Auto Accident

More than 20 Percent of Illinois Car Accidents Cause Injuries

February 16, 2016 | By Dave Abels

On average, more than 800 car accidents happened every day in Illinois in 2014, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. These collisions took hundreds of different forms and caused millions, if not billions, of dollars’ worth of damages. But the most devastating of those collisions were the ones that involved injuries to the people involved.

The good news is that more than 75 percent of accidents in the state in 2014 did not result in injuries, according to local officials. The bad news is that 61,084 of the collisions were deemed to be injury accidents and that 845 accidents were fatal collisions. Of all the accidents that happened in 2014, more than 20 percent proved to cause harm to at least one person involved.

Chicago’s Drowsy Driving Problem

February 11, 2016 | By Dave Abels

There are dozens of issues contributing to a lack of safety on Chicago’s roadways every day of the year, including speeding, drinking and driving, running red lights, and operating a car while distracted. But while these aforementioned issues get media coverage and are widely known among drivers, operating while tired or sleepy does not get the same treatment despite the fact that it is linked to thousands of car accidents in the country annually and is blamed for the loss of far too many lives.

Put simply, drowsy driving happens anytime a motorist is behind the wheel and is tired or sleepy. It may be that the driver failed to get enough sleep the night before or that a driver has been awake too long during the day. Or, it can be that a driver is physically drained from being on the road too long, leading her to become drowsy. In our modern, busy world, most adults find themselves tired on at least an occasional basis so it can be easy for them to brush off their sleepiness and get in their cars to drive.

Avoiding Collisions with Anti-Lock Brakes

February 10, 2016 | By Dave Abels

Car accidents may seem like they come out of nowhere. One moment you are driving along, thinking about your destination and the next, you find yourself involved in a collision that may be due to nothing you did wrong. In fact, most multi-car collisions involve at least one driver who does not err but instead is in the wrong place at the wrong time, suffering due to the actions of a motorist who did make a mistake.

In the last few decades, the technological advances introduced into automobiles on Chicago roadways has been astounding. From minor improvements to major overhauls, the current driving landscape looks remarkably different than it did a mere 50 years ago, and as a result, fewer people are losing their lives in collisions. Yet until every car accident is prevented and no one is injured on our expressways, we still have a long way to go toward guaranteeing the safety of all drivers.

Car Accidents are the Leading Cause of Teen Death

February 4, 2016 | By Dave Abels

Teenagers should be enjoying their lives to the fullest with the anticipation of everything that awaits them in their adulthood. They should be focused on their educations, their jobs, their families, and their friends. But for some teens, this joyful and mostly carefree approach to life is not possible because their lives have been forever affected by a car accident in or around the Chicago area. For others, their lives ended due to a car crash.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that car accidents continue to be the leading cause of death among teenagers in the nation, a troubling statistic made all the more distressing when you realize that the vast majority of collisions can be prevented if drivers act reasonably. This means that the youth of Illinois are facing serious risks to their lives every time they drive or simply ride in a vehicle as a passenger, and with each tragedy that strikes, the lives of that teen, the teen’s family, and the entire community will be altered forever.

How Does a Car Accident Injury Claim in Chicago Work?

January 28, 2016 | By Dave Abels

Often, the victims of Chicago car accidents are not sure of the rights they possess. They may wonder who is liable for their damages or whether they are entitled to payment for the harm they suffered. These are common questions asked of personal injury attorneys in the city because until an accident happens to someone, they may be unaware of the process.

So how exactly does a claim for injuries from a car accident work? First, it is important to know that the state where the crash happened matters. In Illinois, victims who are hurt in a collision are protected by state laws which enable them to seek relief. A civil claim for damages can be brought, if a victim chooses to do so, against anyone or any entity responsible for the damages. Typically, that can include an at-fault driver, the owner of an at-fault car, a corporation that owned the vehicle or employed the at-fault driver, a city or municipality that is to blame for roadway conditions, a company that negligently built or serviced a car or portion of the vehicle, or even a victim’s own insurance company.

