Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Tragedy struck the family of an Antioch teenager who was killed earlier this month when a semi-truck slammed into her Jeep.

According to news reports from the Chicago Tribune and The Chicago Sun-Times, Elizabeth Collins, 19, was on her way to a hair appointment just as a nasty snowstorm was beginning. The storm may have been a factor in a three-car pile-up on the Interstate, just north of Deerfield, that troopers say the semi-truck driver was swerving to avoid.

That large truck, in turn, hit Collins' vehicle, a new college student and children's gymnastics instructor.

She died the next day, with her family saying she donated every organ possible, giving life to others, despite that her own had been cut far too short.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers know that drivers of smaller vehicles are at greater risk of injury when involved in a crash with large trucks.

This is true across the country, where the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that accidents involving large trucks - defined as those weighing over 10,000 pounds - were responsible for nearly 3,400 fatalities in 2009.

And most of those victims weren't the truck drivers. Seventy-four percent were the occupants of the other vehicles. Another 10 percent of those victims were non-occupants, meaning they were pedestrians or bicyclists.

Those figures don't take into account those injured by large trucks - a whopping 74,000 across the country.

It's not just that truck drivers are on the road for longer stretches than the average motorist. The NHTSA indicates that large trucks are more likely to be involved in multi-vehicle fatal accidents than other vehicles on the road. In fact, 81 percent of fatal accidents involving large trucks also involved more than one vehicle. Compare that to 58 percent of passenger vehicles.

In Illinois, the administration reported there were 1,301 fatal accidents in 2009. Of those, 90 involved large trucks.

As a result of these startling figures - and tragedies like the one on I-94 - some advocacy groups are lobbying for lowered weight limits for large trucks.

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, for example, insist that bigger trucks compromise safety. That group reports that trucks weighing 80,000 pounds are twice as likely to be involved in a fatal accident as those that weigh 50,000 pounds. Further, the group reports that large trucks need, on average, 25 percent more time to slow down or stop than the average passenger car.

But as there is not likely to be a change in laws anytime soon, motorists must share the road with these large and potentially dangerous vehicles.

As such, our attorneys want to remind you that the National Traffic Safety Institute has outlined the following safety tips for drivers:

--Remember that large trucks do not drive like regular vehicles. They have large blind spots and need more room to make turns. If you can't see the driver in their rearview mirror, he or she probably can't see you either. Keep that in mind when driving behind or trying to pass.

--When being passed by a larger truck or vehicle, slow down, as debris can be kicked up from the truck's tires and reduce your visibility.

--On the highway, don't put yourself at risk by driving between two large vehicles, which can greatly increase your chances of being injured if there were to be an accident.

Continue reading "Antioch Teen Killed in Crash with Semi-Truck on I-94" »

Police officers in Chicago and across the country are required by oath to uphold the law. Because of this, they are often held to a higher standard of personal conduct than average citizens.

But on occasion, when officers find themselves on the wrong side of the law, there have been instances of reported preferential treatment.

That is alleged to be the case in a Chicago car accident involving an off-duty police officer accused of a fatal hit-and-run DUI that tragically resulted in the death of a young teen.

The Chicago Tribune reports that the future of a veteran Chicago Police Officer Richard Bolling is in the hands of a jury in Cook County, following a crash that killed a 13-year-old on a bicycle.

The newspaper reports it was two years ago when Bolling, who was off-duty, wrapped up a night of drinking at a nearby bar and got behind the wheel. That's when he allegedly struck the young bicyclist.

But instead of immediately administering a blood alcohol test, the other officers who arrived on scene delayed it by several hours, resulting in a lower test result measuring just under the legal limit.

One officer testified that her superior ordered her not to give the test right away. Instead, police took their fellow officer to a nearby bathroom and allowed him to wash up before requiring him to take the test.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers believe everyone should receive equal treatment under the law. The law is clear: No one should be immune to the consequences of his or her actions.

Car accidents and other cases involving police or other public officials accused of criminal actions require a law firm with the expert knowledge and resources to tackle what can turn out to be a complex and high profile situation.

Taxpayers expect that police, with the primary function of upholding the statutes set forth by lawmakers, will conduct unbiased investigations in their every day work. And our Chicago accident attorneys recognize that most police officers do this with integrity.

