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Seeking Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident
On April 13, a motorcyclist was fatally injured after being struck by a motor vehicle in the Westlawn area of Chicago’s Southwest side. The motorcyclist was rushed to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn but ultimately died due to multiple injuries. For motorcyclists in the greater Chicago area, the accident was a startling reminder of the increased risks that motorcyclists face.
Here in the state of Illinois, 154 motorcyclists suffered fatal accident injuries in 2016, while hundreds more were injured or hospitalized. To secure maximum financial compensation after you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident, it is critical to seek skilled legal assistance immediately.
Securing Injury Compensation
While motorcycling can be an enjoyable and exciting way to travel, the injury risks are significant. During a recent 12-month measurement, more than 88,000 Americans suffered injuries in motorcycle accidents. Of those injured, 4,976 ultimately died, marking an 8 percent increase in fatalities from the previous year. Below we will examine the steps you and your attorney need to take in order to get the injury compensation your family deserves.
Seeking Injury Compensation After a Boating Accident
With temperatures rising here in the greater Chicago area, thousands of Illinoisans are gearing up to take their boats out on the water. From Lake Michigan to Lake Potawatomi, Illinois is home to some of the nation’s most beautiful boating opportunities. Unfortunately, boating accidents are common. If you or a loved one are injured in a boating accident, contact an experienced legal team as soon as possible.
Boating Accident Statistics
Throughout 2017, approximately 4,300 recreational boating accidents occurred in the United States. In many of those accidents, passengers were severely injured. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2,629 boaters suffered injuries that required medical attention in 2017. Of those injured, 658 ultimately died due to their injuries.
Here in the state of Illinois, boating accidents are on the rise. According to statistics compiled the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, boating injuries rose by 42 percent in 2017, including 12 fatal boat accidents.
Pedestrian Safety Tips for Chicago-area Residents
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 6,000 pedestrians were fatally injured after being struck by motor vehicles in 2016 throughout the United States. Over that same time period, more than 120,000 additional pedestrians suffered injuries that required medical treatment. In a large percentage of the motor vehicle collisions involving pedestrians, the collision only occurred due to the reckless actions of the driver. If you or a loved one were injured after being struck by a car, you are likely entitled to injury compensation.
At Risk Victims of Pedestrian Accidents
Unfortunately, the most vulnerable members of our society are statistically more likely to be involved in a pedestrian accident. Both children and the elderly are commonly injured after being struck by motor vehicles. According to the CDC, approximately 20 percent of all pedestrians fatally injured in 2016 were people over the age of 65. Elderly Americans are prone to pedestrian accidents due in large part to diminished mobility and vision. Tragically, thousands of children are also injured each year after being struck by a car.
Drunk Driving Dangers in Illinois
Here in the state of Illinois, every year, thousands of drivers make the reckless and dangerous decision to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drinking during or prior to operating a motor vehicle can severely impact a person’s reaction time, vision, and decision-making. Due to the inherent dangers of drunk driving, law enforcement officers throughout the state are constantly on the lookout for inebriated drivers.
If you or a loved one were injured in a collision with a drunk driver, you deserve injury compensation for any medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In the event of an accident, speak with an attorney immediately.
Drunk Driving Statistics
In large part due to increased surveillance, Illinois law enforcement does an impressive job apprehending inebriated drivers. According to the Illinois’ Secretary of State’s office, 27,041 DUI arrests were made statewide throughout 2017. Unfortunately, no amount of arrests can eliminate all dangerous drunk driving collisions. In 2017, a total; of 330 Illinoisans were fatally injured in collisions involving drunk drivers. That number made up roughly 30 percent of all statewide traffic fatalities.
The Dangers of Head-On Car Accidents
On March 30, two drivers were fatally injured in a head-on collision on I-94, near Libertyville, when one driver was driving eastbound in the westbound lanes. Both drivers, one of which was a 55-year-old Illinois State Police trooper, died due to injuries suffered by the time medical personnel arrived on the scene.
The collision reminded all Illinoisans of the serious danger head-on collisions present. If you or a loved one were injured in a motor vehicle accident due to the actions of another driver, it is important to seek experienced legal assistance as soon as possible.
