DuPage County Personal Injury Attorneys

4 Things You Can Do to Prevent a Nighttime Car Accident

Posted on May 22, 2020 in Personal Injury

Bloomingdale auto accident attorney

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), Americans only do about one-quarter of their driving during nighttime hours. However, these same night hours are when around half of all traffic-related deaths occur. Nighttime driving is not something that can always be avoided. There are a variety of factors that are often present that increase the dangers of driving at night, some of which are in the motorist’s control, and some of which are not. For example, there tend to be more intoxicated and/or fatigued drivers on the road at night than there are during the day. If you have been involved in a nighttime car accident, you should reach out to a personal injury attorney to discuss your options for seeking damages.

Staying Safe When You Are On the Road at Night

One of the biggest obstacles that a driver faces at night is the darkness itself. This increases the chances that a motorist will not see an obstacle in his or her path and end up not having enough time to stop or veer out of the way. Because driving at night is so much more dangerous than driving during the day, there are steps you should take to make sure you are being as safe as possible:

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Can I Seek Compensation for Emotional Trauma After a Car Accident?

Posted on May 7, 2020 in Personal Injury

Bloomingdale car accident attorney emotional trauma

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 6.7 million vehicle crashes occur each year, resulting in more than 36,000 deaths and 2.7 million people injured. Studies have found that the most common cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the general population is car accidents. In fact, a study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health found that nearly 40 percent of survivors of motor vehicle accidents developed PTSD. Following a collision, you may not only suffer from emotional trauma, but you likely will also experience physical injuries, in addition to extensive damage to your vehicle. If you have been a victim of a car accident, you should speak with an Illinois personal injury lawyer right away.

Signs and Symptoms of Emotional Trauma

Getting into a car accident is a major event for anyone involved. It is completely normal for you to feel a range of emotions after the accident, especially after the adrenaline wears off. You may immediately recognize some of these feelings, but it may take days or even months to notice the full effects of the crash. Common signs of emotional trauma after an automobile collision include:

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What Are the Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury After a Car Accident?

Posted on April 16, 2020 in Personal Injury

Naperville car accident attorney TBI

Each year, millions of traffic crashes occur in the United States. While most of these collisions end up only causing property damage, there are millions of car accidents that end up causing extensive injuries, or they may even result in death. According to the latest information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 35,000 traffic fatalities in 2018, with more than 2.7 million people injured from crashes in the same year. Some of the most common injuries stemming from traffic accidents are traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which can be severe. If you have suffered a brain injury in a traffic accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney about your options for seeking compensation.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury occurs when a person suffers a violent blow or jolt to the brain. TBIs can also be caused by an object penetrating the brain tissue, such as a bullet. The Mayo Clinic states that traumatic brain injuries are often a result of car accidents, although the severity of the injury varies depending on the circumstances of the crash. For example, the use of a seat belt, objects that struck a person's head in a collision, and the speed of the vehicle can all affect the degree of injury.

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Can I Pursue Compensation After an Illinois Pedestrian Accident?

Posted on April 8, 2020 in Personal Injury

Everyone has their own preferred method of transportation, but we are all pedestrians at some point throughout our lifetime. Unfortunately, pedestrians were one of the groups that saw an increase in traffic fatalities in 2018. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were over 6,000 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2018. This is the highest number of pedestrian deaths that have been recorded since 1990, prompting much concern about the safety of our nation’s pedestrians. In many cases, pedestrian accidents are caused by negligent drivers. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a pedestrian traffic accident, an Illinois personal injury attorney can help you take the legal necessary steps to recover compensation.

Recovering Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Many campaigns for pedestrian safety start with educating pedestrians on the steps they can take to be proactive and protect themselves. These include paying attention to one's surroundings, wearing reflective or bright clothing at night, and only crossing the street at designated pedestrian crossings. While these things can help prevent an accident, the fault for many accidents involving pedestrians can be traced back to the driver. Many causes of pedestrian accidents include motorists who were driving under the influence, driving while distracted, speeding, or ignoring traffic lights and signs.

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How Can I Protect My Child From Being Injured in an Illinois Car Accident?

Posted on March 12, 2020 in Personal Injury

Car accidents are dangerous for drivers and passengers. Both adults and children alike can suffer serious injuries in a collision. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death among children in the United States. Even children who do not die in car accidents can sustain significant injuries. The CDC reports that nearly 116,000 children suffered injuries from motor vehicle accidents in 2017. There is no way that you can know when an automobile crash is going to happen, but in the event your child is injured in a crash, contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer right away is key to seeking compensation for any damages.

The Importance of Car Seat Safety

The best way to protect your child when riding in a vehicle is to make sure he or she is restrained in an appropriate car seat. Illinois has laws that require children to be restrained in a certain way depending on their age, weight, and height. Children who are under the age of 2 years old should be secured in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 40 pounds or 40 inches tall. After they outgrow a rear-facing car seat, they can transition to a forward-facing seat that has an internal harness system. Children should never be placed in the front seat, especially if they are in a rear-facing car seat.

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