Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Legal Rights of Burn Victims in Chicago

January 12, 2016 | By Dave Abels

Burns are one of the most common types of injuries experienced by Americans. In fact, an estimated 1 million burns happen every year, and roughly half of those are significant enough to require medical attention. Burns can be caused by fire, friction, hot liquid, hot steam, or other means and can happen in a home or work setting. With so many possibilities, it may not be surprising that most people encounter a situation that can cause a burn at some point during their day.

When it comes to burn accidents, it is important to understand the circumstances in which the burn happened. Having that knowledge can assist a victim in realizing whether she has a valid claim for her injuries and whether she is entitled to financial compensation for her damages.

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.

Are Mirrorless Cars the Future of Driving?

January 8, 2016 | By Dave Abels

Right now, Las Vegas is hosting CES, the Consumer Electronics Show and one of the most anticipated annual events in the tech world. Last year, more than 170,000 visitors participated in CES which took over approximately 2.2 million net square feet of exhibit space. With so much room and so many people to experience the event, designers, companies, and startups are showing off their best products to this year’s participants.

One of the biggest things making its debut this year is a concept car by BMW. This concept vehicle, dubbed i8, is getting attention because it has no rear view mirrors, leading many to wonder whether it is a safe design for a vehicle and whether other manufacturers will soon follow suit.

From the outside, the i8 does not look drastically different than many other cars that are being made today. But a closer look reveals that the outside side view mirrors on the driver’s side and passenger’s side are gone, replaced by smaller cameras pointed towards the back of the vehicle. Gone too is the rear view mirror inside the vehicle, mounted on the windshield, and replacing it is a screen that displays images from the two side view cameras and a third camera mounted on the rear windshield.

I Was In a Hit-and-Run in Chicago. Now What?

January 7, 2016 | By Dave Abels

When you drive a vehicle in Chicago, you agree to follow all the laws that apply to driving in the area. This means that you must stop at stop signs, obey the speed limit, and yield the right-of-way when appropriate. It also means that if you happen to be involved in a collision, you must remain at the scene of the crash to exchange information with the other drivers or with the police officers who respond. Failing to do so can be considered a hit-and-run car accident and may be a traffic offense or even a crime based on the facts of the collision.

But what happens when you are involved in a collision, you remain at the scene, and the other driver flees without stopping?

Faulty Tires Can Cause Accidents in Chicago

January 6, 2016 | By Dave Abels

When was the last time you had your car’s tires inspected by a mechanic or other individual knowledgeable about their structure? If you are like the average driver in Chicago, it has probably been too long since you gave serious thought to your tires, but that could be a major mistake. Vehicles manufactured after September 1, 2007 must be equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems but many of the cars on the roads today are older than this date and therefore are unlikely to have any type of aid to assist motorists in determining whether their tires are in a good and safe condition.

Tires that are improperly inflated, overused, old, worn, or of an incorrect style for the type of driving done can pose a threat to the safety of all passengers inside that car. Experts agree that failing to maintain tires in an appropriate manner makes a car accident much more likely as those tires can blow out, fail, or even disintegrate. Yet in other instances, tires may have an inherent flaw or a faulty design that makes them fail no matter how they are maintained by a driver. Regardless of the cause of a tire failure, victims who are hurt in these car accidents should know that they may be entitled to financial compensation for their damages.

When Wrongful Death Claims are Available in Chicago

January 4, 2016 | By Dave Abels

When the actions of another person affect your life, the laws in Illinois may provide an avenue toward financial relief. Civil claims can allow injured or harmed individuals to get their day in court and to obtain monetary compensation for the suffering they endured. But in some cases, no amount of money will ever be considered adequate, and in the case where someone loses their life, the wrong done can never be undone. However, relief can help a family move beyond an accident by allowing them the security to pay their bills, provide for children, and otherwise cover the monetary aspects of their loss.

If you have questions about the availability of a wrongful death claim for an incident that occurred in Illinois, speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your options.

