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How Can I Receive Compensation for My Loved One’s Wrongful Death?
Every single year, thousands of Americans are fatally injured due to negligence. Dealing with the emotions resulting from a death in the family can be unbearable. Whether they were caused by drunk driving, medical malpractice, or another form of negligence, wrongful death cases can be especially devastating. For families that experience a death, the financial impact (such as the loss of wages) can be crippling. If a member of your family has been fatally injured due to the negligence of another party, you should seek out a legal professional you can trust.
The Most Common Forms of Wrongful Death
According to Illinois’ Wrongful Death Act, a wrongful death lawsuit may be pursued by a victim’s surviving family members if their death was caused by any negligent actions that could have resulted in a personal injury case. Some of the most common forms of wrongful death in the United States include:
Why Distracted Driving Can Lead to Serious Car Accident Injuries
A recent study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that phone use by drivers, such as texting, browsing the internet, and selecting song choices, has risen dramatically over the past few years. In the four-year span from 2014 to 2018, the number of people observed using their phones while driving rose by a staggering 57%.
Distracted driving can be especially dangerous in urban and suburban areas. In the greater Chicago area, texting while driving and other types of distractions can put everyone at risk. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident that was caused by distracted driving, you should work with an attorney to pursue compensation from the negligent driver.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
As smartphone capabilities increase and people use their devices more and more often, drivers become tempted to use their phones while on the road, and this has led to the dramatic increase in distracted driving collisions throughout the United States. According to statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 390,000 Americans were severely injured in car accidents caused by distracted driving in 2015, and approximately 3,450 people were killed due to the reckless actions of distracted drivers in 2016.
How the “Dutch Reach” Law Can Prevent Bicycle Accidents in Illinois
Biking can be a great workout and an environmentally sustainable way to commute to and from work. Unfortunately, thousands of cyclists are seriously injured in collisions involving motor vehicles every single year. According to statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 800 bicyclists were fatally injured in motor vehicle collisions throughout 2015, and an additional 45,000 American bicyclists suffered serious non-fatal injuries that year. If you or a loved one have been injured in a bicycle accident, it is time to contact a legal professional and learn about your options for pursuing compensation.
The Dutch Reach Law
The number of bicycle accidents throughout the U.S. increased by 12% in 2015. This rise in bicyclist injuries has prompted a number of states to enact laws that increase bicycle safety. In January of 2019, Illinois became one of two states to adopt the “Dutch reach” law. This law updates road safety manuals to instruct motor vehicle users to exit their car by opening the door with their far-reaching hand. By using the opposite hand to exit the vehicle, passengers and drivers alike are forced to turn their body and face behind them, which will allow them to see any bicyclists near the vehicle and avoid opening their door into the bike’s path. Studies show that the Dutch reach can significantly lower the number of “dooring” accidents in which bicyclists are injured by car doors.
Forms of Negligent Driving Which Can Lead to Dangerous Car Accidents
Every single year, as many as 2.3 million Americans are sent to the emergency room after suffering injuries in a motor vehicle collision. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car accidents cost Americans approximately $44 billion every year in terms of both medical expenses and lost income. Those who have been injured in a motor vehicle collision should understand their legal options for recovering compensation from the negligent driver who caused their injuries.
Common Forms of Negligent Driving
In the vast majority of motor vehicle accidents, the cause of the collision can be traced back to the reckless and negligent actions of a driver. Throughout the United States, various forms of negligent driving seem to be on the rise. The most common types of negligent driving include:
Pursuing Compensation After a Slip and Fall Injury
With the holiday season in full swing, thousands of people throughout the greater Chicago area are shopping and enjoying activities around the town. However, with the winter holidays comes winter weather conditions, and walking in and around establishments and other properties during this time of year can be a dangerous proposition. From broken bones to traumatic brain injuries, falls can result in expensive hospital trips, costly physical therapy, and chronic pain. If you suffer a fall injury, contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Understanding Illinois Slip and Fall Laws
According to the Snow and Ice Removal Act, written within the Illinois Compiled Statutes, property owners are encouraged to remove natural accumulations of snow or ice from their property, but they are typically not responsible for injuries that occur when someone slips and falls on snow or ice. While some municipal ordinances may require a premises owner to clear walkways of snow or ice in certain situations, this does not establish legal liability. That said, if a premises owner elects to remove the snow or ice and does so in a negligent manner, they may be liable for injuries suffered.
