Articles Posted in Car Accident

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers strongly support Illinois House Bill 231, which could increase minimum liability coverage to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident.

Current limits of $20,000/$40,000 are woefully inadequate in the event of a serious Chicago car accident. A trip to the hospital in an ambulance and the emergency room bill alone may exhaust coverage. The bill would also increase the property damage minimum to $100,000 from $15,000. Think about the price of a new car today and you will quickly realize who antiquated and woefully inadequate Illinois’ insurance minimums have become.Back in July 2009, we wrote on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog
when Chicago Injury Lawyer Dave Abels was interviewed about a new law making it a criminal offense not to carry auto insurance. That law makes it punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine to not carry the required auto insurance. At the time, Abels said the current minimums were hopelessly outdated and did little to protect motorists in the wake of a serious accident.

The proposal is being sponsored by Rep. David R. Leitch, R-Peoria.

The issues has been particularly critical during the economic downturn; a study by the Insurance Research Council found 15 percent of those surveyed had either reduced coverage or increased their deductible in order to reduce the cost of premiums. Another nine percent canceled or did not renew policies for economic reasons.
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For the second year in a row, Illinois has recorded fewer than 1,000 fatal car accidents, a two-year mark not seen since the 1920s, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

However, as our Chicago personal injury attorneys expected, the number of overall fatalities in Illinois has increased as the economy began its tentative recovery in 2010.As we reported on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, there were a dozen fewer fatal Chicago car accidents recorded last year, but the overall number of fatalities statewide increased for the first time in recent years.

IDOT reports 923 people were killed on Illinois roads last year, compared to the 911 killed in crashes in 2009.

“IDOT is encouraged by this historic accomplishment, but understands that continued perseverance and hard work are essential to maintain or decrease the number of traffic fatalities in years to come,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “In recent decades, the goal of achieving fewer than 1,000 roadway fatalities in a state of this size was considered impossible, but now it is reality. We commend the efforts of our partners, as we spotlight the numerous effective programs administered by IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety and our partner agencies. We also applaud motorists’ continued efforts to drive safely and comply with highway safety laws in Illinois.”

Many believe the economic downturn and high gas prices has had a major impact on the number of serious and fatal traffic crashes in Illinois and throughout the nation. However, the state has implemented a number of safety initiatives in recent years, including a ban on text messaging by drivers, which took effect Jan. 1, 2010. Additional safety programs have targeted teen drivers, motorcycle riders, drunk drivers, work zone safety and large commercial trucks.

“The Illinois State Police is proud to continue its partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation and law enforcement agencies to help reduce traffic crash fatalities. We remain committed to improving safety on Illinois roadways, and will utilize all available resources to provide safety education programs which promote safe driving habits,” said Interim Director Patrick E. Keen. “Although it is difficult to attribute the reduction of traffic crash fatalities to a single factor, there is no doubt that the combined efforts of law enforcement personnel, the Illinois Department of Transportation and our private partners have significantly contributed to saving lives. With the continued support and cooperation from the motoring public, we can help keep the momentum going for years to come.”

Safety officials also report seat-belt use reached an all-time high of 91.7 percent in 2009 and was bested in 2010 with 92.6 percent.

Prior to 2009, the last time the state recorded fewer than 1,000 traffic deaths was in 1921.

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Teens in Northbrook, Illinois are among those at 300 high schools that signed a pledge to fight distracted driving. As we continue to report, teens are at high risk of Chicago car accidents caused by text messaging, talking on a cell phone and other forms of distracted driving.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers frequently report on the risks and encourage parents to make safe driving a regular topic of conversation with their teens. As we reported recently on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, a nationwide contest aims to encourage teens to develop public-service announcements warning of the dangers.Now the News Blaze reports the Allstate Foundation and Channel One news are sponsoring the “X the TXT” pledge last week. When all the pledges are in, the winning school will receive a $10,000 grant. Rising music star Ashlyne Huff will also perform a concert at the winning school.

“By harnessing the power of positive peer influence, these students are leading the charge against the texting epidemic to make roads safer now as well as for the next generation of drivers,” said Allstate spokeswoman Joan Walker. “Public awareness campaigns like Allstate’s X the TXT movement, SAVE 11 and Family Driving Challenge have helped fuel the conversation on distracted driving and educate America on the power of uniform, enforced graduated driver licensing laws to protect our youngest drivers from dangerous driving situations.”

The Allstate Foundation has found that about half of teens admit the being distracted by text messaging behind the wheel. Yet 82 percent still admit to using a cell phone while driving.

This is the third year for the pledge competition.

Those seeking more information on the pledge or on teen safe driving can visit www.keepthedrive.com.https://www.daveabels.com/
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When it comes to Chicago car accidents caused by distracted driving, there are many causes. But with each new model year, the number of distractions built right into your automobile is of increasing concern.

As we reported recently on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, some safety advocates are urging the government to focus on something other than cell phones when it comes to driver distraction and motorist safety.Some of the cases handled by our Chicago personal injury lawyers and wrongful death attorneys involve some form of driver distraction. Common distractions include eating, drinking, talking to passengers, smoking, applying makeup and, of course, using a cell phone.

But, as the USAToday reports, technology is playing an increasing role when it comes to distractions built right into your vehicle: Dashboard navigation systems, touch-screen climate control, GPS, satellite radio with 100s of channels, and even DVD systems built into headrests.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is expected to issue its first set of guidelines on the issue later this year. Meanwhile, there is no set standard. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which includes most major car makers except Honda, has its own procedures to reduce distraction caused by “information and communication systems.” Meanwhile, the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers reports that its members make their own decisions.

Recently, Consumer Reports found the new touch-screen computer in many Ford models (which controls the radio, temperature and navigation) is so complicated and potentially distracting that it dropped cars equipped with the system from its recommendation list.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood took General Motors to task last year when its OnStar communications system began allowing people to verbally update their Facebook or Twitter status while driving.

When it comes to in-car technology, it’s a brave new world. Regardless of new features, regulations by the government, or voluntary moves on the part of automobile manufacturers, motorists are best served by using common sense. Focus on driving, your life or the life of someone else could very well depend on it.

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