But when law enforcement officers are charged with investigating their own in a car crash, it becomes even more important to have an independent analysis of a crash scene.

Much has been written about what is known as the police "Code of Silence," which refers to police helping police by not talking when one of their own finds themselves in trouble.

A comprehensive study in 2000 by The National Institute of Ethics uncovered some disturbing facts about this unspoken code.

Of more than 1,000 full-time police officers who responded to a confidential questionnaire, 46 percent reported witnessing misconduct by a colleague which they concealed. Of those, 8 percent said the misconduct was perpetrated by a superior.

According to the Tribune, Bolling was a veteran narcotics officer. Evidence presented at trial included a video recording in which a high-ranking officer at the scene of the fatal crash told Bolling he would try to help him out as much as possible.

For his alleged actions that night, Bolling is facing charges of aggravated DUI, leaving the scene of a fatal crash and reckless homicide.

Continue reading "Preferential Treatment Alleged for Officer Involved in Fatal DUI, Hit-Run that Killed Chicago Teen" »

As we recently reported on our Illinois Injury Law Blog, distraction-related car accidents took the lives of more than 3,100 people in 2010. While this statistic reveals a decrease from the previous year, there are still far too many drivers engaging in distractions behind the wheel. To help to reduce these stats even more, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is recommending that all state governments enact a law prohibiting drivers from using any and all portable electronic devices at the wheel. Yes, this recommendation even includes hands-free phones. Recent studies conclude that hands-free devices are just as distracting to drivers as hand-held devices.

This measure would go beyond anything currently being pushed in any state. Illinois law prohibits the use of hand-held cell phones for any drivers who are driving through a school zone or in a highway construction zone. In addition to those areas, bus drivers and drivers who are under the age of 19 are prohibited from using a hand-held cell phone behind the wheel, according to the Governors Highway Safety Administration. In the City of Chicago, it is illegal for any driver to talk on a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle. It is illegal for any driver in the state to text message while driving.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand a statewide law banning drivers from using cell phones may be inevitable, but experts don't think it's going to happen here any time soon. Illinois Senate President John Cullerton says a ban would not have the political support needed to pass the General Assembly, according to the Chicago Tribune.

“There’s no question that it’s a distraction from driving,” Cullerton told the paper. “With the increase in technology use while people are driving, it’s a real diversion.”

Cullerton believes strongly in traffic safety though. He helped pass Illinois' first seat belt law back in 1984. He just doesn't think that this type of overall ban will go over well with the public and lawmakers. Yes, most drivers recognize the dangers associated with distracted driving, but most are willing to give up the dangerous habits.

The state passed a ban of text messaging for drivers just a few years back.

In a recent survey, 1 out of every 10 drivers admitted to texting and e-mailing behind the wheel. Half of the drivers under the age of 21 surveyed admitted to engaging in this dangerous behavior. Statistics reveal that at any given moment in time, 1 out of every 100 drivers is text messaging, web surfing, Facebooking or Twittering behind the wheel.

Slowly, states are enacting stricter distracted driving laws. But the truth is that some of the most dangerous distractions involve talking to other passengers, playing with the radio and other non-electronic distractions.

The Chicago Tribune reports that it's not more laws that we need to make our roads safer, but it's better enforcement of the one's that we already have.

Continue reading "Risks of Distraction-Related Car Accidents in Chicago Continue Despite Nationwide Regulating Efforts" »

As you begin to plan your New Year's Eve celebration to welcome in the new year, don't forget to give a thought to how you will get home safely. You may have noticed more state and local law enforcement officers patrolling Illinois roadways recently as they are cracking down on drivers who are driving under the influence and putting other motorists at risk of a drunk driving accident in Chicago, or elsewhere throughout the holiday season. Taking the keys away from these violators is the only way to keep roadways free from alcohol-related accidents.

