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Recent Blog Posts
New Study Finds Drugs Surpassing Alcohol As the Road’s Biggest Danger
A recent study conducted by the Governor’s Highway
Safety Association concluded that prescription and illegal
drugs have surpassed alcohol as the most deadly substance
on the road. The newly released report, which began
development in 2016, found that 38% of all drivers killed
throughout the United States in 2016 had levels of alcohol
in their system. More concerning, however, was the fact
that an incredible 44% of all drivers killed tested
positive for opioids, marijuana, or other illegal drugs.
Many law enforcement officials see the problem as a combination of liberal marijuana laws and a nationwide increase in opioid abuse. Regardless, one thing is certain: drugs have become a massive issue within the realm of highway safety. If you or a member of your family are injured in a motor vehicle accident, it is paramount that you receive the legal and medical help your family deserves.
Pregnant Women Face Increased Risk in Motor Vehicle Accidents
Each year, as many as 3,000 fetal deaths occur due
to motor vehicle accidents in the United States. Even at
low estimates, fetal death rates quadruple the fatality
rates of children ages four and younger in motor vehicle
accidents. In the greater Chicago area, a recent
fatal motor vehicle accident
reminded us of the dangers pregnant women and their unborn
children face in automobile collisions.
On Monday May 22, a Carpentersville woman and her unborn child were killed after her Toyota Corolla was struck by a GMC Yukon. The Yukon pinned the Corolla against a utility box on the side of Golfview Lane in Carpentersville. Only after applying hydraulic tools were emergency personnel able to extract the victims from the Corolla. The additional four passengers in the Corolla were taken to the hospital and are now in stable condition.
Elderly Drivers More Likely to Suffer Fatal Injuries
An elderly Lisle man suffered fatal injuries after a
collision late Tuesday night on Ogden Avenue. The accident
occurred when the man, who was driving a blue Nissan
Rogue, crossed into the other lane of traffic and collided
with a black Acura. Both Acura passengers remain in
critical condition. The fatal accident serves a somber
reminder of the risks elderly drivers face, as the
74-year-old man falls within an age demographic of drivers
that disproportionately face risk of fatality while
driving.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), elderly drivers face higher risks of fatal motor vehicle accidents than all age demographics other than teen drivers. In 2015 alone 240,000 elderly drivers suffered fatal injuries throughout the United States. If you or a member of your family are injured in an automobile collision, contact our experienced team of Waukegan personal injury attorneys to discuss your case today.
Rear-Camera Technology Aims to Decrease Backover Collisions
A recently passed federal mandate that
requires all newly assembled vehicles to have a
back-up camera is aimed at lowering the number of backover
fatalities and injuries. Every year, as many as 15,000
people throughout the United States are injured in
backover accidents. Additionally over 200 people are
killed in motor vehicle backover accidents throughout the
country each year.
Backover accidents
are defined as accidents in which the driver fails to
notice a person behind their vehicle and reverses over the
victim.
Backover accidents, much like many types of accidents, disproportionately impact children as well as the elderly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that children under the age of five account for just under one-third of all backover fatalities. Additionally, adults over the age of 70 account for over 25 percent of all backover deaths.
The Importance of Pursuing Legal Help in Minor Car Accidents
Every year an average of 2.35 million Americans are
injured in car accidents throughout the nation. Of those
accidents, less than an average of 40,000 prove fatal.
Every day minor accidents occur on American roadways. From
minor rear-end collisions to non-severe side-swipe
accidents, car accidents of limited impact are
increasingly common in the United States. Still, some of
these accidents perceived as minor, can have major
implications on the impacted vehicle and its occupants.
Even in the most minor of vehicular collisions, receiving legal guidance can prove to be of the utmost importance. Minor collisions, can cause substantial damage to vehicles and occupants. For victims, even if injuries are not present at the scene, pain can be hidden by shock, and some of the most severe injuries, such as head trauma, can be hidden by delayed symptoms. If you or a member of your family is involved in a motor vehicle collision, contact our experienced team of Waukegan personal injury attorneys.
