Illinois Injury Law Blog

Driving in treacherous stormy weather on roadways layered with snow and ice can be stressful and dangerous. Motorists who are overly confident driving in these conditions put other motorists at risk of a car accident in Chicago or elsewhere in the state because they drive too fast and take unnecessary risks.

The Illinois Tollway, Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) have sent out a message to Illinois motorists recently to prepare for the winter dangers. Last year was a record year for snowfall in our area so being prepared is the first step in keeping everyone safe on roadways.

Illinois personal injury attorneys know that snowfall is inevitable in this part of the country so driving in winter weather can't be escaped if you want to get to work, drop kids off at school or run necessary errands to provide for your family.

Law enforcement officials and IDOT are encouraging motorists to drive safely by slowing down, buckling up and moving over when you see a snow plow. Winter crews have been preparing all spring and summer for the bad weather ahead. Last year they were tested with around-the-clock operation because of the heavy snowfall that hit several times throughout the state. Total expenses for snow removal last year was approximately $84.6 million which included 562,220 tons of salt being spread on highways, interstates and city streets throughout the state.

"Illinois State Police districts are coordinating road safety plans with the Tollway and IDOT to ensure that our traffic enforcement priorities include safe driving, safe roads, and safe access for all citizens during the winter months," said ISP Division of Operations Colonel Mark Piccoli.

This year, Illinois Tollway winter state crews are equipped with 183 plow trucks, other snow removal equipment, liquid calcium chloride, angular crushed stone, along with 80,000 tons of salt stockpiled and ready to use for the Tollway system which stretches 286 miles across Northern Illinois.

Motorists are encouraged to use the following safety tips this winter offered by IDOT:

-A snow plow needs plenty of room to operate so stay clear when you spot them doing their job.

-A snow plow operator has limited vision so just because you see them doesn't mean they see you.

-It is important to have an emergency kit containing flares, windshield wiper fluid, jumper cables, ice scraper, traction material, blankets, and a first aid kit.

-Check to make sure everyone is buckled in before you go.

-Black ice is often undetectable so if you suspect icy conditions slow down.

-Reducing speed on off-ramps, shady areas, bridges, and intersections can help reduce the chance of sliding or spinning on ice.

-Always know the weather conditions before you leave on a trip. Illinois motorists can call 1-800-452-4368, 1-800-TOLL-FYI or check online at gettingaroundillinois.com.

-Keep a charged cell phone with you at all times so that you can call for help if needed.

Motorists traveling on the Illinois Tollway are reminded if you break down, are involved in an accident or need emergency assistance call 999 for a H.E.L.P. truck operator to dispatch an assistance truck to your location. The dispatcher will need the name of the roadway and what direction you are traveling, the closest mile marker, how many vehicles involved in the accident and a description of the vehicle(s) in need of assistance.

Continue reading " Illinois Motorists Preparing for Winter Weather to Reduce Risk of Chicago Car Accident " »

Imagine sitting in a restaurant and the next thing you know a taxi cab lands inches away from where your table is located. Seems unlikely but alarmingly it happens in Chicago establishments. It just goes to show that patrons who dine out are not immune to a variety of dangers and possible injuries caused by a restaurant-related accident in Chicago or elsewhere.

Patrons at a newly opened restaurant in West Town found themselves in this situation recently but thankfully lived to tell about it. Chicago Sun Times reports the restaurant, with a full wall of storefront plate glass windows, is located on W. Division Street with nothing but a sidewalk between the restaurant and street. A handful of patrons were dining in the establishment around 10:15 a.m. when a taxi cab came crashing through the windows and landed partially inside the restaurant. The taxi cab hit tables and booths where the diners were sitting and injured two people. Local authorities report the cab driver lost control, possibly due to wet pavement, causing the cab to crash through the front windows. One injured patron was taken to Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center, and authorities stated there were two passengers in the cab that may have also been injured.

Illinois personal injury lawyers can only imagine how scary a restaurant-related accident like this is when it occurs without warning and as quickly as the blink of an eye. We can assure you that restaurant and business owners have a responsibility to keep patrons, customers and employees safe. When an injury does occur, negligence or premise liability can often be traced back to the store or restaurant owner. In situations like these, establishment owners should take necessary precautions such as parking stops or protective barriers that keep vehicles from entering a building. A restaurant or store that lacks safety features or preventative measures, especially when lined with windows along the storefront, can lead to serious injuries or death for anyone dining or shopping at the time of an accident.

InsuringMyRestaurant.com offers these potential liabilities that can injure or harm patrons or employees:

-Food contamination through food poisoning or injury from hazardous substances located in the food.

-Property damage as a result of something done by the owner or one of your employees.

-Slip and fall accidents from objects displaced or left obstructing a path or lack of signage displayed to alert customers of a hazardous area on the premises.

-Liquor liability when an intoxicated patron causes property damage or personal injury.

-Assault or violent act either to a worker or patron by another employee or customer.

-Auto-related accidents either from valet service, delivery service, or any other accident that may involve a vehicle.

Patrons should always consider potential dangers before being seated in a restaurant. Look for wet floor signs to avoid a slip accident. Ask to be seated away from a patron you suspect could be intoxicated to avoid violence or an assault incident. Diners may also want to check reviews written for restaurants in your area to make sure there are no reported cases of contamination or food poisoning.

