Posted on June 21,2022 in Personal Injury

Because Illinois is in the center of the nation, its roads are a major source of trucking traffic. Tens of thousands of big rigs and smaller trucks travel through Illinois every day, and while the vast majority of these trips are taken safely, tragedy can strike when unsecured loads come loose and fall into the road, causing an accident. If you were injured when objects in the road caused you to strike the objects or swerve and crash into another vehicle, you deserve compensation for your pain and trauma. 

Are Trucks Always Responsible For Shifting Loads? 

Sometimes truck loads come loose even when best loading practices are followed. But when trucking company employees and drivers fail to follow state and federal safety laws that regulate how cargo must be distributed and secured, they fail in their duty to keep those around them safe. They may be held responsible for accidents that result from the falling load. 

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 Posted on June 01,2022 in Car Crashes

Rideshare companies in Illinois fill an important economic gap by combining affordable rides with the technology to access those rides quickly and easily. However, because rideshare drivers are operating their own vehicles, they are at risk of causing a car accident through careless mistakes just like any other driver - perhaps more so, since rideshare drivers are everyday drivers, not trained professionals. 

When rideshare drivers cause serious accidents, injured victims may wonder whether they have the ability to seek compensation from the driver or the rideshare company. Rideshare liability law is a complex and evolving area of law, and every case is different. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident in Illinois, seek help from an experienced personal injury attorney who is up-to-date on the latest legal developments. 

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 Posted on May 27,2022 in Personal Injury

Around 4,000 people accidentally drown and die every year in America; around twice that number non-fatally drown. For children, the risk is even higher - drowning is the leading cause of death after car accidents for children between ages one and 14. And while parents and children can glean great enjoyment from a neighbor who is generous with their swimming pool, the threat of drowning without proper supervision and pool safety measures is a serious risk.

Parents who have lost, or almost lost, a child to drowning because a neighbor did not place proper safeguards around their swimming pool know the deepest kind of hurt and trauma a parent can experience. If you find yourself in this situation, you may justifiably wonder whether there is something you can do to recover compensation and make sure other children are kept safe from drowning. 

How Do Pool Drownings Happen? 

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 Posted on May 23,2022 in Personal Injury

Every year, more than a dozen children across the United States die in toy-related incidents. Many hundreds of thousands more are seriously injured by dangerous toys. In addition to the injuries caused to children, the experience of watching a child choke, cut themselves, or otherwise get injured in the safety of one’s home can cause lasting psychological trauma to parents. The tragic death of a young child is something many parents never fully recover from. If your child has been injured or killed by a broken toy, you may want to know whether an Illinois defective product attorney can help you hold the manufacturer responsible. 

Common Types of Dangerous Toys

Because of their inexperience and lack of judgment, children are at risk from many objects that are harmless to adults. Even something like a balloon can become stuck in a child’s mouth or throat, causing suffocation. Examples of other toys that pose a potential danger include: 

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 Posted on April 25,2022 in Personal Injury

You are out celebrating with your family at a restaurant or enjoying a concert with friends. Suddenly, two other patrons start fighting. You try to move out of the way, but it is too late. Even though you were just a bystander, you end up being sent to the hospital because of your injuries. Outside of ruining your night, you are now stuck with medical bills and have to miss work while recovering from the injuries. If the venue did not provide proper security, or the security that was present was negligent, you may be able to hold the venue responsible through a premises liability claim. 

Responsibility of Venue Owners and Operators in Illinois

Any owner or operator of an entertainment venue or restaurant has the responsibility to keep their customers and visitors safe and free from harm. This can include protection from other patrons. If the owner did not take proper steps to ensure their guests' safety, they can be held liable for injuries that their guests incur. 

