2011 April Archive

Motorcycle riding is a favored activity in the spring and summer months, but it can also be a very dangerous. Being a licensed and seasoned motorcyclist can’t always prevent a Chicago motorcycle accident because it is very often the actions of other motorists that are sharing the road that cause a crash. But following these important safety guidelines can help motorcyclists avoid a serious accident:

• Wear appropriate clothing and protective gear, namely full-face helmet, reinforced gloves, sturdy/padded jacket, and sturdy pants. A motorcyclist is not protected by their vehicle as other motorists are.
• Drive defensively. Many motorists have no idea they are sharing the road with a motorcycle and won’t look for one when maneuvering. If a motorcyclist is aware of other drivers and what they are doing, they decrease the risk of being hit.
• Take a safety course before heading back onto the road. If you haven’t been riding in a while, it is a good idea to take a refresher course so that you are better prepared when heading back onto the road.
• Take proper training courses and get your motorcycle license. Never ride a motorcycle without knowing how to ride, or the laws of riding. An inexperienced and/or unlicensed motorcyclist can easily and seriously injury themselves as well as others.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motorcycle crash caused by a negligent driver, the experienced Illinois motorcycle accident lawyers at The Bradley Law Firm can determine the validity of your claim and help you recover fair compensation for your losses. Contact us today for a no-cost, confidential consultation at 312-252-1488.

After numerous appeals by Chicago bicyclists and The Active Transportation Alliance advocacy group, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is now required to record all dooring accidents, as ordered by Illinois Governor, Pat Quinn. According to The Chicago Tribune, the new rules will be announced in early May, but will take effect immediately. This new policy is a starting point to help reduce the number of injuries and deaths caused by Illinois bicycle dooring accidents.

Creating better public awareness of dooring accidents through improved tracking will help both drivers and bicyclists stay safe on the road, whether they are in motion or not. With this new measure in place, it is particularly important that bicyclists follow Illinois biking laws and safety guidelines, including:

• Generally, bicyclists have all the rights and responsibilities of other drivers and must abide by the same traffic laws;
• A bicyclist must keep as close as safety and practicality allows to the right-hand curb of a road or bike path when riding at less than normal traffic speed;
• Riding more than two abreast is prohibited except in specially designated parts of the roadway exclusive to cyclists;
• A bicyclist must use proper hand signals when turning and stopping or slowing down;
• Using eye contact with drivers (and signaling) can help them know what a bicyclist is doing;
• Bicyclists should always wear a helmet; and
• Becoming adept at quickly looking over one’s shoulder can help a cyclist be aware of the flow of traffic.

Drivers also need to make sure to follow traffic laws be aware of their surroundings. One of the most important safety tips for drivers that can prevent multiple types of bicycle accidents, including doorings, is:

Always look in your mirrors and check blind spots before changing direction or speed while the car is in motion, and always check your mirror and look over your shoulder before you open a road-side door when getting out of the car.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an Illinois bicycle crash because a driver did not follow the traffic laws or proper safety guidelines, they may be considered negligent and held responsible for the losses resulting from your injuries. Our experienced Chicago bicycle crash lawyers at The Bradley Law Firm can inform you of your legal rights and determine the validity of your claim. Call us today at 312-252-1488 for a free confidential consultation.

Since the installation of a red-light camera at the intersection of southbound Cass Avenue and westbound Naperville Road in March of 2009, the village of Westmont has seen increased revenue, fewer traffic citations, and fewer accidents. According to MySuburbanLife.com, since the cameras began rolling, police have issued 2,807 citations at $100 each, adding up to a total of $280,700. The Illinois red-light camera has also positively influenced driver safety.

According to the news report, police are issuing fewer citations for Illinois traffic violations each year since the implementation of the red-light camera. These decreased citation numbers indicate that motorists are driving more safely and cautiously through the intersection (at least in the direction of the camera). Illinois car accidents have also decreased at that intersection in the direction of the camera, though not in the other direction.

