Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Illinois workers' compensation lawyers at Abels & Annes, working with co-counsel, have reached a $24,000 settlement on behalf of a machine operator that sustained injuries while working in Chicago. The claimant's injuries took place in June, 2008 and February, 2009.

The machinery that the plaintiff worked with was extremely loud. This caused stereocilia of the inner ears (a form of hearing loss). The claimant also developed tinnitus from repetitive motion.

If you've been injured on the job in Illinois, contact a Chicago work comp lawyer at Abels & Annes for a free case evaluation. Call 312-924-7575 to speak directly to an attorney now.

Hazards are inescapable for bicyclists -- motorists, weather, road conditions and pedestrians can all serve as safety hazards. But there is one common risk we tend to overlook -- dooring. Over the past several years Chicago bike accident attorneys at Abels & Annes have settled several cases on behalf of Illinois bicyclists that were injured by opening car doors.

As we recently reported on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, officials have strengthened laws in Illinois to help keep cyclists safe. However, the Chicago Tribune reported that state transportation officials initially rejected pleas from cycling advocates to keep tabs on dooring incidents; advocates consider it to be one of the most common types of bike accidents in Chicago and elsewhere.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers urge bicyclists to keep an eye out for careless motorists. While the state has now agreed to track the issue, it will take more public awareness to reduce the number of instances in which a motorist carelessly opens a door into the path of a rider.

"We were never against collecting the data. There was never really any large effort to make us aware that doorings could be an issue," IDOT spokesman Guy Tridgell said.

A new article in the Chicago Tribune reports that a change ordered by Gov. Pat Quinn will now require that collisions caused by the doors of parked vehicles opening into the path of bicyclists be counted as crashes in Illinois. The new rule is effective immediately and requires that police departments across the state now record these dooring accidents on Illinois traffic crash forms.

"Anyone who rides a bike can tell you that dooring is a serious issue," said Gov. Pat Quinn. "One of the best ways we can increase public safety is by making sure we've got the best and most comprehensive data possible. That's why we've made this change."

This new line of accident data will be incorporated into annual traffic reports created by the Illinois Department of Transportation. As dooring accidents often cause serious injury or death, recording the data will allow officials to create a policies and prevention initiatives.

"We hope to use the data to obtain funding for education safety so drivers as well as bicyclists know what the risks are and what the factors are to create safer roadways," said Dan Persky, director of education at the Active Transportation Alliance.

Continue reading " Dooring to be tracked as cause of bicycle accidents in Chicago, elsewhere " »

Chicago work comp attorneys at Abels & Annes recently signed up two work injury cases. Both claims are being handled by Nicole Sommerfeld, an attorney who concentrates in handling Illinois workers' compensation cases.

In the first claim, our client is a Chicago public school teacher. In February, 2011 while on school grounds she slipped and fell on ice. She injured her right knee in the fall.

After the accident she started treatment with an orthopedic doctor in the Western suburbs. Subsequently an MRI showed she had sustained a tear in her knee. She had to undergo surgery to repair the tear earlier this month.

In the second case, the claimant was working at a furniture store in the Western Suburbs cutting boards with the machine. The machinery was not level and unexpectedly moved, cutting his left thumb.

The injured Illinois worker was treated at Good Samaritan Hospital. The laceration was severe enough that the claimant had to undergo a skin graft, taking skin from the left leg and placing it on his left thumb.

In both of the above cases, our office will work to make sure the plaintiffs receive appropriate medical care, disability pay for time off work, and a fair bodily injury settlement at the end of the case.

If you've been injured on the job the State of Illinois, contact a Chicago work injury lawyer at Abels & Annes for a free case evaluation. Contact us through our website or call 312-924-7575 to speak directly to an attorney now.

