Illinois Injury Law Blog

A horrendous teen car crash in North Chicago recently reminds us that young drivers should be limited to the number of teen passengers permitted to ride in the car, especially during nighttime hours.

The Lake County News-Sun reports that a 16 year-old driver died from internal injuries after losing control of his vehicle, causing him to leave the roadway and smash into a tree. The 17-year-old passenger riding in the vehicle was seriously injured and taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center for treatment. After receiving a 2:45 a.m. call, Waukegan Police Officials arrived at the scene to find the vehicle split in half with the back end of the vehicle lying against a house and the front end lying in the neighbor's yard.

Illinois personal injury lawyers agree that even though state graduated driver's license (GDL) programs have proven to be somewhat successful in reducing teen car accidents nationwide, a valuable lesson can be learned from this incident. Parents and role models of teen drivers should continue to communicate and set guidelines for young drivers even beyond them getting a license because it can make a difference in keeping them safe on Illinois roadways. No good can come from a teen driving in the wee hours of the morning so it is important you set boundaries to keep them from being involved in a car accident.

According to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Illinois teens must be 15 to get a learners permit. Teens must be age 16, have 50 hours of supervised driving experience and hold a learners license for 9 months before moving up to the next level of restricted license. During the restricted license stage, teens can't have more than 1 passenger under the age of 20 riding with them during the first 12 months. They also can't drive after 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends or before 6 a.m. any day. The passenger restriction is lifted at age 17 and the nighttime restriction is released at age 18 in Illinois.

CNN reports that state GDL programs seem to produce better results for younger drivers than older teens, according to a recent crash study involving teen drivers. From 1986 to 2007, states that prohibited teen drivers from driving at night or with another teen passenger had 26 percent fewer fatal crashes involving 16-year-olds than states that didn't place these same restrictions on teen drivers. In addition, 18-year-olds showed an increase in fatal accidents by 12 percent, even in states with strong GDL programs.

Since its inception, there have been 1,348 fewer crashes involving 16-year-olds in states with GDL programs. Consequently, there have been almost 1,100 more fatal accidents involving 18-year-olds since 1996 when GDL programs were established. The study found that states with weaker GDL programs reported lower crash rates by 16 percent for 16-year-olds compared to a 10 percent higher crash rate for 18-year-olds.

Each state varies in the restrictions placed on teen drivers and the strength of the GDL program which is offered to young drivers. One thing is certain -- maintaining safe driving behaviors should be a hot topic with your teen beyond them getting a license and well into their college years. Once they become of age to drink, it is critical to have discussions about drinking and driving and the smart choices that need to be made to help avoid a car crash.

Continue reading " After-Hours Driving a Danger for Young Drivers, Increases Chances of Teen Car Accidents in Chicago " »

A hit-and-run accident in Chicago has left one elderly pedestrian dead and another in critical condition, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The 82-year-old female pedestrian died on her birthday as she was walking with her 78-year-old friend to get her hair done at a nearby salon. The two elderly pedestrians were attempting to cross the street when one noticed a speeding pickup truck headed right for them. Unable to react quickly enough, the speeding vehicle hit both pedestrians and kept right on going. The two elderly pedestrians were taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital where one was pronounced dead shortly after 12 p.m. and the other remains in critical condition.

Illinois pedestrian accident attorneys know that older pedestrians may not have the time to react to avoid a collision, but to leave the scene of an accident is a blatant act of inhumanity. Drivers that cause a collision with a bicyclist, pedestrian or other motorist and who leave the scene of an accident should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The Chicago Tribune reports the search is on to find the fleeing vehicle that hit the elderly pedestrians and kept driving without hesitation. Mailboxes were stuffed and fliers were posted in the Jefferson Park neighborhood while police officials are looking for witnesses or anyone who can give them more information about the fatal accident.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, more than 15 percent of pedestrians killed by vehicles in 2010 were ages 65 and older. There were a total of 115 pedestrians of all ages killed and another 5,174 injured in 2010. Almost 28 percent of pedestrians were killed on city streets and roads and over 3,200 pedestrian accidents were during daylight hours. Cook County was by far the most dangerous county associated with car and pedestrians accidents in 2010.

In June, the Chicago Tribune reported that the city of Chicago will begin a wide-ranging plan to help pedestrians in one of the most dangerous cities in the country when it comes to crossing streets safely. Some of the suggestions include increasing surveillance, implementing pedestrian timers at intersections, shortening the distance of a crosswalk with a curb bump-out and placing median islands at 4-lane intersections so pedestrians can reach safety after crossing two lanes. Many believe that enhancing surveillance and enforcing a stricter penalty for pedestrian accidents can help with the ever-growing problem of hit-and-run deaths that are occurring.

It is estimated that 40 percent of pedestrian deaths in Chicago are the result of a hit-and-run accident, which is double the national average. Many hit-and-run drivers go unpunished because they are never caught.

Elder pedestrians residing in livable communities are advised of the following tips:
-Use less busy streets during non-peak traffic hours.
-Walk in a group whenever possible, especially when crossing the street.
-Always wear eyeglasses if prescribed for distance so you can see oncoming traffic, pedestrian timers, and traffic signals.
-Don't take chances if you don't think you can reach the other side before oncoming traffic approaches.

