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Injury Attorney Blog

Occupant Restraint Devices - more commonly referred to as child car seats and seat belts - were designed to save lives, and they do. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), child safety seats reduce the risk of death in passenger cars by 71 percent for infants, and by 54 percent for toddlers ages 1 to 4 years (2006). The NHTSA also reports that lap/shoulder safety belts, when used properly, reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 50 percent.

But, say Chicago personal injury attorneys, these life-saving devices sometimes fail. In the event of failure or defect, occupant restraint devices can cause severe injury to babies, children and adults. In some tragic instances,  fatalities have occurred.

Statistics show motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the U.S. (CDC Department of Health and Human Services 2006). Fortunately, placing children in age- and size-appropriate restraint systems can reduce serious and fatal injuries by more than half (NHTSA 2006d).

But what happens when these restraint systems fail?

Illinois personal injury lawyers have found children are seriously injured or killed in auto accidents because of defective child safety seats all too often. Most vehicles are not properly equipped for child safety seats, and combined with defective manufacturing and designs, many consumers are unknowingly putting their children at risk for deadly injuries every day.

If your child was injured due to a defective car seat or seat belt in Illinois, personal injury lawyers who specialize in these types of claims can help you seek compensation.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that more than 2.9 million people suffered seat belt injuries in 2002, and 43,000 people died as a result of their seat belt-related injuries. These are astounding numbers, say Chicago personal injury attorneys who often represent victims who have been injured by their seat belt.

Injuries sustained from a faulty seat belt during a collision can range from contusions and soft-tissue damage, to severe spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury and paraplegia.

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured due to an auto-product failure including seat belt defects, contact an Illinois personal injury lawyer today. The initial consultation is typically free, and your injury attorney can advise you of your rights and your potential case.

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Motorcycle accidents, like automobile accidents, can cause catastrophic injuries to drivers. If a motorcycle accident is caused by the negligence of another, you may be able to pursue damages in a court of law. An experienced Chicago personal injury attorney will be able to advise you of your rights and your pot. Motorcycle accidents and injuries can be caused by drunk driving, driver negligence, aggressive driving or disregard of driving laws, among other reasons.

The injuries caused by these types of accidents can be particularly serious if a helmet is not worn by the driver or a passenger. Statistics show that one out of every five motorcycle crashes result in injuries of the neck and head. Studies have also shown that the majority of motorcycle accidents happen on short trips at speed averaging 30 mph. At these speeds, wearing a helmet cuts the odds of serious injury in half. Regardless of the speed, however, motorcyclists who wear helmets are three times more likely to survive a head injury than those riders not wearing helmets.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident and were not wearing a helmet (and your state does not require that helmets be worn when riding a motorcycle), you may be due compensation by the at-fault driver. A Chicago personal injury attorney can review the facts of your case and make recommendations accordingly. Illinois personal injury lawyers who are experienced with these types of personal injury cases will work to make sure you receive damages for both financial and emotional losses.

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Accidents involving pedestrians hit by moving vehicles can often cause catastrophic injuries and possibly even death. If you have been injured as a pedestrian, it is important to contact a Chicago personal injury attorney if you live in or near Illinois. Personal injury lawyers can inform you of your rights to receive compensation for an accident of this nature. Attorneys are also aware of the statutes of limitations in the state and can keep the process of litigation moving along in a timely manner.

Pedestrian accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, some of which may be the fault of the pedestrian. Disregarding crosswalk signals or jaywalking are actions that can lead to dangerous accidents. Drivers can also be at fault, however, when engaging in dangerous behavior. An experienced Chicago personal injury attorney can weigh the evidence and help determine whether or not you should seek damages for your injury.

Some driver errors that may contribute to pedestrian collisions include ignoring stop lights and crosswalks. Even if a pedestrian is crossing against a signal, drivers have a responsibility to yield a pedestrian who is already in a crosswalk. Drivers who pass school buses can also cause potentially catastrophic accidents. Distracted drivers may not register the stop signals on a school bus, and can easily hit a child who is exiting the bus.

Car/pedestrian collisions can change a person’s life forever. Even a collision at low speeds can cause serious injury. If you or someone you know has been involved in a pedestrian collision, contact Illinois personal injury lawyers as soon as possible. You may be able to receive damages for medical bills and recovery costs, as well as compensation for pain and suffering as a result of your accident.

