North Chicago & St. Louis Injury Updates

Deadly Crashes Trending Up in Illinois

Published on: December 4, 2015 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Car accidents | December 4, 2015

2015 has not been a safe year on the roads in Illinois. Studies have shown that deadly car accidents are on the rise across the state. This is also true in nearby Missouri.

In Illinois, there have been a total of 911 fatal wrecks as of Dec. 4, 2015. On this same date in 2014, the total was just 862. That’s 49 more deadly crashes over that time, and December is just beginning. December can often be a dangerous month due to fresh snow and the holiday season, both which can contribute to accidents.

Drowsy Driving Poses Accident Risk for Illinois Motorists, Others

Published on: November 7, 2015 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Legal Articles | November 7, 2015

Many people in Illinois and elsewhere are aware of the dangers posed by driving while drunk or distracted. However, many overlook the potential hazards of drowsy or fatigued driving. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drowsy driving contributes to an estimated 6,400 fatal collisions and approximately 109,000 injury accidents each year. Often it is not just the drowsy drivers themselves who are killed or injured in such crashes; the occupants of other vehicles may also be affected.

How dangerous is fatigued driving?

Study Claims Most Accidents Are Caused By Eating

Published on: November 5, 2015 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Car accidents | November 5, 2015

Car accidents happen for a lot of reasons, but one study claims that most of them come from the same thing: Drivers who eat while they’re behind the wheel. In fact, the study says that eating leads to as many as 80 percent of all wrecks.

The study also says that eating on the road causes 65 percent of near-crashes.

Nursing Home Abuse: Recognize The Signs

Published on: October 27, 2015 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Nursing home accidents | October 27, 2015

When we make the difficult decision to place our parents in nursing homes, we want to be certain they will be treated well. It is not easy to trust strangers to care for our moms and dads, and it is important not to do so blindly.

While many people receive great care in Chicago area nursing homes, you must recognize the risk of abuse and neglect. Keep your eyes open. As your parent’s strongest advocate, you can help ensure they receive great treatment.

Help Protect Yourself From A Medical Misdiagnosis In 3 Steps

Published on: October 16, 2015 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Medical malpractice | October 16, 2015

Medical misdiagnoses are as common as they are dangerous. In all likelihood, you or someone you love has suffered a misdiagnosis or a late diagnosis.

While it is not known how many diagnostic mistakes take place every day in clinics and hospitals throughout Chicagoland, a recent study shows most Americans will receive a wrong diagnosis at least once in their lives. In some cases, these lead to terrible consequences for patients and their families, making diagnostic errors the most common mistake leading to successful medical malpractice claims.

Cook County Leads State in Truck Accident Fatalities

Published on: October 8, 2015 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Legal Articles | October 8, 2015

Cook County experienced far more fatalities in accidents involving large trucks than any other Illinois county.

Records from the 2013 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data show that 991 people lost their lives in automobile accidents. Of those fatalities, 142 occurred in crashes involving large trucks.

Do Stress-Related Problems Count as Workplace Injuries?

Published on: October 6, 2015 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Work Accidents | October 6, 2015

For most people in Illinois, work brings on a lot of stress. Studies have shown that this problem has only been trending upward over the years. Workers don’t feel like they have control over what goes on in the workplace, but they do feel like there are a ton of demands, and they’re stressed out as a result.

Stress hits everyone differently. It can cause people to feel sick and tired. It can bring about a heart attack. It can cause hypertension or make it worse for those who suffer from it. People often can’t sleep and never feel rested. So, when stress causes serious issues—like a heart attack—do they count as work-related injuries?

What Is Willful Negligence?

Published on: September 24, 2015 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Medical malpractice | September 24, 2015

Most of the time, negligence in a medical setting is accidental. A doctor does not check a patient’s records because he forgets, for example, or a doctor operates on the wrong site because she got bad information from the prep team. Doctors can still be liable in these situations because they should have worked harder to avoid them, but these things are still accidents.

However, in some rare cases, doctors can be accused of willful negligence. This is when the doctor intentionally makes mistakes or does not provide the proper level of care. For example, a doctor could give a patient the wrong medication – perhaps a medication that the patient is allergic to – because he or she wants the patient to feel the adverse effects.

Car Slams Into Bus Shelter, Injuring 7 People

Published on: September 17, 2015 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Car accidents | September 17, 2015

A 58-year-old woman was behind the wheel of a car in Chicago when she abruptly drove through two lanes of traffic and left the road; police still don’t know what caused her to do it. Her car bounced up over the curb and then slammed into a bus shelter.

There were numerous people in the shelter, and seven of them were injured. At least five of them were in critical condition, and one person even commented that it was shocking they had survived at all. One of the injured was a pregnant woman of 19.

Team Effort Apparent When Truck Accident Occurs

Published on: August 26, 2015 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Truck Accidents | August 26, 2015

Getting into an accident with a semi-truck is not only injurious, it can be devastating to you and your loved ones. Your physical and mental health are hurt and you have a car that is close to totaled to deal with. The difference in the size of the truck and your vehicle is huge and if the truck driver is distracted or speeding, you can bet that there is going to be someone who is hurt, if not killed. The crash can be catastrophic for you and your passengers.

If you have come into contact with a semi-truck driver while he or she is on the phone, you know that he or she may be weaving in and out of traffic at break-neck speed. How many times have you been driving along the road and come to a stop light, only to have a trucker come up to the same light with his or her breaks squealing?

Seidman, Margulis, & Fairman Blog

How dangerous is fatigued driving?