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Reducing auto accidents may be as simple as using your turn signal, according to a new study. Although distracted driving is blamed for many car accidents, the real culprit may actually be the failure of drivers’ to use their turn signal. According to a study conducted by the Society of Automotive Engineers, nearly 2 million accidents a year are caused by drivers’ failure to use a turn signal.
This MSNBC article states that research shows that more than twice as many accidents are caused by drivers who fail to use their turn signal than distracted driving. In fact, drivers fail to use their turn signals nearly half of the time they change lanes, and a quarter of the time that they make a turn.
“This is a first of its kind report on a subject that amazingly, has never been studied,” said Richard Ponziani, P.E., President of RLP Engineering and author of the report said in the MSNBC article.
Despite the relative ease of using turn signals, drivers often fail to comply with traffic rules regarding their appropriate use. Ponziani argues that drivers must share on ongoing responsibility for using turn signals, “just as they have a duty to stop at a stop sign or at a red light.”
Some also suggest that the lack of turn signals epidemic is exacerbated by the fact that the police put much less effort into enforcing turn signal laws than other traffic laws, like speeding and red light violations.
Ponzini promotes the “Smart Turn Signal” system – a mechanism that would automatically shut off a turn signal by timing out after a set delay or detecting when a vehicle has finished changing lanes – as “the perfect complement to the Stability Control System since Stability Control predominately prevents single-vehicle crashes, whereas the Smart Turn Signal prevents multi-vehicle crashes.”
At Steinberg Goodman & Kalish, our skilled Illinois auto accident attorneys are dedicated to promoting safe driving habits and protecting the victims of motor vehicle accidents. We represent the victims of head on collisions, rear end collisions, motorcycle accidents, drunk driving accidents, and distracted driving accidents.
Contact the experienced Chicago auto accident attorneys at Steinberg Goodman & Kalish today to schedule your free consultation to learn more about your rights following an auto accident.
Steinberg Goodman & Kalish (www.sgklawyers.com) is dedicated to protecting victims and their families. We handle medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, wrongful death, auto accidents, professional negligence, birth trauma, and railroad law matters. Contact us at (800) 784-0150 or (312) 782-1386.
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Mixed data reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that children today are safer by some measures, but more at risk by others. According to the CDC, accidental deaths of children decreased 30 percent from 2000 to 2009, which was due, in large part, to the decline in traffic deaths. According to the CDC’s report, the reduction in motor vehicle deaths is due to factors such as child safety improvements, increased booster seat use, and graduated licensing systems for teen drivers.
Despite the decline in accidental deaths of children, there is much work to be done. According to this article, the CDC reports that more than 9,000 young people still die annually from motor-vehicle-related accidents, fires, poisoning, drowning, falls, and other unintentional injuries. In fact, despite the decline, accidental injuries are still the leading cause of deaths for children ages 1 to 19.
Although the CDC saw a 41 percent reduction in traffic fatalities, accidental poisonings actually rose by 80 percent. Approximately half of the victims of the most recent poisoning deaths were teens ages 15 to 19 who overdosed on prescriptiondrugs.
“As promising as the results of the CDC report are, parents and pediatricians need to work to prevent each and every injury to children,” Estevan Garcia, director of pediatric emergency medicine at Maimonides Medical Center in New York, told HealthDay. “These injuries are devastating to families and are preventable.”
According to this Health Day article, CDC research indicates that the number of deaths due to prescription drug overdoses among teens could be reduced through appropriate prescribing; proper storage and disposal; discouraging medication sharing; and state-based prescription drug monitoring programs.
The CDC report also noted that suffocation rates increased by 54 percent among infants less than 1 year old, which could be curbed by following the American Academy of Pediatrics’ safe infant sleeping environment guidelines, which recommend that infants sleep in safe cribs, alone and on their backs, with no loose bedding or soft toys.
Child injury death rates varied substantially by state in 2009, with less than five deaths per 100,000 children in Massachusetts and 23 deaths per 100,000 children in New Jersey and more than 23 deaths per 100,000 children in South Dakota and Mississippi.
“Every four seconds, a child is treated for an injury in the emergency department, and every hour a child dies as a result of an injury,” Linda Degutis, director of CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, said in an agency news release, according to the article.