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Most drivers have “underinsured motorist coverage” as part of their insurance policy. This coverage provides extra protection if the driver who struck you doesn’t have enough coverage, but only to the limits of your policy. In Illinois, personal injury lawyers find that in up to 90 percent of the cases where a client is seriously injured, the at-fault does not have enough insurance. Then, they typically find their client is underinsured  as well.Chicago personal injury attorneys explain the importance of higher coverage and umbrella policies to their clients, hoping to prevent the same devastating consequences in the future.

One Chicago personal injury attorney recommends drivers purchase an umbrella policy that raises liability coverage to at least one million dollars, with a minimum of $100,000 personal medical coverage.  He says, “A million-dollar umbrella policy combined with higher limits for your personal medical needs are the most economical and pro-consumer products on the market today; reassurance at a reasonable price that will bridge your basic policy limitations and reduce your liability risk in the future.”

If you have further questions about auto insurance and liability limits after an accident, contact an Illinois personal injury lawyer today.

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If you have been injured in a car accident, you may be wondering whether or not you have the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. In many cases, it is worth contacting a Chicago personal injury attorney to see if your case has merit. Although many car accidents that involve minor injuries can be handled by the driver’s insurance companies, a personal injury lawsuit may sometimes be the only way to receive fair compensation for losses in a car wreck. If you live in Illinois, personal injury lawyers can help you determine whether or not you have a case.

One of the most important things to do after a car accident in which you have been injured is to seek medical treatment. Documented medical records will be important to any potential lawsuit. Also, it is important not to admit fault at the scene of the accident. If you feel that you may have caused the accident, remember that you do not know all of the facts of the accident, i.e. road conditions, condition of the other driver(s), etc. You may find out that other factors contributed to the accident and had nothing to do with your driving. Be sure to make statements only to the police and relay only the facts of the accident.

Whether you received injuries as a driver or as a passenger in an automobile accident, once you have received medical attention for your injuries, this is the time to contact one of many experienced Illinois personal injury lawyers. A knowledgeable attorney will be able to answer your questions and ascertain whether or not you have a case based on whom or what caused the accident.

For example, if the accident and resulting injury was caused by driver error, the at-fault driver will likely be considered liable for damages. Driver error, the most common cause of automobile accidents, can often be attributed to dangerous behaviors such as following too closely, failure to yield right of way, unsafe passing and excessive speeding. Since accidents of this type occur often in big cities, a Chicago personal injury attorney can readily give advice about seeking damages from a reckless driver. Other common causes of car accidents are intoxication or driver distractions such as dialing a cell phone.

Accidents are not always directly caused by distracted or reckless drivers, however. Sometimes road conditions such as poor road design, debris on the road, poorly placed barricades or road signs contribute to accidents, possibly placing liability on the governmental agency responsible for the road. Illinois personal injury lawyers can also help if the accident was caused by a vehicle defect. If this is the case, it is possible that the manufacturer will be held responsible for any damages that resulted in the accident and injury.

There are many different reasons that car accidents occur, but if you have been injured on the road as a result of someone else’s negligence, you have rights under the law. You deserve to be compensated for losses such as medical expenses, loss of wages, and pain and suffering. Contact a Chicago personal injury attorney with questions about pursuing a lawsuit and recouping damages from your accident today.

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One of the most common injuries in a car accident is whiplash. Whiplash can occur even in a relatively low-impact collision.  It is defined as a soft tissue injury caused by the neck and head being jerked forward and back, beyond their normal range of motion. As a result, trauma to the muscles, joints, nerves and tissue in the back and neck may occur.  Whiplash injuries can be very painful, and may have lasting impact on those injured.

If you think you may be suffering from whiplash as the result of an auto accident, you should seek medical treatment immediately. Make sure  the doctor makes a detailed report of your injuries, and follow his plan of treatment closely.

Your next step should be contacting a Chicago personal injury attorney experienced in whiplash claims if you live in or near Illinois. Personal injury lawyers in your state can help determine whether or not you have a case. They will also be versed in the statutes of limitations that apply in the jurisdiction.

It’s important you understand what constitutes a whiplash injury. Common symptoms include neck pain, muscle stiffness in the neck and back, and loss of movement in the neck and back. Some of the relatively unknown symptoms that can occur from a whiplash injury include dizziness, memory loss, fatigue and poor concentration. Generally, these symptoms can besuccessfully treated with physical therapy and pain medication. Most patients generally recover within three months. During this time, however, medical bills may quickly add up, time at work may be lost, and a whiplash victim may suffer a great deal of pain.