Illinois drunk driving accident lawyers know that most New Year's celebrations involve the consumption of alcohol. But it doesn't mean drivers have to make a bad choice to get behind the wheel after having had too much to drink. There are other options that can benefit all motorists. Unfortunately, too many are victimized by another driver who made bad choices. If you are seriously injured, get in touch with a drunk driving accident attorney who can guide you and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

One drunk driver in the news recently put several potential victims at risk while driving the wrong-way for almost 11 miles on the Edens Expressway. The Chicago Tribune reports a news anchor reporting to work was one of many motorists that had to maneuver quickly to avoid a drunk driving accident. She saw the vehicle coming straight at her so she attempted to move into another lane and saw the oncoming vehicle move in the same direction so at the last minute she veered the vehicle off onto the shoulder to avoid a head-on collision. The speeding drunk driver was finally pulled over by Illinois State Police after more than a dozen near misses with other drivers on the expressway. The drunk driver was charged with reckless driving, having an open container, improper lane usage, driving without insurance and driving under the influence.

DriveSoberIllinois.org reports that somewhere in the country, every two minutes someone is injured and every 30 minutes someone is killed by an impaired driver. In 2009, 319 of the 911 total traffic fatalities in Illinois were caused by someone driving under the influence. Everyone thinks it won't happen to them until it is too late. The simple fact is driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher impacts reaction time, judgment to make safe decisions and the ability to focus on the road. Having keen senses and abilities is what keeps motorists safe when a situation arises right in front of their eyes.

Illinois' Biggest Offenders offer these sobering tips to motorists as you celebrate the holiday season:

-Give your keys to a designated driver when you arrive at a party.
-Check out if your community offers a designated driver program.
-Use your seatbelt to help reduce the severity of an injury sustained in a crash.
-Don't let your friends leave if they have had too much to drink.

Continue reading "Drive Sober to Reduce the Risk of Drunk Driving Accidents in Chicago This Holiday Season" »

Illinois car accident attorneys are concerned about all motorists' safety while on the roadways during the holidays, but particularly teen drivers and elder adults because they are the two age groups most at risk of being involved in a car accident in Cook County or elsewhere.

While teen car accidents are often caused by distractions, elder drivers are typically involved in accidents because they don't react quickly enough or they have lost some important skills needed to be a safe driver. Though these two age groups appear to be on opposite ends of the spectrum in many different facets, it doesn't take away the one thing they have in common: the likelihood of being involved in a car accident.

Earlier this month, the American Occupational Therapy Association recognized Older Driver Safety Awareness Week in order to make more people aware that as adults get older their driving skills diminish. It is important to keep an eye on your parents and grandparents as they age in order to make sure they can handle stressful driving situations or make quick decisions that come about while operating a vehicle.

Also in the news recently is an article from the Journal-Standard reporting that Illinois state law enforcement officers are visiting several high schools to speak to teens about the dangers they face on roadways. According to the article, 27 percent of Illinois car crashes involve drivers between the ages of 16 to 24. Three out of four teen deaths are caused by car accidents. The message is being conveyed that there are typically four causes related to teen car crashes: speeding, distraction, underage drinking and not buckling up for safety. Illinois State Troopers are doing their best to convince teenagers throughout the state that it isn't safe to drive under the influence of alcohol, drive at high rates of speed nor is it cool to get distracted with texting while trying to drive. All these behaviors end in negative consequences whether it means getting a ticket or taking someone's life.

Though each of these age groups typically have different reasons for being involved in a car accident, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following safe driving tips this holiday season for teens and older adults, but can truly apply to any driver:

-Stay alert and focused each time you get behind the wheel. Keep the radio turned down and cell phones put away.

-Stay away from nighttime driving and driving during rush hour traffic.

-Never ride or drive without buckling in.

-Plan the route you want to take ahead of time.

-If stormy weather is in the forecast, have an experienced driver take you where you need to go.

Continue reading "Teens, Elders Particularly at Risk of Illinois Car Accidents During Holiday Season" »

Holiday travel season in Chicago and elsewhere can be difficult to manage, especially when you add nasty winter storms and dangerously icy roads. Of course winter storms are inevitable this time of year so our Illinois car accident lawyers want to remind motorists to drive safely to avoid crashes that could lead to injuries and death.

Of particular note is driving near and around snow plows, tractor-trailers and other large vehicles. These types of vehicles are difficult to see around, and sometimes their drivers can't maneuver quickly or stop quickly so driving behind them can be dangerous. Motorists either need to prepare to stay off roadways completely or plan to reduce their speed to help avoid a car accident in Cook County and throughout the state.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) offers fair warning by helping motorists with some winter driving tips.