Steinberg Goodman & Kalish (www.sgklawyers.com) is dedicated to protecting victims and their families. We handle medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, wrongful death, auto accidents, professional negligence, birth trauma, and railroad law matters. Contact us at (800) 784-0150 or (312) 782-1386.
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The weather is warming up and Chicago area bicyclists are hitting the road. With warmer weather, more people choose to ride their bike to work and children are riding their bikes to and from school. In addition, people of all ages often ride bikes as a form of exercise and recreation.
Bicyclists are reminded to take note of bicycle safety tips. You should make sure that your bike is in good condition for riding, and that all parts are secure and working properly.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following bicycle safety tips.
- Wear a Properly Fitted Bicycle Helmet. A properly fitted can protect your brain from traumatic head injuries and potentially save your life.
- Adjust Your Bicycle. Parents should make sure that their child’s bicycle is the right side. Younger children should be able to put one foot on the ground while seated on the bike seat. For older children and adults, there should be 1 to 2 inches between you and the bike bar if using a road bike, and 3 to 4 inches if a mountain bicycle. The seat should be level and adjusted to allow a slight bend at the knee when the leg is fully extended. The handlebar height should be at the same level as the seat.
- Check All Bike Equipment. Make sure that tires are inflated and breaks are working properly before riding your bike.
- See and Be Seen. It is recommended that bicyclists wear neon, fluorescent, or other bright colors whether riding during the day or at night. It is also recommended that bicyclists wear something that reflects light, such as reflective tape or markings, or flashing lights. It is important to remember that just because you, as a bicyclist, can see drivers, it doesn’t mean that drivers can see you.
- Maintain Control Over Your Bicycle. Always ride with at least one hand on the handlebars. Use a backpack or bike carrier to carry objects.
- Watch for and Avoid Road Hazards. Be mindful of road hazards such as potholes, broken glass, gravel, puddles, leaves, and dogs.
- Avoid Riding at Night If Necessary. It is much more dangerous to ride your bike at night than during the daytime because you are not as visible to motorists. If you must ride at night, make sure to wear something that will allow you to be easily seen by motorists like florescent clothing or reflective tape. Make sure your bike has front and rear reflectors, as well as reflectors on your tires. In fact, many states require that bikes have white lights on the front and red rear reflectors.
Steinberg Goodman & Kalish (www.sgklawyers.com) is dedicated to protecting victims and their families. We handle medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, wrongful death, auto accidents, professional negligence, birth trauma, and railroad law matters. Contact us at (800) 784-0150 or (312) 782-1386.
Person using cell phone while driving. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Illinois House of Representatives passed a bill last week that would ban all cell phone use while driving in the State of Illinois, unless the driver is using a hand-free device. The bill passed the House by a vote of 62-53 and now goes before the Illinois Seneate for consideration.
According to this article in the Huffington Post, the bill would exempt use of two-way mobile radios and calls made in emergencies. Violators would face a moving violation and a $75 fine for their first offense.
“If we want to get serious about stopping distracted driving and saving lives on the roadway, there needs to be a severe penalty involved,” the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. John D’Amico (D-Chicago), told the GateHouse News Service of the proposal.
Currently, Illinois and Chicago laws and ordinances prohibit the following use of electronic devices while driving:
- Drivers under the age of 19 are prohibited from using wireless phones (with or without hands-free devices) while driving.
- All drivers are prohibited from text messaging, emailing, and using the Internet while driving.
- Drivers are prohibited from using cellular phones in school speed zones and construction/road maintenance zones.
- In Chicago, all drivers talking on mobile phones must use hands-free devices.
Evanston is considering taking a more stringent stance on cell phone use while driving by considering a ban on all cell phone use while driving, including hands-free devices, according to the Chicago Tribune. If approved, Evanston’s ban would be among the strictest laws in the country on cell phone while driving.
The ban is not without critics, however. State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Countryside) has said that he voted against the proposal because he would like to see additional exceptions to the ban, including those situations in which “someone is actually in harm’s way, or if they’re lost or if they’re trying to navigate out of a high-crime area.”
As we earlier reported, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is calling for a nationwide ban on texting and making phone calls while driving. The NTSB’s recommendation specifically asks all 50 states and Washington D.C. to ban all nonemergency use of cell phones and other portable electronic devices for all drivers.
Texting and talking on a cell phone while driving can be incredibly dangerous, causing auto accidents and trucking accidents. In 2009, nearly 5,500 fatalities and 500,000 injuries resulted from crashes involving a distracted driver, according to the NHTSA.
