350 S. Northwest Highway, Suite 300, Park Ridge, IL 60068
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Recent Blog Posts
Are Slip-and-Fall Accidents More Common in the Winter?
Anyone who lives in the Midwest knows how brutal the winters can be. Illinois residents in particular have likely experienced blizzards that dumped several feet of snow in relatively short periods of time. Along with snow comes wind, ice, slush, and sleet during the winter months. Although tripping or slipping and falling outside can occur at any time, the likelihood of this type of accident is usually higher in bad weather. Just as it can be dangerous driving during a snowstorm, walking outdoors can pose its own risks, too. However, Mother Nature may not be the only one to blame. In some cases, any injuries suffered may be due to the negligence of a property owner.
Cold-Weather Maintenance
Inclement weather can wreak havoc on road pavement. That is why the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) sends fleets of snowplows out during snowy days and nights. Clearing streets is crucial to prevent cars from sliding and drivers losing control and colliding with other vehicles or even pedestrians. Likewise, it is imperative that property owners take the necessary precautions during the winter months in order to keep their guests or visitors safe. This may include plowing parking lots, shoveling sidewalks, putting salt down on icy walkways, and more. If they do not perform this type of maintenance, they may be held liable for any injuries suffered on their grounds.
Can Car Accident Reconstructionists Help Determine Liability?
Motor vehicle collisions occur for many reasons, such as speeding, disobeying traffic laws, driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol, distracted driving, inclement weather, or poor road conditions. Determining liability in a car accident may not be as easy as it seems. In some cases, an objective third party can help establish who was responsible for causing the accident and who should pay for medical expenses related to any injuries. Accident reconstruction can assist with determining liability in a vehicle crash. In addition, a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can hold those negligent parties responsible.
Examining Evidence at the Scene
In some accidents, there may be multiple vehicles involved, which can make it difficult to identify the at-fault driver. For example, if one motorist loses control of his or her car, it can cause a chain reaction, in which several vehicles hit each other, resulting in a multi-vehicle pileup. Injuries to drivers and occupants can range from minor to serious and even fatal.
How Can Background Checks Prevent Daycare Center Injuries?
You may have heard that raising children “takes a village.” That saying often refers to the fact that parenting is hard work and parents sometimes rely on the help of others in caring for their family. If both parents work, they typically need to find childcare. This can come in the form of relatives, neighborhood friends, private caregivers, or daycare centers. Workers at a daycare center typically must go through a background check before being hired. This process reveals important information by verifying that an individual is who they claim to be, level of education, employment history, and if they have a criminal record. A background check helps ensure that an employee is not only qualified but trustworthy as well, which can protect children who are in their care. Sadly, accidents or abuse may still occur, but a personal injury attorney can help parents pursue compensation if their child was harmed at a daycare center.
Recent Accident on I-294: An Example of the Dangers of Speeding
It is fairly common to be cruising along an Illinois highway, going a few miles per hour over the speed limit, only to be passed by an out of control, fast-moving vehicle. Despite posted speed limit signs, many Illinois drivers significantly pick up their speed as soon as they hit the highway. Without frequent stop signs or signals to keep them at bay, these drivers can weave in and out of lanes as they seemingly glide past the other cars on the road. These speedy drivers often feel on top of the world, only to find themselves the cause of a life-threatening accident an instant later. Despite a promising six percent drop in speeding-related deaths in 2018, a total of 9,378 people still lost their lives to this driving hazard, many of which were victims of other drivers’ speeding tendencies.
A September Speeding Accident
This past September, a six-vehicle crash left one person dead and at least three others injured on I-294. According to an ABC7 report, a Chevy Impala was allegedly driving at a high speed in the southbound lane when it lost control and swiped a car in the next lane over. The Impala then went airborne over the highway barrier, striking three other cars in the process. One of the injured passengers—a 64-year-old woman driving a Honda CRV—died after being transported to a nearby hospital, and four others suffered both major and minor injuries.
How Can Nursing Home Violations Lead to Personal Injuries?
There comes a point in some people’s lives where they can no longer care for themselves. In these situations, many elderly individuals move to a nursing home or assisted living facility. In order to provide high-quality care, these long-term care centers must adhere to certain safety standards. However, not all of them may follow the required regulations, and these violations can lead to accidents and injuries among patients. According to ProPublica and the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, hazardous conditions are the most common violation in nursing homes across the country. Other violations can also result in negligent care and endanger residents.
Common Hazards That Cause Harm
Any type of medical facility has a duty of care to keep patients safe and secure while under their care. This includes maintaining clean and sanitary conditions, but it also involves building maintenance to make sure it is a safe environment regardless if a resident is mobile, confined to a wheelchair, or bedridden.
How Serious Are Side-Impact Car Accident Injuries in Illinois?