Pedestrian Accidents and Injuries Are On the Rise in Illinois
On December 1st, 2018, a 63-year-old Illinoisan was killed after being struck by a vehicle in the northern suburb of Waukegan. After the vehicle struck the pedestrian, the driver fled from the scene and has yet to be located by local law enforcement officials. The victim was rushed to a local hospital, where he was ultimately pronounced dead. The tragedy served as a sobering reminder of the risks that pedestrians face each and every day. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), approximately 6,000 American pedestrians were fatally injured throughout 2017 alone. If you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident, it is important to contact an attorney immediately.
Study Indicates Increased Collisions Involving Pedestrians
Here in the state of Illinois, pedestrian injuries are alarmingly common. According to data reported by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), 4,600 pedestrians were injured after being struck by motor vehicles in 2016, and 150 people died in these types of collisions.
How Common Are Motorcycle Injuries and Fatalities?
Every year, thousands of Americans suffer serious injuries while riding motorcycles. Motorcyclists are more susceptible to severe injuries in a collision, due in large part to the small size of their vehicles and the lack of protection offered to motorcyclists and their passengers. According to studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatal motorcycle accidents are on the rise throughout the United States. If you or a loved one are involved in a motorcycle accident, a skilled personal injury attorney can help you receive full compensation for the injuries you have suffered.
Motorcycle Injuries Throughout the United States
In 2016, motorcycle fatalities throughout the United States rose by more than 5% in comparison to 2015. The 5,286 fatal motorcycle collisions that occurred that year marked the highest number of motorcycle fatalities since 2008. As mentioned above, motorcyclists have limited protection in comparison to travelers within standard passenger vehicles. Unsurprisingly, the NHTSA states that motorcyclists are more than 28 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in a collision than passengers within automobiles. Despite the fact that helmets can often make the difference between life and death in a motorcycle collision, a large percentage of motorcyclists choose to not wear a helmet. In 2016, approximately 60% of all motorcyclists killed in collisions were not wearing helmets.
The Importance of Hiring an Attorney for Your Workers’ Compensation Case
While every business that employs workers in the state of Illinois is required to follow Illinois’ workers’ compensation laws, many businesses and their insurers will try to fight against paying an injured worker just compensation. Companies looking to resist making large workers’ compensation payments routinely engage in disputes with injured employees about whether the injury occurred in the course and scope of employment and the extent of the injury. If you suffer an injury in the workplace, it is important to contact a quality legal representative as soon as possible.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Payments
When a workplace injury occurs, Illinois law states that the employer is responsible for compensating the injured employee for the loss of work hours, medical expenses, and disability payments. The amount an employer must pay can depend on a number of issues, including the severity of the initial injury and the duration of persisting symptoms.
Common Chronic Injuries Suffered by Office Workers
While most people think of workplace injuries as serious accidents involving falls or electrocutions, the majority of on-the-job injuries occur in the office while working on repetitive tasks. These injuries are referred to as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and they account for approximately 33% of all workplace injuries. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), MSDs are one of the most common causes of loss of work time. If you have been injured at your workplace, or if you have begun suffering from a musculoskeletal disorder, you should understand your options for receiving workers’ compensation benefits.
The Most Common Musculoskeletal Disorders
While musculoskeletal disorders do not come with the fatal consequences of a disastrous accident, their chronic nature can have life-changing implications. Even the most common of musculoskeletal disorders can lead to loss of work hours, chronic pain, and costly medical care. Common MSDs include:
Understanding Wrongful Death Laws in Illinois
The pain of losing a loved one can be incredibly traumatic. The tragic loss of a spouse or a family member can be especially difficult when the loss was caused by someone else’s negligence. While finances are often far away from the forefront of one’s thought process after a tragedy in the family, losing a family member, especially a spouse or parent, can have a monumental impact on one’s financial security. If you believe your loved one was fatally injured by the reckless or negligent actions of another party, you should understand your options for pursuing compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.
The Wrongful Death Act
Here in the state of Illinois, a death in which a party is liable is defined by the state’s Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180). According to Illinois law, wrongful death occurs when the death of a person is caused by neglect or a wrongful act that would normally constitute a personal injury suit if the injuries suffered were not fatal. Common situations involving wrongful death include fatal injury suffered in a car accident, death in a workplace accident, or the negligence of a nursing home employee ultimately leading to the death of a resident.
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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