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Recent Blog Posts
Drowsy Driving a Leading Cause of Truck Accidents
Every year, thousands of commercial trucking accidents occur throughout the United States. Due to the sheer size of the vast majority of commercial trucks, it should come as no surprise that many of these accidents lead to serious injuries or fatalities. Throughout 2016 alone, just under 4,000 Americans died in truck accidents. If you or a member of your family are injured in a commercial trucking accident, it is entirely likely that the accident was caused by a driver’s negligence or company oversight.
The Dangers of Drowsy Driving
Thousands of Americans die on an annual basis due to drivers falling asleep at the wheel. According to studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 72,000 crashes occurred in 2013 due to drowsy driving. In all, over 800 Americans lost their lives in 2013 due to the negligence of drowsy drivers.
Injuries Caused By Underage Drinking Are a Common Occurrence
Every year, thousands of American teenagers are hospitalized due to the excessive consumption of alcohol. Studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found that approximately 119,000 teenagers are treated for alcohol poisoning each year.
For parents of teenage children, it is crucial to be able to trust other parents in the community. Unfortunately, many parents throughout the United States allow underage drinking within their household. If your child has been injured due to the negligence of an irresponsible adult, it is time to seek out legal representation.
Underage Drinking Statistics
While most parents like to believe that their teenage child never consumes alcohol, studies have found that drinking is incredibly common among American teens. The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 30% of high school students admitted to drinking within the past 30 day period. Young people between the ages of 12 and 20 consume approximately 11% of all alcohol sold within the United States on an annual basis.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Collision
Earlier this month, a man was charged in a hit-and-run crash that occurred last summer which ultimately resulted in the death of a 64-year-old man. The accident happened in Cook County’s Cragin neighborhood when the driver struck a pedestrian while traveling at almost twice the speed limit. The driver, who continued home after the accident, was caught largely due to surveillance footage and the cooperation of an eyewitness.
This tragic accident is a reminder to Illinoisans that hit-and-run accidents do occur. Here are some important steps you should take if you are involved in a hit-and-run collision:
Immediate Action
In the aftermath of a hit-and-run crash, it is important to act as quickly as possible. Your ability to react to the accident, contact medical professionals and law enforcement, and gather information can make all the difference in ensuring your physical well-being and helping build a case against the perpetrator.
Collision Rates Higher in States With Legalized Marijuana
When most people think of driving under the influence, they think of drivers that have made the decision to drink alcohol and get behind the wheel of a car. In reality, a substantial number of DUI arrests involve drivers under the influence of legal or illegal drugs. Throughout the United States, nine states have legalized recreational marijuana, and an additional two states have initiatives to legalize recreational marijuana on the ballot this fall. Here in the state of Illinois, medical marijuana was legalized in 2013, through House Bill 1. The bill allows those who have medical marijuana permit to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
Proponents of legalized marijuana cite the reduced number of arrests for minor drug possession and boosted tax revenue as reasons for legalization. However, those that oppose legalized marijuana will have a new talking point this voting cycle: legalized marijuana appears to have led to a clear increase in Lake County motor vehicle accident attorney.
The Truth About Bystander Fatalities During Police Chases
In October of 2018, nine bystanders, including three children, were severely injured when a police chase ultimately ended in a multi-car collision in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. Two of the injured bystanders suffered fatal injuries. The tragedy brought awareness to the issue of police chases and how much danger they can bring to pedestrians and other bystanders.
During a police chase, the law enforcement vehicles involved, as well as the fleeing vehicles, essentially become reckless drivers. All vehicles involved in a chase are likely to drive at excessive speeds, pass other vehicles unsafely, and disregard traffic safety guidelines. People injured in this type of motor vehicle collision should seek legal help to determine how to receive compensation for their damages.
Pedestrian Fatalities Are Common Throughout the U.S.
Illinois State Police are continuing to investigate a collision that took place recently on I-94. The accident, which occurred near the Bishop Ford Expressway, only involved one vehicle, but it resulted in fatal injuries to a pedestrian.
