a car accident caused
by falling cargo, you may be eligible for compensation.
Determining Fault in a Loose Cargo Truck Accident
There are typically several factors that lead to a truck accident. The truck driver may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or simply sleep deprived. The roads may be icy or wet from rain. In situations like these, small driving mistakes can be amplified many times over if the truck’s load is not secured properly.
What Types of Financial Compensation Can I Receive for a Major Spinal Cord Injury?
The spinal cord’s main functions are to transmit nerve
signals and coordinate the body’s reflexes. When the
spinal cord is damaged, the results can be devastating.
The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center
estimates that over 17,000 individuals suffer from
a spinal cord injury
every year in the United States. There are nearly 300,000
Americans currently living with the negative health
effects of a spinal injury. If you have suffered a spinal
injury due to another party’s negligence, you may be
eligible for financial compensation.
Reimbursement for Medical Expenses After a Spinal Injury
No amount of money could ever fully compensate someone for a catastrophic injury such as a severe spinal cord injury. However, financial compensation from a personal injury lawsuit can help an injured person and their family manage the enormous expenses incurred by a serious spine injury. A personal injury lawsuit may help you receive reimbursement for your current and future medical expenses including:
Understanding the Social Host Liability Law in Illinois
As you enjoy your holiday parties this season, it is
important to note how seriously Illinois law takes
underage drinking. You probably already know that it is
against the law for anyone under age 21 to consume
alcohol, but you may not know about the laws regarding
adults who supply alcohol or drugs to minors. In 2004,
Illinois passed the Drug or Alcohol Impaired Minor
Responsibility Act. The Act established a law that holds
adults liable for injuries or deaths resulting from
underage drinking when the underaged drinking was allowed
or encouraged by the adults. It is important for all
Illinois residents to be aware of the “social host liability law” and the consequences of allowing a minor to drink
alcohol or use drugs.
Wakulich v. Mraz Provoked a Change in Illinois Law
The Illinois law regarding the duty of adults to prevent children from drinking alcoholic beverages was passed in response to a case involving the death of a 16-year-old girl. The young girl was at the home of two brothers, aged 18 and 21, and their father. At the home, the brothers offered the 16-year-old money if she could drink an entire bottle of Goldshlager without vomiting or losing consciousness. The girl consumed the bottle but quickly became unresponsive. Although the young girl was showing obvious signs of alcohol poisoning, the brothers did not seek medical help. The girl was eventually taken to the hospital but the damage to her body was too extensive, and she died due to the extreme binge drinking.
Should I Always Call the Police After a Motor Vehicle Accident?
When you are involved in a
car accident, you may be completely unsure of what to do next. The
first step in any car accident is to address any injuries
and move the vehicles out of harm’s way (if possible). If
the accident appears minor, many people choose to exchange
insurance and contact information with the other driver
without involving the police. It may seem easier and less
stressful to avoid police involvement after a car crash.
Doing so, however, can be very risky.
You Cannot Be Certain as to the Extent of the Damage to Your Vehicle
How certain are you of your knowledge of motor vehicles? After an accident, a cursory glance at the vehicles involved may lead you to believe that the damage is minimal. However, even minor fender-benders can cause damage which is not immediately apparent. A jolt to your car or truck may have caused the frame to shift, damaged electronic sensors, or caused other internal damage. These issues can significantly increase the cost of repairing the vehicle. Without a formal police report, it may be difficult to prove that these issues were caused by the accident.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits Involving Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians deserve to be safe walking down public
sidewalk and walkways. Unfortunately,
fatal car accidents
involving pedestrians happen every day. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that a
pedestrian is struck and killed by a motor vehicle every
1.5 hours in the in the United States. If you have lost a
loved one in a pedestrian accident, you may be considering
bringing a wrongful death claim against the driver. It is
important to know the elements of a wrongful death case
involving a pedestrian accident in Illinois.
Determining Fault in a Pedestrian Accident
If you are deciding whether or not to bring a wrongful death claim after a loved one was hit by a car, you should consider several factors. Successful wrongful death lawsuits generally involve proving negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing on behalf of the defendant. If a driver in a fatal car accident was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, he or she will likely be presumed to be responsible for the accident. Drivers have a duty to drive with caution and attention. A driver who was distracted or simply not paying attention may also be considered negligent and therefore liable for damages caused by the accident.
Can I Sue for Damages Caused by a Snowplow?
When winter weather makes Illinois roads impassable, we
rely on hardworking teams of snowplow truck drivers to
clear the way. Although rare,
snowplow truck accidents
do happen, and the results are often catastrophic. A fully
loaded snowplow truck can weigh up to 50,000 libs or more.
Pedestrians or other motorists can easily be injured or
even killed in a snowplow accident. If you or a loved one
were hurt in a snowplow accident, you may be eligible for
compensation.
Causes of Snowplow Accidents
Snowplow drivers have an extremely difficult job. Maneuvering through snow and ice-covered streets takes skill and attention. In addition, snowplow drivers often must work extremely long hours – especially during winter snowstorms. Driver fatigue is a major concern for many municipalities and private snowplowing companies. When snowplow drivers are sleepy, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or distracted, they can make mistakes that lead to serious accidents. Trucks and snowplow equipment that are not properly maintained can breakdown or malfunction causing personal injury and property damage. Low visibility, road hazards, and inadequate driver training can also contribute to snowplow accidents.
Pursuing Compensation for a Whiplash Injury in Illinois
Illinois is known for its harsh winter weather. Icy,
snowy, or slushy roads can significantly increase the risk
of being involved in a car accident, so it is crucial for
Illinois drivers to be vigilant this winter. Rear-end collisions
are especially common in icy conditions. The National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports that nearly two
million rear-end collisions occur every year in the United
States and that these types of collisions account for
about 40 percent of all car accidents.
The most common type of injury in a rear-end collision is whiplash. If you or a loved one suffered a whiplash injury in a car accident, you may be eligible for compensation.
How Does Whiplash Happen?
Whiplash occurs when a sudden force causes a person’s head to jerk violently back and forth. The rough movement can cause serious damage to the discs, soft tissue, ligaments, and muscles of the neck. One of the biggest dangers associated with whiplash is that many people suffering from whiplash do not immediately know it. Symptoms can take up to 24 hours to develop, so many people do not immediately realize how injured their neck actually is.
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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