Generally, a wrongful death claim may be available where one person’s death was caused by another. It can be in the context of a medical mistake or a surgery that went wrong or it can involve an accident like a car crash or a fall. Wrongful death claims can also occur in the context of a job-related incident or where an employee is working on the clock and is killed. The facts surrounding a specific incident are crucial in determining whether legal liability exists following any deaths.

On-the-Job Car Accidents are Claiming Lives in Chicago

December 31, 2015 | By Dave Abels

Countless Americans drive a vehicle for a living. Whether it is an 18-wheeler, a school bus, a garbage truck, or a taxi cab, there are citizens who spend the entirety of their working days on the roads. And even more drive at some point during their day and while on the clock, adding to the number of employees who use the roads and a vehicle as part of their jobs.

These individuals face a very real possibility of being the victim of a car accident in the Chicago area or elsewhere across Illinois. Unfortunately, the more time any driver spends operating a car, the greater the risk that she will be a victim of a crash. And if a collision takes place, it is possible that the employee who is driving may sustain injuries or even may be killed as a result.

While car accidents are so common that some may be considered a routine part of a big city’s traffic, being the victim of a crash is never ordinary. If you happen to be working at the time a collision takes place, the legal implications of that crash may be much more complicated and you may be left wondering what options you have for help and whether your employer is required to assist in your recovery.

New Year’s Eve Brings Risk of Drunk Drivers

December 30, 2015 | By Dave Abels

When it comes to the holidays, not all are equal when considering the threat they pose to public safety. Chief among them is New Year’s Eve, an annual tradition where Chicagoans join together with family and friends to close out the end of one year and to welcome in the start of another. Often, these celebrations involve alcohol and late night parties in the downtown area which leaves many who participate wondering and planning how they will get home. Fortunately, Chicago has a plethora of public transportation and alternative transit options including the L trains, CTA buses, Metra trains, rideshares like Uber and Lyft, and simply walking around the city so that personally driving can be unnecessary. Unfortunately, if this year is anything like previous New Year’s Eve celebrations, some celebrants will choose to forego alternative options and instead will drive after they have been drinking.

Police are expected to be out in large numbers on New Year’s Eve and through New Year’s Day to uphold the peace and to watch for potential impaired drivers. In Illinois, it is against the law to operate a car while intoxicated and intoxication is presumed whenever a motorist has a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher. Therefore, if you will be drinking Thursday night, make sure you do not drive so that you do not break the law and face potentially severe consequences for your actions.

New Laws Designed to Deter Drunk Driving in Illinois

December 29, 2015 | By Dave Abels

When the calendar rolls over to January 1, 2016, many new laws will take effect across the State of Illinois covering any number of conceivable activities. Two of those laws in particular take direct aim at the safety of residents who use the roadways by attempting to make drunk driving more difficult – welcomed news in an area where driving under the influence continues to be a significant problem every year.

The first of the new laws started in the House of Representatives and will lengthen the time that an operator must use an ignition interlock device (“IID”) following a second or later conviction for driving under the influence. At the start of the new year, the minimum length for an ignition interlock device will be five years and these devices must be used on all vehicles owned by the convicted offender. In some instances, an ignition interlock device may be required for a longer period of time.

Hazardous Roads Expected as Storm Hits Chicago

December 28, 2015 | By Dave Abels

This morning, many commuters will once again be on the roads, returning to their jobs after a likely break for a long holiday weekend. That alone can present a risky situation as some will be rushing to make it to the office for the first time in days, but things will be a little more dangerous today and winter weather car accidents will be much more likely as a result. According to the National Weather Service, a winter storm warning is in effect in the Chicago area and will last until 3:00 p.m. today. Those in the area are being warned about freezing rain, very high winds, and the potential for power outages as a result of the storm.

If you plan to be in Chicago through the mid afternoon, know that the possibility of freezing rain and sleet is very high. This precipitation is expected to coat area surface roads and interstates, leading to slippery and dangerous conditions for those who will be traveling by car or other vehicle. Pedestrians and cyclists will also be affected by the weather and are advised to proceed with caution.