Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

A Central Illinois car crash has caused significant injuries to five people on Saturday afternoon in Schuyler County, according to the Quincy Herald Whig. The collision occurred when a 1997 Chevy SUV driven by a 61-year-old resident of Versailles was traveling westbound on Illinois 103 near Sugar Grove Road when he lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road. The vehicle then came back on the highway, crossed the center-line and struck a 2010 Hyundai head-on that was being driven by a 66-year-old man from Beardstown.

There were three passengers traveling in the Hyundai, two of which were children ages eight and four. All parties involved in the accident were taken by ambulance to Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. The specific injuries sustained have not been reported.

The Illinois State Police are handling the investigation, which is ongoing. It is not been reported what caused the motorist to lose control and cross the center-line.

The holidays are generally about gift giving and making resolutions so this year should be no different. Health and safety are two common things that I think we can all ask for this year. If everyone were to make their New Year’s resolution to be safer on the roadways in 2011, it’s possible that Chicago car accidents would decline thus leading to less fatalities next year.

Though there are many variables that can lead to increased holiday traffic fatalities such as increased volume of traffic, inclement weather, driving under the influence and distracted driving, the most common causes of accidents are as deadly throughout the year as they are during the holidays.Drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving and aggressive driving account for the vast majority of all serious and fatal car accidents in Illinois and elsewhere in the United States.

We all tend to view holidays as a special time of year. Traffic is at a high volume due to the holiday shoppers, holiday parties, and family gatherings that take place this time of year. Drivers tend to get distracted during the holidays because they have so much on their mind and so little time to get everything accomplished successfully by their own standards.

The chances you will be faced with a drinking-and-driving decision are much greater due to the number of holiday parties and family gatherings that we are attending during the holiday season. But the truth is that the holidays mostly exacerbate our poor driving habits. If we drive while talking on the phone, we do it more during the holidays. If we are prone to stopping for happy hour and driving home, we do it more during the holidays. If we speed, tailgate or drive aggressively, we do it more during the holidays.

Stay safe by adding the following possible New Year’s Resolutions for 2011:

-Make notes and plan your schedule far in advance so that you are sure to allow plenty of time to accomplish everything on your to-do list.

-Don’t drive if you have had something alcoholic to drink. You always have other options so resolve to do the right thing.

-Set aside time each week for reflection and relaxation. A little deep breathing never hurt anyone.

-Set a goal to pick up holiday gifts throughout the year by having 80% of your shopping done by Labor Day weekend rather than wait until the last minute. This can help save money with sale purchases as well as provide an opportunity to feel less stressed during the holidays.

-Recognize the dangers of speeding, aggressive driving and distracted driving and vow to do something about your part in contributing to those risks in 2011.
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More people will die in Illinois car accidents this year than last year, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation, which is pushing for safe driving through the upcoming New Year’s holiday.

While it appears to be a safe bet that fewer fatal Chicago car accidents will be recorded — 129 were recorded through Wednesday, compared to 141 during the same period a year ago — the number of motorists killed in accidents statewide has already surpassed last year’s all-time low.Our Chicago injury lawyers wish each of you a safe and enjoyable New Year’s holiday and encourage you to stay safe and don’t drink and drive.

Last year, 911 people were killed in Illinois traffic accidents — the fewest in almost a century of reporting. With the rebounding economy comes an increased risk of car accidents. So far this year, 916 motorists have been killed. The state is putting a positive spin on the increase by noting that it will likely be only the second time since the early 20th century that fewer than 1,000 traffic fatalities have been recorded in Illinois during any given year.

The New Year’s weekend will see a continuation of the statewide “Click it or Ticket” and “You Drink & Drive. You Lose” campaigns. Hundreds of late-night roadside safety checks, safety belt enforcement zones and saturation patrols are also planned.

“IDOT continuously partners with state and local police to ensure motorists who choose to drive impaired are caught, arrested and removed from Illinois roadways,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “Unfortunately, New Year’s Eve can be one of the deadliest and most dangerous times on Illinois roads due to an increase in impaired driving and fewer people buckling up. We advise motorists to please make the right decision every time by designating a sober driver before celebrating and always buckling up.”

Particular emphasis will be put on increased enforcement during the deadly evening and nighttime hours.

“The Illinois State Police is fully committed to using every resource possible to make Illinois roads safer,” said Acting Illinois State Police Director Jonathon Monken. “Although the loss of even one life is one too many … we are optimistic our holiday enforcement efforts will help Illinois conclude its second straight year with fewer than 1,000 fatalities.”

Last year, six people were killed on Illinois’ roads during the four-day New Year’s Holiday and nearly 500 were seriously injured.

IDOT offers the following safety tips:

-Plan ahead.

-Designate a sober driver.

-Use community programs designed to get you home safely.

-Report impaired drivers.

-Buckle Up.
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Our Chicago injury lawyers urge you to use extra caution when the temperature drops even if snow isn’t falling because not all winter dangers are easily detectable.

Winter weather has arrived so it’s that time of year to drag out the shovels, grab the boots, and check the treads on the tires. As the temperature drops in the Midwest you need to prepare for those winter conditions that are likely to occur as a result. One danger of winter weather is the possibility of black ice. Chicago car accidents caused by black ice are particularly prevalent during the morning commute, when the roads may be clear but iced over from the long, cold night.CBS Chicago reported that black ice began causing accidents in November. True to form, the black ice caused numerous crashes and road closures in the Chicago area. Black ice is so dangerous precisely because it is so difficult to see and can make treacherous roads that appear clear and safe for travel.

Black ice typically occurs when the temperature gets below 40 degrees. Road surfaces become cool and the frost or precipitation lying on the surface generates an icy texture which makes the conditions slippery. If you are driving in black ice conditions be extra careful if the snow begins to fall. Snow conditions are difficult enough to manage but adding ice underneath is almost sure to cause an accident if you aren’t careful.

Helpful driving tips for avoiding black ice accidents in Chicago include:

-Listen to the local weather and traffic to see what the conditions are in your area.

– If you see vehicles sliding ahead of you for no apparent reason, downshift and/or slow down before you get to them because they are probably experiencing black ice.

-Be particularly cautious on bridges and overpasses, which are frequently the first to freeze.

-If you start to skid, remain calm and go with the direction you are skidding rather than jerk the steering wheel around the other direction. When you feel the tires grip, slowly inch back in the other direction. Do not slam on the brakes as this may put you in an uncontrolled skid.

-Before winter approaches check the tread on your tires. The thicker the tread is the more traction gained so it may be advantageous to have a set of tires only used during the winter time.

-Don’t fall victim to the myth that SUV’s are top performers in all bad weather because no vehicle drives well on ice – slow down, especially if you own an SUV.
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