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Recent Blog Posts
Avoiding Pedestrian Accidents During the Holidays
As we enter the holiday season, the weather is about to get colder, and the roads may start to get snowy and icy. These conditions increase the risk of car accident injuries for everyone who uses the road, but pedestrians are often in the most danger during the winter season. In cold weather conditions, both drivers and pedestrians should take extra care to prevent potential pedestrian accidents.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
- In 2015, more than 5,000 Americans were killed in pedestrian accidents. On average, one pedestrian was killed in an accident every 1.6 hours.
- In the same year, approximately 129,000 pedestrians were admitted into emergency rooms for injuries related to car accidents.
- Pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to die in a traffic accident than those in a car at the time of the accident.
How to Protect Yourself from a Car Accident this Winter
We are almost at the end of the year, and that means that we will likely be getting at least a few inches of snow within the next few months. During the winter, the snowy and icy weather greatly increases the chances of being involved in a car accident. Here are some tips to take care of your car this winter and to protect yourself from injuries caused by a potential collision:
Extra Time Means Everything
Driving becomes much more dangerous when there is snow or ice on the ground. Before driving anywhere, it is best to take some extra time to make sure defrosters, brakes, and mirrors are in good condition. Spending these extra few minutes to ensure that your vehicle’s systems are in working order can make a huge difference during the winter months.
Defrosting Is a Must-Do
If a car is kept outside overnight, then chances are great that condensation and frost may form on the mirrors and car. It is wise to turn the car on at least five minutes before preparing to drive, and it is also a good idea to keeping a towel available to wipe away condensation and an ice scraper to remove any frost. Checking for snow or frost build-up on the headlight and taillights is a good way to take make sure other drivers can see your vehicle.
Train Accident Statistics in Illinois
Every year, there are always a troubling number of deaths and injuries caused by someone crossing railroad tracks and being struck by a train. Unfortunately, too many people and families must deal with the death of a loved one from a train accident. Furthermore, when someone survives a train accident, they may have to deal with permanent, life-altering injuries sustained from the collision. Understanding the statistics of deaths and serious injuries caused by train accidents can help people avoid these accidents in the future.
Vehicle/Train Crashes By the Numbers
- In 2015, 265 people were killed by a train in the United States.
- A train accident occurs every three hours in the United States, on average.
- 50 percent of all train accidents occur at crossings with active warning devices, including bells, lights, and railroad gates.
How are Diabetes and Car Accidents Related?
There are nearly 20 million Americans who have been diagnosed with diabetes, with a large percentage of them holding a license to operate a car. Depending on the severity of the person’s diabetes, they may be able to drive a car to work, classes, and social gatherings. In many communities, there are no other means of transportation, and the use of a car is the only option people have. Even though many people afflicted with diabetes can drive, there has been much debate on whether diabetes may be a big factor in determining if some people may or may not be fit for a driver’s license and whether diabetes is a factor in car accidents.
What is Diabetes and How Serious is it?
Diabetes is a medical condition that affects the pancreas. In people without diabetes, the pancreas releases a healthy amount of insulin to help store and use sugar and fat from food. In people with diabetes, however, the pancreas produces little or no insulin, or the body may not respond appropriately to insulin. In severe cases, people with diabetes may be up and walking one minute, and passed out on the ground the minute following. Although there are many ways to manage diabetes, there is no actual cure for the disease. On a day-to-day basis, people with diabetes can manage their blood sugar by avoiding sugary foods, taking medications to offset a high blood sugar level, and exercising.
Watch Out for These Mechanical Failures that Can Cause Car Accidents
It is not always readily apparent why a car accident occurred, but most are attributed to driver error. However, accidents can also be caused by poorly maintained vehicles. It is important to be aware of common mechanical issues and correct any issues that you find. Properly maintaining your car will help avoid accidents caused by mechanical failures, and if you are in an accident, you may be able to prove that you are not at fault and receive compensation for your injuries.
Common Mechanical Failures
1. Tires and wheels. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tire problems account for 35 percent of accidents where a vehicle failure was the cause of the crash. Tire problems can include blowouts (which are especially common in 18-wheeler accidents) or worn tire treads that impede a driver from maintaining proper control.
