Posted on March 23, 2022 in Car Accidents

In the majority of vehicle accidents that take place, there is typically one driver who is found to be at fault for the crash. That driver is the one that, under the law, is responsible for the losses the accident causes, such as injuries or damage to property. If the driver who is at fault is a private citizen, then usually the victim files a claim with the at-fault driver’s car insurance company. If the at-fault driver was working for a business at the time of the crash, then the victim would typically file a claim against the company’s insurance company. When the crash involves a ridesharing vehicle, determining the at-fault party becomes much more complicated.

How Is Liability Determined?

In ridesharing crashes, the driver’s status at the time of the crash is what will determine how the accident claim will be filed. According to company policies:

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 Posted on March 17, 2022 in Car Accidents

When a drunk driver causes injury to a victim, that victim not only can pursue damages from the drunk driver, but they can also pursue damages from the establishment that sold the alcohol to that driver. This action can be done under the Illinois Liquor Control Act. The majority of these actions occur as a result of drunk driving accidents; however, there are some other scenarios where the law could also apply.

Dram Shop Law

Under the Illinois Liquor Control Act, as referred to as the Dram Shop Act, any person who is injured (or the victim’s family if the victim is killed) due to the actions of an intoxicated individual can pursue legal action against any party licensed to sell alcohol who caused the intoxication by selling or giving alcohol to the individual. Affected parties can be:

• An establishment, such as a bar or restaurant, that sells alcohol to individuals who consume the alcohol on the premises.

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 Posted on February 15, 2022 in Personal Injury

Losing a family member is always heartbreaking, even when that loss was expected, such as old age or a terminal illness. But when their death was caused by the negligent action or behavior of someone else, families are often left devastated by the suddenness and shock of it all. Not only are families left with the emotional devastation, but the victim’s death can also cause financial hardship, especially if he or she was the primary breadwinner for the family. In these types of tragedies, the family may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against those parties who are deemed legally liable for the victim’s death.

What Is a Wrongful Death?

According to Illinois law, wrongful death is defined as one that is caused “by wrongful act, neglect or default.” One way to understand what would constitute a wrongful death is that under the same circumstances, had the victim lived, they would have been able to pursue a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the party or parties that caused the accident that resulted in their injuries.

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 Posted on February 04, 2022 in Car Accidents

Most drivers have had the experience of being on the road and suddenly hearing sirens or seeing red flashing lights. We pull over in time to see a fire truck, police cars, or other emergency vehicles go racing by. Emergency responders provide a valuable service and are generally the first on the scene when threatening and tragic events happen but getting caught in front or alongside them on the road can put you in a potentially dangerous situation, making car accidents and injuries more likely to occur.

Emergency Vehicle Accidents

Police, firefighters, and emergency medical services (EMS) workers have the authority to go above speed limits and to disregard traffic signs and signals to protect the public and save lives in potentially dangerous situations. Unfortunately, these driving behaviors are among the leading causes of car accidents and injuries. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has determined that emergency vehicle accidents pose enough of a hazard on roads and highways to warrant additional studies on how these accidents occur and what can be done to prevent them. In addition to the high rates of speed these vehicles travel in carrying out their duties, other factors involved in these accidents include the following:

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 Posted on January 26, 2022 in Car Accidents

Most people have busy lives, and it is understandable for a person to want to be able to complete multiple tasks at once, especially when they are engaged in routine activities that do not seem to require their full attention. However, multitasking while driving is not just a bad idea, but it can have deadly results. Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous practices that a driver can engage in, and it is far too common on the roads in the United States. These unsafe behaviors lead to thousands of fatal car accidents every year, as well as tens of thousands of non-fatal injuries. Drivers, passengers, or others who are injured by distracted drivers will want to understand their options for pursuing financial compensation that will address the damages they have suffered.

The Most Dangerous Types of Distracted Driving

While distracted driving can come in many forms, distractions that affect drivers can generally be grouped into three categories:

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 Posted on January 13, 2022 in Premises Liability

Winters in the Chicago area can be dangerous. Large amounts of snowfall, below-freezing temperatures that last for weeks at a time, and other weather conditions can lead to slippery surfaces that may cause slip-and-fall accidents. These accidents can result in multiple types of serious injuries, including broken bones, dislocated joints such as wrists or knees, whiplash, concussions and other traumatic brain injuries, and other forms of bodily harm. In these situations, injury victims will often wonder who was responsible for an accident, and they will want to determine their options for pursuing compensation from a property owner or another party who acted in a way that put them at risk of harm. By understanding how Illinois law addresses these cases, victims can determine their options for seeking compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.

