Free Consultation 847-662-3303
Recent Blog Posts
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.
Avoiding Car Accident Injuries: Wear Seat Belts in the Back Seat
The importance of wearing a seat belt when driving or riding in a car is well known, but while adults usually ensure that children are safely buckled up, they sometimes neglect to wear their own safety belts. When adults ride in a vehicle’s back seat, they may feel that a seat belt is not necessary. However, this negligence can result in serious injuries in car accidents.
Adult Seat Belt Usage
A recent survey performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that while 91 percent of the adults surveyed always wear a seat belt when they are in a vehicle’s front seat, only 72 percent always wear a seat belt in the back seat. People gave a variety of reasons for not wearing seat belts, including a belief that seat belts are not necessary because back seats are safer than front seats. People were also less likely to wear seat belts when riding in taxis or ride-sharing services like Uber, with only 57 percent of people saying they always wore seat belts in hired vehicles.
Illinois Ranks as One of the Safest States, but Still Needs Improvement
Every year, over 40 million people are injured and 146,000 people are killed in accidents that could have been prevented, according to data from the National Safety Council (NSC). The NSC notes that these numbers are on the rise, with deaths from car accidents, poisoning, drowning, choking, falls, and fires having increased 7 percent since 2014.
The NSC recently released its State of Safety report for 2017, looking at each state in the United States and giving them grades for safety on the road, in the home, in the workplace, and in the community. Illinois ranked second in overall safety, but it received a “B” grade, since the NSC noted several areas in which safety could be improved.
Road Safety
Traffic safety was one of the key focuses of the NSC’s report, as over 40,000 people died while on the road in 2016. While Illinois ranks #1 in road safety, the state still saw 1,108 fatalities in 2016, and the report noted several areas in which safety could be improved, including:
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.