If you are involved in any type of car accident, it has the potential to wreak havoc on your life. For instance, you may have the inconvenience of finding yourself suddenly without transportation and having to rent a vehicle while yours is in the repair shop to get to and from your job. In other scenarios, you can suffer serious injuries that require surgery or physical therapy to recover. Rear-end and head-on collisions can cause severe damages, and so can side-impact crashes, which are often referred to as “T-bone” accidents. These types of collisions can result in life-threatening to even fatal consequences even when traveling at slow speeds due to the location of the impact. In many cases, another driver may be held liable for causing a side-impact car accident due to his or her negligence.
T-Bone Crash Injuries
The most common body parts that victims of side-impact crashes hurt are the chest, head, abdomen, and pelvis. Since the impact of T-bone crashes occurs in close proximity to the driver or passenger, the impact can jerk the body around at a force strong enough to cause internal organ damage. In certain cases, signs and symptoms may be immediately noticeable, while it may take days or weeks to feel the full effect of an injury.
What Are Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in Illinois?
Statistics show that people are living longer in these modern times. However, this means many elderly citizens reside in assisted living or nursing homes once they reach a point in which they cannot live independently. Medical professionals at such facilities have a duty of care to keep your loved one safe and healthy. Unfortunately, cases of injuries sustained by residents due to abusive or neglectful behavior by staff members occur more often than you might think. Several reasons may exist for this, including understaffing or inadequate training by management. Regardless of the causes, if your family member has suffered any kind of injury while living in a long-term care facility, he or she may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim. A knowledgeable attorney can help you recognize the signs of nursing home abuse or neglect.
Physical Injuries
The mistreatment of nursing home patients or assisted living residents may be difficult to notice at first. If someone is bed-ridden, visiting relatives may not initially see signs or symptoms of abuse or neglect. For example, bruises or bedsores may be covered by clothing or blankets. When medical staff fail to do rounds or to check on residents or bathe them on a regular basis, they can develop serious to life-threatening infections.
How Can I Seek Compensation for a Hit-and-Run Accident in Illinois?
Although nobody expects to be involved in a car accident when they get into their vehicle, crashes can occur for many reasons. In some cases, inclement weather and a negligent driver who is going too fast may cause a collision with one or more vehicles. Illinois drivers need to pay attention in order to avoid becoming a statistic. The Chicago-area roadways include Interstates 294 and 90, which are busy with residents traveling in and out of the city. Traffic is typically heavy, although with COVID-19 restrictions in place, many area residents are working from home. However, the state has seen an increase in motor vehicle fatalities due to reckless driving behaviors. In certain situations, a driver may leave the scene of an accident in an attempt to avoid a traffic violation. A skilled personal injury attorney can help you pursue damages if you or your loved one is the victim of a hit-and-run accident.
Why Are Car Accident Fatalities on the Rise in Illinois?
Studies from the National Safety Council (NSC) have reported some surprising news regarding car accidents. Fatalities from motor vehicle collisions increased 11 percent in the first quarter of the year in Illinois despite the fact that was when stay-at-home orders went into effect due to COVID-19. Although some restrictions have been lifted, many people are still working from home so the roads are significantly less congested than they typically would be during the summer months. Unfortunately, many drivers are taking to these open roads with a blatant disregard for traffic laws. Reckless driving has been a major concern for safety experts since the statistics show a jump in serious injuries and fatalities.
Dangerous Driving Behaviors
There are many actions behind the wheel that can be cause for concern. Negligent driving behavior seems to have increased on the empty roads. The reason for this may be the fact that motorists have a false sense of safety or security since there is not much traffic on the streets today. They might think that it is OK to speed or that law enforcement is busy with other duties and not out patrolling the somewhat deserted highways.
Dealing with Summertime Slip and Fall Injuries in Illinois
There are many different ways that someone can get hurt. Accidents can occur in various environments, including the home, public places such as parks, restaurants, or stores. Injuries can range from minor bumps and bruises to serious and even life-threatening conditions. In some cases, they can affect the rest of someone’s life. Slip-and-fall accidents might not sound like they would be that severe, but they can cause significant injuries to people of all ages. Although they are fairly common in inclement weather, especially in snowy or icy conditions, slip-and-falls can also occur in warm weather. Property owners have a responsibility to properly maintain their buildings and grounds; otherwise, visitors may suffer injuries.
Premises Liability Act
According to the Illinois Premises Liability Act, business and property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe and secure in order to prevent guests from any harm. If owners or managers fail to take reasonable care to maintain the property, they may be held accountable for damages that occur as a result. However, this law does not apply to individuals who are trespassing and get hurt on the property.
Quinn Law Group, LLC
847-232-7180
350 S. Northwest Highway, Suite 300, Park Ridge, IL 60068
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