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 Posted on April 11,2022 in Uncategorized

While every driver knows they should be paying attention to the road, the reality is often far different. Newer drivers can be easily distracted by others in their car, while older drivers may take for granted their skill to operate a vehicle while changing music or taking a bite of a snack. It is clear from statistics that distracted driving is a leading cause of traffic accidents. Even losing focus for a split second can lead to severe crashes that can lead to personal injuries for all drivers and passengers involved. Here are some of the most common distractions that lead to vehicle accidents:

Common Causes of Distracted Driving Accidents

• Cell phones – The most common cause of distracted driving is the cell phone. Even if the phone is in “hands-free” mode, making a call, sending or reading a text, or looking for directions can distract a driver enough to cause an accident.

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 Posted on March 25,2022 in Personal Injury

If you were injured due to another individual’s or company’s direct harm or negligence, you could receive financial compensation for damages. However, the personal injury case process can be tricky to navigate. It is easier said than done to file a claim or lawsuit. When choosing to pursue a personal injury lawsuit, it is essential to understand how the legal process works and to make a checklist of the critical items needed. Here is a comprehensive case checklist of what to prepare for a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois.

Medical, Police, and Other Official Reports

The best place to begin when preparing for your injury lawsuit is to collect all of the official documented reports in your case. There are many different personal injury cases, from car accidents, dog bite injuries, construction site accidents, and product defects. You will want to include any official police reports in your case and the medical documentation that explicitly lists the injuries you sustained.

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 Posted on March 14,2022 in Car Crashes

Car accidents can be devastating and lead to serious, life-altering injuries. Distracted driving, including texting and driving, causes thousands of severe injuries and fatalities each year in the United States. To combat the use of cellphones or other electronic devices when driving, Illinois passed a law prohibiting distracted driving. However, distracted driving continues to be an issue rampant on the roads. Victims that have been injured during a car collision from a distracted driver may be awarded financial compensation to help cover the costs of their injuries. Distracted driving also may lead to severe legal consequences.

Understanding Illinois Distracted Driving Laws 

According to 2022 driving statistics, approximately 400 fatal crashes caused by texting and driving occur each year in the United States. This figure indicates the need for safety laws to prevent distracted driving. Illinois law states that drivers may not use hand-held electronic devices while driving on the road. The legal consequences for texting or using a device while driving can include fines anywhere from $75 to $1,000. If a driver causes bodily harm to another individual due to distracted driving, they may be charged with aggravated use of a device while driving, leading to a Class A misdemeanor for bodily injuries to the victim or a Class 4 felony if the victim is killed. 

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 Posted on February 22,2022 in Personal Injury

Purchasing and consuming products is a part of everyday life for most Americans. From groceries to shampoo to toys for your children, there seem to be unlimited amounts of products to purchase. Sometimes, an item has a mistake or fault in its design or composition that injures the consumer. Whether a product was purchased online or in person, defective consumer goods may lead to an injury. If you were injured from a faulty product, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your damages. 

What is Product Liability in Illinois? 

Product designers, manufacturers, and distributors have a responsibility to ensure that the product iis up to standard and works as advertised. A company or another individual that sells a product may be held responsible if the item causes injury to a consumer due to a mistake in its composition. Illinois law considers a product “defective” if it has an inherent flaw in its design, manufacturing, or its warning label. 

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 Posted on February 14,2022 in Personal Injury

While most dogs are considered a man’s best friend, dog bite injuries can leave devastating results for both the victim and the pet owner. Injuries sustained from a dog bite may cause the victim long-term physical disabilities, pain and suffering. Even if a dog has no history of being aggressive or violent, the owner may still be held liable if their dog attacks you. If you were attacked by a dog, it is important to reach out to a personal injury lawyer immediately to ensure you can protect yourself and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Suing for a Dog Bite Injury

The injuries that can occur from an animal attack can leave a victim disabled, disfigured, and with severe trauma. The costs that a victim accumulates from medical bills may be pricey, so they may be eligible to seek financial compensation to cover hospital bills and more during a claim or lawsuit. Per the Illinois statute of limitations on personal injury claims, typically, victims have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. 

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