First, ask yourself if the trip is really necessary. If the answer is yes, then check for updated weather conditions on the radio, television or online. Current road conditions during a storm are updated every two hours by calling 1-800-452-IDOT. Always alert a family member, friend or co-worker of your travel plans. This includes what time you are leaving, where you are going, what route you plan to travel and what time you expect to arrive. Motorists are also encouraged to travel during daylight hours, fill your fuel tank before you leave and always have forms of identification on you or in the vehicle.

Safe tips to use while driving in winter conditions include:

-In rainy or foggy conditions keep your headlights on dim. You can also use your fog lights during foggy driving conditions.

-Increase the distance you follow behind a vehicle.

-Reduce the speed in which you travel and never attempt to pass a vehicle at full speed.

-If you notice ice or snow accumulation on the road, start slowly and gently use your brakes to avoid slipping.

-Shady spots or below overpasses or bridges may be extra slippery so be careful in these areas.

-Fasten your seatbelt to help reduce the severity of injury in a crash.

-If you find yourself becoming stressed or heading toward panic mode, turn back and go home or pull over into a safe parking lot where someone can find you.

-Keep the defrost mechanism on high when driving in sleet or icy conditions.

-Allow snow plows plenty of room to maneuver and stay out of their blind spots.

The Illinois State Police suggests preparing a coffee can survival kit to leave in your vehicle during the winter. Contents of the can should include:

-60 inches of heavy string or twine cut in three equal lengths
-Three large safety pins
-2" diameter candle
-book of matches
-packets of soup, hot chocolate, tea bags or bouillon cubes
-small package of peanuts and fruit candy
-pocket knife
-pen light with batteries
-plastic leaf bag
-pair of heavy cotton socks and cotton gloves

Motorists are encouraged to prepare for the worst and always drive safely when inclement weather hits. Keeping safety in mind can help reduce the risk of injury to you or others.

Continue reading "Safe Winter Driving Can Help Reduce the Risk of Weather-Related Car Accidents in Chicago, Statewide" »

In 2002, Connecticut introduced the Yellow Dot Program, which helps first responders to gain needed information to care for car accident victims in the first few minutes following an accident. But other states throughout the country have been slow to adopt this program.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys are happy to learn of the recent announcement made by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) that the Yellow Dot Program will be coming to life in our state. We know that the first 60 minutes following a car accident in Illinois are the most critical, so allowing emergency responders to gain access to important information right away could potentially save a life.

IDOT is partnering with Illinois Department of Aging, the Department of Public Health and other county health departments to help raise awareness about the new life-saving program. It is voluntary but will be federally funded and offered to all Illinois residents.

Police, emergency medical personnel and firefighters will now be able to arrive on the scene and check for an envelope in the glove compartment as indicated by a yellow dot sticker on the lower corner of the rear-facing windshield behind the driver. If a victim is found unconscious but has pre-existing medical conditions it can make it difficult to treat them with the best possible care. This program is most advantageous for treating older adults or victims with disabilities who may not be able to communicate following an accident but have allergies or other conditions that need to be taken into account when receiving medical treatment. Giving emergency medical technicians and paramedics accurate information can help them to make the right decisions during the first hour following a crash.

The Got the Dot? program is simple. Drivers can find the nearest resource center to apply for the program by searching the IDOT website or clicking here to see the entire list of locations.

The medical identification envelope (printed on yellow stock paper) should be placed in the glove compartment of the vehicle. The medical card will contain important information that may be necessary in treatment. The following is information that can be found on the card:

-Name, date of birth and gender.
-Blood type and a list of up-to-date allergies.
-Information about notable conditions like diabetes, pacemakers or others.
-Dated information listing medical conditions, medications and prescribed doses.
-The name, group number and identification number of your medical insurance provider.
-Emergency contact information that includes name, address, home and cell phone number.
-Name of any and all physicians who treat you regularly, along with address and office phone number where they can be reached.
-Additional information like recent surgeries that may be needed to treat a victim accurately.
-An updated head shot is placed on the front of the medical card so first responders can identify the victim with the matching card.

Once you have taken care of all the information on the medical card, place the envelope in the glove compartment and adhere the yellow dot sticker to the window.

Illinois drivers are encouraged to take the few simple steps needed to become a participant of the Yellow Dot Program. It could actually save your life if you are in need of medical attention but can't communicate following a crash.

