2012 April Archive

Two suffered minor injuries after a prisoner bus collided with another prisoner bus on the Stevenson Expressway, according to WLSAM.com. Three buses were transporting 106 detainees from the Cook County Jail to Stateville Prison around 8 a.m. on April 27 on the outbound Stevenson, just south of Pulaski. A fourth bus was also part of the convoy in the event that one of the other buses suffered a mechanic failure. One of the buses was not able to stop in time as traffic slowed on the expressway, and it struck the lead bus.

One police officer and one detainee endured only minor injuries as a result of the crash, and both were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment. The remaining 105 detainees were put back on the buses to go back to Cook County Jail to ensure they were not injured, and will then get back on the road to Stateville Prison.

An investigation is forthcoming. A spokesman for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office explains that the buses used to transport detainees are equipped with new technology that will enable investigators to see if there was anything going on in the bus that may have effected its ability to stop or something the driver could have done to prevent the collision, which will aid in the official investigation.

Bus accidents can cause very serious injury to the vehicle’s occupants, and when the collision was caused by another person’s negligent actions, the injured party has the legal right to pursue compensation from those responsible. An experienced bus accident attorney in Chicago at the Bradley Law Firm can help if you have been injured in an IL bus crash. To discuss your case with a member of our law team, call (312) 252-1488.

Any accident that involves head trauma is very serious, and there are a number of different types of head injuries that a person may endure. One specific type is a closed head injury, which is any injury to the head that does not penetrate the skull. A closed head injury is typically caused by a blow to the head, and it often occurs as a result of an assault, a fall, or a traffic accident. There are unfortunately several risks associated with this type of injury; for example, a strong blow can cause brain swelling, which can lead to permanent brain damage.

There are a few different types of closed head injuries, and the extent of the patient’s brain damage will depend on the severity of the injury. This type of injury can range from mild to severe, and can lead to serious brain damage or perhaps even be fatal. Here is information on four different types of closed head injuries:

1. Concussion: A concussion is a type of head injury that may temporarily affect normal brain functions. Most tend to be mild and do not cause loss of consciousness.
2. Diffuse axonal injury: A very debilitating type of traumatic brain injury that can cause permanent damage to the nerves in the brain. This injury is often caused by high speed transportation accidents.
3. Brain contusion: A brain contusion is bruising of the brain tissue that occurs due to brain trauma. These are present in 20 to 30 percent of severe head injuries.
4. Intracranial hematoma: This occurs when a person’s brain is forced against the inside of the skull. The three types include: epidural, subdural, and intraparenchymal.

A closed head injury can require costly treatment, including surgery, and even extensive rehabilitation for a patient to regain basic motor and cognitive skills. If you have suffered from a closed head injury that was caused by another party’s negligent actions, you can legally pursue compensation from the at-fault person and a closed head injury lawyer in Chicago at the Bradley Law Firm can help. Call (312) 252-1488 to discuss your case with us.

As the mercury rises, Illinois residents are eagerly awaiting warmer temperatures and planning what fun summer activities to do under the sun. Recreational boating is a popular and enjoyable way to spend time on the state’s beautiful rivers and lakes, but boating safety is essential and it is imperative for boaters to remember basic safety tips. According to 2003 data from the United States Coast Guard, of the nearly 13 million registered boats, 5,438 boating accidents were reported, which caused 703 fatalities, 3,888 injuries, and more than $40 million in property damage.

There are a number of things that may cause an IL boating accident, but understanding some of the more common causes can help you avoid a dangerous mishap on the water. Here are some of the factors that commonly cause a high seas accident:

1. Alcohol: More than one-third of all boating accidents involve a driver who is under the influence. In addition to being dangerous, all states penalize boaters who are under the influence and a person may face hefty fines or imprisonment.
2. Boater inexperience: Boating accidents are very likely to occur when an inexperienced boater encounters conditions that are dangerous or unfamiliar. Boating safety classes can help novice boaters understand their boat and the necessary safety rules to follow.
3. Inclement weather: Severe weather can absolutely cause a boating accident. Examples of severe weather include strong winds, heavy rains, sunlight (which can cause heat exhaustion), or lightning (which can electrocute passengers).
4. Carbon monoxide: A boat’s engine can produce carbon monoxide which can cause death or serious illness if those on board are exposed to a high enough concentration.