The Dangers of Rollover Accidents
A recent rollover accident has once again showcased
the inevitability of tragic rollovers. The driver, a 22
year old Aurora man, was charged with driving under the
influence after his vehicle rolled off the road.
Fortunately, the driver is in stable condition and no
additional vehicles were involved in the accident. Still,
in the last month alone, the greater Chicago area has
witnessed a number of deadly and severe rollover
accidents.
Unsurprisingly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that rollover accidents are the second most deadly form of vehicular accident, behind only head-on collisions. Because of the violent roll of the vehicle, passengers are likely to suffer severe head and neck injuries. Moreover, those not wearing seat belt restraint systems commonly suffer fatal injuries. If you or a loved one are involved in a motor vehicle accident and suffer injuries due to another driver's negligence, contact an experienced and knowledgeable Waukegan personal injury attorney to discuss your case.
Simple Tips for Avoiding Distracted Driving
In 2016 alone, 37,461 people lost their lives in
motor vehicle accidents in the United States. The
staggering number represents a 5 percent increase
from 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA). Of the nearly 40,000
traffic fatalities in 2016, the NHTSA estimates that just
under 10 percent can be attributed to
distracted driving. In all, 3,450 Americans lost their lives in distracted
driving accidents throughout 2016.
Distracted driving is defined as an activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from the road, such as having a conversation with a passenger, eating a meal, or sending a text message. If you or a loved one is injured in a motor vehicle accident and believe distracted driving was the cause, contact our experienced team of Waukegan personal injury attorneys to discuss your case and your options.
Hit-and-Run Accidents Continue to Harm Nationwide
Each year, more than 1,000 Americans are fatally
injured in hit-and-run accidents. According to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
the rate of hit-and-run incidents is on the rise
nationwide. Throughout the three year span from 2009 to
2011, the NHTSA recorded a 13.7 percent increase in fatal
hit-and-run accidents.
Recent studies suggest that the uptick in fatal hit-and-run accidents has a disproportionate impact on pedestrians. Roughly 60 percent of all deadly hit-and-run accidents involve pedestrians as victims. Even more concerning is the fact that one-in-five pedestrian fatalities occur as hit-and-run accidents.
How to React to a Hit-and-Run Incident
In the aftermath of a hit-and-run collision, victims can be dazed, confused, and in shock. However, the first few moments after a hit-and-run accident are critical and can potentially save you time, money, and your life.
Speeding Continues to Endanger Illinois Drivers
Late Wednesday night, April 25, a high speed collision
in Southwest Chicago reminded Illinoisans of the inherent
dangers that come with speeding. The accident, which
occurred in Chicago’s Gage neighborhood, ultimately
resulted in damage to nine vehicles, seven of which were
parked. While no fatalities occurred in the accident,
one fact is clear: the accident occurred because
of speeding.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 10,000 Americans suffered fatal injuries due to speeding in 2016 alone. On average, speeding accounts for roughly 30 percent of all traffic fatalities in the United States. If you or a member of your family are injured in automobile collision, contact our knowledgeable team of Waukegan personal injury attorneys to discuss your case and your options.
Child Pedestrian Fatalities Continue to Cause Concern
On April 19, a two-year-old boy was fatally injured
while crossing the street in West Englewood. The
two-year-old victim was holding his aunt’s hand when a van
turned off of 71st Street onto Damen Avenue. The
vehicle struck both pedestrians. This latest tragedy
serves as a stark reminder that children are some of the
most susceptible pedestrian accident victims when hit by
vehicles.
In 2016 alone, just under 6,000 pedestrians lost their lives in automobile accidents throughout the country. The alarmingly high number of fatalities marks an 11 percent increase in statistics from 2015.
The most worrisome aspect of pedestrian injuries is the fact that young children tend to be one of the most impacted demographics. Roughly 15 percent of all pedestrians injured annually are children aged 14 years or younger.
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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