Continue reading "Illinois Adds Yellow Dot Program to Help First Responders Following a Car Accident in Chicago, Elsewhere" »

Airfares are reportedly up 10 to 20 percent from a year ago which is causing holiday travelers to opt for traveling by car this holiday rather than by plane. The price of gas has also increased by roughly 50 cents since last year but traveling by automobile is still more affordable for families overall.

Our Cook County car accident lawyers understand that Thanksgiving is a holiday meant for family traditions so traveling safely is more important than ever if you want to spend time with loved ones this holiday season.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Thursday is anticipated to be the busiest travel day on roadways nationwide according to a news release from American Automobile Association (AAA). Illinois motorists should use caution all weekend but expect delays and travel hindrances on the holiday to avoid a car accident in Chicago or throughout the state. Throughout the weekend many motorists will be traveling to family dinners, holiday parades or Black Friday sales events so traffic congestion will be heightened and make roadways much more dangerous. In fact, it is expected that 2 million people will be using Illinois roadways this holiday weekend which is an increase from last year.

With all these roadway users traveling at the same time, safety is a concern. The National Safety Council computes an estimated number of deaths for holiday travel periods. This year, the organization predicts 434 deaths and more than 43,000 medically attended injuries from traffic accidents during the period of Wednesday, November 23 at 6:00 p.m. to Sunday, November 27 at 11:59 p.m. The average number of actual traffic deaths caused by roadway accidents reported during the Thanksgiving holiday periods between 2004 to 2009 was 535.

In effort to encourage safe travel, the Illinois Department of Transportation and law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois will be cracking down on traffic violators all weekend. Last year, Illinois reported 15 traffic deaths during Thanksgiving. Nine of these fatalities involved a driver who was intoxicated at the time of the accident. There were also more than 740 injuries from Illinois traffic collisions during Thanksgiving last year which could have been avoided with smarter choices made by drivers.

This year, roadside safety checks and enforcement zones will be strategically located throughout the state to keep drunk drivers, speeders and motorists who fail to wear a seat belt from breaking the law during Thanksgiving weekend. Illinois motorists could potentially find as many as 1,700 safety belt enforcement areas and 40 roadside safety checks being conducted by more than 200 law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

The coordinated effort has one goal. State officials hope to curb unsafe driving behavior by keeping drunk and distracted drivers off roadways and lowering traffic fatalities overall. Motorists are encouraged to make smart choices by not drinking and driving, speeding or becoming distracted to avoid a traffic citation or worse, a serious car accident this Thanksgiving.

Continue reading "Increase in Illinois Travelers Will Likely Increase Risk of Chicago Car Accidents Throughout Thanksgiving Weekend" »

Our Illinois car accident attorneys want to remind motorists that this week is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. We support this campaign that shines a light on the problems that sleepy drivers can create on our roadways -- accidents, injuries and even deaths.

Researchers are developing a sense that drowsy driving accidents in Chicago and elsewhere are underestimated and under-reported. Officers at the scene don't ordinarily ask a driver who caused an accident if fatigue was a factor, nor is there a simple on-site test to determine whether the driver was drowsy.

A recent survey by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 96 percent of drivers surveyed recently said it is dangerous to drive drowsy, but then readily admit it is an unacceptable behavior. Why then, do 32 percent of those surveyed admit they themselves have driven when they could barely keep their eyes open?

Another recent study on drowsy driving accidents in the U.S. indicated that one in eight crashes that result in serious injury is caused by a fatigued driver. Even worse is the evidence that more than 16 percent of fatal crashes are caused by someone who was dozing at the wheel or too tired to react before causing an accident. Driving drowsy is no different than getting behind the wheel under the influence or allowing distractions to take focus away from the road.

Other research has found that 41 percent of drivers admit to falling asleep behind the wheel. The following are common warning signs that you may be about to fall asleep at the wheel:

-Heavy eyelids or constant yawning.
-Head begins to nod or bob.
-You recognize several miles have gone by and you don't remember driving them.
-You miss a stop sign or the exit ramp that you intended to get off on.
-You find your vehicle is drifting outside of the lines and causing it to hit rumble strips.
-You may notice that you are following a car too closely.

