Bicycling is an extremely popular activity across the United States, especially in warmer climates. Although bicyclists have rights and sometimes even special biking lanes or trails, many drivers of cars and trucks do not always respect these rights. Thousands of individuals are either fatally or critically injured every year due to collisions between bicyclists and vehicles. Financial and emotional devastation is the result to the affected families. If a loved one or family member has been the victim in a bicycle accident, an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney can help you get the money needed for medical costs, lost wages and any other expenses.
New traffic laws concerning bicycles exist and it is important to know the details behind these laws because they will not protect you if a bicyclist is injured due to your negligence. For example, one may not drive in a designated bike lane unless he or she is planning on immediately turning off the road. If a right lane is being shared with a bicyclist, drivers must yield to the bicyclist. Remember, individuals who ride bicycles are also subject to the same traffic laws of automobiles and trucks. Illinois personal injury lawyers stress the importance of protecting yourself by following the laws of the roadway whether you are on a bicycle or in an automobile.
Although vehicle collisions only account for one third of bicycle accidents, they are responsible for the majority of injuries and deaths. Over 75% of these are head injuries. Sadly, recent statistics show a bicyclist is fatally injured every six hours. Often times these accidents can be prevented. Contact a Chicago personal injury attorney if you or a loved one has been injured on a bicycle. Other types of negligence can occur such as defective products, negligent manufacturing and product liability. A skilled Illinois personal injury lawyer can help fight for your rights.
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When a child is injured, it can be extremely scary and heartbreaking. Many times the injury is a result of an accident but in some instances it may have taken place due to the negligence or carelessness of another person. In these cases, justice must be served. Because emotions can run high when your own child is injured, a skilled Chicago personal injury attorney is extremely helpful to help determine the correct course of action and to ensure your child receives the proper compensation.
If your child wins his or her case, it is important to understand how settlements work. In Illinois, personal injury lawyers can help you understand all of the possible settlement options. When the case is settled, most states require the money to be placed into a fund that cannot be touched until the child turns eighteen. This type of agreement is known as a “lump sum” settlement.
In Chicago, personal injury attorneys often recommend a different course of action regarding insurance settlements. The defendant’s insurance company can purchase an annuity that will actually pay your child’s compensation at whatever age you choose. The minimum age for this type of settlement is eighteen. This option gives you more control and also allows your child to earn higher tax-free interest. It is imperative the annuity comes from a triple-A rated corporation.
If your child has been injured due to the negligence of another, a dedicated Illinois personal injury lawyer can help you every step of the way. He or she will strongly assist in protecting the rights of your child.
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In Illinois, personal injury lawyers often represent victims who have been violated according to terms of the Consumer Leasing Act (CLA). Many of these clients have been taken advantage of by unfair lease agreements, lack of disclosure on warranties, or interests on security deposits. Chicago personal injury attorneys often rely on guidelines set forth by the Consumer Leasing Act. This act is a federal law requiring lease agreements to include certain terms including:
1) Specific penalties for not paying on time
2) Lump sum payments due at the end of an agreement
3) Specific statements of the dollar amount and number of lease payments.
Leases are also required to have an unreasonable early termination formula which calculates the amount due if the lease is terminated prior to the original termination date. If any unreasonable charges or penalties are charged for early termination, it may violate this provision. Warranties must also be stated on vehicles, and not just extended warranties. Any failure to state a manufacturer’s warranty directly violates the Consumer Leasing Act according to Illinois personal injury lawyers.
Another violation of the CLA occurs when there is a lack of disclosure of interest on security deposits. The lease must disclose to whom and how much interest was paid. This type of case does not require that interest be paid to the consumer, only that the amount must be disclosed.
Violations of the Consumer Leasing Act may also occur when the early termination formula as stated in the lease is not applied, even if the consumer has a monetary advantage. In addition, failure to disclose the trade-in or down payment of a lease or any moneys paid to reduce the price of a lease could be a violation. When dealers do not state the down payment or consumer’s trade-in of the lease, the CLA is violated.
The Consumer Leasing Act was put into action to help consumers. Chicago personal injury attorneys who specialize in consumer law can assist you if you need help understanding your rights or feel you have been a victim of the Consumer Leasing Act.