As we previous discussed on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The month hosted numerous events, put on by the National Safety Council (NCS) and FocusDriven, in attempt to help reduce the risks of a distracted driving car accident in Chicago and elsewhere in the U.S.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers hope that you take the message and practice safe, focused driving all year long. Distracted driving accidents can be prevented if drivers pledge to avoid distractions behind the wheel, which includes putting away their phones and avoiding distractions caused by GPS devices and other in-car systems.

With the advancements and the popularity of technological devices, many drivers find it convenient to multi task behind the wheel. Nearly 5,500 people were killed in 2009 in accidents that reportedly involved a distracted driver. While distracted driving is commonly thought to be related to cell phone use and texting behind the wheel, it also includes distractions like eating, drinking and playing with the radio while driving.

“If drivers can go one month without using their phones while driving, they will find out – as many of us have – work still gets done. Many drivers realize most of the calls they thought were so important, really aren’t. It is our hope drivers will decide to make the change permanently. Doing so will make our roadways safer for everyone,” said Jennifer Smith, FocusDriven president and founding board member.

These distracted driving facts illustrate just how prevalent distracted driving is on our roadways:

-Nearly 1,000 fatal accidents reportedly involved a driver using a cell phone behind the wheel last year.

-Nearly 500,000 people were injured last year in motor vehicle accidents caused by distracted driving.

-An estimated 20 percent of 1,517,000 injury accidents involved reports of distracted driving in 2009.

-Drivers that use hand held devices are four times more likely to be involved in an accident.

-Driving while using a cell phone gives you the same reaction time as a legally drunk driver with the blood alcohol content level of at least .08.

-Drivers under the age of 20 are most likely to be involved in fatal accidents caused by distracted driving than any other age group.

As Distracted Driving Awareness Month comes to a close, everyone is urged to continue to practice focused driving habits. Employers are urged to enforce a no cell phone policy at their business in an attempt to help keep employees safe. To help you get started, the National Safety Council offers employers a Cell Phone Policy Kit, which includes everything you need to help keep your workplace free of distracted driving accidents. Numerous corporations, including DuPont and Goodyear, have created and are enforcing rules banning the use of cell phones while driving.

Employers are urged to enforce a no cell phone policy in the workplace as motor vehicle-related incidents are consistently the leading cause of work-related fatalities in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nearly 40 percent of on-the-job fatalities are associated with motor vehicles. On-the-job roadway motor vehicle accidents affect millions of works each year. In 2008, nearly 4 million workers in the United States were classified as motor vehicle operators.

Continue reading " Chicago work accidents frequently caused by distracted driving " »

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) teamed up with its state and local law enforcement partners across the nation recently and conducted nearly 3,000 surprise passenger carrier safety inspections, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. These inspections come after a string of fatal bus accidents that we recently told you about on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog.

"Working side-by-side with our state and local law enforcement partners, we can ensure that every passenger bus company and driver operates as safely as possible," said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. "These strike force activities are one of the many effective tools we use year-round to raise the safety bar for commercial buses and drivers on our nation's roadways."

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers understand that everyone is budgeting their money more consciously since the beginning of the recession. While many companies are now offering lower ticket rates to appeal to potential customers, could they come with a cost -- in the form of older buses, less maintenance and lower pay for drivers.

"Safety is our number one priority," said Secretary LaHood. "We will continue to use every resource at our disposal to shut down unsafe passenger bus companies that place motorists at risk and remove drivers from our roads who put passengers in harm's way."

Of the approximately 3,000 inspections carried out by the FMCSA, nearly 300 drivers and buses were yanked off the road for failing to meet safety standards. The fact that 1 in 10 buses had safety risks so serious they were not permitted to remain on the road should tell passengers all they need to know about the state of bus safety in America.

The feds are making an effort to strengthen passenger carrier safety nationwide after being criticized for the recent fatal bus incidents. Still, more needs to be done to keep these companies honest -- and to make sure they are putting passenger safety ahead of profits.

