Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Spring is in the air which means it is time to get those bicycles out of storage.

Our Chicago injury lawyers want to warn riders and motorists alike to do their part in reducing the risk of Chicago bicycle accidents.

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) conducted its inaugural bicycle count study during the summer and fall of 2009. The results showed that thousand of bicycles travel the city streets every day.

"This study confirms what we already knew: That bicycles are a popular and convenient way to travel in Chicago," said CDOT Commissioner Bobby L. Ware.

Counts were taken at: 26 locations, during warmer weather conditions, for 24 hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and in warmer-weather conditions. All but two locations had shared or dedicated bike lanes.

Of the 26 locations, 17 were observed having more than 200 bicyclists a day. One of the locations counted over 3,000 cyclists.

With increasing bicycle traffic, "dooring" (when a driver opens their vehicle door in the path of a rider) has become an issue. CDOT's Bicycle Program continues to deal with this dangerous behavior by motorists with the following methods:

-Bicycling Ambassadors and police held enforcement events in 8 wards at 18 locations addressing "dooring" behavior.

-Producing several safety videos which included the topic of "dooring".

-Continues to gather data related to "dooring" incidents.

In 2011, Bicycling Ambassadors will work in 15 wards at 30 locations along side police targeting "dooring". CDOT's Bike Program staff will go to police roll calls in 4 districts to speak about issues related to behaviors that endanger cyclists.

Bicyclesafe.com outlines the 8 different types of crash scenarios encountered by cyclists:

-Vehicle door opens in the path of cyclist.

-Oncoming vehicle makes an unexpected left turn right in front of the cyclist.

-A vehicle on the right pulls out of a driveway, parking lot or side street into the path of the cyclist.

-A vehicle passes a cyclist then suddenly makes a right turn directly in front of them. Or when a cyclist passes a slow vehicle on the right the car suddenly turns right.

-Cyclist gets hit because they are riding against traffic.

-Cyclist at red light is waiting in drivers blind spot and gets hit by turning vehicle.

-A vehicle hits a cyclist from behind y not paying attention.

-Cyclist gets hit exiting the sidewalk.

Continue reading " Spring Increases Risk of Chicago Bicycle Accidents " »

Authorities earlier this month kicked off the construction season, reminding motorists to be careful when driving in work zones.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers know the dangers workers face in their efforts to improve our roadways. We understand the horrific injuries caused by distracted drivers in Chicago who crash into a roadway work zone. The consequences are often deadly for drivers as well.

This comes on the heels of Governor Pat Quinn's announcement regarding work projects this year to improve 105 bridges and 490 miles of road.

“We are excited to move forward with these projects that will create jobs and make our roads safer,” Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig said. “We believe they will spark economic development and enhance the quality of life for residents across the state.”

The multi-year construction plan for 2012 through 2017 includes replacing or rehabbing 611 bridges and making improvements to 3,248 miles of roads.

A multitude of agencies have joined together to promote safety, particularly around work zones.

"As Illinois kick-starts its annual construction season, we want to ensure that motorists and workers protect themselves and others while traveling through work zones," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. "The state experienced historic two-year lows in traffic fatalities in 2009 and 2010, which resulted in part from strategic partnerships, excellent engineering, impactful traffic safety campaigns, effective programs and consistent motorist compliance to state law. We strongly encourage all motorists to be alert for workers in these zones, slow down, buckle up, obey posted speed limits and drive free of distractions like cell phones and texting devices."

This is the second year for Illinois distracted driving laws, which forbids the use of hand-held cell phones while in construction or school zones. Texting is also prohibited by any driver at anytime.

Construction has already begun on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway to make improvements to the 50-year-old roadway. "While construction is under way, we remind drivers to slow down and stay alert in work zones and remember that texting while driving is always illegal when you're behind the wheel in Illinois," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur.

Key contributing factors in work zone crashes are speed and inattentiveness. Preliminary statistics for Illinois in 2010 indicate that there were 28 fatal crashes in work zones, resulting in the deaths of 32 people.

"Illinois State Police Troopers will strictly enforce work zone speed limits and the "move over" law which requires motorists to slow down and, if possible, change lanes when approaching police, emergency or construction vehicles displaying flashing warning lights," Interim Director Patrick Keen said. "We will also strictly enforce Distracted Driving laws which restrict the use of a cell phone in a construction zone and texting while driving."

In 2004 harsher work zone speeding fines went into effect:

-Speeding in a work zone the first time will cost you $375.
-If caught speeding a second time the fine is $1,000 and you lose your license for 90 days.
-If you hit a worker the fine is $10,000 and a maximum of 14 years in jail.