Continue reading " Elderly Pedestrians at Risk of Hit-and-Run Accidents in Chicago " »

Many Illinois nursing homes cater to older adults with physical and mental disabilities, but is it the right move for our loved one -- who is somewhat independent and doesn't need 24-hour care, but at the same time can't be left alone at home anymore?

Illinois personal injury attorneys understand how difficult it is for families to put a loved one in a long-term care facility but we can't emphasize enough how important it is to do your research beforehand.

Cases of abuse and neglect in Chicago nursing homes occur more frequently because big business theories to make big bucks have taken a front seat approach over providing quality medical care to residents who need it. Even if your elderly loved one is self-reliant and relatively independent they could still be at risk of neglect or abuse in a long term care facility in Illinois.

The Chicago Tribune reports that a recent settlement proposal for a class-action lawsuit could help get independent elders in need of long-term care out of institutions that house disabled patients who need 24-hour attention. The settlement would require agencies to offer funded apartments to nursing home residents who can function on their own without negatively affecting Illinois taxpayers. When finalized, 1,100 nursing home residents would roll out the program for a trial 30 month period which would then eventually be offered to 20,000 Medicaid recipients able to live in supportive housing and who currently live in Cook County nursing homes.

Not all Cook County nursing home residents are given quality care and medical attention as needed. Nursing homes have become profit-making institutions that are more concerned about making money than giving residents quality assistance. Many facilities collect each resident's disability check and provide the resident with only $30 spending money from a check that usually provides $700 monthly.

When an older adult can no longer take care of themselves and they are constantly put in compromising positions, it is time to look into long-term health care facility. If adult day care or home health care is no longer a viable option then you need to look into housing facilities for older adults. The Illinois Department of Public Health offers some suggestions to help make picking the right Illinois nursing home for your loved one a little bit easier.

First, make a long list of all the facilities in your area. The more choices that are available, the more you can distinguish which one will provide the best care. You may start with the yellow pages but contacting the local health department or Department of Human Services may serve as better resources as you get started.

Second, it isn't necessary to visit all the homes on your list but you should start eliminating some of them by making a phone call to each facility to determine if they provide the kind of care your loved one needs, if they have vacancies or if they accept Medicaid or Medicare patients. Once you narrow the list, start to make appointments with the facilities that make the final cut. If one is of particular interest, visit several times, particularly around meal times or different parts of the day.

Third, always meet with the nursing home administrator to ask questions and also to see proof that facility licenses or certificates are up to date. Ask to see the latest state inspection report that should be conducted annually. You should also interact with current residents or their family members to get a feel for the kind of care provided at the facility.

Fourth, review fire safety and accident prevention methods before you make your final pick. Knowing the procedure for evacuation or emergency situations can give you peace of mind that your loved one will be taken care of during times of crisis.

Nursing homes should never be chosen solely on convenience or you run the risk of putting your loved one in harm's way of abuse and neglect at the facility. Family members should always weigh all the options and make an informed decision that both you and your loved one feel good about before handing over the initial deposit.

Continue reading " Choosing the Right Illinois Nursing Home Can Reduce the Risk of Elder Abuse and Neglect in Chicago " »

Illinois injury lawyers know that almost 90 percent of children living in Chicago walk to school each day, which can be highly dangerous and put them at risk of a pedestrian accident.

Back to school safety is on the mind of every parent right now as school resumes session. Parents should talk to their kids about different aspects of school safety, specifically walking or biking to school, in order to minimize the potential for a child injury in Chicago and elsewhere in the state.

As part of the Safe Routes to School program, the Chicago Police Department and City of Chicago teamed up their efforts to create the 'Walking School Bus' initiative, which gives children an opportunity to be more active by walking but at the same time allows them to arrive to school safely with adult supervision.

The program is simple. An adult starts out with one or two children and walks in the direction of school while picking up more students along the way; similar to how a bus makes several stops along a specified route to pick up children and transport them to school. A group of students who generally live near each other can achieve recommended fitness levels by being picked up and walked to school with the watchful eye of an adult.

Parents can keep their children safer by reviewing the following safety tips with children who walk to school each day:

-Horseplay should never take place with friends when walking near a road with moving vehicles.

-Always stop at the edge of a curb when getting ready to cross the street. Don't step down from the curb until you are 100 percent sure no traffic is coming.

-Residents in your neighborhood may be trying to get to work so check for people in parked cars or vehicles with the engine running in every driveway you pass. Chances are, drivers won't see small children if they are going in reverse motion or are covered in their blind spot.

-Designate a safe route for your child to take to school and make sure they understand to never deviate from the planned route by taking a shortcut.

-Purchase a bright colored jacket or backpack that is highly visible and encourage your children to make themselves noticeable around cars.

Trib local reports there are several benefits to your children walking or biking to school this year. Morning exercise can burn off penned up energy that will allow your child to concentrate better in the classroom. The same goes for afternoon exercise having the same effect when they are ready to sit and do their homework after school or in the evening.

Walking or biking guarantees them exercise at least twice a day or ten times a week which can help reduce the risk of obesity and keep colds or flu symptoms to a minimum. It is noted that parents dropping their kids off at school attributes to 15 percent more morning commuter traffic. Children walking or biking to school will not only cut down on morning rush hour traffic but can also save money at the pump since the first five miles are the least efficient for a cold engine.

Continue reading " Children Injured While Biking or Walking a Back to School Concern for Parents in Chicago " »