For many Americans, there comes a time when they must consider placing elderly loved ones into the care of a nursing home. When doing so, we place our trust in the facility and its staff. Tragically, some elder care facilities neglect this trust, as more than two million elderly Americans face some form of abuse every year. 

If you believe your loved one is a victim of some form of nursing home abuse, it is critical you consult with a legal team immediately to discuss your options. 

With New Year’s Eve quickly approaching, thousands of Illinoisans are preparing to purchase fireworks for their holiday festivities. Despite stringent laws that prohibit the use of certain kinds of fireworks in Illinois, many holiday parties feature some incredibly dangerous displays of explosive materials. The use of these fireworks can lead to serious injuries, and the healing process can be stressful and expensive. If you have suffered a fireworks injury, a personal injury attorney can help you understand your options for pursuing compensation.

Firework Injuries Rising

While most Americans view fireworks as a fun and festive way to ring the new year, in all actuality, they are a legitimate safety threat. Throughout 2017, approximately 12,900 Americans were hospitalized due to injuries suffered while using fireworks. Tragically, eight of those injuries proved to be fatal. Despite laws prohibiting certain types of dangerous fireworks and countless safety videos designed to reduce fireworks injuries, these injuries continue to rise. In 2017, there was a 15% increase in fireworks injury hospitalizations. Unfortunately, fireworks injuries are often incredibly difficult to recover from, and they can alter a person’s life permanently. 

Common Injuries

Fireworks injuries can be some of the most gruesome and painful injuries imaginable. Over half of all fireworks injuries involve some forms of burns, and bruises and open wounds account for 30% of these injuries. The vast majority of fireworks injuries occur on the hand or wrist. Hundreds of people lose hands or fingers due to injuries suffered while using fireworks. Loss of limbs, open wounds, and severe burns can all require extensive physical therapy to fully recover. 

With winter driving conditions comes a higher likelihood of car accidents. Due to the icy roads, rear-end collisions are among the most common car accidents that occur during winter months. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), upwards of 1.7 million rear-end collisions occur throughout the United States each year, and these collisions account for approximately 40% of all annual motor vehicle accidents. Due to the sheer number of these accidents, it is important to know what types of injury risks they can present. The most common injury suffered during a rear-end collision is whiplash. 

Why Whiplash Can Cause Concern

Whiplash injuries can occur in even the most minor of rear-end collisions. Whiplash is defined as a process in which a rapid back and forth movement caused by extreme force results in injury to the neck. Whiplash can lead to chronic neck pain, severe stiffness, and painful headaches. While many people believe that whiplash injuries have a limited impact on one’s life, these injuries can come with a number of painful symptoms that can result in the loss of work hours and expensive physical therapy. From blurred vision to cognitive difficulties, whiplash injuries can change a person’s life for extended periods of time. Do not take a whiplash injury lightly. 

Steps to Take After a Rear-End Collision

In the aftermath of any automobile accident, it is important to know how to react. After an accident, barring severe injury, you should take pictures of all vehicles involved in the collision and exchange insurance information with the other drivers. In rear-end collisions, it is extremely important to receive medical treatment as soon as possible, even if injuries are not present immediately after the accident. Symptoms of whiplash injuries can be delayed, and they may not appear until hours or even days after the initial impact. What may seem like a minor whiplash injury could in actuality be a severe spinal injury that will have a long-term impact on one’s health. 

On Wednesday, December 5th, 2018, a school bus was struck by a commercial truck that was heading the wrong direction on I-74, south of Bloomington. The bus was carrying the Normal Community West High School girls’ basketball team. A 72-year-old volunteer was fatally injured in the accident, but fortunately, none of the student athletes suffered severe injuries in the collision. The accident reminded parents throughout the state of Illinois of the real possibility of their child’s school bus colliding with another vehicle. Every parent worries about the safety of their children, and if tragedy strikes, and your child is involved in a school bus accident, you should contact a legal team that will support you and your family in your time of need. 

School Bus Fatality Statistics

When our children ride a school vehicle, we put our trust in the school and the bus driver to take care of our children. Sadly, school bus accidents are more common than most of us would like to believe. A study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) analyzed school vehicle fatalities from 2004 to 2013. In that time period, more than 1,200 Americans were fatally injured in these types of accidents. Every year, approximately 134 people die in these tragic accidents throughout the United States. 

School Bus Injuries and Causes

Due to the fact that students riding in school buses are not mandated to wear seatbelts, they can suffer incredibly serious injuries in a collision. Common school bus injuries include severe spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and broken bones. If your child is involved in a school bus accident, it is possible that the accident was caused by the negligence of the driver or the school district. School bus collisions can occur if a driver chooses to drive recklessly, such as by traveling at excessive speeds or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Accidents can also be caused by improper vehicle maintenance. 

While many recreational motorcyclists choose to lock up their bikes for the winter, those that rely on their motorcycle as their primary means of transportation continue to ride throughout the winter months. Riding your motorcycle during the winter requires extreme precision and care. Listed below are some simple tips that could help you avoid being injured in a motorcycle accident this winter:

• Wear Proper Equipment: While riding your motorcycle, it is important to wear the correct protective equipment. Warm clothing can protect against cold winter weather, and body armor can protect motorcyclists from further injury in the event of a collision. However, the most important piece of equipment you can wear is your helmet. Helmet use saves thousands of lives throughout the United States each year. If you choose to ride your motorcycle this winter, it is best to wear a helmet that offers full face protection, as well as clothing, boots, and gloves that cover any exposed skin. 
• Travel at Appropriate Speeds: As the weather gets colder, so do the tires on your motorcycle. Colder tires have limited ability to gain traction, leading to difficulty stopping and changing directions. The combination of icy roads and reduced tire traction can cause dangerous collisions. Due to these factors, traveling at excessive speeds can be increasingly dangerous during winter months.
• Avoid Reckless Riding: Riding your motorcycle can be a liberating activity, but during the winter months, you should exercise additional focus and care. Avoiding aggressive passing, tailgating, and other forms of reckless driving can help to ensure that you arrive safely to your destination this winter. 
• Know Your Limits: Motorcycle riding takes a great deal of skill in the best of conditions, and it becomes even more difficult during winter weather. Operating a motorcycle on snowy or icy roads requires extreme care, and the presence of other vehicles can increase the dangers motorcyclists face. If you are a novice motorcyclist or are unsure about your ability to control your bike in the winter, it may be wise to avoid riding in urban areas or lock your bike away until nicer weather returns. 

Contact a Lake County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Tragically, motorcycle accidents are incredibly common throughout the United States. In 2016 alone, over 5,000 Americans lost their lives in motorcycle accidents. If you or a loved one are injured in a motorcycle collision, it is likely that the accident was caused by the negligence of another driver. At Salvi and Maher, L.L.C., our number one priority is ensuring that you and your family receive the compensation you deserve after being injured in a motor vehicle collision. To schedule a free consultation with a Waukegan personal injury attorney, call us today at 847-662-3303. 

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