Traffic accidents in Illinois occur predominantly on city streets, especially when there is no type of traffic control. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) 2009 Crash Data, there were 117,683 traffic accidents on city streets and 48,917 accidents on rural roads, totaling 292,106 Illinois traffic accidents. Of this number, 28,946 occurred in areas without traffic controls, no controls being the logical scenario for a crash. However, 18,024 accidents occurred in intersections with a traffic signal. This is more unusual considering the traffic signal is there to guide motorists. With increasing driver safety and the implementation of red-light cameras, this number should decrease in coming years.

Recovering from an Illinois auto accident injury can be a long, difficult, and financially arduous process. However, if the injury was caused by a negligent driver, you may be able to seek compensation by filing an Illinois personal injury claim against the at-fault party. The skilled Chicago traffic accident injury attorneys of The Bradley Law Firm can help you understand your legal rights and determine the validity of your claim. For a free confidential consultation, call us at 312-252-1488.

More than 4.7 million people a year are bitten by a dog nationwide, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many of these bites could be prevented by proper dog safety education. For this reason, the CDC, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and the United States Postal Service (USPS) will be working to educate Americans about dog bite prevention during National Dog Bite Prevention Week in May.

Each year, about 800,000 Americans sustain dog bite injuries, and half of this number is children, largely ages five to nine years. Dog bites and dog attacks can happen at a home or outside, but following certain guidelines can help protect dog owners from being sued in civil court as well as prevent an Illinois dog bite injury:

• Dogs with histories of aggression are inappropriate in a household with children, or a household where children visit, especially young children;
• Spend time with a dog before buying or rescuing it, with the entire household if possible;
• Properly train and socialize any dog entering the household;
• Seek immediate professional advice if the dog displays seemingly aggressive or undesirable behaviors;
• Maintain appropriate security so that the dog cannot leave your property;
• Feed, treat and socialize the dog appropriately as a neglected dog can become aggressive;
• Do not play aggressively with a dog, especially one that does not know you;
• Never approach an unfamiliar dog, especially if it is displaying aggression (i.e. growling, raised hackles);
• Do not run and scream from a dog (it will chase you);
• Do not disturb a dog, especially an unknown dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies; and
• Stand your ground, without making eye contact with a dog, and allow it to sniff you before touching it.

If an Illinois dog owner does not follow these guidelines and their dog bites and/or injures a person without provocation, whether on their property or outside their property, the owner can be held liable for the injured victims’ medical expenses, loss of wages, physical pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite as the result of a negligent dog owner, the experienced Chicago dog bite injury attorneys at The Bradley Law Firm can help you determine the best course of legal action. Contact us today at 312-252-1488 for a confidential consultation at no-cost.

A new bill in Illinois, if passed, would automatically deny workers’ compensation claims filed by people who cause accidents, according to STLToday.com. The bill was introduced in response to the case of a former Illinois State Trooper that filed a workers’ compensation claim for injuries sustained in a crash he caused when he lost control of his squad car while talking on his cell phone and speeding needlessly. His squad car crossed the meridian of Interstate 64 and hit an oncoming car, killing both occupants. He pleaded guilty to reckless homicide and aggravated reckless driving and his workers’ compensation claim was denied.

The proposed bill amends Section 11 of the Workers’ Compensation Act as follows:

“No employee shall be entitled to additional compensation…or attorney’s fees…when the employee has been charged with a forcible felony, aggravated driving under the influence, or reckless homicide that caused an accident resulting in the death or severe injury of another person and the employer terminates benefits or refuses to pay benefits to the employee until the termination of any pending criminal proceedings.”

The new legislation may have a large impact on injured workers in Illinois who file or plan to file workers’ compensation claims. If this bill becomes law, Illinois workplace accident injuries will be even more fully investigated than before so as to prevent at-fault parties from receiving benefits. It is possible that Illinois employers may even push an investigation towards that end. These new workers’ compensation factors, compounded on the existing ones, can create a very complicated and confusing situation for an injured worker in Illinois.

Retaining the service of a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer that fully understands the ins and outs of workers’ compensation laws would ensure that an injured worker receives just compensation for their injuries and accident-related losses. The experienced Chicago workers’ compensation attorneys at The Bradley Law Firm can inform you of your legal rights and help you through the claim process. For a free confidential consultation on your case, call us at 312-252-1488.

