Pedestrian accidents are a significant concern worldwide, resulting in severe injuries and fatalities. Understanding the causes of these accidents is important for those who have been injured and are now seeking compensation. If you were a pedestrian involved in an accident and you suffered injuries, contact an attorney to learn more about your legal options. 

Five Reasons Why Pedestrian Accidents Occur

1. Negligent or distracted driving – Taking your eyes off the road is never a good idea, especially when driving near pedestrians. Drivers who engage in activities such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, or adjusting the radio are more likely to be involved in accidents. Failing to pay attention to the road and surrounding environment can result in collisions with pedestrians. 

2. Failing to yield – Although pedestrians enjoy the right of way at many crosswalks and intersections, some drivers fail to follow pedestrian signals, which can cause accidents. This may occur due to a lack of awareness or disregard for traffic laws. 

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Seatbelts are crucial safety devices designed to protect vehicle occupants in the event of a car accident. However, what happens if you are injured in an Illinois car accident while not wearing a seatbelt? If this has happened to you, understanding the legal implications now is important, as it may impact your ability to seek compensation for your injuries. Contact a lawyer today to pursue the compensation you may be entitled to as a result of your injury. 

Contributory Negligence and Comparative Fault

Illinois follows the principle of comparative fault, which means that the court assigns a percentage of fault to each party involved in an accident. If you were injured while not wearing a seatbelt, the court might determine that you were partially responsible for your injuries. This is because failing to wear a seatbelt is considered contributory negligence. The degree of fault assigned to you will reduce the amount of compensation you can recover from the other party involved in the accident. 

Impact on Compensation

Illinois operates under a modified comparative fault rule. If you are found to be less than 50 percent at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages. However, the compensation you receive will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if the court determines that you were 20 percent at fault for not wearing a seatbelt and your damages were assessed at $100,000, you would only be entitled to $80,000. 

Trucks that are loaded improperly pose a significant risk on our roads, leading to devastating car accidents with potentially fatal consequences. If you were in an accident with an improperly loaded truck, contact an experienced attorney to ensure you understand the legal implications of the situation and can have a legal professional in your corner advocating for your rights and interests. 

Understanding the Risks

Properly loading a truck is crucial for maintaining stability, maneuverability, and safety. When a truck is improperly loaded, several risks arise, including:

1. Shifting cargo – Improperly secured cargo can shift during transport, affecting the truck’s balance and stability. This can lead to the driver losing control, causing accidents such as rollovers. 

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More electric vehicles are hitting the road in Illinois and first responders want to be prepared. Firefighters are finding out that it can take three hours or longer to put out an electric car fire. By 2025 one in ten cars will be electric. Part of the problem is that thousands of gallons of water are needed when an electric car erupts into flames. If you or your loved one suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of an electric car fire, you should try to seek the help of an Illinois personal injury attorney.

Who Can Be Responsible for My Injuries?

Under Illinois law, if things meant to keep you safe do not work, you and your family should get a lawyer to help you get compensation for what happened. Most cars use batteries called lithium-ion. They are different from the old batteries with lead. These new batteries are stronger and can be charged quickly. Inside the battery, there are a lot of tiny parts called cells. If these parts break, the battery can get very hot and start a fire. Firefighters usually cannot put out these fires easily, because they need a lot of water and special tools.

Sustaining a catastrophic injury is a life-altering event. You may never be able to return to the job you had and the lifestyle you enjoyed. You may need extensive medical follow-up care including a stay in a rehabilitation facility or long-term physical and occupational therapy. Your daily needs have changed. You may require help with things you used to do independently without a second thought, such as getting dressed or cooking dinner. A catastrophic injury is likely to lead to major changes in the way you live. The expenses associated with care for a catastrophic injury can be astronomical. Aside from the cost of healthcare and medical equipment, you are likely losing income due to an inability to work. You are likely worried about how you will afford to meet your needs while you are not working or have been forced to take a lower-paid position. You may be able to recover these costs and more by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible for your injuries. 

Types of Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries 

There are many categories of compensable damages associated with an accident that leads to a major injury. You may be able to recover compensation for: 

• Medical costs - Compensable medical costs include your hospital visit, any follow-up care ordered, surgeries you need, medical equipment you may need at home, and the cost of a home health aid. 

