According to a Fox News report, highway deaths in the U.S. have a reached a record low. Preliminary government data released shows that highway fatalities declined in 2011, reaching their lowest rate when compared to miles driven since such record-keeping began in 1921. An early estimate by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals that traffic accident fatalities in 2011 totaled 32,310, which is a 1.7 percent drop from the prior year. Overall, it is the lowest number of deaths in more than 60 years. In addition, traffic fatalities have significantly decreased in the past decade, dropping 26 percent since 2005.
Safety experts are attributing the record low numbers and significant decline to a number of factors, including more people wearing their safety belt, less driving being done due to the weak economy, increased efforts to curb drunk driving, and better safety equipment and features in vehicles. The NHTSA states that the number of miles driven in the U.S. declined in 2011 by 1.2 percent, or 35.7 billion miles, and data shows that there were 1.09 deaths per 100 million miles traveled. This is a slight decrease from the 1.11 deaths in 2010. The group affirms this is the lowest rate on record.
While these new statistics are excellent news for motorists, it is still the responsibility of all drivers to ensure the safety of others on the road by driving safely, alertly, and distraction free. However, if a driver does cause an auto accident, it is important to know that victims can legally pursue compensation from anyone deemed at-fault for the crash. For reliable representation in your motor vehicle accident case, contact a Chicago traffic accident attorney at the Bradley Law Firm. Call (312) 252-1488 to schedule a free consultation.
By admin on October 20, 2011
A Buffalo Grove driver, whose distracted driving caused serious injury and the eventual death of a Hawthorn Woods man, may face criminal charges for her behavior, according to a recent article in the Chicago Tribune.
The woman, age 23, was checking her cell phone when she crashed into the man, age 39, in August of 2011. He had been changing a tire on the side of Illinois Highway 53, and he suffered serious injuries in that accident. The woman told authorities that she had been scrolling through her cell phone contacts list looking for a phone number when her car hit the side of a semi trailer and was sent flying into the shoulder of the highway, where the accident occurred.
The woman was initially ticketed for driving on the shoulder, improper lane use, and texting while driving, but when the victim of the crash lost his life due to his injuries at the beginning of September, prosecutors began considering bringing criminal charges against the woman for her actions. The family of the man who lost his life in the accident is also considering a wrongful death suit against the driver whose cell phone use caused the fatal crash.
Despite laws across the country that limit the use of cell phones and other devices in cars, too many drivers attempt to multitask while driving, creating dangerous situations that can cause serious injuries or claim lives. If you or someone you love has been injured by a distracted driver, the experienced car accident attorneys in Illinois at The Bradley Law Firm can help. For a free and confidential consultation, call us today at (800) 360-5072.
By admin on October 11, 2010
In any car accident, it is important that all of the details of the crash are thoroughly examined to establish causation. According to a recent WLS-TV News story, such an investigation will hopefully shed some light on the circumstances surrounding a fatal, two-car crash on 95th St. and Central Park Avenue that took the life of an 18-year-old Chicago motorist and injured his teenage passenger. The injured passenger was taken to Christ Medical Center and remains in critical condition. The fatal Illinois car accident took place in Evergreen Park, and involved the 18-year-old’s car and an unmarked police car.
Few details have been made available to the public as police investigation into the crash is ongoing. Cook County Sheriff investigators are trying to piece together details of the wrongful death Chicago car crash. It was reported that speed may have played a role in the crash, while alcohol, at least on the part of the 18-year-old, was determined not to have been a factor. The deadly car accident took place shortly after the involved officer initiated a traffic stop, which, as was pointed out by police chief Michael Saunders, is not considered the same thing as “being in pursuit of a vehicle.”
With all Chicago car accidents, it is important that victims and their families understand their rights. In the event that a motorist’s reckless actions lead to an accident, the injuries that result from that accident may be deemed the responsibility of the negligent party. If you’ve been injured in a Chicago car crash, please contact the experienced Chicago car accident attorneys at The Bradley Law Firm. Call us today at 800-360-5072 for a free consultation of your case.
By admin on October 7, 2010
Reckless driving is responsible for causing several Chicago car accidents. According to a WGIL.com news report, a recent Highway 116 traffic accident that took the life of a 50-year-old Moline woman was the direct result of reckless behavior on the part of a 21-year-old Macomb motorist. The Chicago wrongful death accident took place five miles east of Roseville.
Road conditions were wet at the time of the morning accident. Reportedly, the vehicle being operated by the 21-year-old Macomb man struck the 50-year-old female victim’s truck head-on after he lost control of his SUV for driving too quickly given road conditions. The man, along with a 28-year-old passenger, was taken to Cottage Hospital for minor injuries. Additionally, a 55-year-old passenger riding in the Moline woman’s truck was also injured and taken to Cottage Hospital.
When a fatal Chicago traffic accident is determined to be the fault of a particular motorist, group of motorists, or some other group that was directly involved, those at fault can be held liable for their actions in a court of law. Accident victims and their families are entitled to seek compensatory damages in the event personal injury or wrongful death takes place. Damages that can be sought may include fees associated with the accident, such as hospital bills, physical therapy fees, and even wages lost due to an inability to work.
For more information about the rights of Chicago car accident victims, please contact the Illinois traffic accident attorneys at The Bradley Law Firm. If you’ve been injured or have a loved one who’s been injured, our Chicago auto accident lawyers will examine the circumstances of your accident to help determine is negligence played a contributing factor in the incident. For a free consultation of your case, please call 800-360-5072 today.
By admin on September 21, 2010
Traffic accidents happen every day all across the country. While many of these accidents are relatively tame, with minimal property damage and no personal injuries sustained, there are still a large number of accidents that prove to be fatal. A recent myfoxchicago.com news report discusses an accident involving two vehicles, one of which was traveling the wrong way on I-294. Reportedly, the two vehicle, head-on collision involved a 23-year-old male motorist in one vehicle, and a 24-year-old motorist in the other. Both men died as a result of the fatal Illinois car accident, and police are awaiting an autopsy report for the 23-year-old wrong-way motorist.
According to the report, a witness speculated that the vehicle being driven by the 23-year-old was traveling at speeds of near 90 miles per hour. Police are still investigating the matter to determine whether or not alcohol may have affected his judgment. It is still unknown as to why he was traveling at such great speeds down the wrong side of the highway, although further investigation may provide some clues.
Motorists who choose to break traffic laws can be held liable for their actions in a court of law. A decision to drive recklessly, disregard traffic signage, and travel at excessive speeds may not only lead to a motorist injuring him or herself, but also other motorists on the road as well. Such reckless behavior is deemed negligence according to the state of Illinois.
If you’ve recently been injured in a Chicago car accident, it would be highly beneficial to contact an experienced Illinois personal injury lawyer today for more information about your rights as an injury victim. At The Bradley Law Firm, our Chicago car accident attorneys will examine the circumstances of your auto accident to determine whether or not negligence on the part of another motorist may have led to your injuries. For a free case consultation, please call our skilled Chicago personal injury attorneys today at 800-360-5072.