What You Need to Know about Uninsured and Underinsured Car Accident Claims
If you have been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, the insurance policy of the at-fault driver is a key factor in your case and in your recovery. The type of policy the other driver has (or does not have) could limit the amount of money you are able to receive.
Typically, if the other driver’s insurance policy is insufficient for your injuries, or if the other driver does not have an insurance policy in place at the time of the accident, your own car insurance policy will provide coverage through uninsured or underinsured insurance provisions.
These provisions come with requirements for the injured driver and are technical in nature to invoke. An experienced lawyer can help you navigate these requirements and receive the coverage you need.
Uninsured Driver Claims
If the driver at fault in your car accident does not have an insurance policy, you often must bring an uninsured motorist claim against your insurance policy. Even though Illinois requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, these types of claims are fairly common.
Common Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents
Accidents involving motorcycles almost always involve bodily injury, as bikers are not as protected as motorists riding in cars. In fact, motorcyclists in Illinois are not legally required to wear helmets, which can protect against injury.
Despite being at a greater risk for injury, motorcyclists still have rights on the road. If they are in an accident that is caused by another driver, their injuries should be treated at the cost of the at-fault party and their pain and suffering should also be compensated.
In 2015, 88,000 motorcyclists were injured in the United States. These are some common injuries sustained by motorcyclists:
- Injuries to lower extremities - About one-third of all non-fatal motorcycle injuries are to the legs and feet. These injuries can include broken bones, sprains, and abrasions.
Flaherty Law Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary
Will County attorney Daniel R. Flaherty marked the second anniversary of his firm, Flaherty Law, LLC, on July 31. Each anniversary is important to Daniel Flaherty, as it represents another year of growth, both professionally and personally.
Plainfield, Illinois, attorney Daniel R. Flaherty has practiced law for 10 years. He started his career as an insurance defense litigator in personal injury and property damage cases. In 2010, he decided to focus on representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases. He gained experience in the field while helping clients recover millions of dollars in damages, which was crucial in his choice to start his own practice.
Flaherty Law, LLC represents clients who have suffered injuries due to varied causes. Injuries from motor vehicle accidents are a large part of the practice because of their prevalence. However, the firm can also help clients who have been injured as a result of:
Sleep Apnea Tied to Truck and Train Accidents
Transportation safety experts have determined that undiagnosed or inadequately treated obstructive sleep apnea in drivers can lead to accidents caused by sleepiness or inattentiveness. Two agencies in the United States Transportation Department had been pushing for more testing to be required of truck drivers and train operators for this disorder.
However, that initiative was recently dropped. The Transportation Department says that the condition is still an “on-going concern,” but that it can be addressed using existing regulations.
When the effort to regulate sleep apnea testing began, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Federal Railroad Administration stated that untreated obstructive sleep apnea "can cause unintended sleep episodes and resulting deficits in attention, concentration, situational awareness, and memory, thus reducing the capacity to safely respond to hazards when performing safety sensitive duties."
Check for These Injuries after a Bicycle Accident
Bicyclists can be severely injured after being hit by a car or truck, even if proper safety measures are being followed. In the wake of an accident, the worst thing a cyclist can do is to shrug off any aches or pains and avoid seeking medical care.
Common bicycle accident injuries include: broken limbs, brain injuries, nerve damage, and dental and jaw injuries. These can be extremely painful, they can take months or years to heal, and they can be expensive to treat.
Be on the lookout for these conditions, which may indicate that there is a serious problem:
- Head injuries. Warning signs include: a cracked helmet, a headache that does not dissipate, lost consciousness, confusion, or vision changes.
- Difficulty taking a deep breath. This can mean that you have a rib injury. If the fracture remains unstable and shifts, your lung could be punctured.
From our office in Plainfield, Illinois, we serve clients in Will County, DuPage County, Kendall County, Kane County, Joliet, Naperville, Romeoville, Bolingbrook, Aurora, Lemont, Crest Hill, Shorewood, Lockport, Woodridge, Wheaton, Oswego, Yorkville, Homer Glen, Lisle, and surrounding communities.
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