Other agencies are contributing to the revamp of bus safety standards as well. The Obama Administration made much-needed improvements to motorcoach safety by creating and enforcing a new Motorcoach Safety Action Plan. In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed new regulations that require electronic on-board recorders and seat belts on every bus. These electronic on-board recorders aim to replace the antiquated system of having drivers track work hours with paper log books. The government also prohibited texting and cell phone use by commercial drivers who are operating a tour bus.

With the summer travel season upon us, we encourage you to do your best to ensure the bus company you choose can get you to your destination safely. More should go into your decisions about travel plans than the price of the ticket.

Continue reading " Surprise inspections target bus company after bus accidents in Chicago, elsewhere " »

A man is been killed in a Chicago pedestrian accident, and now police are asking for help in finding the driver that fled the scene, this according to the Chicago breaking news center. The accident occurred on the South Side on Tuesday around 7:54 PM at 449 E. 35th Street. The victim, a 50-year-old male, was only two blocks from his home when he was killed.

Chicago police officers found the victim lying in the street. At first they thought he might have fallen due to a medical condition. However, the Medical Examiner's Office indicated he suffered head trauma due to an accident. The Chicago Police Department's major accident investigation unit then started an investigation due to the apparent hit and run fatality. Police have no description of the vehicle involved.

Anyone with information regarding accident is being asked to call Chicago police at 312-745-4521.

If the hit-and-run driver is never located, the victim's family should be able to pursue an Illinois hit and run claim against his own auto insurance policy.

Some newer insurance policies are now rewarding drivers for driving fewer miles in their vehicles. New pay-as-you-drive policies, such as the one offered by State Farm, are now offering coverage based on the number of actual miles traveled instead of the amount of coverage you select, according to The Bellingham Herald.

While our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that everyone is dealing with the rough economy, we don’t recommend that your car insurance be an area you target for savings. As a general rule, motorists purchase as much coverage as they can reasonably afford.

Some important considerations when purchasing insurance coverage are your coverage limits and whether or not you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. These by-the-mile policies may claim to save you money up front, but they could end up costing as you put on miles. With the new program, drivers are required to report the miles traveled to the agent in order to determine the amount owed for that insurance period.

The pay-as-you-drive policies are currently available in 32 states, including Illinois, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. The policy, offered by State Farm, is referred to as the Drive Safe & Save program, but it advocates less driving over actual safe driving.

"Now you've got 39 different mileage segments where you can fall under and potentially have savings in each of those segments if you are moving down in mileage," State Farm spokesman Bob Devereux said.

Before the new insurance program was launched, the car insurance giant only offered two different types of coverage: those premiums ties to less than 7,500 annual miles traveled and those tied to more than 7,500 miles.

Regardless of coverage, it is important to speak with an attorney immediately after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. How you deal with insurance companies -- including your own -- could impact your ability to collect damages.

Continue reading " Pay-as-you-drive Policies may leave you at risk in a Chicago Car Accident " »

New cars may soon come with a new safety rating. This one won't judge how safe the car is going to keep the motorist in an accident, but how well it can prevent pedestrian accidents. A new report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety claims that automakers are working on a new technology that can detect the presence of pedestrians while the car is in motion and can react, even if the driver doesn't, to prevent pedestrian accidents in Chicago and elsewhere in the nation.

The Institute estimates that nearly 1.2 million accidents, including almost 900 fatalities, could be prevented each year if vehicles were already equipped with the preventive technology. Until then, our Chicago personal injury lawyers urge motorists to use extra caution and do your part to prevent pedestrian accidents -- especially now that spring is in full swing.

Edmunds.com reports that automakers began responding to the alarming number of pedestrian fatalities years ago by focusing on exterior features. Small modifications that have been made on passenger vehicles with pedestrian safety in mind include embedded hood ornaments, recessed door handles and spring mounted exterior mirrors.

