Posted on April 01, 2019 in Car Accidents

Distracted driving is a problem, but there is no uniform way to tackle the problem as is exemplified by the varying ways that each state attacks the distracted driving problem. Depending on what state lines you cross, the way you are punished for using a cellphone while driving a motor vehicle varies wildly.

With this in mind, let's talk about the distracted driving laws that apply here in Illinois.

Phones & Hand Held Devices

The most prominent distracted driving laws in Illinois are those pertaining to cellphones and hand held devices. Illinois law prohibits use of hand held cellphones, texting, or using electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle. This includes while stopped at a stop light or sign.

• Hands free or blue tooth technology is allowed for drivers 19 years of age and over.
• City and school bus drivers are forbidden from using cellphones while they are driving.
• No driver is allowed to use their cellphone if they are in a highway construction zone or a school zone.

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 Posted on March 12, 2019 in Car Accidents

The dangers of texting continue to be studied and not just for drivers. Although it might sound crazy, texting while walking can be almost as dangerous as texting while driving. More and more pedestrians are being injured while practicing unsafe texting conditions while walking along busy roads.

People have walked into telephone poles, bus stops, doors, shops, subway tracks, and more while not paying attention to where they are going. Pedestrians paying attention to their phones instead of their walking route not only slow down foot traffic but are also more likely to cause accidents with other pedestrians or walk directly into oncoming traffic.

Walking and Texting Accident Statistics

A recent study by the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center found that texting has become a significant distraction for pedestrians and the behavior can put pedestrians at risk for being hit by a vehicle.

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 Posted on February 18, 2019 in Car Accidents

Winter in Illinois presents a variety of hazards and extra considerations to drivers. Motorcycles are even more susceptible to hazardous winter driving conditions. Pay attention to these hazards and follow the associated safety tips to ensure you or the motorcyclist in your family avoids a motorcycle accident this winter.

Winter Hazards

These winter hazards present extra danger for winter motorcyclists.

• Cold. Due to the design of a motorcycle, no structure surrounds the driver to protect him or her from exposure to cold temperatures. As a result, cold temperatures and the associated wind chill can quickly harm a rider’s skin, particularly in the extremities which experience poorer circulation. Another side effect of cold weather is reduced tire pressure, oil response, and battery response. Motorcycles are susceptible to reduced performance in colder weather just like other motor vehicles. Poor handling and equipment breakdowns may endanger winter riders.

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 Posted on February 18, 2019 in Personal Injury

If you or loved one were involved in an accident that resulted in injury by no fault of your own, chances are you incurred medical expenses as a result. Likely, you would like the at-fault party to compensate you for the medical expenses, as well as any lost income due to lost work or potential pain and suffering endured on your part. The first step in that process is proving that the negligence of the at fault party caused your injury.

What Is Negligence?

By legal definition, negligence is the failure by an individual or company to use reasonable care, resulting in the injury of another person. If the failure of another person or company to take adequate care not to injure others caused you to suffer an injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. To prove negligence, the plaintiff’s attorney must first prove that the individual owed the plaintiff reasonable care.

What Is Reasonable Care?

For basic negligence purposes, everyone must take reasonable care to prevent the injury of others. For example, imagine a situation in which spectators are watching a tennis game. If a spectator is struck with a tennis ball during the normal proceedings of a game, causing injury, the players and officials have still taken reasonable care to play the game as expected and prevent injuries. However, if a player throws a racket into the stands in frustration and injures a spectator, the player has failed to take reasonable care to prevent injuries.

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 Posted on February 18, 2019 in Car Accidents

Winter in Illinois regularly brings temperatures far below the freezing point of 32 degrees. In fact, this winter has already featured temperatures well below zero. With record cold predicted for the rest of the winter season, many auto owners are wondering what these brutally cold temperatures could mean for the overall condition of their vehicles.

Low Temperatures Issues

Below-freezing or sub-zero temperatures can affect the performance of your vehicle in several ways.

Decreased tire pressure.

Your car’s manual should list optimum tire pressure; alternatively, many vehicles list this figure on the inside of the driver’s-side door frame. Colder temperatures can result in once-adequately-filled tires losing pressure as cold air occupies less space. Under-filled tires can result in decreased gas mileage, poor handling, and even blowouts in extreme cases.

Ensure that your car’s tires retain adequate pressure even in cold weather. Keep a tire pressure gauge handy, or stop regularly at air stations where you can check pressure before adding more air to your tires. Taking caution now can help avoid poor handling or blowouts causing an accident later on.

