Every year, millions of Americans are seriously injured in car accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 2.5 million Americans are sent to the emergency room after suffering injuries in motor vehicle collisions each year. 

Life-changing injuries can occur even when a driver or passenger takes all conceivable safety precautions. The impacts of an injury are not limited to the pain itself, as severe injuries can result in costly medical bills and significant loss of work hours. On an annual basis, people injured in car accidents pay about $18 billion in medical expenses while losing an estimated $33 billion in work income.

On March 15, a fatal auto accident occurred when two teenage drivers collided on Route 12, near Wauconda in Lake County. According to the Wauconda Police Department, an 18-year-old driver lost control of his vehicle and collided with a Ford Focus, which was driven by a 16-year-old. The two 14-year-old passengers in the Focus were seriously injured, while the 16-year-old driver passed away.

For parents throughout the state of Illinois, the accident served as a tragic reminder of the risks that teenage drivers face.

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), approximately 17,500 Americans suffer spinal cord injuries each year. Today, around 285,000 Americans live with complications caused by severe spinal injuries. Regardless of how an injury occurs, the long-term physical and financial impact of a spinal cord injury can be life-changing. 

Causes of Spinal Cord Injury Accidents

In the event of a spinal cord injury or suspected injury, it is important to act quickly. In some cases, immediate medical assistance can limit the potential damage. Some injury victims do not realize the severity at the time of an accident.

With winter on its way out, bicyclists are starting to ride again throughout the greater Chicago area. Bicycling can be a good form of exercise and way to commute to and from work. Unfortunately, bicyclists are much more susceptible to serious injury than car occupants. Around 467,000 Americans are injured in bicycle accidents each year. The most severe bicycle injuries occur in collisions involving cars. If you or a loved one are injured in a bicycle accident due to driver negligence, contact a trusted personal injury legal team as soon as possible. 

How to Prevent Bike Accidents 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1,000 Americans were fatally injured in bicycle crashes during a recent 12-month study. While many bicycle accidents are unpreventable because of car driver error or damaged pavement, there are a few steps you can take to increase your safety, as you hop back onto your bike this spring. 

Throughout the United States, thousands of Americans are injured in accidents involving commercial trucks each year. Due to the sheer size of most commercial vehicles, collisions involving standard cars are often devastating. In many cases, commercial trucking accidents are caused by the negligent actions of the trucking company or the truck driver. If you or a loved one are injured in a commercial trucking collision, seek experienced legal guidance immediately. 

Commercial Truck Accident Statistics 

With millions of commercial trucks on the road each day, trucking accidents are common and often horrific. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there were nearly 3,900 fatal commercial trucking accidents in 2016. In all, more than 100,000 Americans suffered injuries that required hospitalization after being involved in a truck crash. While some trucking accidents are unavoidable, many are directly related to the reckless actions of an employee.