Posted on May 18,2020 in Personal Injury

If you are among the many commuters biking more often due to this unprecedented time in our country, then it is important to stay up to date on your rights on the roadways, especially when it comes to protecting yourself from the likelihood of bicycle accidents and injuries. Whether you have just begun biking as a way to cope with stay-at-home orders, to increase your exercise, or simply to rely less on your vehicle during this time, there is some good news for you: Illinois law states that bicyclists have many of the same rights as drivers. 

What Rights Do Bicyclists Have on the Road?

Generally speaking, drivers are required to treat you, the biker, as they would treat other drivers. While it may be a relief to know that you are entitled to most of the same rights that regular motorists are, it is helpful to be aware that you are also accountable for the same responsibilities. For example, bikers should travel in the same direction as vehicles, and if you drive a low-speed or electric bike, you are required to follow all the same laws that are applicable to cyclists, just as drivers must obey all the same laws that apply to them. 

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 Posted on May 12,2020 in Car Accident

While it is true our roadways may be less congested lately due to the pandemic situation that has swept across our nation, less congestion does not necessarily mean we are at reduced risk for car accidents or injuries. In fact, recent studies show that reckless driving has been on the rise since the COVID-19 crisis has emerged, and it is important to remember to obey state driving laws now more than ever. In order to protect other drivers and to account for the increase in pedestrian activity occurring in our communities due to the stay-at-home orders that have been in effect, continuing to drive defensively is critical. 

The Aftermath of a Collision

Despite your safe driving measures, you may still find yourself a victim of a reckless driving incident due to the actions of other motorists. It is important to know how to respond immediately following the collision. A recent, updated list of guidelines released by the state of Illinois offers specific instructions to drivers to inform them of what to do or not to do at the scene of a crash. Here are three things you should never do after a car accident:

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 Posted on May 05,2020 in Pedestrian Accidents

Despite the many stay-at-home orders that have been enforced throughout the country and the noticeable decrease in traffic flow in recent weeks, there are still many drivers out and about on the roadways. This can lead to incidents of car accidents with injuries, regardless of the changes in our day-to-day routines. Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable right now, especially as more and more people are choosing to walk outdoors to cope with the effects of isolation from being indoors more than usual. With open, less congested roadways, many drivers who are venturing out are taking liberties they may not normally take, such as pushing the speed limit or ignoring other rules of the road. Reckless driving behavior can lead to dangerous pedestrian accidents with debilitating consequences for the victim. The following safety precautions can help decrease the chances of an injury on foot, but a pedestrian who is hurt should always seek the guidance of a personal injury attorney when pursuing compensation for any damages.   

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 Posted on April 30,2020 in Car Accident

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that speeding killed over 9,000 people in 2018, ranking it as a top contender among the major causes responsible for car accidents and injuries. Along with other risky driving behaviors, such as distracted driving or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding is one of the most dangerous types of aggressive action behind the wheel. It has the potential to escalate a bad situation into something much worse very quickly. If you are involved in a vehicle collision caused by a reckless driver, you may be entitled to compensation for any damages you suffer as a result. 

Reaction Is Key When Encountering a Reckless Driver

People drive aggressively for a number of different reasons. When you see another motorist who is speeding, tailgating, swerving from lane to lane, cutting people off, or otherwise driving dangerously, you may make automatic assumptions about the driver and go on the defensive, and their actions may even feel like a personal attack. Whatever is behind someone else’s reckless driving behavior, it is important to stay focused on a fast reaction instead of getting caught up in an emotional response. This will enable you to better protect yourself and everyone around you on the highway. 

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 Posted on April 27,2020 in Car Accident

According to studies by the National Safety Council (NSC), despite the fact that nighttime driving represents only a quarter of all driving activity, 50 percent of all traffic fatalities occur at night, and safety behind the wheel during the twilight hours should be a crucial priority for all drivers. The chances of being involved in car accidents with injuries at night are significantly higher than at other times of day. This can be due to a number of factors, such as fatigued or intoxicated drivers. If you have been involved in a collision that was caused by another driver's negligent driving at night, you should work with a personal injury attorney to determine your options for recovering financial compensation for your damages.

