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Signs of an Impaired Driver
Out of the countless causes for
car accidents
and injuries on the roadways, intoxicated and fatigued
driving are among the most tragic, as they are entirely
preventable. In a perfect world, no one would ever get
behind the wheel when they have been drinking or when they
are too tired to drive, but sadly, such choices are made
every day, placing everyone on the roadways at risk.
Protecting Yourself on the Road
While most of these collision cases involve drivers who made the choice to drive when they were too tired and shouldn’t have, some fatigue-related cases are unfortunately due to legitimate, undiagnosed sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. Others are the result of having to work late-night or excessively long hours.
Whatever the reason for tiredness behind the wheel, it is never okay for a driver to operate a vehicle when they are unable to remain alert, focused, or when they have been consuming alcohol. We cannot prevent tired drivers from getting behind the wheel on a daily basis, but we can remain proactive and take the necessary steps to protect ourselves on the roadways we all share. Being observant is key.
Causes of Rollover Accidents
While all kinds of
car accidents
can result in serious damage and tragic injury or fatality,
rollover accidents are particularly intense, according to
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The NHTSA reports that rollovers are both complex and
violent, due largely to the fact that the reasons behind
them are so diverse. Unlike rear-end accidents, for example,
which are often a result of speeding through an intersection
or distracted driving behaviors, rollover accidents are the
result of a number of different factors, and usually
multiple factors combined.
Contributing Factors in Rollover Incidents
While rollovers happen less frequently than other kinds of
collisions, they also have a higher fatality rate,
accounting for almost thirty-five percent of all deaths from
passenger vehicle crashes. It is typically a dangerous
combination of the following factors that contribute to a
single rollover incident:
Speed
Forty percent of fatal rollover crashes are due to excessive
speeding, with a significant number of those fatalities
taking place in speed limit areas where the limit is
fifty-five mph or higher. Speeding, even when the increase
does not jump drastically over the limit, makes it much
easier to lose control of your vehicle.
Intoxication
Not surprisingly, driving under the influence of drugs or
alcohol has proven to severely increase a driver’s chance of
experiencing a rollover accident. The NHTSA reports that
alcohol impairment is such a large factor, in fact, that it
actually accounts for almost half of all fatal rollover
crashes.
Location
Although coming into contact with guardrails or barriers can
and often does result in collision, driving on roads that
are undivided and have no barriers is more likely to
increase the severity of a rollover incident. This makes
rural roads especially risky where rollover accidents are
concerned. According to the NHTSA, nearly three-fourths of
fatal rollovers take place on rural highways.
Other Risks
Another factor that increases a car’s chances of
experiencing a severe rollover collision is the vehicle’s
size and style. For example, SUVs, pickups, and vans, which
are taller and more narrow in design, have a higher center
of gravity, putting them at higher risk for a rollover than
smaller, wider, more compact vehicles. Additionally,
Additionally, distracted driving behavior is a major cause
of rollover-style collisions. Data from the NHTSA shows us
that an overwhelming percentage - 90 percent - of cars that
were in fatal rollovers were performing routine maneuvers at
the time of the accident, such as driving straight. These
findings point heavily to driver inattention as the reason
for such crashes.
If you have been injured in a rollover accident, it is imperative you speak with a knowledgeable Lake County car accident attorney immediately to ensure your rights are protected and that you receive proper compensation for your injuries. Call Salvi & Maher, LLP at 847-662-3303 for a consultation today.
Work Zone Accident Prevention
The Chicago Tribune reports that since 1995, the number of
drivers, passengers, and pedestrians in the state of
Illinois who were injured in construction work zones
amounted to over 3,000 people. Almost three-quarters of
those injuries took place in the Chicago metropolitan area
alone, giving both drivers and roadway officials further
reason to continue to pay serious attention to
car accident
and personal injury risks in work zone areas throughout the
city and state.
Inherent Dangers of Roadway Work Zones
A number of inherent dangers exist in construction zones,
making them an ongoing challenge for everyone traveling
through or working in their vicinities. From narrower lanes
to sudden changes in road markings, work zones present
multiple hazards for drivers. Turns are sharper, heavy
equipment and construction trucks pass through active
traffic lanes, and visibility is often poor due to road
obstruction, dust, and fumes. Add to these obstacles the
concrete barriers that sit on the roadway shoulders as
drivers attempt to navigate the roads, and you have a recipe
for all kinds of potential accidents. The Chicago Tribune
attributed most work zone accident rates to drivers’
tendencies to abruptly switch lanes, tailgate, or merging
poorly. Above all, failure to observe and follow the reduced
speed limits is cited as the largest cause of accidents in
work zone areas. Speeding, in general, is always a risk,
even under the best roadway conditions, so it is not
surprising that speeding in work zone areas is a cause for
significant spikes in accident and injury statistics.