Chicago Parents are Failing to Replace Car Seats after Crashes

January 25, 2016 | By Dave Abels

An average Chicago driver will find herself involved in multiple car accidents over the course of her life. Some may be blamed on the fault of a driver, some may be blamed on poor weather or on a mechanical failure. And some may be difficult to determine fault.

If a car accident happens, the best result is one where no one involved is injured or otherwise harmed. While a crash will still be an inconvenience to all, the biggest threat will be avoided and those involved will be able to move forward with their lives.

Part of the recovery process from a collision involves having a vehicle repaired and all the damage addressed. In Illinois, the at-fault driver’s insurance company generally will be charged with repairing the harm done in a collision and with righting the wrongs that were done. It is important that parents understand when and how to replace their children’s car seats because experts believe not enough are replaced after a collision.

Common Causes of Tire Blowout Accidents in Chicago

January 20, 2016 | By Dave Abels

A tire blowout accident or a collision caused by a defect in a tire can happen at any time during the year, yet the cold winter months are some of the most common. The extreme weather conditions that Chicago faces this time of year puts particular stress on standard tires and causes adjustments in their inflation as the air around the tire cools and warms.

Tire blowouts generally are caused by any incident that allows air or pressure to escape a vehicle’s tire, thereby preventing the tire from supporting the weight of the car. Often, this can happen when a vehicle is loaded too heavily, when a tire is punctured, when a massive tear or gouge happens to a tire, or when a tire impacts another object.

Winter Weather is Making Potholes Worse in Chicago

January 18, 2016 | By Dave Abels

If you drive in Chicago, you know that many of the city’s streets are in disrepair. Some areas are cracked, broken, or not maintained, leading to bumpy and uncomfortable rides for motorists. Often, these conditions pose not just an annoyance but a safety concern when potholes appear and are not repaired.

Potholes generally result from a combination of water and traffic in an area. As water seeps through and underneath a road’s surface, that water may freeze and turn to ice, disrupting the roadway above and causing it to crack or fail into a pothole. These conditions happen faster as the heavy weight of vehicles run over the area, pushing down on the asphalt and causing failures in the integrity of the pavement.

The nature of potholes means that once they exist, they will continue to worsen until they are addressed and repaired or until the affected pavement is replaced.

Many Injuries can be Caused in a Car Accident

January 15, 2016 | By Dave Abels

No one wants to be involved in a car accident. It is never a pleasant experience, always an inconvenience, and usually a costly incident that leaves it mark for some time after the actual impact takes place. However, millions of Americans become the victims of collisions each and every year in this country, and more than 100,000 collisions take place in the State of Illinois.

Car accidents can be broken down into many different categories and many different types but one of the most important factors continues to be whether or not injuries happened in that crash. If a collision does take place, the best scenario will be that no one is hurt and that everyone can walk away from the crash without worries about their personal health and safety. Unfortunately, though, about half of all accidents cause someone to be injured and that means that thousands of Chicago residents are hurt annually in collisions.

Snow and Ice Expected for Evening Commute in Chicago

January 11, 2016 | By Dave Abels

If you are in Chicago today, you will notice the bitterly cold temperatures that greet you the moment you step outdoors. If you were hoping the weather would warm up or even break just a little, you are in for disappointment as this cold wave is expected to last at least through the middle of the week and will take over much of the state. Cold temperatures on their own can be managed by dressing appropriately, limiting your time outdoors, and making sure you have transportation lined up so that you do not have to walk.

However, things are expected to be a little more hazardous tonight as a fresh batch of snow its on its way to Chicago and is expected to strike right around the evening rush hour. The National Weather Service states the storm will not only come to Chicago but that its snow will accumulate on roadways, potentially leading to dangerous conditions for drivers.

This evening, motorists can expect a fresh one to two inches of snow on the roadways with gusting winds that may lead to blowing snow and deeper accumulations in some areas. The bitter cold also means that ice is possible, especially where it has already accumulated or where the snow will be packed by traffic. If you will be driving this afternoon or tonight, you are encouraged to allow yourself extra time to reach your destination as traffic may back up in some spots in and around Chicago.