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 Posted on April 22,2020 in Car Accident

Whether you have a teen of your own who recently started driving, or you know a parent with a new teen driver in the family, encouraging roadway safety for teenagers among our community as a whole helps protect everyone on the highway from car accidents and injuries. In today’s technology-centric world, many parents, teachers, and friends assume that the number-one risk for teens behind the wheel is distracted driving, such as texting and cell phone use. While it is true that distracted driving is responsible for 25-50 percent of all accidents according to AAA, it is important to be aware that texting and talking on the phone only accounts for a fraction of risky driving behaviors. Many other forms of reckless driving exist, and these other factors often contribute to the teen-related car accident statistics we hear about.

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 Posted on April 15,2020 in Workers' Compensation

Among the ongoing developments surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, some good news has emerged for all essential employees in the state of Illinois who are concerned about being exposed to and potentially contracting coronavirus while on the job. Thanks to recent changes in the state's workers’ compensation policies, any essential employee who contracts the virus from the workplace will be covered, based solely on his or her word. This means that workers will not be required to furnish proof that the illness came from the workplace, as they typically would under normal circumstances. 

Recent Changes to Workers’ Compensation Policies

This change in policy at the very least offers essential workers some assurance that should they contract the disease while putting their lives on the line in the service of others, their illness will be taken seriously, and they will have special rights regarding workers’ compensation. If you are an essential worker, and you contract COVID-19 on the job, here is some important information regarding filing a claim:

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 Posted on April 07,2020 in Personal Injury

Many times, when drivers think of using a seat belt, they assume that as long as they buckle up at least some of the time, or for long-distance trips, nothing else really matters. Many drivers adopt the mentality that occasional seat belt use is ”good enough.” However, the truth is that although car accident injuries are more likely for drivers and passengers who choose not to buckle up, they can also occur for those who use their seat belts incorrectly. Yes, it is possible to wear a seat belt the wrong way, and in many cases, wearing it the wrong way can be just as dangerous as not wearing one at all.

How You Wear Your Seat Belt Matters

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that drivers and passengers can reduce their chances of moderate to critical injury by 50 percent, and chances of fatality by 45 percent by buckling up, but how you buckle your seat belt matters. Here are some dangers of wearing your seat belt the wrong way:

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 Posted on April 03,2020 in Car Accident

Parents of new teen drivers will want to warn their teenagers of engaging in risky driving behaviors that cause car accidents and injuries. However, it is just as important to make them aware of others around them who may be driving recklessly. Instead of assuming teens are the only ones driving dangerously, a concerted effort should be made to help them observe other drivers. In addition, they should be aware of the passengers in their own vehicles. These tactics will all help them learn to drive defensively and to be a positive influence among their peers while traveling on the roadways.

Hazardous Behavior and Conditions

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported over 2,500 teen fatalities in the year 2017. This does not count the numbers of crashes and fatalities that affected others due to teen drivers' reckless behaviors behind the wheel. Ensure that your teen driver understands that his or her decisions as a new driver impact others by discussing the following top three dangers on the road:

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 Posted on March 24,2020 in Car Accident

More than 300,000 car accidents were reported to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) in 2017. Nearly a quarter of them resulted in injuries, and just under one percent involved fatalities. Every affected party has the right to pursue full compensation for their losses, but far too many have their claim denied or reduced because of actions or inactions that took place after the crash. In order to prevent yourself from becoming just another collision victim who lost out on potential compensation for pain and suffering, it is important to understand how you can increase your chances of receiving everything you may be entitled to. This starts with familiarizing yourself with some common misconceptions about filing a claim after a vehicle crash.

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