Drunk Driving Accident

The Evanston Patch reports that law enforcement in Evanston will be out in force targeting those who are not wearing seat belts and drunk drivers. The increased enforcement will begin June 22 and will run through Independence Day on July 4 and is part of two statewide safety campaigns: “Independence Day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket.” Evanston is one of 200 communities throughout Illinois participating in the enforcement campaigns, which is part of an effort funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation using “federal traffic safety dollars.”

As part of the campaigns, police will focus their efforts on late night enforcement. Data released by the Illinois Department of Transportation and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that the deadliest time on IL roads is between midnight to 3 a.m., which is often due to the number of impaired drivers and seatbelt law violators on the road during late night hours.

An Evanston Police commander stresses that since Fourth of July is one of the deadliest holidays, largely due to the increase in drunk driving, officers “will be out in force this Fourth of July showing zero tolerance for drunk drivers.”

The drunk driving lawyers in Illinois of the Bradley Law Firm urge all Illinois motorists to designate a sober driver when celebrating this summer or choose a safe ride home, such as a taxi or a train. However, we understand that all drunk driving accidents can unfortunately not be prevented. If you have been injured in an accident involving a drunk driver, schedule a no-cost consultation with a member of our legal team to discuss your legal options by calling (312) 252-1488.

The St. Patrick’s Day holiday, which originated in Ireland to commemorate Saint Patrick, is now celebrated across the U.S. with green-inspired regalia, festive parades, and traditional food and drink. St. Patrick’s Day festivities will certainly be in full swing all over Illinois, so officials are encouraging partygoers to plan transportation in advance in order to celebrate safe. Thousands of innocent people are killed each year due to impaired drivers, approximately one person every 48 minutes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), so it is imperative that IL residents celebrate safely this St. Patrick’s Day and year-round, as well.

As drinking alcoholic beverages has become part of celebrating this Irish holiday, Mysuburbanlife.com offers these following safety tips for those taking part in the many festivities which will be underway this weekend.

• Make a prevention plan: Create a plan either for yourself or with friends for how to get home after celebrating. Designate a sober driver if anyone plans to take their own wheels, or use public transportation to avoid being in a dangerous DUI accident. It is important to make a plan before going out, as your judgment may be impaired later if you decide to have a few drinks.
• How to get back home: Partygoers can use the Metra Rail System, which has trains going to Chicago suburbs, or the “L” that has scheduled transportation all over the city. Also, simply hailing a cab will get you home safe and sound, but be sure to program the number of your favorite cab company into your phone before heading out.
• Staying safe on the roads: If you see a driver who is driving erratically and may be intoxicated, alert law enforcement immediately. Also, never ride in a vehicle with a person who has been drinking, and try to take the keys of a friend or fellow St. Paddy’s Day partygoer who has been drinking and is trying to drive. Watching out for the safety of others is also key in preventing a DUI accident.

The drunk driving accident lawyers in Illinois of the Bradley Law Firm encourage all drivers to celebrate safely by following these tips. However, not all IL motorists may be responsible behind the wheel, which can have disastrous results. If you have been involved in a drunk driving collision caused by the negligence of another person, our skilled legal team will help you hold at-fault parties accountable for their actions. Call (312) 252-1488 for a free consultation.

Illinois police officials report that an auto accident in Dekalb which resulted in one fatality may have been caused by drunk driving, according to The Chicago Tribune. The crash occurred on February 19 around 4 a.m. when the deceased victim drove his Hyundai sedan into the rear of a semi-trailer near the campus of Northern Illinois University. The 21-year-old driver was killed, while the two passengers in the vehicle were injured.

Both passengers were taken to area hospitals for treatment; one, who is the 29-year-old brother of the driver, is presently listed in critical condition. Authorities now report that open containers of alcohol were found in the vehicle, leading officials to believe alcohol may have played a part in this deadly crash.

According to 2009 data from The Century Council, a group committed to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking, there were a total of 319 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in Illinois. Seventy percent of these fatalities involved drivers with a high BAC (blood alcohol content), specifically, .15 or higher. In addition, there were a total of 4,250 arrests for driving under the influence in 2009. Though a recent report shows the number of IL drunk driving fatalities has decreased, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) ranks Illinois as the 29th highest state for DUI-related deaths, indicating the need for the state’s drivers to be more cautious and prevent drunk driving by designating a sober driver, taking a cab, or using public transportation.

When someone chooses to drink and get behind the wheel, he or she will not only endanger themselves, but anyone else on the road. If you have been injured or lost a loved in an alcohol-related crash, the Chicago drunk driving accident lawyers with the Bradley Law Firm will work to ensure you get justice and receive the compensation you deserve to move forward after a devastating accident. Call (312) 252-1488 to discuss your case with a member of our law team.

