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Distracted Driving Defined
Today, more than ever before, we hear of the devastating
motor vehicle accident
statistics caused by distracted drivers. The number of
injuries and fatalities caused by distracted drivers is
not only alarming; it is on the rise, increasing year
after year. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention
categorizes it as a health concern and actually estimates
that there are eight people killed every day in the United
States due to distracted drivers behind the wheel. Even
more astounding, the Illinois State Police report that
cell phone use while driving increases the chances of a
crash by four hundred percent.
Phones Are Not the Only Culprit
With statistics like this, it is easy to sum up distracted driving as simply talking or texting on the phone, but being distracted behind the wheel can mean many things. The phones we use today are more advanced than ever before, bringing a degree of technology to our fingertips that was not available to us even a few short years ago. This advanced, easily accessible technology has countless advantages, but it has also made driving more dangerous than ever before. From apps and games to selfies and instant messaging, our phones are deadly weapons when used behind the wheel.
Biggest Mistakes People Make in Car Accident Claims
After your car has been towed and you have been to the
doctor comes the part of a
car accident
most people hate the most, dealing with insurance. While
every car accident is different, there are several common
mistakes that people make when they have a car accident
claim.
Not Doing Your Own Research on Your Vehicle
If your vehicle has been totaled by insurance you are going to have to figure out the its value. Often, the insurance company will do that for you. The mistake many people make is to simply accept the insurance company’s value without doing their own research.
An offer from the insurance company is just an offer. If you can demonstrate your car was worth more than they are offering, you may be able to get more for your car.
Three Easy Ways to Avoid Distracted Driving
It is hard to ignore overwhelming
motor vehicle accident
statistics. The Illinois State Police report that driver
inattention is a primary factor in more than 1 million car
crashes every year. That is a hefty statistic, and one we
should not take lightly. The sad reality is a number of
these accidents can be prevented.
Due to the various types of technology so easily accessible to us today, however, it can be difficult to prevent these incidents. We live in a fast, digital age where much of our lives revolve around mobile devices and advanced car audio, voice recognition, and Bluetooth systems.
Our devices are only one part of the problem. We are distracted by all sorts of actions out on the road. It is not a perfect world; we cannot put a stop to distracted driving entirely. We can, however, make individual efforts to be proactive and prevent those accident statistics from rising.
Drunk Driving Accidents: Who Is the Average DUI Offender?
Did you know that the roadways of Illinois are among
some of the safest in the nation? This is largely due to
the state’s strict laws on drunk and distracted driving,
which continue to be recognized and praised around the
country.
Drunk driving accidents are some of the most preventable yet common causes for fatalities and serious injuries, and the state of Illinois is dedicated to the prevention of these incidents through tough, efficient law enforcement that aims to hold offenders accountable.
These standards, combined with the ongoing collection and study of collision statistics, allow the state to provide drivers with factual information that equips them to be proactive and responsible before they get behind the wheel.
Avoiding Motorcycle Accidents: Getting to Know Your Bike
There are countless reasons for
motorcycle accident
crash and fatality statistics, and identifying fault can
sometimes be extremely difficult. Fingers are pointed and
blame is placed on one or more drivers, but no matter who
causes an accident, all motorists are equally responsible
for their own safety out on the highways. Drivers need to
be familiar with their vehicles, how they operate, and
actively practice safe driving techniques to maintain
accountability on the roads.
Whether you are a new motorcycle owner or have been riding for some time now, it is important to know your bike and how to handle it on the open road. The more comfortable you are with your bike and how it rides, the better chance you have at operating it safely while remaining both vigilant and defensive.
Speeding: What’s Your Limit?
Speed limits exist for a reason, and they affect more
than just
car accident
statistics; they impact pedestrian injury statistics as
well. The Illinois State Police report that out of all
fatal crashes, approximately 32 percent of those are speed
related. They also report that most speed-related crashes
actually involve only one vehicle, meaning even one driver
has the potential power to cause a crash. Something as
simple as the number on that dashboard dial makes a
difference when it comes to crash and pedestrian injury
incidents.
How Fast Is Too Fast?