A new Illinois law that took effect January 1st effectively requires every backseat passenger to use a safety belt, with a few limited exceptions. Previously, only backseat passengers 19 years of age and under were required to wear seat belts.
The new law is aimed at preventing auto accident deaths and serious injuries. In 2009, Illinois saw 38 passengers who were not wearing seatbelts while riding in the backseat lose their lives when they were in an auto accident. Nationwide, 1,095 backseat passengers not wearing seat belts died in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by approximately 50 percent.
A recent Chicago Sun-Times article highlights the risks of riding unrestrained as a passenger in a motor vehicle – whether in the backseat or front seat. Like front seat passengers, unrestrained backseat passengers can suffer head, chest and abdominal injuries in the event of an auto accident.
Backseat passengers can be “thrown from the vehicle,” according to James Doherty, medical director of trauma and critical care programs at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Backseat passengers are also at risk of becoming “human projectiles” during a car crash, which could injure or kill others in the vehicle, according to Doherty.
The law exempts passengers in ambulances, taxis, school buses, delivery trucks that make frequent stops and do not exceed 15 mph, and anyone with a physical impairment that makes it difficult to wear a seat belt (such as a broken collarbone or shoulder injury).
The law allows police offers to stop a vehicle if they see an unbuckled passenger. Offenders face fines starting at $25, which could amount to more, depending on court costs.
Drivers are reminded that children younger than 8 are required to be properly restrained in a child safety seat and children 12 and younger should ride in the back seat.
Steinberg Goodman & Kalish (www.sgklawyers.com) is dedicated to protecting victims and their families. We handle medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, wrongful death, auto accidents, professional negligence, birth trauma, and railroad law matters. Contact us at (800) 784-0150 or (312) 782-1386.
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is calling for a nationwide ban on texting and making phone calls while driving. The NTSB's recommendation specifically asks all 50 states and Washington D.C. to ban all nonemergency use of cell phones and other portable electronic devices for all drivers. The NTSB is also recommending that states use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) method of high-visibility enforcement to support such bans, and that states implement targeted communication campaigns to inform motorists of the new laws.
“According to NHTSA, more than 3,000 people lost their lives last year in distraction-related accidents,” NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman said in a statement. “It is time for all of us to stand up for safety by turning off electronic devices when driving. No call, no text, no update, is worth a human life.”
In the last several years, the use of cell phones and personal electronic devices has exploded, according to the NTSB. Globally, there are 5.3 billion mobile phone subscribers, which accounts for 77 percent of the world population. Nationwide, the percentage of cell phone users is even higher, exceeding 100 percent.
Texting and talking on a cell phone while driving can be incredibly dangerous, causing auto accidents and trucking accidents. In 2009, nearly 5,500 fatalities and 500,000 injuries resulted from crashes involving a distracted driver, according to the NHTSA. The NTSB’s recommendation is based on the investigation of several accidents caused by the use of electronic devices in recent years, including:
- A 2002 motor vehicle accident in 2002 that occurred after a driver “distracted by a conversation on her cellphone” crashed and killed five people in Largo;
- A 2004 bus accident on the George Washington Parkway that injured 11 high school students;
- A 2008 commuter train collision with a freight train in Chatsworth, California, in which 25 people were killed and dozens were injured; and
- A 2010 boating accident in Philadelphia that killed two tourists.
Currently, Illinois and Chicago laws and ordinances prohibit the following use of electronic devices while driving:
- Drivers under the age of 19 are prohibited from using wireless phones (with or without hands-free devices) while driving.
- All drivers are prohibited from text messaging, emailing, and using the Internet while driving.
- Drivers are prohibited from using cellular phones in school speed zones and construction/road maintenance zones.
- In Chicago, all drivers talking on mobile phones must use hands-free devices.
Source: Washington Post
Steinberg Goodman & Kalish (www.sgklawyers.com) is dedicated to protecting victims and their families. We handle medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, wrongful death, auto accidents, professional negligence, birth trauma, and railroad law matters. Contact us at (800) 784-0150 or (312) 782-1386.
A traumatic brain injury is the result of a sudden or violent blow or jolt to the head. While not all blows to the head result in a brain injury, it is imperative to obtain an accurate diagnosis of any brain injuries resulting from a serious accident, such as an auto accident. Lawsuits involving brain injuries can involve a number of complex legal and factual issues.
