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Car Insurance: Staying Safe on the Roads Pays Off
The number of
car accidents
on Illinois highways impacts more than just accident and
injury statistics. Did you know that your wallet is
affected, too? Auto insurance companies base their quotes
and rates on many different factors, including a driver’s
record. In general, drivers with clean records often pay
less for car insurance than drivers with accidents and
citations on their records. If you are looking to save a few
dollars on your auto insurance policy, driving safely and
responsibly is a good place to start. It is a win-win
situation; stay safe on the roads and enjoy lower auto
insurance premiums at the same time.
What Clean Driving Records Indicate
Auto insurance companies see a clean driving record as a
good indicator that the driver presents less risk on the
roadways. If your record is clear of accidents and traffic
violations, you are considered to be less of a liability out
on the road, which means those companies are more likely to
work with you and offer you various discounts on your policy
premium. While keeping a positive credit score is another
good way to save money on auto insurance policies,
demonstrating you are a safe driver is one of the most
effective ways to cut cost.
Road Safety Tips to Keep Your Record Clear
Some easy ways to keep your driving record clear so you can
reap the benefits of discounted auto insurance premiums
include avoiding distracted driving and keeping your vehicle
properly maintained. Distracted driving accidents are
caused by everything from eating or applying makeup while
driving to adjusting GPS devices, texting, or playing with
the radio. Keeping up with vehicle maintenance ensures your
car is in the best condition possible out on the road and
allows you to take a proactive approach to preventing
possible issues before you even leave the driveway. These
efforts combined can help keep you and others safe on the
roads and keep your driving record free and clear.
Staying safe on the roads pays off. You can reduce your chances of becoming an accident statistic and enjoy the rewards that comes with a good driving history. Despite your best efforts to stay safe and protect your driving record, however, you might have the unfortunate experience of being involved in a car accident at one point or another. Should you need guidance following a crash, reach out to an experienced Lake County car accident attorney. Call Salvi & Maher, LLP at 847-662-3303 to schedule a free consultation today.
Warmer Weather Means More Motorcycle Accidents
In 2014, over 2,500 motorcyclists were injured and over
100 killed in
motorcycle accidents. These injuries and fatalities accounted for nearly 14
percent of all fatal vehicle accidents, and four percent
of crashes involving injuries across the state of
Illinois. Just recently, a Naperville man was killed when
he drove his motorcycle into the back of an SUV on I-55.
While the number of motorcyclists killed decreased by over
22 percent from 2013 to 2014, the number of those injured
decreased by less than one percent.
With warmer weather on the horizon, many bikers will pull their motorcycles out of storage to get out and enjoy the roads. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Division of Traffic Safety reported that 86 percent of fatal crashes involving motorcycles occur between May and September. In 2014, there were no fatal crashes in January or February, but the number increased every month from March to September.
Truck Accident Fatality Statistics
Any Chicago-area driver knows all too well that semi
trucks
and other large commercial vehicles are a common sight on
Illinois roadways. Unfortunately, fatalities and injuries
occurring from collisions with those trucks are also
extremely common.
In a terrifying 2014 accident, an Illinois State Trooper was nearly killed when a semi truck crashed into the officer’s stationary vehicle at 63 miles per hour, exploding the gas tank setting the officer on fire. Though severely burned, the trooper survived, but others are not so lucky. Early this year, two Rockford University students were killed in an accident with a semi on I-90 in McHenry County in February. Another Chicago man was killed in February when his car collided with a semi on the Stevenson expressway in Hodgkins. Are all of these collisions a coincidence, or are semi trucks a real cause of highway accidents and fatalities?
Speeding Accidents: Think Twice before You Put the Pedal to the Metal
Often when we hear about the impact speeding has on
car accident statistics, we typically associate crashes with other vehicles on
the roads. While speeding undeniably causes numerous
pile-ups and other vehicle-to-vehicle collisions, it also
poses a serious threat to pedestrians and those using
other modes of transportation.
Pedestrians and bicyclists are at risk anytime they encounter traffic, but speeding drivers place them at an even greater risk. Before you put the pedal to the metal, consider these eye-opening facts according to the Illinois State Police:
- Speeding is the cause for approximately 32 percent of fatal crashes;
- It is often only one single vehicle that is responsible for a speed-related crash - it only takes one driver to cause serious damage; and
Preventing Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents and
car accidents
go hand-in-hand. Everyday, those on foot and those using
others forms of transportation are placed at risk when
they encounter vehicles on the streets. Whether the roads
are rural or smack in the middle of a bustling metropolis,
automobile traffic and pedestrian traffic merge and
collide, creating opportunity for collision left and
right.