So, how fast is too fast? What should your limit be? Do not fall into the habit of basing your speed on how fast you see others drive on the highway. Here are the standards in Illinois:
- 65 miles per hour maximum on rural interstates;
Pedestrian Knock Downs
The occurrence of pedestrians being hit by vehicles is
ever increasing. So many factors can contribute to
pedestrians being knocked down
and can lead to very serious injuries and death. According
to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2012, 4,743
pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United
States, and another 76,000 pedestrians were injured.
If this has happened to you or a loved one, you should make contact with a personal injury attorney who can look at the merits of your case. It may turn out that you could receive a cash settlement as compensation for your injuries, treatment and pain and suffering.
Causes
In an age where people are more conscious about the environment, looking at alternative transportation is a choice many people make. In big cities like Chicago and New York, mass transit is encouraged to ease congestion, but on busy streets, pedestrian fill the sidewalks in a seemingly endless flow.
Wrong Way Collisions Associated with Impaired Driving
Chicago area residents likely remember hearing stories
of a catastrophic
wrong way collision
in May 2014. A 23-year-old man under the influence of
alcohol drove his SUV the wrong way on Lake Shore Drive in
the early morning hours of May 1st and crashed into a
taxi, forever impacting two families’ lives. The collision
killed one young law student and caused severe injuries to
another, leaving him struggling to survive.
Unfortunately, tragedies like this are becoming an alarming trend in Illinois. Another wrong way collision on Lake Shore Drive in 2014 killed one and injured three, a former police officer was sentenced to prison for a 2013 wrong way crash that killed two young men, and a wrong-way driver injured six people on I-94 in November 2015. Just this March, yet another wrong way accident on the Bishop Ford killed one man and injured two others. Aside from driving in the wrong lane at high speeds, these auto accidents have something else in common: drivers under the influence of alcohol.
Three Driving Habits That Benefit Everyone on the Road
We are all aware of the factors that all too often lead to
automobile accidents
and injuries, such as distracted driving, driving under the
influence, and careless speeding. Something as simple as
applying your makeup or taking a bite of a burger on your
way to work while behind the wheel can lead to serious
consequences, but focusing on the efforts we should make
instead of the actions we should avoid is often just as
important in terms of taking proactive steps toward highway
safety. Here are three driving habits to put into practice
that benefit everyone on the road:
1. Get to Know Your Vehicle Inside and Out
The Illinois State Police recommends that motorcyclists
practice pre-ride checks and make maintenance checks a
standard routine. The same goes for any motorist. The better
you know how your car or bike operates, the better you can
handle it out on the open road. Catching minor issues that
need repair or attention before you leave the driveway can
go a long way in preventing a crash.
2. Plan before You Go
Planning is one of the simplest and most effective habits you can utilize to help prevent distracted driving. The Illinois State Police reports that driver inattention is behind more than one million crashes every year.
Underage DUI Accidents: Zero Responsibility? Zero Tolerance
The Illinois State Police report that the average
college student spends more money on alcohol than they
spend on books. That fact alone is enough to bring
anyone’s attention to the alarming nature of
drunk driving accident
statistics. They also report that drivers under the age of
21 are involved in 17 percent of alcohol-related fatal
crashes. Those drivers represent only 10 percent of
licensed drivers in the state of Illinois, but the
fatalities, injuries, and disabilities they cause due to
driving under the influence are life-altering and
irreversible.
Parental Involvement
It should go without saying that parents should not allow underage adults to drink alcohol, but sadly it is a common occurrence for parents to allow those under 21 to drink under their supervision at home. Some parents even go so far as to hide and defend the underage drinker when they are caught driving. Illinois already has a Zero Tolerance law in place for underage drinking and driving, but parents should be aware that the state considers it a Class 4 felony when a parent knowingly allows an underage person to consume alcohol. This type of felony can mean one to three years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.00. If you take zero responsibility for allowing a minor to drink, Illinois State Police will enforce zero tolerance on your actions when it comes time to address the felony. Are There Any Exceptions?The Zero Tolerance law went into effect in January of 1995 and strictly enforces its ban on underage drinking and driving, resulting in jail time and driver’s license suspension, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the drunk driving incident. The only exception for minors who consume alcohol and are found driving is for those who drank the alcohol as part of a religious service or ceremony. One other exception is taken into consideration for minors who ingest certain prescribed medications that contain alcohol.
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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