Salem-news.com reports that a new campaign launched by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is aimed at preventing the dangerous drunk driving accidents that may occur at Super Bowl Sunday parties around the country. With the slogan “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk,” the NHTSA and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), with support from the National Football League (NFL) and Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management (TEAM), launched an anti-drunk driving campaign to urge football fans to not let drunk driving penalize their Super Bowl plans.

According to the NHTSA, Super Bowl Sunday has become one of the nation’s most dangerous days on the road due to impaired driving. Forty-eight percent of fatalities nationwide on Super Bowl Sunday involve a driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. In 2010, 31 percent of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the U.S. were alcohol impaired driving-related. To prevent a serious drunk driving accident from occurring, the NHTSA offers these tips for party hosts or pigskin fans watching at a sports bar or restaurant:

For Party Hosts

• Make sure any party-goers designate a driver before the big game begins, or help arrange ride sharing with sober drivers.
• Serve lots of food, and try to have non-alcoholic beverage options for guests.
• For anyone thinking of driving after they have been drinking, keep the numbers of cab companies handy for a safe ride home, or if possible, allow guests to spend the night if they are unable to drive.

For Fans Watching the Game at a Party or Public Place

• Designate a sober driver before the game begins and give that person your keys, or call a cab, a friend, or a family member to come pick you up if unable to drive when you are ready to go.
• Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself, and be sure to eat food and alternate with non-alcoholic beverages.

Following these safety tips can ensure that your guests, or you if you are a partygoer, get home safely on game day. However, another person may choose to get behind the wheel after drinking, which can result in a serious, life-threatening accident. If you have been involved in a drunk driving accident in Illinois, the drunk driving accident attorneys in Chicago with the Bradley Law Firm can help you obtain compensation for your injuries and hold any responsible parties accountable. Call (312) 252-1488 for a complimentary consultation.

The Chicago Tribune reports that, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the number of deaths from accidents involving alcohol-impaired drivers has declined in the state since 2006. IDOT statistics show that there were 446 deaths related to impaired driving in 2006, and as of 2010, there were only 298 deaths involving alcohol on IL roadways.

The data was released by IDOT to remind motorists that there will be strict enforcement of drunk driving laws during this holiday season, especially the weekend of New Year’s. The Tribune notes that more than 200 police and sheriff departments plan to cooperate with Illinois State Police to conduct nearly “100 roadside safety checks, 400 safety belt enforcement zones, and hundreds of additional impaired driving and nighttime safety belt patrols.”

When celebrating this holiday season in Illinois, follow these simple tips to prevent a dangerous IL drunk driving accident:

• Never ride in a car with a drunk driver, instead, call a cab or ask a friend to take you home.
• If you think another motorist on the road may be intoxicated and is driving erratically, keep a safe distance from that car to prevent you from being a victim of their careless mistake.
• If the behavior another motorist is exhibiting is particularly dangerous, report the drunk driver to law enforcement.
• If you plan to drink at a celebration, select a friend to be a designated driver. When no one is available to be the sober driver, take mass transit (such as a bus or train) or a taxi to and from the party.
• If you are the party host and notice someone is too drunk to drive, take their keys away and insist they either stay the night at your home if you know them well or simply call them a cab. They’ll thank you in the morning!

Though the decline in alcohol-related deaths in Illinois is good news and is hopefully a continuing trend, one death is still too many as drunk driving-related accidents are completely preventable. If you have been injured in an accident that was caused by an impaired driver, the Chicago drunk driving accident lawyers of the Bradley Law Firm can help you obtain compensation for your injuries. Call (312) 252-1488 for a no-cost consultation. We wish everyone a safe and happy new year!

Illinois is joining other U.S. states, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Governors’ Highway Safety Administration (GHSA) over the Labor Day holiday weekend to increase enforcement of state laws prohibiting drunk driving. The program, known as “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” combines a media ad campaign with increased patrols and additional sobriety checkpoints.

Illinois law enforcement agencies use sobriety checkpoints and vehicle patrols year-round, and officers are trained to look for clues that may indicate drunk driving whenever they are on duty. The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” program, however, puts more officers on the roads over the holiday weekend, when the number of impaired drivers and the number of car accidents they cause tends to increase. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), warning the public about increased patrols in advance is the best way to deter drunk driving, as drivers realize they shouldn’t take the risk of getting caught. For drivers who take the risk anyway, the increased patrols increase the chance of removing them from the roads before they can cause a serious injury or a fatal car accident.

According to the NHTSA, nearly 11,000 U.S. motorists are killed in drunk driving-related car accidents each year. Practicing safe, sober driving can help prevent serious injuries and loss of life on the road. At The Bradley Law Firm, our experienced Chicago drunk driving accident victim lawyers can help you understand your legal rights after a car accident and fight to protect them. For a free consultation, call us today at 312-252-1488.