Head-On Collisions Nationwide
According to statistics compiled by the Insurance Information Institute (III), there were approximately 143,000 head-on collisions nationwide in 2016. Due to the impact of most head-on accidents, injuries can be severe or even fatal. In 2016, 70,000 Americans suffered injuries that required medical attention due to these collisions. Of those injured, 3,278 ultimately died because of their injuries.
My Child Was Injured After Drinking at Someone’s House. What’s Next?
Here in the United States, underage drinking continues to be a serious safety threat. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 30 percent of high school students admit to consuming alcohol. Every year, more than 4,300 teens die due to alcohol consumption.
If your child was consuming alcohol at another person’s residence, the adults present are in direct violation of social host liability laws. Perhaps nothing can hurt a parent more than finding out that their child has been injured or killed in an alcohol-related accident.
Common Risks of Underage Drinking
In the state of Illinois, enforcement of social host liability law began in 2004. Through the passing of the Drug or Alcohol Impaired Minor Responsibility Act (740 ILCS 58/1), responsibility for injuries to minors can be placed on adults, if the child consumes alcohol at their home. Listed below are some of the dangers associated with underage alcohol consumption:
Types of Reckless Driving Offenses in Illinois
On the morning of February 28, two men were killed and a pedestrian suffered serious injuries after a collision in the West Side Lawndale neighborhood. The accident occurred when a northbound driver ran a stoplight on the intersection of Kedzie and Roosevelt. After running the red light, the driver ultimately collided with an eastbound truck. Both drivers were dead by the time emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene. A 60-year-old pedestrian was also injured when a piece of debris was launched from the collision site.
Every year, around 3 million Americans suffer serious injuries in motor vehicle collisions. While some crashes are unavoidable, many, like the collision above, only occur due to the irresponsible actions of reckless drivers. If you or a member of your family are injured in a car accident caused by another driver, seek skilled legal representation as soon as possible.
What are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries?
Every year, millions of Americans are seriously injured in car accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 2.5 million Americans are sent to the emergency room after suffering injuries in motor vehicle collisions each year.
Life-changing injuries can occur even when a driver or passenger takes all conceivable safety precautions. The impacts of an injury are not limited to the pain itself, as severe injuries can result in costly medical bills and significant loss of work hours. On an annual basis, people injured in car accidents pay about $18 billion in medical expenses while losing an estimated $33 billion in work income.
Below, we will explore some of the most common injuries suffered in car accidents. If you were injured in a motor vehicle collision, contact a skilled personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Why Teenage Drivers are More Prone to Car Accidents
On March 15, a fatal auto accident occurred when two teenage drivers collided on Route 12, near Wauconda in Lake County. According to the Wauconda Police Department, an 18-year-old driver lost control of his vehicle and collided with a Ford Focus, which was driven by a 16-year-old. The two 14-year-old passengers in the Focus were seriously injured, while the 16-year-old driver passed away.
For parents throughout the state of Illinois, the accident served as a tragic reminder of the risks that teenage drivers face.
Teenage Driver Accidents Common in the U.S.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 290,000 teens were hospitalized due to injuries suffered in car crashes during a recent 12-month period. Of those injured, more than 2,400 died. With the sheer number of teenage car accident injuries and deaths, it is important to ask why these collisions occur. In many cases, these fatalities are caused by driver error.
How do Spinal Cord Injuries Occur?
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), approximately 17,500 Americans suffer spinal cord injuries each year. Today, around 285,000 Americans live with complications caused by severe spinal injuries. Regardless of how an injury occurs, the long-term physical and financial impact of a spinal cord injury can be life-changing.
Causes of Spinal Cord Injury Accidents
In the event of a spinal cord injury or suspected injury, it is important to act quickly. In some cases, immediate medical assistance can limit the potential damage. Some injury victims do not realize the severity at the time of an accident.
Here are some common causes of spinal cord injuries:
Car Accidents
Even in minor motor vehicle collisions, severe spinal injuries can occur. According to the NSCISC, car accidents account for 38 percent of all spinal cord injuries nationwide. Spinal cord injuries are most prevalent in rear-end collisions, in which the body has no time to brace for impact. From minor whiplash to spinal fractures, injuries of any magnitude can be painful and long-lasting.
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.