A traumatic brain injury can involve serious and lifelong consequences. A brain injury victim likely faces mounting medical bills, and may be unable to work for a long period of time. Depending on the factual circumstances surrounding the accident that caused the brain injury, you may be entitled to recover compensation for the cost of future care, present and future medical bills, loss of income and benefits, loss of enjoyment of life, disability, pain and suffering and special accommodations to homes and vehicles. Personal injury lawsuits involving brain injuries include a number of complex legal issues, making it crucial to enlist the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney like the Chicago brain injury attorneys at Steinberg Goodman & Kalish.
State law provides the applicable statute of limitations for brain injury lawsuits. The statute of limitations provides time limitations during which a personal injury lawsuit can be filed. Accordingly, if you have suffered a brain injury, it is essential to contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney as soon as possible so that all statute of limitations deadlines are met.
When seeking a personal injury attorney to represent you in your brain injury lawsuit, you should inquire about the firm’s experience with complex lawsuits such as those involving traumatic brain injuries, the cost of pursuing a brain injury lawsuit, and the general timeline for a brain injury lawsuit in your state.
An experienced brain injury lawyer can assess the complicated legal issues that may be involved in your brain injury lawsuit and can undertake the necessary factual investigation, including consulting with the appropriate medical professionals to determine the extent of your brain injuries.
Steinberg Goodman & Kalish (www.sgklawyers.com) is dedicated to protecting victims and their families. We handle medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, wrongful death, auto accidents, professional negligence, birth trauma, and railroad law matters. Contact us at (800) 784-0150 or (312) 782-1386.
If you have been injured in a personal injury incident, such as an auto accident, trucking accident or medical malpractice, you are likely angry and confused. You are facing mounting medical bills and perhaps even a loss of income due to the inability to work. You want justice for the pain, injuries and damages you have suffered due to the negligence of another person, but you may be apprehensive about the legal process for seeking compensation. The following is a brief summary of the basics of a personal injury lawsuit and how victims can obtain the compensation that they need and deserve.
Hiring an Attorney
Personal injury lawsuits involve an area of law called “tort law,” which includes complex legal issues such as negligence, strict liability, product liability, and premises liability. Tort laws vary from state to state so it is important to hire an attorney that understands the laws of the state in which the lawsuit will be filed. At Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish, we are well-versed in the various tort laws of Illinois and we have considerable experience representing clients in complex personal injury lawsuits, including those involving medical malpractice, brain injuries, nursing home abuse, wrongful death, serious automobile accidents and commercial trucking accidents.
Filing a Complaint
After you have hired an experienced Illinois personal injury lawyer, the first step in initiating a legal procedure is to file a complaint. The complaint is the first document filed with the court and it identifies the parties involved in the lawsuit, explains the basis for jurisdiction, lists the legal claims of the plaintiff, and describes the facts giving rise to the lawsuit. The complaint will also include a section in which the plaintiff will specify the type of relief he or she is seeking and the amount of damages requested.
It is important to file a timely complaint since there are time limitations, called statutes of limitations, on when a lawsuit can be filed following an accident. The applicable statute of limitations varies depending on the specifics of the lawsuit and a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help to ensure that your lawsuit is filed in a timely manner.
Defendant’s Answer
After the plaintiff has filed a complaint, the defendant must file an answer within a specified time period. The answer is the defendant’s opportunity to respond to each of the specific claims set forth in the complaint. The defendant may also include counterclaims (claims the defendant asserts against the plaintiff) or affirmative defenses (legal reasons why the defendant should not be held liable for the injury or damages suffered by the plaintiff) in the answer.
If he or she fails to file an answer, the plaintiff will receive a summary judgment, in which the court will award the plaintiff the relief that he or she requested.
Fact Discovery
After the initial court documents are filed, either party may request that the case be dismissed for a variety of reasons. If the case is not dismissed or the parties do not settle their dispute, the lawsuit will enter the discovery phase of litigation. During the discovery phase, each party has an opportunity to question the parties and witnesses of the other side. The parties may also request documents and other information regarding the accident or incident giving rise to the lawsuit.