Remember – See Orange. Slow Down. Save Lives!

Continue reading " Road Construction Increases Risk of Illinois Car Accidents " »

As you are driving down the highway, most motorists would think that being behind the wheel of an 80,000 pound tractor trailer requires special training. But sadly, the U.S. Department of Transportation has no minimum training standards for truck driver training.

Road Safe America has been waiting a long time for required minimum training for those in pursuit of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). It's been over 3 years that Docket # FMCSA-2007-27748 has been sitting idle.

Poorly trained truck drivers are to blame for causing many Chicago trucking accidents. Our Illinois personal injury attorneys urge the government to stop dragging its feet regarding truck driver training and other critical trucking safety issues.

If you want to train to be a tractor trailer driver, there are usually ways to achieve your goal. One would be to go to a private school specifically for semi truck driver training. The other option would be you get training from your employer.

The issue that is unsettling to Road Safe America is that to get a CDL, there is no required amount of hours for behind-the-wheel training or being in the classroom.

In the majority of states to get a CDL requires two steps. One is passing a written test which has questions on the trucking industry and the many rules regarding commercial vehicles. The second is passing a driving test encompassing three parts, a parking lot skills test, a visual inspection exercise and driving on the road.

Theoretically I am sure anyone could pass the written exam by studying the training manual. And if you had a friend that was a trucker, with some practice, passing the driving test is not much of a problem. Just as getting your driver's license does not make you a safe driver. The only difference is these novices are barreling down the road in 80,000 pound tractor-trailers.

In 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 3,380 deaths and 74,000 injuries related to large truck crashes. There is an average of 810 accidents a day involving large trucks. Nationally large trucks are involved in 7.1% of fatal crashes; Illinois is just under the national average at 6.9%

Requiring mandatory training for new operators of commercial motor vehicles is the right thing to do. The federal government needs to pass Docket # FMCSA-2007-27748 to reduce the risks of senseless deaths caused by improperly trained truck drivers.

Continue reading " Trucker Training Requirements would Reduce Risk of Chicago Tractor-Trailer Accidents " »

As the weather improves and the temperatures continue to rise, motorcycle enthusiasts are starting to get the itch to return to the roadways this spring. Illinois motorists are reminded to be prepared for motorcyclists who will begin traveling on roadways because there will be an increased risk for Chicago motorcycle accidents.

Our Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys have a growing concern in early spring each year knowing that over 50% of motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle are the fault of the driver and not the rider.

Illinois Department of Transportation along with other motorcycle advocates like A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education (ABATE) and Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) are sending a message this spring with the launch of "Gear Up" Campaign.

"IDOT is dedicated to motorcycle safety in Illinois and has developed a proven and effective traffic safety program to positively impact motorcyclists and the general public as a whole," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. "Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable of highway users, and we want to work together to promote motorcycle safety and help protect all of the motoring public."

The "Gear Up" Campaign is meant to address the accidents that are caused by the rider by offering training and information on proper equipment to use while riding. Free training courses and educational material will be offered to motorcyclists with a registered license in Illinois in an effort to keep riders safer.

Though motorcycles account for less than 3% of vehicle registrations, almost 14% of all vehicle fatalities involve a motorcycle. Safety can be vastly improved with the use or proper equipment while riding, as well as proper training in handling the motorcycle.

"Our goals are to educate our members in proper riding techniques and safe operation and to improve public acceptance and awareness of motorcyclists while maintaining a friendly, fun atmosphere," said GWRRA Illinois District Director Dan Ribbing.

The "Gear Up" campaign offers the following safety tips from IDOT:

-Awareness of your abilities and experience are the key to a safer ride. Don't try advanced maneuvers before you gain the needed knowledge and experience.

-Never operate a motorcycle under the influence of alcohol.

-Obeying traffic laws decreases the risk of an accident significantly.

-Motorcyclists should always maintain proper licensing. Approximately 20% of riders killed in motorcycle accidents are not properly licensed.

-Proper riding equipment like gloves, long pants, jackets, goggles, and DOT-approved helmets should be worn by all riders on motorcycles. Bright colors increase visibility to other motorists and can add further safety precautions.

-During the 2011 training season, IDOT will make 25,000 free training slots available to motorcycle riders. Gain as much access as possible to free training and safety programs.

To learn more about Illinois motorcycle safety courses or general information about safety while riding visit Start Seeing Motorcycles.

Continue reading " Spring a Dangerous Time for Chicago Motorcycle Accidents " »