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 Posted on December 23, 2021 in Personal Injury

Bus accidents have the potential to be very dangerous and injure a lot of people at once. Passengers inside typically lack seatbelts and are vulnerable to being thrown during a crash. Those who were standing on a crowded bus are in particular danger of being seriously injured. Personal vehicles do not stand a chance in a collision with a heavy bus, which puts others on the road at extreme risk when the bus does not operate safely. The responsibility of a bus driver to drive safely is crucial because bus accidents can be so devastating.

Unfortunately, not every driver or every bus company takes that duty seriously enough. If you were hurt in a bus accident, it is important that you speak with an attorney as soon as you can so he can begin preserving evidence right away.

What Careless Practices Lead to Bus Crashes?

Buses are not easy vehicles to drive. They are large, cumbersome, and make wide turns. It can be difficult to see well at all times. Driving a bus safely requires focus and proper training. The bus company is also responsible for performing routine inspections and maintenance to ensure that a vehicular failure will not cause a wreck. Common reasons bus crashes may happen anyway include:

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 Posted on December 09, 2021 in Car Accidents

Drunk driving is against the law for a very good reason - it is extremely dangerous. Sober drivers who make a mistake can sometimes still correct themselves and avoid an accident. Drunk drivers lack the reflexes to self-correct and are more likely to cause an accident. Plus, drunk drivers often make serious mistakes like going the wrong way on an interstate that sober drivers are less prone to. If you were injured in a crash caused by a drunk driver, calling an attorney who can help you recover compensation would be wise.

What Types of Crashes Might Drunk Drivers Cause?

Drunk driving accidents can be more serious than accidents involving two sober drivers. The behavior of a drunk driver can be entirely unpredictable, both before and after the crash. Drunk drivers tend to cause these types of dangerous collisions:

• Head-on - Drunk or drugged drivers are notorious for going the wrong way. Whether they’ve driven up the off-ramp on a highway, skipped a median, or missed a one-way sign, intoxicated people may cause a head-on collision with a driver who is on the correct side of the street. This presents an enormous danger, as there is little to shield the drivers from the force of the crash.

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 Posted on November 16, 2021 in Personal Injury

Few things in life are nearly as painful as losing a loved one. No matter what the circumstances, the loss of a close family member has a devastating impact on your life. When your loved one was killed because someone else acted tortiously, the pain of the loss can be magnified. No settlement will bring back your family member or fully repair the damage that has been done, but a financial award can reduce the harm your family will face. Courts do the best they can to total the monetary losses associated with a wrongful death and to compensate the decedent’s family as fully as possible. An attorney can help you determine what financial hardships you may be eligible to receive compensation for.

What Will a Wrongful Death Award Pay For?

There are a lot of costs associated with a death in the family. Besides the funeral and medical expenses, you are likely going to be impacted by the loss of your relative’s income and support. In a wrongful death action, you could be compensated for:

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 Posted on November 10, 2021 in Car Accidents

Few things in life are more frustrating than being the victim in a hit-and-run car crash. You are left on the side of the road, injured, and unsure how you are going to recover compensation. Lawyers and police officers have ways of tracking down hit and run drivers - it is more likely than you may think that they will ultimately be caught. No reason is a good enough reason for fleeing the scene of an accident you caused, but there are a handful of very common excuses drivers give to explain their criminal behavior.

If you were hurt by a hit-and-run driver, it is extremely important that you file a police report and then promptly contact an attorney. The sooner an investigation can begin, the more likely it is that the other driver will be caught and you will recover damages from him.

For What Reasons Do Drivers Flee Accident Scenes?

To the surprise of few, most of the reasons why drivers run away after causing a crash involve some kind of illegal activity. Drivers who were generally following the law but made a mistake typically stop. Drivers who were already doing something illegal when they caused the crash are more likely to take off. Here are a few common reasons the driver who just hit you may keep going:

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