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 Posted on February 18, 2019 in Car Accidents

Nearly every state, including Illinois, imposes requirements for car insurance. Minimum requirements often require drivers to carry at least liability insurance to protect other drivers in the event that they cause an accident. Liability insurance is designed to cover the costs for the other drivers’ property or bodily damages incurred as a result of the accident.

How Does Illinois Prove Coverage?

Any driver registering a vehicle in the state of Illinois is required to provide a signature attesting to insurance coverage of at least the minimum standards in Illinois. At the time of registration, drivers must show proof of insurance as well. Further, the state of Illinois retains the legal right to randomly sample vehicles and select them for continued verification of insurance. If selected for random verification, the driver must provide the insurance portfolio number as well as the associated VIN.

Drivers must carry proof of insurance in Illinois vehicles at all times, and show it at the request of law enforcement. If a driver does not have insurance at the time of an accident, law enforcement will assess additional penalties, with a minimum $500 penalty for driving while uninsured. In addition, the state will suspend the vehicle’s license plates – if law enforcement finds the driver driving with suspended license plates, the driver will receive a $1000 fine.

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 Posted on December 19, 2018 in Firm News

If you sustain an at work, workers' compensation benefits can give you the help you need to pay your bills and get medical treatment. However, some common errors can cause problems such as delays, fewer benefits than you need and even outright denials.

Even if you think you have a straightforward case, consulting a workers' comp attorney can help you maximize your chances of getting the results you deserve. If you receive a denial, your lawyer can help you move through the appeals process. Be sure to act as soon as you receive the notice, as appeals run on fairly tight deadlines.

Delaying the incident report

Although, technically, you have a few days to report your injury to your employer, it is prudent to notify your boss as soon as an accident happens. Delaying notification can undermine your credibility and potentially make room for your employer to argue you were injured elsewhere. You should report an accident as soon as it happens, even if you do not think you were injured or you believe you only sustained a minor injury. Not all injuries result in immediate symptoms, and some may appear lighter than they really are.

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 Posted on November 27, 2018 in Firm News

It does not take an extreme car accident to result in serious injuries to all parties involved. One of the most serious to pay attention to is a traumatic brain injury. 

Car accidents happen every day in Illinois, and if you ever find yourself in one, you need to see a doctor immediately. Traumatic brain injuries can quickly escalate. In the weeks and months following the collision, you should watch out for the following symptoms and bring them to the immediate attention of a medical professional. 

Mental and cognitive symptoms

You should be wary if you notice any drastic changes to your mood. It is natural to feel depressed or angry after a car accident, but weeks later, you may realize you are prone to constant mood swings. You may also notice concentration and memory problems. It can become a hassle to recall certain details you should know without hesitation. 

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 Posted on November 19, 2018 in Farm Accidents

In the course of your Illinois workers' compensation case, you may learn that your employer or its insurer wants you to undergo an Independent Medical Examination. Understanding the basics of this process can help you navigate this part of your case.

Many people ask if they really need to appear for the IME. The answer is, yes. Section 12 of the Workers' Compensation Act entitles employers or their insurance companies to require claimants to submit to an IME. Failing to comply may result in suspension of benefits until you appear for the examination.

What the IME covers

The party requiring the IME chooses a physician to perform a medical assessment of your injury, its causes and likely ramifications, independently of any work by your prior treating physicians. The doctor performing the IME may conduct a physical examination, ask questions about your injury and review existing diagnostic tests. The doctor then composes a report with his or her findings and recommendations concerning the extent of the injury, whether it was caused by a work condition or incident, and the ways in which it may continue to entitle you to benefits. The doctor may also testify at any workers' compensation hearings in your case.

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 Posted on November 14, 2018 in Firm News

Some people develop occupational diseases like asthma due to prolonged exposure to poor air quality. You may be among them.

If your asthma is a work-related condition, you should explore your eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits and more.

Poor air quality affects everyone

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration releases an annual list of workplace safety violations, and lack of proper respiratory protection is always near the top. Whether you work in an office, a school, a library or some other kind of facility, you could find yourself exposed to poor air quality. You may experience headaches, problems with concentration or irritation of your eyes or nose. Over time, the issue could affect your lungs, and you may develop asthma.

Many factors are present

Many factors can impede the flow of fresh air into a building. Dust could filter in from construction going on outside. High or low humidity can cause breathing problems. Mold and bacteria are present to some degree in all buildings and release microscopic particles that become airborne. These particles may carry allergens or chemicals that workers ingest and that inflame respiratory tissues. A damp environment sets the stage for this kind of poor indoor air quality. If this the sort of environment in which you spend your days, you may experience coughing, wheezing and/or shortness of breath over time.

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