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Sadly, Chicago personal injury attorneys are often presented with personal injury claims that are not legitimate. Car-accident “victims” with convenient whiplash, individuals with fake dog bite wounds and those involved in non-accidental slip and fall accidents consistently often try to take advantage of the system.
Last year, a woman in Florida sued a business for slipping and falling on the store’s tile floor. Security cameras caught her pouring olive oil on the floor, returning later to “fall” on the slippery surface. She made headline news with her obvious plan and the video spread rapidly through the internet. Other insurance fraud artists make the news when they are caught attempting to carry out their cunning plans.
With all of the fake stories and schemes in play, how do Illinois personal injury lawyers distinguish between legitimate personal injury cases and fake ones? The following three criteria are generally used by the legal system to determine when property owners are truly at fault:
1) The property owner caused the spill, or other slippery surface or item.
2) The property owner should have known of the dangerous surface because a “reasonable” person would have discovered and removed or repaired the property.
3) The property owner was aware of the dangerous condition but did not take action to prevent a possible accident or fall.
Chicago personal injury attorneys stress that property and building laws were put into place to protect people and serious consequences can take place for property owners who do not comply. Legitimate injuries take place all the time and need to be taken seriously. Unfortunately fake insurance fraud criminals cannot always be determined. Skilled Illinois personal injury lawyers feel confident in their ability to determine legitimate cases and strongly urge those with real personal injuries to take action. If you feel you have been injured in a slip and fall accident due to negligence of a property owner, contact a Chicago personal injury attorney today. He or she can help you receive the compensation you deserve and assist you every step of the way.
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Any person could testify that construction sites aren’t always the safest place to wander around without safety gear or hardhats. Even the most experienced construction workers face risk factors every time they use equipment, high-powered tools or just simply walk around work sites. According to Chicago personal injury attorneys, construction accidents are one of the main types of workman’s compensation related injuries.
It is almost impossible to have a 100% secure construction site; however, steps can be taken to increase safety and decrease the risk for serious injuries. The concern for worker’s safety led to the development of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) over thirty years ago. The OSHA was created to assist in making work environments safer. This important administration has made great strides on improving safety in and around construction sites. Also, the state provides worker’s compensation for injured workers, further protecting worker’s rights.
Although improvements have been made over the years, construction sites are still extremely dangerous. Because of this peril, it is imperative to be aware of all hazards in your line of work for yourself, your coworkers or employees if you oversee others. OSHA has endless amounts of information and videos available for proper safety precautions and health issues in all areas of construction.
If you have been the victim of an injury on a construction site that you believe is the result of improper training or an unsafe working environment, contact an Illinois personal injury lawyer immediately.
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Apple took a big hit today after the Center for Environmental Health showed excessive levels of phthalates during testing in both the iPhone and the iPod headphone cords. CEH director Michael Green stated, “Apple customers should know that when they get their hands on an iPhone they may be getting a dose of toxic chemicals as well.” The Center for Environmental Health is not as concerned with the levels of PVC in the products; the problem lies with Apple’s failure to have a warning on those products.
Illinois personal injury lawyers are well aware of the U.S. Standards for food product labeling, but other products have an equally potential hazard involved. This error can be known as a type of “product defect” or “warning defect.” Products without proper instructions or warnings that can lead to injury are an example of warning defects. Now the question remains, “Does the iPod fall under the defective products label?”
If you are in Chicago, personal injury attorneys recommend to keep an eye on this case as the Center for Environmental Health decides if legal action will take place with Apple. Greenpeace has also condemned the same phthalates in Apple’s products. If you use iPods or iPhones it is not very likely you will be harmed by the phthalates. They pose more of a risk to the environment when not properly disposed than a direct risk to your health. Even with the low chance of being harmed, you may have a chance in the future to be part of a defective products class action lawsuit.
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When you have been the victim of a personal injury, often times a mix of emotions can occur, one being confusion on taking the proper first step. Often, you need a great deal of help and you need it quickly. The need for prompt assistance might lead you to pick the first attorney you come across. Education can help find the correct fit for you and your case. If you have been injured in Illinois, personal injury lawyers can help you receive the compensation deserved. The following descriptions will help to make an informed choice about who you choose as an attorney.