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Minor car accidents happen all the time. In most cases, there is little damage to the cars and no serious bodily harm. Serious car accidents are slightly more unusual. Serious car accidents occur when someone has suffered a grave or catastrophic injury. In these cases, it is highly likely that the driver who caused the accident was doing something quite careless, if not reckless or illegal. When you have been involved in a serious car accident, you likely have a lot of expenses to worry about. You may be missing work while medical bills pile up. The medical bills involved in these major accidents can be very high because you are likely to need intensive medical interventions. Many who have suffered a catastrophic injury will continue to need medical care for the rest of their lives. If you were seriously injured in a car accident, it is important to speak to an attorney as soon as you are able to. You may be able to recover most or all of your expenses related to the accident. 

Common Causes of Severe Motor Vehicle Accidents 

While simple mistakes can lead to major car accidents, there are a few very common causes of the most severe crashes. They include: 

• Drunk driving - Drunk drivers are known for causing very serious accidents. This is partially because intoxicated drivers are often unable to react in time to take any action to mitigate the severity of the crash. They are likely to hit other vehicles at full driving speed instead of breaking or swerving. 

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Driving a commercial truck takes skill and focus. Truck drivers must obtain a special license before they can begin performing the job. It is important for truck drivers to be sober while they are operating a massive vehicle capable of causing extreme harm to those around it. Making a single careless mistake while driving a commercial truck can cause devastation if the truck hits other vehicles or lands on a populated sidewalk. When a truck driver is under the influence of an illicit substance, they are far more likely to make a careless mistake. If you have recently been injured in a truck accident, drugs or alcohol could have been a factor in your crash. An attorney may be able to recover the results of the truck driver’s drug and alcohol screening in order to gain evidence that substances likely led to the accident. 

What You Should Know About Substance Use and Truck Drivers

One study showed that almost 30% of truck drivers use illicit substances. Among these drivers, amphetamines were the most commonly used substance. Amphetamines can come in many forms, from prescription pills used to treat ADHD to methamphetamine sold on the street. What is alarming about this fact is that these drugs are commonly used as a performance enhancing substance. People using these drugs may not feel tired even if they are in reality significantly sleep deprived. Cocaine is another commonly used drug among truck drivers. 

Fires can be incredibly dangerous. Fire can engulf a residential building in mere minutes, leaving the people inside precious little time to get out. When a fire alarm works properly, it can alert a building’s occupants very quickly after a fire breaks out, buying anyone inside more time to get to safety. Unfortunately, fire alarms do not always go off when they are meant to. There can be several reasons a fire alarm may fail. There is a possibility that the fire alarm itself was dangerously defective in some way. There are a number of types of defects caused by the manufacturer’s, seller’s, or installer’s negligence. If the fault in your detector originated with an error made by the manufacturer or seller, you likely have a claim in products liability. If the error was caused by improper maintenance, you may have a claim in premises liability.  If you or your children were injured or a close family member passed away because a smoke alarm failed to go off, you may be entitled to compensation and should contact an attorney promptly. 

3 Types of Fire Alarm Defects Caused by Negligence 

If you had a fire in your home or another structure you were present in and the fire alarm never went off or went off far too late, it is very likely that another party’s negligence led to your injuries. Common defects in fire alarms and forms of negligent maintenance include: 

With summer now in full swing, more people are looking to swimming pools and water parks as a way to cool off and enjoy the hot weather. Swimming can be excellent fun for children and adults, and also a great workout for those seeking more exercise. However, there is danger associated with swimming pools. Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye when there is water involved. Sadly, children are very commonly injured in and around swimming pools. Of course, adults can suffer injuries around a swimming pool as well. Pools that are well-maintained, well-enclosed so that children cannot wander in, and guarded by a lifeguard are less likely to cause injury to those around the pool. If you or your child has been injured at a pool other than your own private pool, you may be entitled to compensation. An attorney can help you determine whether you may have a premises liability claim. 