Efforts to Combat the Problem
In response to the problem, officials from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) have made several efforts in the past to slow down vehicles passing through work zones, as risks for injury have proven to be just as high for the workers employed in these zones. While IDOT reported the fatality rate to be around 35 deaths annually, one-sixth were found to be construction workers, and the Federal Highway Administration has said that work-zone deaths have reached up to 800 annually.
Traffic Fatalities on the Rise in Illinois
As the state of the economy improves, gas prices
decrease, and more Americans head back to work, morale
throughout the country rises. Unfortunately, there is
something else rising as well –
traffic fatalities. In fact, statistics suggest the state of Illinois is
experiencing the highest number of traffic deaths since
2008. What does this mean for drivers and other road
users? The following explains.
The Trend of Rising Traffic Fatalities in Illinois
Records obtained by the Chicago Tribune show that traffic fatalities in Illinois have been rising for some time now. In 2013, crashes raised by 4 percent, reaching an average of 782 incidents per day and just a little more than 1,000 deaths for that year (1,043). Numbers decreased slightly in 2014, but not by much (898 deaths for the year). This year, the number of deaths has already reached 958 and is expected to exceed the 2013 total. Only time will tell, though, if the deaths will surpass those from 2008.
Drug Overdoses While Driving: A New and Concerning Epidemic
According to national statistics, heroin and opiate
overdoses have increased by 500 percent since 2005. This is
concerning, in and of itself, but there is an even more
frightening epidemic. All across the country, and right here
in Illinois, there are drivers who are suffering from an
overdose behind the wheel of a car. This puts them, and
countless others at risk. Learn what this
drugged driving epidemic
may mean for you and your family, and what you can do,
should an accident occur.
A Look at the Overdosed Driver Epidemic
There have been multiple incidents nationwide of overdosed
while driving. In Milwaukee, a passerby reported that an
in-gear vehicle was blocking traffic and that the man behind
the wheel appeared to be dead. When officers arrived on the
scene, they broke into the vehicle and found that that man,
not breathing and turning blue, was not dead, but had
overdosed. They gave him an opiate overdose antidote to
revive him. In Ohio, a driver and passenger were found
passed out in a car, not breathing and turning blue, with a
small child in the back seat of the car. The vehicle was in
park but the risk is clear: had they been driving at the
time, they, the child, and anyone around them would have
been at risk for death and/or injury. A Boston man, also an
overdosed driver, crashed his vehicle into another person’s
car while driving. The news report did not indicate if
anyone was injured in the accident, but the man was revived,
again using the antidote for opiate overdose.
If You Are the Victim of an Overdosed Driver
Accident
Because the problem is so prevalent, it is critical that
Illinois drivers know how to respond appropriately, should
they experience an accident with a drugged driver. First,
make sure to call emergency responders. Not only do you and
your passengers need to be assessed for possible injuries,
but the drugged driver may need the potentially life-saving
antidote. Further, they may have other non-drugged
passengers in their vehicle (children are of especially high
concern) that need medical care. Once everyone is safe, make
sure you visit the hospital or your primary care doctor to
check for any injuries that were not immediately noticeable
at the time of the crash. Lastly, make sure you gather as
much documentation as possible and supply it to your
attorney. Doing so protects your right to compensation and
ensures that all your losses are accounted for when pursuing
damages.
Contact Our Lake County Personal Injury Lawyers
At Salvi & Maher, LLP, we fight to protect the rights of victims. In every situation, our seasoned Lake County personal injury attorneys pursue the most favorable outcome possible. Get the skilled representation you deserve. Call 414-271-1440 and schedule your initial consultation today.
Is Your Child at Risk of a School Bus Accident?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) reports that approximately 450,000 public school
buses transport 23.5 million children on our roadways each
year, transporting them to and from school, as well as to
and from special school activities. Still,
school bus accidents
and injuries abound, raising great cause for concern
across our communities and educational institutions.
Why School Buses Are Safer than Cars
While the NHTSA reports that there are at least six school-age fatalities recorded every year, studies show that generally, school buses are still considered one of the safest modes of transportation on the road today. Between the years of 2003 and 2012, the NHTSA found that 174 school-age children died in school-related transportation accidents, but only 55 of those deaths were occupants of school buses.
Click It or Ticket: Car Accident Safety
If you drive a vehicle, chances are you’ve heard the
slogan “click it or ticket” used on more than one occasion
to reinforce the importance of seatbelts as a means to
reduce death and serious injury in
car accidents. The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) uses
the catchy phrase as part of their nationwide campaign
efforts to bring attention to the dire need for drivers to
wear their seatbelts anytime, and every time they operate
a vehicle. When it comes to car collision safety, the
concept behind the slogan is clear: More passengers
wearing seatbelts means more lives saved, and fewer
tickets issued. The proof is in the statistics - wearing
seatbelts saved nearly 14,000 lives in the year 2015
alone.