Continue reading " Chicago Restaurant Owners' Negligence Could Result in Injuries to Patrons " »

Before you head out for your holiday shopping in Chicago and surrounding areas, you might want to check out the list of recalled products on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's website to help you make wise decisions. The last thing consumers want is to purchase a toy or other gift only to find out later that it posed a danger that could cause personal injury or wrongful death in Chicago or elsewhere.

Defective-product injuries are complex and often require going head-to-head with large companies that retain powerful representatives. If you are ever involved in such a situation, consult with a qualified legal professional.

Illinois personal injury attorneys understand the potential risks that consumers take when purchasing gifts. There are thousands of defective toys and other products on the market that can cause serious injuries to children and adults alike. With a little research and intuitiveness, consumers can feel more at ease with the gift choices they are making.

Some recent recalled products posing potential hazards include:

Toulouse-LapTrec Magnetic Sketchboards: These items have been recalled for a choking hazard to small children. No injuries have been reported, but there have been 19 reports filed with the product's manufacturer, Battat Inc., regarding the magnetic tip separating from the pen. Roughly 95,000 of the sketchboards have been distributed in the U.S. and another 4,300 in Canada. Various online retailers have sold the units, as well as Target and Barnes & Noble stores nationwide from March 2010 to March 2011. If you have this product, don't allow children to use it and contact Battat Inc. to receive a replacement at no cost.

Disney Fairies Plastic Racing Trikes: This product, manufactured under the Disney license by Kiddieland Toys Limited, injured a 3-year-old who suffered a laceration to her face near an eye. The trike contains plastic fairy figures on the handle bar that pose a laceration danger if a child falls on it. The product has been remedied by enclosing the rotating display. If you have this item in your household, contact Kiddieland for a replacement.

General Electric Monogram® Pro Rangetop with Grill: There have been six reports of explosions from units using LP gas. There is a risk of delayed ignition or explosion when the gas control knob is left between off and lite. Approximately 470 units were sold from May 2008 through August 2011. For a full list of model and serial numbers being recalled, visit CPSC. If yours is on the list, two places to look for the model number and serial number on the grill are the bottom and behind the far left burner knob. If you have a defective product, contact GE to make an appointment for a free repair.

All consumers should be cautious of the gifts they are buying. Reduce the risk of injury by checking for product hazards before you buy.

Continue reading " Check Defective-Product Recall List Before Holiday Shopping in Chicago " »

A citywide awareness campaign organized by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Chicago law enforcement officials and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was kicked off recently by placing 32 mannequins along Wacker Drive to represent those who were killed in 2010 Chicago pedestrian crashes. The shock effect is meant to make motorists more cautious of pedestrians.

The Chicago Tribune reports a new city study found roughly 80 percent of crashes in Chicago involving a pedestrian and a vehicle occur at intersections. Most crashes happen while a pedestrian is using a crossing signal, which indicates that motorists are not yielding to people using the crosswalk. In looking at pedestrian crash data from 2005 to 2009, Chicago reported almost 17,500 crashes involving more than 18,350 pedestrians. The pedestrian fatality total for 2010 was only two fewer than the 34 reported in 2009.

Cook County pedestrian accident attorneys have been told that cab drivers were involved in almost 30 percent of the 3,000 pedestrian-vehicle crashes in 2010. Aggressive driving by drivers who are on the clock doesn't excuse negligence when a pedestrian is hit. Contact an attorney on how to proceed with a claim if you have been injured in a crosswalk by a vehicle.

Other key awareness and safety initiatives include safety messages written on sidewalks in high traffic areas; citywide awareness messages in ad spaces; crosswalk flags to be held while crossing the street; reaching out to schools, cab companies and senior citizen centers; and safety messages placed at bus shelters or on trash bins. Plainclothes police officers will also pose as pedestrians in crosswalks crossing the street and will ticket any driver that fails to stop. Illinois recently passed a law that drivers must stop -- not just yield -- to pedestrians. Violators could be cited with a penalty ranging anywhere from $50 to $500.

The goal for city officials is to reduce pedestrian deaths to zero by 2020. There was a hint of this months ago when the Chicago Pedestrian Plan was introduced. The Chicago Tribune reports the city was given $545,000 in federal grant money to conduct a study on pedestrian-related deaths, hit-and-run accidents and frequent crash areas where pedestrians seem to be most at risk.

New legislation has recently been introduced that would permit speed cameras to be installed throughout most of Chicago. The cameras would catch speeders similar to how red light cameras nab motorists who fail to stop for a red light. Broader "safety zones" would be utilized with the cameras rather than the high-accident locations identified in the recent city study.

Another effort being made by city officials during the pedestrian safety blitz worth mentioning is that stickers will be placed inside cabs to remind customers to call a non-emergency hotline if a cabbie is driving dangerously. A cab driver who is reported three times will be pulled in for a one-on-one with the Chicago Department of Transportation and could have his or her license revoked.

If you are riding in a cab with an aggressive or reckless driver, call 311 to report the driver. A pedestrian's life could be on the line if you fail to make the call.

Continue reading " 2010 Chicago Pedestrian Deaths Remembered with Mannequins on Wacker Drive " »