Settlement or Trial
Oftentimes parties will settle their dispute during the discovery phase of the lawsuit, but if they are unable to reach a settlement, the case will proceed to trial. Because a personal injury trial is a complex legal proceeding, it is crucial to have a skilled and experienced personal injury attorney in your corner. The Chicago, Illinois personal injury attorneys at Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish have represented countless clients in complex personal injury lawsuits and we have the experience necessary to pursue your personal injury lawsuit through trial, if necessary.
Steinberg Goodman & Kalish (www.sgklawyers.com) is dedicated to protecting victims and their families. We handle medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, wrongful death, auto accidents, professional negligence, birth trauma, and railroad law matters. Contact us at (800) 784-0150 or (312) 782-1386.
Chicago bicyclists are no longer permitted to text or talk on a cell phone while riding a bicycle. On Wednesday, October 5, 2001, the Chicago City Council voted to ban talking or texting on a cellphone without a hands-free device while bicycling. The ban will go into effect in November 2011, and violators face fines of $20 to $50 for a first offense. Fines will increase for each subsequent violation. If the offense results in a traffic accident, the fine could be as much as $500.
In this article, Ald. Margaret Laurino (39th) who proposed the ordinance lauded the measure as “common sense” after having “seen people riding and texting with both hands.”
Texting or talking on a cell phone while riding a bicycle may seem to be a relative harmless activity, but it can be nearly as dangerous as texting while driving. Distracted bikers may swerve into oncoming traffic and trigger an auto accident between other vehicles on the road who try to avoid hitting the bicyclist. A distracted bicyclist could also collide with a motor vehicle on the road, potentially causing substantial injuries to the bicyclists and property damage to the vehicle.
It is also important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney if you have been in an auto or bike accident. The Chicago auto accident attorneys at Steinberg Goodman & Kalish are committed to promoting safe driving practices, which also includes safe biking practices as bicyclists share the road with motorists. If you or a loved one has been in a bike or car accident, contact the knowledgeable Chicago personal injury lawyers at Steinberg Goodman & Kalish to discuss a possible personal injury lawsuit.
Steinberg Goodman & Kalish (www.sgklawyers.com) is dedicated to protecting victims and their families. We handle medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, wrongful death, auto accidents, professional negligence, birth trauma, and railroad law matters. Contact us at (800) 784-0150 or (312) 782-1386.
Whiplash commonly occurs in auto accidents and trucking accidents, but it can also occur in contact sports, such as football. Whiplash is caused when the head is violently thrust backward (hyperextension) and forward (hyperflexion), causing damage to the neck. Whiplash injuries may be exacerbated if the neck is turned to the side at the time the head is thrown forward and backward. Whiplash can cause injuries to intervertebral joints, discs and ligaments.
Whiplash can include a number of long-lasting and wide-ranging symptoms, including neck pain and stiffness, headaches, shoulder pain and stiffness, jaw pain, fatigue, dizziness, arm pain and weakness, vision problems, ringing in the ears, and back pain. In severe cases, whiplash can also lead to a number of whiplash associated symptoms and medical problems, including depression, anger, stress, drug dependency, post-traumatic stress disorder, and insomnia.
Whiplash frequently occurs in rear-end collisions. Following the auto accident, you may feel little or no pain at all. Sometimes symptoms of whiplash injuries do not develop until the days, weeks or months following the car accident. Pain associated with whiplash pain may also subside and return again at a later date.
If you are in a car accident, especially a rear-end collision, you should consider seeking medical attention even if you are experiencing little or no pain. A medical professional will conduct a complete medical examination, including orthopedic and chiropractic tests, x-rays, range of motion and muscle strength tests, as well as diagnostic ultrasound tests if necessary. Whiplash injuries are typically treated through various chiropractic techniques that are designed to rehabilitate the injured tissues in order to eliminate or minimize pain and to restore the desired function.
It is also important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney if you have been in an auto accident. The Chicago auto accident attorneys at Steinberg Goodman & Kalish are experienced personal injury attorneys who can help you protect you recover for your injuries or damages following an auto or trucking accident. If you or a loved one has suffered a whiplash, or other head injury as a result of an auto or trucking accident, contact the knowledgeable Chicago personal injury lawyers at Steinberg Goodman & Kalish to discuss a possible personal injury lawsuit.
Steinberg Goodman & Kalish (www.sgklawyers.com) is dedicated to protecting victims and their families. We handle medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, wrongful death, auto accidents, professional negligence, birth trauma, and railroad law matters. Contact us at (800) 784-0150 or (312) 782-1386.