The Chicago boating accident attorneys of the Bradley Law Firm hope everyone has a safe and fun-filled summer! If you are, unfortunately, injured in a boating accident, our experienced legal team can help you obtain compensation for your injuries and losses. Call (312) 252-1488 to speak with us about your case.

According to a Los Angeles Times report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has stepped up their investigation into the BMW 7-Series luxury cars. The inquiry covers almost 122,000 BMWs from the 2002 to 2008 model years. During the eight-month investigation, which began in August, safety regulators have discovered 16 crashes and five injuries caused by the vehicle’s transmission control problems. The cars have a push-button start and electronic transmission controls, and in some cases owners believed their car was in park when it was actually in neutral. The NHTSA states in its reports that, basically, the car may roll away unexpectedly and crash due to the alleged defect.

The NHTSA has officially upgraded the BMW inquiry to an engineering analysis, which brings it one step closer to a recall, in order to further “assess the potential safety consequences of the alleged defect.” Documents from the safety agency indicate that BMW has received 50 complaints about the problem. In one complaint, the driver of a 2002 745Li said the car was parked at a daycare center near Atlanta when it rolled approximately 40 yards and crashed into a nearby embankment. Another instance saw a driver’s parked vehicle, a 2006 750 BMW, roll backward about 100 feet and crash into a lamppost. Fortunately, no one was injured in either case.

BMW has thus far been unable to diagnose the failure, and the automaker is fully cooperating with the NHTSA’s investigation.

Automobile makers have the responsibility to produce a vehicle that is completely safe for consumer use. One small defect, however, can cause a deadly accident and cost an innocent person his or her life. If you have been injured by a defective auto part, seeking legal assistance from a skilled Illinois product liability lawyer can help ensure your rights are protected throughout your case. At the Bradley Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping consumers harmed by a dangerous product obtain compensation for their injuries and losses. To discuss your case with us, please call (312) 252-1488.

The State Journal-Register reports that a semi truck crash in Springfield slowed traffic for approximately two hours on April 11. According to Illinois State Police, the semi was traveling northbound on Interstate 55 at 10 a.m. when the driver went off the road and proceeded to plow through the center median. The semi, operated by a 25-year-old driver from Indiana, then crashed into a flatbed that was being pulled by a pickup truck heading northbound. The pickup truck was driven by a 52-year-old resident of Champaign.

Following the collision, the big rig drove down an embankment near the Stevenson Drive exit and southbound lanes of the highway. The 25-year-old semi truck driver told police that his truck began pulling to the left for an unknown reason, and a safety inspection on the large vehicle is pending. Both vehicles involved in the collision were towed from the scene of the accident and the semi driver was cited for improper lane usage. Traffic was significantly slowed on the southbound side of I-55 as authorities cleaned up the crash.

Truck accidents can be caused for a number of reasons, including improper maintenance and faulty inspections. When a truck crash is caused by the negligence of another, the truck accident victim has the right to pursue compensation from any at-fault parties. The truck accident lawyers in Illinois with the Bradley Law Firm are committed to helping accident victims get the compensation they need to recover. For assistance with your truck accident claim, call (312) 252-1488.

Technology can indeed be a wonderful thing. With millions of Americans using their smart phones for everything including checking e-mails, watching movies, or communicating with friends and family, cell phones are a very handy device that allows a person to stay connected. However, using a cell phone while behind the wheel of a vehicle can lead to a dangerous Illinois auto accident and result in life-threatening injuries. Distraction.gov reports that approximately 448,000 individuals in the U.S. were injured as a result of a distracted driving accident and 5,474 were killed in 2009.

Though there a number of things that can distract a driver, such as eating or changing the radio, cell phones are one of the most dangerous and may cause a motorist to miss 50 percent of their driving environment if they are using it , including traffic lights and stop signs. Research indicates that drivers talking on cell phones are four times more likely to crash and texting increases the chances of being involved in an auto accident by up to 23 times. In honor of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, drivers in Illinois and across the country should take the pledge to drive cell free this April and beyond.