The Institute doesn't plan on stopping there. Engineers are examining the bumpers on passenger cars. Advocates would like U.S. bumpers to meet the standards of those in Europe and Asia. Those are designed with larger crush space and with different supports for the plastic bumper cover in order to reduce leg injury. Other, high-tech features are also in development: If your car had the ability to detect a pedestrian and react before you did, there would be less of a need for these cushioned bumpers anyway.

"Understanding [vehicle-pedestrian collisions] is very complex. Every time we do a study, we learn 10 other side things we never expected. Those things in turn raise even more questions, requiring more research," said Douglas Longhitano, a senior engineer at Honda R&D Americas, Inc.

Until passenger vehicles and pedestrians can safely occupy the same roadways without physical interaction, it is up to individuals to keep safety as a priority. By staying aware, and practicing safe driving habits, Illinois motorists could have saved some of the 900 lives lost in 2009 because of motor-vehicle accidents.

Continue reading " New Technology Aims to Decrease Risk of Pedestrian Accidents in Chicago, elsewhere " »

April marks National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The event, put on by the National Safety Council (NCS) and FocusDriven, is urging drivers to stop using cell phones behind the wheel. In doing so, officials hope to reduce the risks of distracted driving car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere in the U.S.

Our Chicago person injury lawyers urge you to keep the lives of all motorists in mind and keep your full attention on the road. The NSC estimates that nearly 30 percent -- or 1.6 million accidents -- occur each year as a result of cell phone use at the wheel. This proves much more dangerous than any other type of distracted driving habit.

“If drivers can go one month without using their phones while driving, they will find out – as many of us have – work still gets done. Many drivers realize most of the calls they thought were so important, really aren’t. It is our hope drivers will decide to make the change permanently. Doing so will make our roadways safer for everyone,” said Jennifer Smith, FocusDriven president and founding board member.

The organization also believes this is an open opportunity for employers to implement cell phone policies to protect employees. The NSC offers you a free Cell Phone Policy Kit to help your business get on the road to safer driving habits.

Local Police Chief William Joyce will be making presentations on distracted driving at various local spots, including the Neighborhood Watch meeting. He finds it important to spread the word now because it's that time of year when our young drivers are gearing up for prom and graduation and the weather starts to clear up, influencing more highway travel.

“Five seconds to text, five seconds to do a radio scan, five seconds to discipline your kids," Joyce said. "It only takes a second to travel the length of a football field when you are driving 40-45 mph. And you are driving a 2,000 to 3,000 pound weapon (while doing so).”

Distracted.gov offers these statistics on distracted driving -- a growing epidemic:

-In 2009, roughly 20 percent of injury accidents were reportedly caused by distracted driving.

-18 percent of distracted-driving-related accidents resulting in death reported the use of a cell phone at the time of the incident.

-Nearly 5,500 were killed and an additional 448,000 were injured in accidents reportedly involving distracted driving in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

-Drivers are four times more likely to be involved in accident involving serious injury if they're using a hand-held device at the wheel.

-Using a cell phone behind the wheel gives a driver the same reaction time as a legally drunk driver.

-Young drivers under the age of 20 have the greatest proportion of distracted drivers. Roughly 16 percent of these drivers involved in fatal accidents were reportedly driving while distracted.

Continue reading " National Distracted Driving Awareness Month Kicks off -- Officials Hope to Decrease Risks of Chicago Car Accidents " »

Illinois work injury lawyers and Chicago motor vehicle accident attorneys at Abels & Annes have agreed to represent a truck driver that was injured on the job. The client will be pursuing both a worker's compensation claim and a third party claim.

In the course of his employment, the trucker was making a delivery in Chicago earlier this month. He was working on a loading dock when a forklift driver quickly turned a corner and struck him. The forklift was moving too fast for conditions on the loading dock.

Immediately after the collision the truck driver started experiencing back and neck pain. An ambulance was called and he was taken to Mercy Hospital and Medical Center.