Types of Swimming Pool Injuries 

There are a few very common types of swimming pool injuries personal injury lawyers often see. Common types of swimming pool injuries include: 

The number of people who enjoy riding motorcycles has grown immensely over the past couple of decades. It is estimated that there are approximately 8.6 million registered motorcycles in the United States, more than double what there were just 20 years ago. Although riding can be an enjoyable pastime, it is also one of the most dangerous, with a high risk of accidents and an even higher risk of catastrophic injuries and death in those crashes.

Motorcycle accidents often occur due to a combination of factors, such as high speeds, lack of protective barriers, and the vulnerability of the motorcyclist. The resulting injuries can be devastating, affecting not only the physical well-being of the victims but also their emotional, financial, and social aspects of life.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

One of the most common catastrophic injuries in motorcycle accidents is traumatic brain injury (TBI). The head is particularly vulnerable in these accidents, and even with the use of helmets, the force of impact can cause severe brain damage. TBIs can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including cognitive impairments, memory loss, mood swings, and even permanent disabilities. Rehabilitation and long-term care may be necessary to manage the effects of a TBI.

In the trucking industry, drivers are often pressured to meet tight delivery deadlines, resulting in long hours of continuous driving with minimal rest time. These practices increase the risk of driver fatigue, which has been identified as one of the leading causes of truck accidents. Since commercial trucks are so much larger and heavier than other types of vehicles, accidents are likely to result in serious injuries to other drivers and passengers. Because of these risks, it is important to understand the dangers of truck driver fatigue and the options for people who have been injured due to truck driver and trucking company negligence.

How Fatigue Can Affect Truck Drivers

Drowsy driving is often compared to drunk or intoxicated driving. Fatigue can have many of the same effects on a driver as alcohol or drug use, and it can significantly increase the chances of a dangerous truck accident. The effects of fatigue include:

• Reduced attention span and slower reaction times - Fatigue can make it more difficult for truck drivers to stay alert and be able to react to changing conditions on the road. A truck driver who is tired or drowsy may drift in and out of consciousness, and they may also experience delayed reaction times and impaired judgment. Fatigue may cause a driver to fail to recognize dangerous situations, or they may make poor decisions when operating a truck, leading to avoidable crashes.

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Chronic pain impacts every aspect of a person’s life. It is not only the physical pain that causes suffering, but also the stress, sleeplessness, unease, and despair caused by being in constant pain.  

If you or a loved one have suffered chronic pain because of your car accident injuries, you may be able to file a personal injury claim and recover financial compensation for your damages.

Monetary damages cannot take away your pain, but the compensation may cover the cost of pain-relieving medication and medical treatment, lost income from missed work, and other expenses. Bringing a successful personal injury claim can also provide a sense of justice and closure regarding the accident.

Few would argue that construction workers have a crucial role in society. Unfortunatley, although government regulations have been established to increase safety and reduce the chances of a construction accident, construction work is still one of the most dangerous industries. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that one out of every five workplace deaths occurs in the construction industry.

Trench collapse can be especially dangerous, resulting in catastrophic injuries and deaths. If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a construction site trench collapse, you may be able to take legal action and recover financial compensation.

Trench Collapse Caused by Third-Party Negligence

In March of this year, two individuals were charged with first degree manslaughter after a trench collapsed on an employee and killed him. According to reports, there were no safety devices being used to hold the trench in place and prevent collapse. The trench had already collapsed twice on the day of the fatal accident, but actions were not taken to prevent another collapse.

For many motorcyclists, riding a motorcycle is not just a means of transportation. It is something that they look forward to all winter. Warmer weather in the Chicago area means that motorcyclists can finally get back to doing what they love most.

Sadly, severe and fatal injuries are not uncommon in motorcycle accidents. The motorcycle driver is not protected by the vehicle, and the small, slender nature of a motorcycle makes it harder to see by other drivers.

If your loved one passed away in a motorcycle crash, you have the right to file a wrongful death claim on his or her behalf. However, you will need ample evidence and a strong case to successfully recover compensation through a wrongful death settlement or award.

Modern vehicles are designed to keep the occupants as safe as possible and avoid serious injuries and fatalities during a collision. Unfortunately, some car accidents still result in injuries that change the course of a person's life forever.

If you or someone close to you suffered a spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis during a car crash, you may be unsure what to do next. One of the most important things to do at this time is to speak with a personal injury attorney who can help you determine whether you may have a valid claim for damages.

Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis have a massive impact on an individual’s ability to earn a living and function on a day-to-day basis. Furthermore, the cost of medical care can be astronomical. A personal injury claim against the at-fault party may allow for the recovery of financial compensation for these and other expenses.

When most people think about the causes of catastrophic commercial truck accidents, they picture an intoxicated driver, a semi-truck speeding out of control, or a truck with malfunctioning brakes. However, the causes of some of the worst truck accidents are sometimes as seemingly insignificant as loading too much cargo on one side of the trailer.

Proper loading and securement of truck cargo is essential for the safety of the truck driver, other motorists and passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. When freight is loaded unevenly or is not properly tied down in the truck, the truck can become off-balanced and harder to control. In some cases, a commercial truck may even tip over because of an unbalanced load.

If you or a loved one were hurt in a commercial truck accident, it is possible that improper cargo loading and securement played a role in the crash. The trucking company or the party who loaded the cargo may be liable for damages.

The brain controls everything from thoughts and memory to digestion and movement. Medical professionals and researchers still do not fully understand this highly complex organ. However, what is known is that an injury to the brain can have severe, lifelong consequences.

If you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident, slip and fall accident, or another incident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for damages. Expenses, including your hospital care, lost income caused by missed work, lost earning capacity, and other damages, may be reimbursable.

Physical, Emotional, and Mental Consequences of a Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury is a term that applies to a wide range of injuries. For example, a concussion is a mild form of traumatic brain injury. However, most concussion sufferers eventually recover completely and do not suffer significant long-term effects. That being said, there are people who suffer from post-concussion syndrome, which can cause ongoing physical and mental symptoms such as headaches and problems concentrating.

Most of us know that we should get eight hours of sleep a night. However, between work, caring for children, managing household duties, and other responsibilities, most people do not have enough time to get the sleep that they need. Unfortunately, sleepiness is not just annoying, it can be extremely dangerous.

When drivers are sleep deprived, they are much more likely to make dangerous mistakes behind the wheel. Research shows that some drivers even experience microsleeps, or short bursts of sleep that are only a few seconds long. However, when you are driving 60 miles an hour, even a lapse of concentration of a few seconds is enough to cause a serious or even deadly accident.

If you or a loved one were involved in a car crash and you suspect that the other driver was asleep at the wheel or too fatigued to drive safely, you may be able to file a personal injury claim and recover compensation.

The construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries to work in. Construction workers are required to work with massive machinery, atop dizzyingly high structures, and in very unstable environments. They are prone to a variety of serious injuries that can lead to disability or death.

Equipment or machine malfunctions, struck-by accidents, severe falls, and structural collapses are just some of the ways that construction workers may suffer catastrophic injuries. Amputations are one of the most damaging injuries construction works can sustain on the job.

Severe Injuries Leading to Amputation of a Limb

When a hand, foot, arm, or leg is severely injured in a construction accident, there may be nothing that doctors can do to save the injured body part. The only option may be amputation of the injured limb. This surgery can have a huge impact on a worker’s life, as they may no longer be able to do their job or even perform basic everyday tasks. The worker may suffer from excruciating pain, numbness, or even "phantom limb syndrome," a condition in which the patient feels as if their amputated limb is still there.

Few would argue that driving a semi-truck across the country is not a physically and emotionally taxing job. However, commercial truck drivers still have an ethical responsibility and a legal obligation to drive safely. Car accidents involving large commercial trucks often lead to catastrophic injuries and fatalities.

One of the most concerning issues involving commercial truck accidents is the prevalence of drug and alcohol use use behind the wheel. If you or a loved one were involved in a commercial truck accident and you suspect that the truck driver may have been intoxicated, consult with a truck accident injury lawyer right away. You may be entitled to restitution.

Studies Suggest Truck Drivers May Use Drugs and Alcohol to Cope with Work Stress

One of the hardest parts about being a commercial truck driver is the unusual work schedule. Drivers often drive for long hours and must find time to sleep whenever they can. Their work schedules may change significantly from week to week, making it difficult to maintain a regular sleep-wake rhythm. Unfortunately, some drivers cope with this issue by using drugs or alcohol.