Thousands of pedestrians across the country choose to walk to work each day. While walking is an environmentally-conscious, healthy, and therapeutic way to make your commute to work, it does come with a certain level of danger. In 2015, 129,000 Americans were hospitalized due to injuries suffered in pedestrian accidents. If you or a loved one suffer an injury while commuting to work, it is entirely likely that your injuries were due to the negligence of a driver.
Pedestrian Injuries Across the United States
Pedestrian injuries continue to pose a major problem, especially throughout America’s urban centers. In 2015 alone, 5,376 American pedestrians were fatally injured in motor vehicle collisions. That means that an American pedestrian is fatally injured every two hours. Due to the size and weight of motor vehicles, pedestrians are highly likely to suffer fatal injuries in a collision. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in pedestrian accidents than motor vehicle drivers or passengers.
Avoiding Car Accidents While Driving During the Winter in Illinois
With winter approaching more quickly than most of us would like, it is time to revisit the tactics one can utilize to remain safe while driving during winter months. Every winter, more than 75,000 Americans are injured in vehicle crashes during snowfall. Despite the fact that winter only makes up a small portion of the calendar, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 17% of all vehicle crashes occur during winter conditions.
In the state of Illinois, drivers understand how the changing of the seasons can lead to dangerous driving conditions. If you or a member of your family are injured in a motor vehicle collision, you should contact an attorney and determine your options for pursuing compensation from those whose negligence led to your injuries.
Remaining Safe This Winter
Recent Pit Bull Attacks Show the Serious Nature of Dog Bite Injuries
This past September, an eight-year-old girl was almost fatally injured by two loose pit bulls in an Indiana suburb. The dogs bit the child over 30 times, and she was treated for serious wounds from her shoulders to her knees. Fortunately, a neighbor was able to save the child and scare the dogs away.
Less than 20 miles down the road, the dogs brutally attacked another child. According to CBS Chicago, the dogs were ultimately captured in the Chicago suburb of Park Forest. While no victims suffered life-threatening injuries, the attacks reminded all Illinoisans of the dangers of dog attacks and the serious nature of dog bite injuries. Due to the small stature of young children, they are at increased risk of serious injury in dog attacks. If you or a member of your family is attacked by a dog or other animal, you should seek medical attention and legal help.
Pursuing Compensation After a Slip and Fall Injury
With the temperatures dropping and the leaves falling from the trees, all Illinoisans know that winter is coming. While the greater Chicago area often resembles a winter wonderland during the coldest months of the year, the changing of seasons also comes with some new dangers. Along with colder weather, ice and snow will soon be finding their way onto sidewalks throughout the state.
For pedestrians, the inclement terrain that comes during the winter months can be particularly hazardous. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 800,000 Americans are hospitalized each year due to slip and fall injuries. If you or a loved one are injured after falling at or near an establishment, you should speak to an attorney to determine whether you may be able to pursue financial compensation.
Children Face Risks of Injury or Fatality in Motor Vehicle Collisions
On Monday, October 1st, 2018, three Illinoisans were tragically killed in a car crash in Cook County. One of the victims was a three-year-old child. This most recent accident reminded everyone in the greater Chicago area of the inherent dangers that young children face while traveling as passengers in motor vehicles.
In the vast majority of automobile accidents, the negligence of one driver is the cause. If your child is injured in a car accident, it is time to seek out quality legal representation.
Child Injuries in Automobile Accidents
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children under the age of 12 face increased risk of severe, and even fatal, injuries in motor vehicle accidents. An alarmingly high number of children suffer serious injuries in car accidents each year throughout the United States. In 2016 alone, 128,000 children ages 12 or younger suffered serious injuries in automobile collisions, and over 700 children were killed. The staggering number of child injuries and fatalities is in large part due to the small stature of children and their susceptibility to severe injuries in a motor vehicle collision.
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.