A good personal injury attorney has plentiful experience assessing claims and will tell you upfront whether your case is worth pursuing legal action. Also, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency, meaning if you do not win your case, no payment will be expected. Keep in mind you can incur fees for doctors or other professional fees.
Experienced personal injury attorneys have a great deal of experience working with other lawyers and insurance companies. This experience will help them effectively work with opposing counsel and confusing insurance tactics. Also, if a trial becomes a necessity, a skilled injury lawyer will have a good record of jury verdicts and be able to represent you and assist in achieving a jury verdict in your favor.
Skilled attorneys can maintain objectivity about your case and not make rash decisions regarding payouts. Also, he or she will know whether your dispute will best be resolved through mediation. A good attorney will also work with a team of investigators with vast experience in specific areas.
If you have been the victim of an injury you might be experiencing a wide range of emotions. If you are in or around the area of Chicago, personal injury attorneys can assist you every step of the way. It is imperative to make an informed decision and to choose an attorney that will best fit you and your case.
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Soft tissue injuries are extremely common during automobile accidents and unfortunately are often minimized by insurance companies. The unknown time and factors regarding recovery along with limited expenses and treatment options lead many to believe the injuries are not worthy of compensation. In many cases involving soft tissue injuries, Illinois personal injury lawyers are needed to help determine the cost of treatment, recovery and the full extent of injuries.
Whiplash, muscle spasms and muscle strain are all examples of soft tissue injuries. Although these injuries are not always obvious and easy to diagnose such as broken bones, they are often extremely painful and devastating. Symptoms and pain can last for years. Because surgery is not an option, medical expenses can be low and usually revolve around pain management, occupational therapy and/or physical therapy. The problem with low medical expense is the minimization done by insurance company lawyers.
The compensation for soft tissue injuries should not be measured by medical costs alone. Even personal injury lawyers can be hesitant on taking these cases, especially if the client has returned to work. These injuries cannot always be diagnosed through x-rays; therefore, the common attitude of insurance company lawyers is “If you can’t see it (the injury), it does not exist.” The injuries can be labeled as insignificant, insubstantial and too vague to determine compensation.
As technology improves, pain management physicians are increasingly able to give evaluations and diagnose the effects of soft tissue injuries. This information can assist Chicago personal injury attorneys in obtaining compensation victims deserve.
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An important consumer product law was passed in 1953 called the Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA). This law regulates manufacturing of flammable clothing. The law was passed after countless incidents of clothing caused burns among children. In 1967, the FFA was expanded to include other materials and interior furnishing. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) took over the responsibility of administering the FFA. The CPSC has the ability to issue mandatory standards for retailers, distributors, manufacturers and importers of fabrics and garments for flammability.
According to Illinois personal injury lawyers, an increase in burns from loose fitting sleepwear has taken place among children. The increase was noted when standards for flammable garments were decreased in 1996. The burns have been caused by flammable clothing and bedding. If clothing catches on fire, flames spread extremely quickly and can actually cause the material to melt onto the skin. Serious burns and even death can depend on the type of weight, finish, weaves, textile construction and fabric of the material.
Despite the efforts by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, injuries stemming from flammable clothing still remain a danger. If you have been burned as a result of flammable garments, contact a Chicago personal injury attorney immediately.
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Illinois personal injury lawyers are all too familiar with amusement park, midway and carnival accidents. Recently, a “Yo-Yo” amusement ride collapsed, causing many people serious injuries. During investigation, the carnival ride was found to be “in a physical state of disrepair.” Other notations described the lack of maintenance on the ride and reported the owner as being “incompetent.”
This particular incident occurred because of the failure of a lock washer. The chairs of the ride plummeted to the ground and were dragged as riders screamed with fear. The report blamed the owner for failure to ensure that the ride was safe to operate. The owner did not have documents or required inspection certifications.
With the economy continuing to worsen, many carnivals, midways and theme parks are cutting corners on safety. If you have been injured in an amusement park accident, contact a Chicago personal injury attorney immediately. No excuse exists for negligence amongst owners or operators of carnival rides.
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