If you have been in a car accident and have symptoms of whiplash, you may be able to seek compensation. Contact a Chicago personal injury attorney if you live in Illinois. Personal injury lawyers who are experienced with whiplash injuries can help you recover damages for losses suffered during your recuperation.

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Automobile accidents are often just that …unfortunate accidents. But they can have serious medical repercussions on those involved. In Illinois, personal injury lawyers who specialize in auto accidents can help an injured person can receive compensation. If you believe you can prove that the person who caused the accident was negligent or careless - thus contributing to the cause of injury - you should contact a Chicago personal injury attorney.

Many difficult questions that can overwhelm an injured person soon after an auto accident:

“What if I have a pre-existing condition made worse by an accident?”

“What if the person who caused the accident doesn’t have insurance?”

“Should I give a tape recorded statement to another’s insurance company?”
A qualified Chicago auto accident attorney can help you navigate safely through these and many other common issues. An Illinois personal injury lawyer should be consulted immediately if medical bills are expected to be greater than $3000, or if an injury is expected to last more than a week or two.

According to our own Chicago personal injury attorney, “The longer a person waits to retain an attorney, the greater the risk of fading or degrading physical evidence. Over time, witnesses have difficulty recalling specific detail that may be vital to your case.”

Thus, even if you believe your accident to be minor in nature, you should keep good records, including:

• Dates and context of all conversations with insurance companies and the names of the representatives you spoke with (never agree to a recorded conversation without first consulting an attorney)
• Emergency visits or follow up medical exams (dates, prognosis and treatments, and treating physicians)
• A copy of your police report.

An initial consultation with an Illinois car accident lawyer is typically free, and help ease your fears and protect your rights.

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Spinal cord injuries can greatly affect quality of life, even when relatively minor. Spinal injuries typically occur when a sudden trauma damages the spinal cord tissue, interrupting the normal functioning of the spinal cord, which houses the nerve cells that transmit signals between the brain and the rest of the body. When this type of injury occurs, contact a firm of Chicago personal injury attorneys if you live in or near Illinois. Personal injury lawyers can help investigate the accident and analyze the evidence. They will be be able to offer expert advice regarding your potential for a lawsuit,

Spinal cord injuries caused by an accident or acute trauma include gun shot wounds, slip and falls and diving accidents. The number one cause of spinal cord injury, however, is trauma caused by automobile accidents. Of the approximately 7,800 new spinal cord injuries that occur every year, according the National Spinal Cord Injury Association Resource Center, 44% were caused by automobile accidents. If you are dealing with an insurance company as the result of an accident, contacting a Chicago personal injury attorney is highly advised.

The injuries that result from an accident can range from minor to severe. “Complete” spinal cord damage leaves the injured with no ability to move or experience physical sensations below the point of injury, and both sides of the body will be affected. “Iincomplete” spinal cord damage occurs results in limited movement capability and/or physical sensations, and each side of the body may be affected differently. In either case, these types of injuries may be long-term or permanent, and most cannot be cured.

If you have been in an accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury, no matter how minor or severe, you should contact a Chicago auto accident and personal injury attorney who specializes in such injuries in Illinois. Personal injury lawyers in your state will be able to counsel you on your legal rights and the statute of limitations that applies within your jurisdiction.

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If you live in Illinois, Personal Injury Lawyers can help you achieve compensation in a case where an injury occurred due to the negligence, or “carelessness” of another.  Negligence is simply a legal term regarding the failure to use “reasonable care” – which simply means doing (or not doing) something that an ordinary person would do under similar circumstances.Negligence cannot occur without “duty.” A person or company must owe you a “duty” in order for them to be found negligent. A Chicago Personal Injury Attorney can help you understand the law regarding who owes a duty to whom. For example, if someone is operating a vehicle and runs a red light resulting in injury to you, he is negligent. If a doctor leaves a surgical instrument in your body post-operation, she could be found negligent

According to the law in Illinois, Personal Injury Lawyers believe the following people (among others) owe the general public a duty of reasonable care: automobile operators, general contractors, product manufactures, doctors, homeowners, business owners, landlords, airlines, many government agencies, even lawyers!

If you live in or around Chicago, Personal Injury Attorneys must prove the following in a negligence case: that the Defendant owed the injured Plaintiff a duty, showed carelessness, and that their carelessness caused the injury in question. However, simply proving negligence does guarantee an award of damages. An experienced negligence Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer can help you or someone you know fight for the compensation you deserve.

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