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How to Avoid Recreational Vehicle Accidents
Many people use
recreational vehicles (RV) during the summer; the weather becomes warmer and many people use RVs for
camping trips or long-distance travel. However, before you
and your family or friends step into a recreational
vehicle, it is essential to understand precautions that
should be taken to ensure your and your passengers’
safety. The following includes some safety tips that
should be adhered to when operating a recreational
vehicle:
1. Maintain your propane tank. If left unchecked or not used properly, a propane tank can explode or overheat. Make sure your propane tank is regularly checked by a professional dealer and install a propane gas detector. Never paint your propane tank in a black color because then the tank will quickly absorb sunlight and become overheated.
CTA Bus Crashes Cost Taxpayers $16 Million
Earlier this year, an investigation by the Chicago-Sun
Times found that in the past two years, Chicago Transit
Authority
buses were involved in more than 500 accidents. More than 1,000 people were injured and five people
were killed as a result of the crashes.
The accidents are expensive as well — costing taxpayers a whopping $16 million in the form of lawsuit settlements and legal fees. During 2015 and 2016, there were 380 lawsuits filed against the CTA.
Recently, the CTA admitted fault for a 2015 crash in which a CTA bus ran a red light and hit a pedestrian. The pedestrian died in the accident. Because the CTA admitted fault, the agency will likely have to pay a settlement in the wrongful death case.
Compared to other public buses in other cities, the CTA’s accident rate is high. For example, the transit agency in Los Angeles logged more driving miles than the CTA. However, the L.A. agency had about only 100 bus collisions over a two-year period.
Have You Suffered One of These Common Car Accident Injuries?
Every
car accident
is different, but as experienced car accident attorneys, we
see that our clients often suffer from the same types of
injuries. A skilled car accident attorney should be able to
assess your injuries and talk to you about the value of your
case.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accident victims have been known to experience:- Soft Tissue Injuries. This injury is caused by stretched or torn ligaments, tendons or muscles.
- Broken Bones. This injury can leave a victim with months of healing and rehabilitation work to do.
- Neck and Back Injuries. This type of injury includes conditions such as herniated discs, strains, sprains, and whiplash.
- Head and Brain Injuries. This category of injury includes everything from mild concussions to traumatic brain injuries. It also encompasses lacerations, skull fractures, and internal bleeding.
Drugged Driving Causes More Deaths than Drunk Driving
A recent study has highlighted a new danger on the road:
drugged drivers. The study found that of drivers who died in
a
car accident, 43 percent of drivers tested positive for drugs and 37
percent of drivers had alcohol in their bodies. The study
was released by the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Marijuana Is Commonly Found in Killed Drivers
Of the positive drug tests in this study, 35 percent signaled marijuana use by the driver. This does not come as a surprise since medical marijuana is legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia and recreational marijuana is legal in eight states and DC. However, it is illegal to drive impaired in all 50 states. More Policies and Resources Needed to Combat Drugged DrivingExperts argue that the results of the study highlight the need for more training for police officers on how to spot drugged driving as well as additional methodologies and standards for determining if a driver is too impaired to operate a vehicle. For example, there is no analogous drug test comparable to the breathalyzer.Study’s Conclusions Are Questioned by Some
Study Highlights Divide in Opinions and Behaviors on Driving Safety
"Do as I say, not as I do,” are the results of a new study
that examined driver attitudes and rates of risky driving.
According to the AAA Foundation’s ninth annual Traffic
Safety Culture Index, motor vehicle drivers disapprove of
driving behavior such as texting while driving and driving
under the influence, yet many drivers admit to the
same dangerous habits. These are the dangerous habits that cause motor vehicle
accidents and put more cautious drivers at risk of property
damage, bodily injury and even death.
Study Reveals Driver Hypocrisy
The study asked drivers about their attitudes and driving patterns in relation to several important safety issues. The study reports that:- About 70 percent of drivers believe it is completely unacceptable to not wear a seatbelt while driving. However, 16.7 percent of drivers admit to driving without a safety belt in the past month.
Inadequate Driver Training Leads to Truck Accidents in Illinois
Truck drivers must have the proper training and education
to operate tractor trailers. Trucks can weigh 20 times more
than passenger vehicles and
pose a great risk to other drivers and pedestrians. Because truck drivers are allowed to operate on the same
roads as cars, it is critical that drivers are trained and
properly credentialed. However, this does not always occur,
and if it does occur, it may not be enough to keep everyone
safe. In fact, a large percentage of accidents are caused by
truck driver error.
Types of Driver Error
If the driver is at fault -- which is usually the case where the truck is found to have caused the accident -- there are several types of errors that usually can be blamed. (It may be the case that the truck is at fault, but for reasons outside of the fault of the driver, such as a faulty truck part or poorly loaded trailer.) Such errors include:- Non-Performance. Operator fell asleep or could not drive due to a sudden health issue like a heart attack or a seizure.
How Driving Slowly in the Left Lane Can Cause Accidents
Traffic accidents are a significant issue in Illinois.
In 2015 alone, there were more than 313,000
motor vehicle crashes.
There are several state laws that address the issue, but one law stands out from among the rest — the prohibition of driving in the left lane except for overtaking and passing other vehicles. The reason Illinois and a few other states have enacted this law is because it is believed that driving slower than the speed of traffic in the left lane can lead to accidents.
Driving slower than other drivers while in the left lane can cause traffic accidents because when slow drivers are in the left and right lanes of a highway, faster drivers have to maneuver between the cars and change lanes several times, which increase the likelihood of an accident.
Does Uber Prevent Drunk Driving Accidents?
Uber often touts its mission to end
drunk driving across the country. The ride-sharing company frequently reports on declines
in incidents of drunk driving within urban areas that have
Uber. Uber says that its ride-sharing service has given
individuals an affordable, accessible transportation
option that keeps them from driving while under the
influence.
Although some may find Uber’s claim that it significantly reduced drunk driving hyperbolic, some research supports the claim. A recent study conducted by the City University of New York found that since Uber rolled out its ride-sharing services in four boroughs of New York City, there has been a 25 to 35 percent decrease in drunk driving accidents. This means that there have been approximately 40 fewer crashes per month in the boroughs.
New American Academy of Pediatrics Car Seat Safety Guidelines
As a parent, you want to do everything you can to keep
your children safe, and this is especially true when you
are in the car. Using a safe car seat can ensure that
children are properly protected in any
car accidents, but parents may not be aware of which types of car
seats are appropriate for children at different ages.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently released new guidelines for car seat safety. This update came following a study published in the Journal of Pediatrics which found that only 62 percent of the parents participating in the study used a rear-facing car seat for children 17-19 months old. The study also found that parents who spoke with pediatricians about car seat safety and were aware of AAP guidelines were more likely to use rear-facing car seats.
Opioids Are an Increasing Factor in Fatal Car Accidents
Everyone is aware of the danger that drunk driving poses
to people on the road, but many people may not realize
that prescription painkillers can be just as dangerous.
As the use and abuse of opioids has increased in recent decades, the number of drivers killed in car accidents while under the influence of these drugs has also seen a major increase.
Study Shows the Impact of Opioids on Car Crashes
A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health looked at drug test results for drivers who died in car accidents and found that between 1991 and 2015, the number of drivers with prescription opioids in their system at the time of death rose by 700 percent. This increase is likely due to the rise in use of these types of drugs; between 1991 and 2014, prescriptions for opioid painkillers have risen from 76 million to nearly 300 million. Oxycodone, morphine, and codeine were the most commonly detected drugs in the study.
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.