A six-vehicle car crash occurred on Thursday, February 10 when a drunk driver passed out behind the wheel of his vehicle, according to an article in The Naperville Sun. The 26-year-old motorist was driving southbound on 1-55 near the Veterans’ Memorial Tollway when he passed out and struck a pile of snow, which launched his vehicle into the air. The vehicle landed on the hood of another car on the opposite side of the wall, and was then struck by five other cars. The drunk driver was taken to an area hospital with several broken bones and was later arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. There was no report on whether or not any of the other vehicles’ occupants sustained injuries.

The fact that no one was seriously or fatally injured in this Illinois auto accident is remarkable, as many drunk driving accidents have very different results. According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), roughly 32 people die every day in the United States in auto accidents that involve a drunk driver, which equates to about one death every forty-five minutes.

Drunk driving in Illinois is no laughing matter and can have serious, life-altering consequences. Any motorist who finds themselves in a situation that involves alcohol should not get behind the wheel and should opt instead to designate a sober driver.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an auto accident that involved a drunk driver, it would be in your best interest to consult an experienced Illinois drunk driving accident attorney. At The Bradley Law Firm, our dedicated personal injury lawyers have what it takes to hold negligent parties accountable and garner you the compensation you deserve for all costs that resulted from your accident. We will examine the details of your crash and build a strong case on your behalf. To schedule a free consultation, contact The Bradley Law Firm today at 1-800-360-5072.

Drunk driving is illegal in the state of Illinois and across the country. However, many motorists still drive after drinking alcohol, which can have life-altering and even deadly consequences. A person is considered under the influence of alcohol if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or higher. Sadly, when a car accident occurs that involves drunk driving, it is often the victim, not the drunk driver, who suffers the most, often suffering serious or fatal injuries.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2009, there were 33,808 fatalities in the United States, and 10,839 deaths were alcohol-related.

Illinois law states that no person shall operate a vehicle while:

• Under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs;
• Under the influence of any other drug or combination of drugs that renders a person incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle;
• Under the influence of any intoxicating compound or combination of compounds that prevent a motorist from driving safely; and
• The individual’s BAC is .08 percent or more.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an auto accident that involved a drunk driver, you deserve to hold the negligent party responsible for their actions. The Illinois drunk driving injury lawyers at The Bradley Law Firm understand the difficulty that you and your family may be going through. With a vast network of legal resources available, we will meticulously examine the circumstances of your accident and build a strong case on your behalf. You don’t have to face this journey alone. Call The Bradley Law Firm at 800-360- 5072 to learn more about how we can help you. We offer free consultations.

According to Heartland News, a car accident on Saturday, January 8 has put a woman and two children in the hospital and the driver of the other vehicle behind bars for drunk driving.

The accident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. on Route 4 in Randolph County, IL north of the intersection of Pyatt-Cutler Road. According to Illinois State Police, a Ford F-150 pickup truck, driven by a 52-year-old male, was driving southbound when the vehicle rear-ended a Mitsubishi passenger vehicle driven by a 29-year-old woman. The force of the collision caused both vehicles to roll over and leave the roadway.

The passenger vehicle also contained two occupants, a boy and girl, both age five. The woman and the boy suffered major injuries in the crash and were airlifted to a local hospital. The girl sustained only minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. All three were reported to be wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident. The driver of the pickup truck sustained minor injuries. According to police, alcohol was a factor in the crash and the driver now faces aggravated DUI charges for the Illinois drunk driving accident.

Unfortunately, as this crash shows, not all motorists follow safe driving practices when behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 33,808 traffic accident-related fatalities in 2009 in the United States, and of those deaths, 10,839 were alcohol-impaired driving fatalities. Thousands more were injured in these accidents. In Illinois, there were 1,043 traffic accident deaths in 2008, of which 356, or 34 percent, were alcohol-related. In 2009 in the state, there were 911 traffic crash fatalities, of which 319, or 35 percent, were alcohol-related. While this is a 13 percent decrease, the NHTSA still categorizes Illinois in the upper third of states in the U.S. in terms of the occurrence of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities.

If you have been injured in a car accident in Illinois caused by a drunk driver, please understand that you have legal options available to you. Anyone injured in a DUI crash in Illinois can seek compensation for coverage of hospital bills, medical expenses, loss of wages, and more. Drunk drivers should be held both criminally and civilly liable for their negligent actions to ensure they do not get behind the wheel drunk again. Please contact the Illinois drunk driving accident lawyers at The Bradley Law Firm today by calling 800-360-5072 to learn how we can help you.