Seatbelt Safety’s Role in Preventing Injury and Fatality
Wearing the proper safety restraint is one of the easiest, most effective ways to protect yourself behind the wheel of a car, and doing so also sets an example for any passengers traveling with you who may otherwise choose to neglect wearing their seatbelt. The goal behind the Click It or Ticket enforcement effort is to hold drivers accountable for their part in seat belt safety through periods of increased monitoring and citation issuing. The mission is to illuminate the seat belt’s role in preventing accident injury and fatality rates across the nation.
Tips for Driving on Icy Roads
Although spring weather is just around the corner,
Illinois is still dealing with winter storms, which presents
a number of challenges for drivers. Preventing
car accident and injury is crucial, no matter what time of year, but it
is especially important to take special safety precautions
during those wet, cold, icy months that make our roadways
significantly more hazardous. Icy conditions, in particular,
can be very treacherous for drivers, which is why it is wise
to make sure we stay on top of our winter weather driving
knowledge to keep ourselves, our passengers, and others
safe.
Tips for Driving in Icy Conditions
According to expert advice from CBS News, there are certain
steps drivers can take to decrease their chances of
accidents when venturing out onto the highways during the
winter season. It is suggested that every driver practice
the following when operating a vehicle under icy weather
conditions: Maintain proper tire pressure - Big changes in
temperature can drastically affect your tire pressure, so it
is extremely important to make sure you maintain proper
levels throughout the cold season. It is recommended that
you check the pressure every week, or at least once a month
at minimum. Another alternative is to use radial snow tires
on your vehicle, which are designed to remain flexible when
temperatures fluctuate. Keep windshield wipers in good
shape. - It is crucial to make sure your windshield wipers
are in good condition to ensure you have clear visibility
when driving in snow. You should also consider using a
winter-formula window washer fluid to prevent your
windshield from icing over in cold temperatures. Control
your skid - As most vehicles are now front-wheel drive, the
rule of thumb when you begin to slide on ice is to steer in
the direction you want to go. Use your field of vision as a
guide, looking in the direction you want to go, and then
steer. Keep your foot on the gas and rely on your anti-lock
brake system to do its job. Your control is limited when you
begin to slide, but this will help you maintain what control
you can. Do not speed - Speeding when roads are icy is a
deadly combination. In fact, most collisions that take place
on icy roads are usually due to speeding. When driving in
snow or on ice, a vehicle may take nine times longer to come
to a stop than under normal, ideal conditions, so keep this
in mind as you drive.
Should you experience an accident or injury due to a winter-weather related car collision, consulting with a knowledgeable Lake County car accident attorney is an important step toward protecting your rights in a court of law. Make sure you receive the proper compensation due to you following the collision. Call Salvi & Maher, LLP today at 847-662-3303 for a personal consultation.
Collision Hotspots
Every driver knows there are certain behaviors that place
them at risk for
car accident
and injury on the roadway, such as texting behind the wheel
or operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Dangerous
behaviors that distract us from the road or prohibit us from
safely operating a vehicle are risky on their own, but their
threat is intensified around certain driving environments,
where precise focus and attention are crucial in order to
avoid serious collision and bodily injury.
Roadway Areas You Are More Likely to Be Harmed or Cause
Harm
Collision hotspots in the state of Illinois are similar to
those around the nation; certain areas tend to rack up
greater accident statistics, no matter where you live or
what kind of vehicle you drive. Here are three areas on our
roadways that are especially prone to causing accident and
injury:
1. Road Work and Construction Zones
School Bus Accident Accountability
Although statistics show school buses to be relatively
safe modes of transportation compared to other kinds of
vehicles, the area around them is not always so safe. In
fact, the zones surrounding our children’s buses are often
the sites of tragic
school bus accident
injuries and fatalities. While child passenger fatalities
are rare (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) reports that an average of six school-age children
die as passengers each year), accidents that are related to
school transportation, in general, are still significant in
number.
School Bus Crashes Affect More than Just Bus
Passengers
Children riding our community school buses are not the only
ones injured by bus-related collisions. More recent crash
data from the NHTSA shows that 8 percent of the 134 people
who die annually due to school-bus-related incidences are
riding in the buses, while pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other drivers represent 21 percent of the overall related
fatalities. This means those walking, biking, and driving
around bus zone areas are at risk everyday when commuting on
our Illinois roadways.
The Proper Way to Navigate School Bus Zones
When navigating around school buses, drivers must abide by
certain laws set forth by the state. The Illinois State
Police remind us of the following:
- When a school bus has its stop signal arm extended and is in the process of loading or unloading children, it is unlawful to pass the bus.
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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