Most Americans report they get seven hours of sleep or less each night on average. Sleep deprivation can lead to a serious risk of falling asleep behind the wheel. The National Sleep Foundation suggests motorists do several things to prevent a fall-asleep crash:
-Get a good night's rest, especially if you have a lot of driving to do or plan to leave early the next day.
-When possible, have a traveling companion with you on long trips. A passenger can help break up the monotony of a long drive and can help with the driving.
-Avoid medications that have warning labels indicating they could cause drowsiness. If a drowsy medication is prescribed, change when you take the dose if you have to drive later.
-Avoid driving during hours when you are normally sleeping. A change in routine affects your body more than you know and makes it dangerous to drive when you should be sleeping.

Continue reading "Driver Fatigue Increases Risk for Car Accidents in Chicago, Nationwide" »

A common error made by a motorist in order to avoid a car collision with a deer in Illinois is to swerve towards the center line or veer off the side of the road. This defensive behavior often causes more severe damage by causing a head-on collision with a car traveling in the opposite direction or a rollover crash leading to serious injury or death following the accident.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys want to remind motorists that these kinds of accidents often require experienced legal advice because if you can't be recompensed by your own insurer you may need to take further action by filing a claim against the vehicle owner or other driver involved in the accident.

We bring this to your attention because this time of year is prime time for collisions caused by trying to avoid a deer. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) wants to alert motorists to use extra caution as we approach deer hunting season because four-legged Bambi look-alikes will be scurrying for their life and may jump out in front of your car while you travel.

Deer-related deaths were up in 2010 compared to 2009, but overall collisions were down from 2009 to last year. Ten people lost their life in a deer-related crash in 2010 compared to 6 the previous year. There was a reduction in injuries from deer-related crashes in Illinois reporting 708 in 2009 down to 634 in 2010. There were a total of 17,135 deer-vehicle accidents in 2010 compared to almost 18,850 the previous year.

In 2010, Cook County reported the most deer-related accidents of any county with a total of 562. Nine other counties reported 320 or more collisions involving a deer. The remainder of the Top 10 list for deer-related crashes in each county is as follows:
Madison: 475
Peoria: 458
Sangamon: 411
Will: 396
LaSalle: 364
Fulton: 357
Pike: 355
Kane: 325
Lake: 320
Recent Illinois accident statistics indicate that 67 percent of deer-vehicle accidents in 2010 were during periods of darkness and 77 percent of deer-related crashes were on rural roads.

The following are reminders for how motorists can avoid a collision with a deer:
-If you drive regularly at dawn and dusk, be alert for deer.
-If there is a particular area that you spot deer frequently, avoid driving there during hours of darkness.
-Wooded areas and fields are common places that deer can be found. Prepare to stop or reduce speed in these areas.
-If you see one, a pair or an entire herd of deer near the road, stop and wait for them to cross. Make sure they have vacated the area before you continue driving.
-If a deer stops on the road, honk your horn or flash your headlights. Don't rev your engine because that could result in a mishap.
-Never swerve to miss a deer so that you can continue traveling ahead. Instead, stop and wait rather than risk a head-on collision or rollover accident.

Motorists involved in an accident with a deer should contact local, county or state police for assistance. Never try to remove a flattened deer from a dark or busy roadway. Move your vehicle to a safe location and put up reflectors or turn on hazard lights to alert other motorists that a deer is lying in the road until help arrives.

Continue reading "Avoiding Impact with a Deer Causes a High Risk of Head-on Collisions and Rollover Accidents in Cook County, Statewide" »

Our Illinois bus accident attorneys know that most people probably don't consider the safety risks when using a charter or low-cost bus for a holiday tour or a quick trip to get across town but we want to remind you that there are dangers that you need to be aware of.

Many charter companies and even school districts don't take the necessary precautions to keep passengers safe by hiring experienced drivers or maintaining their fleet of buses. These failures can lead to severe injuries when a bus accident occurs and can be traced back to negligence on behalf of the bus operator.

The Chicago Tribune reports a Chicago bus operator caused an accident which injured 13 volleyball players who were being transported to a tournament. The bus driver was cited for failing to yield while making a left turn at an intersection. As a result, the bus flipped on its side after colliding with a pickup truck on Route 83.

Authorities report that 2 injured athletes were treated and released at the scene. Nine others were taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center with minor injuries. The two remaining injured athletes were transported to Grayslake Emergency Center with more severe injuries, one of which may have had a broken arm.