What You Can Do as a Driver
As a driver, there are many simple things you can do to prevent pedestrian accidents and keep yourself and your passengers safe at the same time. The more proactive you are behind the wheel, the better your chances at avoiding accident, injury, and even fatality.
Avoid Distracted Driving
Avoiding ATV Accidents
Operating any kind of
recreational vehicle
brings with it a level of risk, and ATVs are no exception.
Studies have shown that ATV rollovers are a major cause of
fatalities and countless injuries. Fatalities are
typically caused by the ATV crushing the rider or by rider
falls, where the rider is ejected and makes impact with
the ground or other objects.
The design of an ATV can also be problematic depending on the driver and their experience, as well as their level of physical fitness. For example, a short wheel base, narrow track, and high center gravity position can make maneuvering and operating an ATV challenging for those less familiar with riding.
Tips for Staying Safe
While the statistics can be alarming, there is no reason you cannot have fun on your ATV and stay safe. Do not let the facts keep you from enjoying your recreational vehicle. Much like operating any other type of vehicle, taking simple steps to be proactive and responsible can ensure that you operate your ATV safely while enjoying the activity at the same time. Here are some easy tips to help prevent injury:
Fatal Vehicle Accidents on the Rise in Illinois
Fatal automobile accidents
in Illinois are on the rise, law enforcement officials
say, and many of them could have been prevented. Cell
phone use (otherwise known as distracted driving) is
thought to be a major contributing factor, but failure to
use seatbelts are also said to be responsible. As such,
police are asking everyone – drivers, pedestrians, and
passengers – to follow the rules of the road and, above
all else, buckle up when on the road.
Five Deadly Months in Illinois
Although 2016 is not even half over, Illinois has already seen 356 auto accident fatalities for the year. Of those, nearly 300 were automobile drivers or passengers, 50 were pedestrians, and 4 were bicyclists. If the current trend continues, it could place 2016’s traffic fatalities above last years – a five-year record high of 998 traffic deaths. Thankfully, there is still time to turn things around, and one factor that every passenger can control (even those who are victims in accidents).
Bleeding Control Kits: Can They Save Car Accident Victims?
Automobile accident fatalities
can be caused by a wide range of injuries, including head
trauma and damage to internal organs, but severe bleeding
is the number one cause. It is also fairly preventable, if
immediate action is taken to control the bleeding. A city
in Maryland has set its sights on giving the community the
tools and resources it needs to take that action through
the placement of “bleeding kits” throughout the community.
But just how effective is this initiative likely to be?
And will Illinoisans see similar initiatives in the near
future?
“Stop the Bleed” Initiative
The “Stop the Bleed” initiative is based on one simple principle: stop the bleeding and potentially save a life. Education, resources (including posted signs), and kits that include everything needed to provide basic first aid to bleeding accident victims are all a part of the plan. More than 100 equipped kits are expected to be placed in community areas, including libraries, schools, and community centers, and senior citizen centers. Most will be placed near AED units that are already available.
Drowsy Driving Equals Dangerous Driving
It is easy to associate impaired driving
car accident
statistics with drunk driving or driving under the
influence of other drugs, but drowsy vehicle operation is
another form of impaired driving that is equally as
dangerous. Drowsy driving includes everything from
inattention to the wheel, lack of alertness, and slowed
reaction time, as well as the inability to make good
judgements or quick decisions while behind the wheel.
What the Research Shows
According to the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Study (NMVCCS), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that drivers involved in crashes who are found to be drowsy are twice as likely to make errors behind the wheel than drivers who are not tired. While accidents due to sleepiness occur both during the day and during the night, studies done on drowsy driving through the NHTSA show that most drowsy driving crashes typically happen when there are dips in our circadian rhythm, such as between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. and the late afternoon. This internal clock that regulates our sleep is shown to impact our overall alertness on the road and can significantly change our reflexes behind the wheel. Who Is Most at Risk? Anyone can make the mistake of driving while they are too tired, but there are certain drivers who are more prone to causing drowsy driving accidents, including the following:
School Bus Accidents: Who Is at Fault?
Among the many types of public transit crashes that take
place throughout the state,
school bus accidents
are among some of the most common bus-related accidents to
happen on Illinois roadways. Research by the University of
Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) has
shown that school buses, when compared with other transit
buses, such as intercity and charter buses, are struck
more often. More importantly, fatal school bus crashes
were recorded in 36 different states, and out of all those
states, Illinois happened to be one of the most common
states for school-bus related collisions. Other common hot
spots for these types of collisions included New York,
Florida, California, and Texas.
School bus accidents are troubling, especially when you or a loved one are involved in the incident. If your child has been injured in a school bus crash, you need to speak with an experienced Lake County car accident attorney to ensure your rights are protected. Call Salvi & Maher, LLP today at 847-662-3303 to schedule a free consultation.
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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