Over the next several days the claimant's pain became so bad he could barely get out of bed. He has since started treatment with an orthopedic doctor in the Chicago area.

Due to the fact that the truck driver was injured during the course of his employment, we will be pursuing a work comp claim on his behalf. Further, because he was injured by the negligence of another party, we will be pursuing a claim against the forklift driver and his employer.

If you've been injured on the job, call the Chicago work accident lawyers at Abels & Annes at 312-924-7575 for free consultation. There is no attorney's fee unless we recover for you.

Illinois personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes have agreed to represent a Chicago pedestrian who was hit by a car in February, 2011. The accident happened at the intersection of Central Avenue and Belmont Street in Chicago. The plaintiff had a walk sign to cross Central when the driver of a' 99 Saturn turned right from Belmont onto Central and failed to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

Chicago police officers responded to the scene of the accident. At that time, the driver admitted that when he made the turn the sun was directly in his eyes, so he never saw the pedestrian in the crosswalk. He was ticketed for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident and failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

Immediately after the collision the client started experiencing pain in his left knee, left ribs in the left side of his body. A Chicago Fire Department ambulance transported him to Resurrection Medical Center for emergency room treatment.

Over the next several days, the pedestrian's pain did not resolve and only got worse. He has since started treating with an orthopedic physician in Chicago.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Chicago automobile vs. pedestrian accident, contact an Illinois personal injury attorney at Abels & Annes for a free, no obligation case evaluation. Call 312-924-7575 to speak directly to a lawyer now.

Chicago's Department of Transportation is lobbying for a new bicycle lane along one of the underserved commuter corridors to help increase cyclist safety and reduce the risks of a Chicago bicycle accidents.

The projected lane, called 'Cycle Track', will be constructed for recreational and commuter use and will consist of a barricade barrier to help protect cyclists from the speedy and potentially dangerous traffic, according to bikeradar.com.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers understand that cycling is done for fun, recreation and fitness. And it is an activity most popular with middle-aged men. Unfortunately those same men are the most likely victims of a serious or fatal accident, which can leave a family financially devastated. We encourage you to bike smart and watch for motorists.

The new bike lane, if approved, would provide a raised concrete planter box, acting as a shield, to separate a bike-only lane from traffic lanes. A portion of a $3.2 million federal grant would be used to fund construction of the lane from 69th to 77th streets down Stony Island Avenue.

“This type of bike route could offer a model for certain areas,” says Anne Alt of the Chicago Cycling Club, noting that the area would be a wise choice as hasn’t always been so cycle friendly. “Before the interstate highways were built, Stony Island was the equivalent of a highway for Chicago's south side. It still carries a very high volume of traffic at higher-than-average speeds for a city street.”

As we recently reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers Blog, the city remains the most dangerous place in the state of Illinois for bicycling accidents. As the Illinois Department of Transportation reports Chicago bicycle accidents accounted for one-fourth of all fatal crashes, claiming five lives and injuring nearly 1,400 cyclists.

The City of Chicago's Safety in Motion campaign offers our bicyclists these safety tips:

-First and foremost, always wear your helmet. This piece of protective gear can mean either life or death with an accident involving a motor vehicle.

-Make sure your bike is equipped with rear-reflectors. The bigger these reflectors, the more effective they'll be in making your presence known to drivers. Be sure to angle them correctly, not too far up or too far down but straight back behind you. Remember that only red ones are legal.

-Put a headlight on your bike. Make sure it's battery-powered and is either a halogen or strobe light. It is recommended for you to have the brightest, white light you can fine. Red is shunned as a front-bike light.

-Be sure to ride slower in the rain and remember that motorists may have a more difficult time seeing you in poor weather conditions.

-Plan your route ahead of time. This will allow you to choose safer routes, avoid busy traffic and keep yourself from being stranded from exhaustion.

-Be courteous around other bicyclists. When sharing a road or path, make sure to use signals and acknowledge one another as crashes can occur when the proper precautions are not taken.