Three Abengoa Bioenergy employees suffered burn injuries as a result of a workplace fire at an ethanol plant in Madison on April 11, according to FoxNews.com. The flash fire was caused by an explosion in a “plastic tote” container, which was being filled with a substance used in ethanol production. The three employees were working in a maintenance shed next to the container at the time of the explosion.

The fire had burned out by the time the Madison Fire Department arrived; however, the three employees that were caught in the fire suffered burn injuries. Two of them were transported to an Illinois hospital with minor burns to the head and neck, but the third, who sustained severe burns on his lower extremities, was taken to St. John’s Mercy Burn Center in Missouri. The Fairview Heights office of The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the cause of the explosion.

Burn injuries can be excruciatingly painful, and can require extensive medical treatment. If an Illinois worker suffers a burn injury on the job, then they may file an Illinois workers’ compensation injury claim so that they are compensated for the time taken off of work to recover. When the workplace accident is caused by the negligence or recklessness of another, the injured worker may also have the option of filing a third-party claim. This is not limited to workplace accidents, however. Anyone who has suffered a burn injury due to the negligence of another person or entity could potentially seek legal action.

If you or a loved one has sustained a burn injury on account of another’s negligence or recklessness, the knowledgeable Chicago burn injury attorneys at The Bradley Law Firm can provide you with the legal guidance you need in such a difficult time. Call today for a free confidential consultation at 312-252-1488.

A man from Chicago died in the early morning of April 6, succumbing to the injuries caused by a two-car crash in Melrose Park the week before, according to The Chicago Tribune. The man was injured when he collided into a 2007 Ford Taurus with his 1987 Oldsmobile. The Illinois intersection accident occurred at about 6:30 a.m. at North Avenue and 22nd Avenue. The Oldsmobile was travelling east on North Avenue when it hit the Ford, whose young woman driver was turning onto North Avenue. No citations have been issued as the cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Following Illinois right-of-way traffic laws, especially while turning, is essential to preventing auto accidents. In Illinois, a driver must yield in various scenarios, including yielding to oncoming traffic when making a left-hand turn and yielding to the vehicle on the right if two vehicles on different roadways reach an uncontrolled intersection at the same time. If an injury car crash is the result of a negligent driver who violated Illinois right-of-way laws, that driver can be held responsible for the financial burden medical expenses placed on injured victims.

The experienced Chicago auto accident lawyers at The Bradley Law Firm know how difficult a car crash injury can be. We have successfully represented many car accident injury victims, recovering financial compensation for the losses and damages victims have suffered. For a free, confidential consultation and to learn more about your legal options contact us today at 312-252-1488.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a potential 71,043 certain model 2011 Jettas, manufactured from March 2010 through March 2011, will be recalled by Volkswagen America, Inc. beginning in May due to an electrical system malfunction.

The particular problem in the Jetta’s faulty electrical wiring and fuse layout is that the same fuse used by the signal horn and the anti-theft alarm system also protects the converter box. Should that fuse be blown, the converter box will become disconnected from the power supply, thus interrupting or completely shutting off various vehicle applications, such as the engine management system, lighting system, and windshield wipers.

The results of an unpredictable vehicle application shut down can be very serious for Illinois drivers. If the malfunction occurs while the vehicle is in motion, the windshield wipers or headlights may fail to work or the engine could stall, greatly increasing the risk of a sudden Illinois auto accident. This would be especially dangerous in the winter months when there is inclement weather.

Auto manufacturers have a responsibility to their consumers to provide an efficient, well-built, and, most importantly, safe vehicle. It is their job to ensure that their vehicles are constructed and electrically wired to the highest safety standards. When a defective auto component results in a car crash in Illinois, the manufacturer can be held liable for the financial losses and emotional suffering of all injured victims. Attempting to recover medical expenses from an auto manufacturer can be a very long and complicated process. Speaking to an experienced Illinois auto product liability lawyer can help you through such a difficult time.

If you have been injured in a traffic accident due to defective auto manufacturing or design, the knowledgeable Chicago product liability attorneys of The Bradley Law firm can help you understand your legal rights and will advise you on the best course of legal action for your case. For a free confidential consultation, call 312-252-1488.