North Chicago & St. Louis Injury UpdatesTruck accidents are more likely to result in serious bodily harm or death than other types of accidents because of the sheer weight of most trucks, especially tractor-trailers and trucks carrying cargo. Because trucks are heavy, they build momentum at high speeds, making it hard for them to stop quickly. When a truck driver encounters a sudden change in road conditions or just becomes distracted and fails to pay attention to the road, the consequences can be dire. Heavy vehicles require more time and distance to stop, so even if the driver sees an obstacle many yards ahead, there still may not be enough time to stop. A range of factors, including distracted and sleepy drivers and poor weather conditions, cause truck accidents.
Articles Posted in Legal Articles
Changing The Health Care Industry From The Inside Out
A prominent surgeon and professor at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health has written a book that he is hoping will help change the broken health care system. Despite the public criticism of many of the practices involved in medicine today, he says many doctors have thanked him for helping to explain the realities that lead to a medical error rate that strikes one of every four people who are hospitalized. Not all doctors are pleased, however, and some likely believe he has violated an unwritten rule to keep the problems of the medical industry in house. The author, Marty Makary, believes that the silence is part of the problem.
In his book, Dr. Makary talks about doctors who are known to be substandard practitioners, but who are allowed to keep practicing because colleagues remain silent about the problem. He also discusses doctors whose medical knowledge is far behind current best practices. Another problem highlighted is the relationship between doctors, hospitals and the drug and medical device companies that pay them to push products and treatments that may not be in the best interests of the patient.
Chicago’s Red Light Cameras: Do They Curb Intersection Accidents?
Chicago’s streets are home to almost 400 red light cameras that monitor 190 of the city’s most dangerous intersections. The program began in 2003, when the city installed cameras at two intersections: 55th and Western, and Peterson and Western. Since then, the city has issued millions of violations-763,419 in 2010 alone-and made millions of dollars in revenue from the red light cameras.
The cameras are connected to the intersection’s traffic lights. When the light turns red, any vehicle that passes under the sensor get its picture taken and is recorded on a video device. The rear of the vehicle and the license plate are recorded, and are used as proof of the violation when the owner of the vehicle receives his or her citation.
Reduce Chicago Bicycle Accidents Through Lane Barriers
A recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health found that shielded bicycle lanes decrease bike accidents and fatalities. Presumably, constructing dedicated bike lanes in Chicago would help reduce bicycle accidents. If you have been injured in an accident, contact our Chicago bicycle accident lawyers now for a free consultation.
The Harvard study compared two different kinds of bicycle lanes: Those that run parallel to roadways, separated by a painted line, and those separated by a permanent, physical barrier. The latter type of lane is called a “cycle track”, and Harvard’s study found that they save lives.
New Distracted Trucking Study: When Semi Trucks Present Danger
Distracted driving accidents caused over 5,400 deaths and over 448,000 injuries in 2009. While the number of distracted driving deaths is down from 2008, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood notes that the problem may be greater than the statistics let on.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the percentage of distracted driving auto accidents increased from 10 percent in 2005 to 16 percent in last year. Additionally, many distracted driving accidents are not classified correctly, which, according to Secretary LaHood, means that the effects of distracted driving go well beyond the numbers.
Winter Weather, Holidays Pose Driving Hazards For Chicago Area Travelers
Winter weather has made its annual return to Chicago, leaving many Chicago-area drivers in need of a refresher course in safe driving under dangerous weather conditions. Although ice and snow can make the roads more treacherous, drivers can take extra safety precautions to prevent most auto accidents.
Remember that bridges may freeze more quickly than normal roads; even if the rest of the roads are just wet, the bridges may have ice. Drive accordingly. Overpasses and tunnels also warrant special consideration and attention; when cars are funneled into narrow spaces, accidents can quickly grow.
Deadly While Drowsy
In September, a Lake County man died after falling asleep and crashing his vehicle into a dump truck, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The violent, fatal crash was preventable, as were the estimated 1,500 deaths and 71,000 injuries nationwide caused by drowsy, fatigued, or sleeping drivers.
Driving While Petting: Deadly Dog Distractions
The dangers of driving while texting and talking on a cell phone have become hot button issues across the U.S., but a recent study by the Automobile Association of America (AAA) has highlighted another dangerous example of distracted driving – having a pet inside your vehicle.
According to the AAA’s online survey of 1,000 dog owners, 21 percent say they let their dog sit on their lap while they drive, while more than 50 percent admit to petting their dog while driving. Seven percent said they fed their dog while driving, and another 5 percent actually played with their favorite pooch!
National Distracted Driving Summit Shares Creative Ideas
The Second National Distracted Driving Summit revealed some important and creative ideas to combat the deadly problem of distracted driving in the U.S.
A variety of lawmakers, lobbyists, state and federal officials, law enforcement officers and safe-driving advocates attended the Washington, D.C. summit to share potential solutions to the dangers that distracted drivers create on our nation’s roadways. Many Illinois residents trekked east for the event, including attentive-driving advocate Jennifer Smith.
Drunk Driving Reduction In Illinois
In 2008, more than 13,000 people lost their lives as a result of crashes related to drunk driving. In that same year, more than 400 people died in alcohol-related crashes in Illinois, accounting for almost 40 percent of the state’s crash fatalities. While all 50 states have statutory offenses directed at those who drive under the influence of alcohol, Illinois has instituted statutory and program interventions that have effectively lowered alcohol-related deaths in the state.
Illinois DUI-related laws have been in existence since 1958. The state’s DUI programs are as diverse as they are effective. From the state’s Faces of DUI video to the DUI Victim Wall to three-tiered licensing and holiday alcohol-testing programs to the “You Drink & Drive. You Lose” campaign, Illinois’ programs offer diverse dissemination of information. And as recently as January 2009, the state legislation enacted laws that doubled criminal sanctions for drunk drivers.