Continue reading " Lobbying for New Bike Lane to Reduce Risks of Chicago Bicycling Accidents " »

Illinois car accident attorney Gary Annes of Abels & Annes obtained a $35,000 jury verdict this week in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The case stemmed from an automobile vs. motorscooter accident that occurred back on June 25, 2008 at around 5:45 PM on westbound Lawrence Avenue in Chicago.

At the time of the accident, the plaintiff was riding a motor scooter and a car in front of him stopped to make a left turn. Our client then stopped behind that car.

At that time the defendant, who was westbound on Lawrence Avenue driving a Buick Century, failed to stop and struck the plaintiff from behind. The impact caused our client to fall off the scooter, landing on his back.

After the collision, he had an immediate onset of head, neck, back and left foot pain. That night his condition got worse and he had difficulty sleeping.

The day after the accident he was still having significant pain and sought treatment at a trauma center. There, diagnostic tests were taken which were negative for any fractures.

Over the next week plaintiff's pain remained. On July 3, 2008 he sought further treatment from a board-certified neurologist. At that time his most significant pain was in his low back. The doctor ordered an MRI and prescribed course of physical therapy. The MRI was negative for herniated discs.

A lawsuit was recommended by our office because the defendant's insurance carrier would only offer $5,000 to settle during pre-suit negotiations. Here, the decision to go to court paid off many times over for our client.

If you have been injured in a Chicago auto accident, contact the Illinois car crash attorneys at Abels & Annes for a free consultation. There is no attorney's fee unless we recover for you.

An Illinois teacher in the northern suburbs has been charged with sexually abusing 4 children under the age of 13, according to Fox news. The defendant was arrested at his home in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Saturday by Round Lake Beach Police on a warrant charging him with the sexual abuse of minors.

The defendant has been employed as a teacher for six years and was working as a third-grade teacher at Raymond Ellis Elementary School in Round Lake Beach. School and police officials would not state where the alleged abuse took place.

School District 116 made telephone calls alerting parents of the charges and also sent letters home with students. The teacher is expected to wave extradition and appear in Lake County bond court this Friday.

It has not been reported if a civil lawsuit has been filed or if a Chicago area sexual abuse attorney is involved in the case.

UPDATED STORY, 4/8/2011: CBS news is reporting that a Lake County judge set bond for the defendant at $250,000 after prosecutors informed the court that there could be additional victims. The teacher is accused of inappropriately touching four girls, ages 9 and 10, between August 18, 2010 and March 23, 2011. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison for each count filed against him.

A three-year-old boy from Dalton has died in an Illinois premises liability accident on Saturday after falling from a children's roller coaster, according to the Naperville Sun. The accident occurred around 7 PM at an establishment called Go Bananas, which is described as a family entertainment center located at 4516 N. Harlem Ave. in Norridge, Illinois. The toddler was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy was performed on Sunday and it showed that the boy died of multiple injuries sustained in the accident. Further, his death has been ruled an accident.

Is being reported that the victim and his twin brother were riding a small roller coaster when the child somehow freed himself from a safety bar and then became stuck between two cars, and then fell 3 or 4 feet from the moving coaster.

The owner of the facility, who was not present at the time of the accident, as stated that he plans on cooperating 100% through the investigation.

It has not been reported if a Chicago premises liability lawyer is involved in the case or if a civil lawsuit has been filed by the victim's family.

Click here to read the story as reported by Fox news and the New York Daily News.

It might be early, but as long as the snow is melting it's not too early for die-hard riders to hit the roads. Motorists unprepared for riders on the road in early spring are at increased risk of causing a Chicago motorcycle accident.

The Illinois Department of Transportation has teamed with the Gold Wing Road Riders Association and a Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) to warn motorists to watch for cyclists this spring.

Our Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys know that more than half of all motorcycle accidents that involve another vehicle are the fault of the motorist, and not the rider.