In order to drive cell free and protect your life and the lives of other motorists, the National Safety Council suggests turning your phone off or silencing it so you are not tempted to use it when driving. Existing technology can also help prevent cell phone use; for example, certain smart phone applications can hold your calls and messages and deliver them after you are finished driving. Also, encourage friends and family to pledge to drive cell free as well, and if you notice them using their phone while driving, offer your help if it is urgent or ask them to please use their phone later.

Distracted driving is very dangerous, and though you may make a personal pledge to try and prevent it, other drivers may not take their safety and the safety of others seriously. If a negligent driver was the cause of a car accident you were involved in, contact a skilled Chicago car accident lawyer who can help hold at-fault parties responsible for their actions. At the Bradley Law Firm, we are committed to protecting the rights of accident victims. For a no-cost consultation, call (312) 252-1488.

Ryan Bradley, an Illinois personal injury lawyer, recognizes how serious a workplace injury can be and the detrimental impact it can have on an employee’s life. Annually, an estimated 4.1 million people in the U.S. suffer from an occupation-related illness or injury, and more than two million are injured severely enough that they must miss work and need ongoing medical care. In addition, there are approximately 1,000 deaths per year caused by either a work-related injury or occupational disease.

These alarming statistics show the need for all Illinois workers, whether behind a desk or at a construction site, to understand the common causes of workplace injuries in order to try and prevent them. Workers-comp-news.com offers the following information:

1. Automobile accidents: On-the-job auto accidents are astonishingly the leading cause of workplace fatalities in the U.S. Anyone who uses a vehicle for work is at risk for this type of accident, such as a pizza delivery person involved in a crash while working or a delivery truck driver.
2. Lifting injuries: Any worker is at risk for this injury, but those in nursing, manufacturing, and transportation are at a much higher risk. Almost a third of workplace injuries result in musculoskeletal disorders, which are frequently caused by lifting, and any person who suffers from this type of injury may experience severe back or muscle pain.
3. Falls from heights: Falls are a very common workplace injury and also a leading cause of work-related deaths, particularly among individuals who work in construction, agricultural, or mining industries. Falls can result in painful, long lasting injuries, and can be caused by hazards such as greasy floors or unstable equipment.
4. Heavy equipment: A number of jobs, such as manufacturing or construction, require a worker to use heavy equipment that can make a job very dangerous. Equipment should be well-maintained and in good condition, and workers should be properly trained to use it.

The unfortunate possibility of being injured at work is something all employees should be aware of, and prevention and safety can help one avoid an accident. However, if you are injured or develop an occupational illness, workers’ compensation is a system established to aid in recovery. If you need assistance with an IL workers’ compensation claim, Ryan Bradley of the Bradley Law Firm is an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Chicago who can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Call (312) 252-1488 to schedule a free consultation.

According to a MyFOXChicago.com report, two children were killed in a tragic hit and run car accident on the southwest side of Chicago. The multi vehicle Chicago auto accident began when the driver of an SUV was in a minor fender bender with another car at the intersection of 45th and Western around 6:30 p.m.; however, the SUV driver simply drove off at a high rate of speed heading south on Western. The SUV then proceeded to crash into an oncoming Dodge Neon approximately 100 yards away from the scene of the first accident. Emergency crews arrived and first began to treat the occupants of the SUV before witnesses at the accident scene pointed out the badly injured children in the Neon.

Official reports indicate that the two children in the Neon were 5-years-old and 10-months-old. Both were immediately taken to area hospitals for treatment, but heartbreakingly both siblings succumbed to their injuries. The 10-month old sister was pronounced dead at 7:36 p.m. at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, while the brother was pronounced dead 21 minutes later at Mount Sinai Hospital. The driver of the SUV was arrested and taken to an area hospital for treatment. The Major Accidents Investigation Unit of the Chicago Police Department is investigating this crash.

Being involved in a hit-and-run accident can be devastating and can make getting compensation to aid in recovery very difficult. At the Bradley Law Firm, our skilled Illinois hit and run accident attorneys are committed to helping hit and run accident victims obtain the compensation they deserve and will stay on top of the official investigation to ensure any at-fault parties are held responsible. For a complimentary consultation with a member of our law team, please call (312) 252-1488.