School bus accidents are not the only concern in the news recently when it comes to bus transportation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is concerned about passenger safety when using curbside carriers or low-cost charters.

A series of accidents including the Bronx bus tragedy that injured and killed 33 people last March has led to a 6-month investigation on the fast growing bus transportation industry. The following are key findings of the NTSB study:

• Curbside carriers who have been in the industry for ten years or less and operate with 10 or fewer buses have higher rates of roadside inspection violations and accidents rates.


• In looking at fatal accident rates of curbside and conventional bus operators from January 2005 to March 2011, curbside carriers were 7 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than conventional charters; 1.4 per 100 vehicles compared to 0.2 per 100 vehicles respectively.


• Driver drowsiness is a common contributor in most bus accidents.


• Curbside carriers often avoid roadside inspections because they don't operate through terminals. This presents a problem in detecting safety violations being committed on a daily basis.


• There are far more motor carriers in the United States than what the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's investigators can handle when it comes to being thorough and completing safety inspections. The current ratio is 1.15 inspectors to 1,000 motor carriers which means, each investigator needs to complete roughly 80 inspections a month or average 4 a day.


• Curbside operators tend to use online brokers to sell tickets more so than conventional charters. Online brokers make it difficult to track sales and the FMCSA has no authority to regulate brokers.

Since March 2011, there have been 5 bus accidents resulting in almost 160 injuries and 22 deaths. More attention needs to be directed to passenger safety in order to save lives.

Tourists looking to take a holiday bus ride should use caution and consider the risks before you ride. There are many cost-efficient carriers that reduce their fares to consumers but don't take the necessary precautions to keep passengers safe.

Continue reading "Chicago Bus Passengers Using Curbside Carriers Are at Higher Risk of an Illinois Bus Accident" »

Imagine riding down the road and your airbags explode for no apparent reason. A woman from Chicago recently experienced this situation firsthand and survived unharmed in what could have been a dangerous chain of events possibly caused by a defective vehicle. The sudden deployment could have caused an SUV rollover accident in Chicago that could have led to serious injury or death.

My Fox Chicago reports that no one was severely harmed after the airbags deployed for no apparent reason. The driver of the SUV is trying to figure out what caused the passenger-side airbags to deploy since she wasn't involved in an accident. She was driving 25 mph and didn't hit anything in the road to cause the explosion.

The GMC Envoy was towed to a dealership but the owner was told there would need to be an investigation since no accident occurred, which could take anywhere from two weeks to two months. In the meantime, the driver has a swollen arm and is getting socked with a $200 a week car-rental invoice, which will only be reimbursed if GM finds they are at fault.

Cook County car accident lawyers know that many consumers choose to drive an SUV because of its size and the fact that they feel safe in a bigger vehicle. No-fault accidents involving defective vehicle parts and the size of the vehicles involved in crashes continue to contribute to serious and fatal injuries. A knowledgeable attorney and proper reconstruction of the facts and circumstances of an accident are important when building a personal injury or wrongful death case.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently released a statement that SUVs and pickups are safer than in past generations according to a recent study. These larger vehicle types were more likely to kill occupants in other vehicles than a car or minivan of similar weight involved in a crash.

A recent study involving vehicles 1-4 years old and weighing 3,000-3,499 pounds showed that SUVs were involved in crashes resulting in fatalities at a rate of 16 deaths per million registered vehicles in 2008-09 -- a two-thirds drop from 2000-01 when the rate was 44 deaths per million registered vehicles. Cars and mini-vans with the same weight and age specifications were involved in fatal crashes with other vehicle occupants at a rate of 17 deaths per million in 2008-09.

One thing is certain. The laws of physics continue to play a role in crashes; size and weight do matter. Lightweight and smaller vehicles can't compete against heavier and larger vehicles when a crash occurs between the two. The recent study only helps to provide evidence that vehicle styles can differ but if the weight is similar, each vehicle occupant has similar risks of injury or chances of survival in a crash.

If you suspect your vehicle may have a defective part, has been issued a recall notice, or you want to check the safety rating of a particular car or SUV, visit safercar.gov for helpful information about your vehicle.

Continue reading "Costly Defective Vehicle Damages Requires Experienced Cook County Car Accident Attorney" »