“IDOT is dedicated to motorcycle safety in Illinois and has developed a proven and effective traffic safety program to positively impact motorcyclists and the general public as a whole,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable of highway users, and we want to work together to promote motorcycle safety and help protect all of the motoring public.”

In an effort to address those accidents which involve fault on the part of the rider, the organizations are kicking off a statewide campaign called "Gear Up," which is aimed at encouraging riders to wear the proper equipment and receive the proper training.

"Our goals are to educate our members in proper riding techniques and safe operation and to improve public acceptance and awareness of motorcyclists while maintaining a friendly, fun atmosphere,” said GWRRA Illinois District Director Dan Ribbing. “The Illinois District of the GWRRA is proud to cooperate with the State of Illinois and all of its departments in educating the motoring public.”

Despite representing less than 3 percent of the vehicles on the road, motorcycle riders account for about 1 in 7 fatality victims.

“The mission of the members of ABATE. of Illinois is to preserve the universal right to a safe, unrestricted motorcycling environment, and to propose and advocate actions that can be taken by elected and appointed officials to protect and conserve the natural resources of the State of Illinois, and ensure through professional management that sustainable use, recreational opportunities and enjoyment of these new resources is available for this and future generations,” said ABATE of Illinois, Inc.

IDOT offers the following safety tips as part of the "Gear Up" campaign:

-Wear the proper gear, including a DOT-approved helmet, goggles or glasses, long pants and gloves, and protective footwear. High-visibility clothing can offer added protection.

-Make sure your bike is properly serviced and in good repair.

-Take advantage of free training opportunities and other safety programs. IDOT will make 25,000 free training slots available in 2011 to riders of all skill levels. Click here to learn more about Illinois motorcycle safety courses.

-Make sure you have the proper license and you obey all traffic laws. About 1 in 5 riders killed in accidents do not have the proper license.

-Never drink and ride. Alcohol plays a part in more than one-third of all fatal motorcycle crashes.

-Know your abilities and do not ride beyond them.

To learn more about motorcycle safety in Illinois visit Start Seeing Motorcycles.

Continue reading " Even in early spring, Chicago motorcycle accidents a concern " »

It's no April Fool's Joke: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Friday that the United States last year had the fewest number of traffic fatalities ever recorded.

However, our Chicago personal injury lawyers reported last month on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog that the National Safety Council had reported that fatal crashes began to increase during the fourth quarter of 2010 as the economic recovery gained steam.

"Last year's drop in traffic fatalities is welcome news and it proves that we can make a difference," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Still, too many of our friends and neighbors are killed in preventable roadway tragedies every day. We will continue doing everything possible to make cars safer, increase seat belt use, put a stop to drunk driving and distracted driving and encourage drivers to put safety first."

The Illinois Department of Transportation reports 127 fatal Chicago car accidents were reported in 2010, compared to the 141 that occurred in 2009.

The 32,788 traffic deaths last year was three percent lower than the 33,808 recorded in 2010 and the lowest level since modern record keeping began in 1949. The number of people killed in traffic accidents has declined 25 percent since 43,510 motorists died in 2005.

"The decrease in traffic fatalities is a good sign, but we are always working to save lives," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. "NHTSA will continue pressing forward on all of our safety initiatives to make sure our roads are as safe as they can possibly be."

Concrete figures will be released by the agency this summer. But early estimates show accidents increased by 1.6 to 1.8 percent in both the third and fourth quarters, confirming the trend identified by the National Safety Council.

And, in fact, Region 5, which includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan saw an increase of 3.9 percent -- the highest increase anywhere in the nation outside New England, where fatalities increased 18 percent last year. Region 2, which includes Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, was the only other area of the nation to report an increase -- fatal crashes there were up 2 percent.

Continue reading " Fewest fatal accidents in history in 2010 but Illinois' region posts increase in deadly car accidents " »