According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 6.4 million police-reported traffic accidents in 2017 in the United States. Of those, over 2.7 million people were injured and over 24,000 were killed in traffic crashes. Car accidents can result in minor injuries such as bruising, small cuts, or scratches, or more serious injuries such as whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, or even death. The type and severity of injuries sustained in a car crash typically depends on the type of accident. Rear-end collisions are some of the most common vehicle accidents that occur and can result in a variety of injuries. If you have been hurt in a rear-end car accident, you may be entitled to compensation if another driver was at fault.

Causes of Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end accidents are common and are caused by a variety of factors. Some of the most common actions or behaviors that can lead to a rear-end collision include:

Personal injury claims are not always the easiest cases to win. In a slip and fall or any case in which an injury occurs because of someone's negligence, the burden of proof falls on you, the plaintiff, not the defendant. This means you must be able to prove that the defendant is responsible for the injuries you are claiming to have sustained. Proving negligence can be a difficult process, and you do not want to make a mistake that could have been easily avoided. If you are pursuing a personal injury claim for a slip and fall case, be careful to avoid the following errors in order to increase your chances at receiving compensation:

Not Seeking Medical Attention

The entire premise of a slip and fall case is based on your injuries. You are trying to pursue compensation for injuries that you sustained because someone acted recklessly, and that negligence caused you to slip and/or fall. Seeing a physician is crucial, because it will provide a medical record of your injuries. You also need to make sure you are following your doctor’s orders and going to any follow-up appointments. Not seeking medical assistance can make it seem like your injuries are not as serious as you claim them to be.

Many people enjoy the company of a four-legged friend. It is no wonder that dogs are called man’s best friend, since most canines are very friendly and make great companions. Some dogs, however, are more hostile than others. Studies show that more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year throughout the U.S., and more than 800,000 people require medical treatment for dog bite injuries. Fortunately, the state of Illinois allows victims to pursue compensation for dog bite injuries.

Dog Bite Injuries and Infections

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) states that children are more likely to be bitten than adults, because they often do not know the warning signs that a dog may be hostile or dangerous. When children suffer a dog bite, they are more likely to sustain serious injuries. However, dog bites can seriously harm people of any age, and injuries can range from a small scratch or bruise to deep lacerations and broken bones. In addition to these injuries, any dog bite that breaks the skin can also lead to an infection or illness if it is not properly treated. Common infections that occur from dog bites include Pasteurella, MRSA, tetanus and in some cases, even rabies.

Illinois’ Animal Control Act

The Illinois Animal Control Act sets forth guidelines for how animal bites should be handled legally. According to the Act, the owner or caretaker of a dog that has bitten someone must have the dog examined by a licensed veterinarian within 24 hours, and the dog must be confined and placed under observation for at least 10 days. The victim will be notified with the findings of the examination, and if the dog is found to have rabies, the victim's physician will also be notified. The Act also states that Illinois dog owners are liable for any injuries or damages sustained by a person if their dog, unprovoked, attacked the person while that individual was in a place where he or she was lawfully allowed to be.

According to the American Trucking Association, there were approximately 36 million large trucks registered and used for business purposes in 2017, with more than 1 million for-hire and private truck carriers operating in the United States. Trucking is a fairly large industry, but it can be dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there were more than 4,600 large trucks involved in fatal crashes and approximately 107,000 involved in injury crashes in 2017. When a truck gets into an accident, it makes sense to first blame the truck driver. In some cases, the trucking company for which the driver works can also be held responsible for a truck accident. 

Hiring Unqualified Drivers

All drivers of large trucks have to meet certain requirements and have specific qualifications and endorsements to legally drive a big rig. Drivers must hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) with the proper endorsements to drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). Drivers must also be certified that they are medically sound to drive a CMV. If a trucking company knows that a driver does not have a CDL or the appropriate endorsements, has medical issues, or does not have adequate training or experience, the company can be held liable for injuries or damages sustained in a truck accident.

One of the most difficult and traumatic experiences a person can go through is grieving the death of a loved one. When that death is due to the recklessness of another individual, it can be even more devastating for the family. While many car accidents result in property damage or injuries, far too many result in the death of one or more people. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 35,000 traffic fatalities that occurred in the United States in 2017. Although nothing can bring back your loved one, Illinois does allow the families of wrongful death victims to file claims to help mitigate some of the financial burdens that an unexpected death can cause.

Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Wrongful death claims exist to allow a deceased person’s family members to claim damages that the deceased individual would have been able to claim in a personal injury lawsuit if he or she were alive. Illinois law allows surviving spouses and minor children of the deceased to file a wrongful death claim and recover damages, though this right can also be given to an adult child of the deceased or the parents of a deceased minor.