Posted on December 18, 2019 in Car Accident

Being a passenger in an automobile accident of any kind is frightening, especially in the moments immediately following the crash. No matter how minor or major the collision, shock and confusion kick in, leaving you wondering if you suffered injuries, who else may be hurt, and what exactly happened that caused the crash in the first place. Motor vehicle collisions can be even scarier during the winter season, as weather conditions can leave you feeling even more vulnerable and unsure of what to do next while you wait on the side of the road for help to arrive.

Tips for Handling a Car Crash in Winter Weather

Whether you are involved in a major pile-up on an icy, treacherous interstate or are the victim of a small fender-bender due to low visibility on a snowy night, here are some tips for what to do immediately following a car accident in inclement weather conditions:

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 Posted on December 11, 2019 in Car Accident

The list of behaviors that lead to daily car accident injuries across the United States seems endless. From driving under the influence to distracted driving to driver fatigue, actions that increase the risk of a collision are inherently dangerous, regardless of the circumstances. According to most public safety awareness campaigns and driving instruction courses, the very best piece of advice for reducing the chances of being involved in a car crash is to practice defensive driving. While you cannot control another driver’s actions behind the wheel, you can do your best to protect your own safety by remaining alert and vigilant to all that is happening around you on the roadways.

Recognizing Aggressive Motorists

How you react -- and how you drive -- the moment you spot an aggressive driver may mean the difference between reaching your destination safely or becoming a crash statistic. Some of the most common signs of aggressive driving you should watch out for include:

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 Posted on December 03, 2019 in Car Accident

Startling findings from the National Sleep Foundation within the last year show that 60 percent of American drivers have driven while drowsy, and 37 percent have admitted to going as far as falling asleep behind the wheel. The National Safety Council (NSC) has taken this time of year as an opportunity to remind us that driver fatigue is a serious form of impaired driving, and a major cause of car accidents all across the nation, as Drowsy Driving Prevention Week recently took place during the month of November. With the increased amount of travel on the highways during the holidays, now seems a more fitting time than ever to heighten everyone’s awareness of the dangers of driving while sleepy.

How to Spot a Drowsy Driver 

You may already be familiar with the telltale signs of driving fatigue, such as “nodding off” or frequent yawning. Constant blinking, disconnected thoughts, or having difficulty remembering the last few miles you drove are other signs that you are too tired to drive. How can you spot drowsy drivers around you, though, and would you be able to recognize the signs? Much like other forms of impaired or distracted driving, driver fatigue often gives off similar warning signs, which all defensive drivers should watch for, including:

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 Posted on November 26, 2019 in Workers' Compensation

Winter has always been a season that requires extra safety precautions. Record-breaking cold temperatures and massive snowfall accumulations are becoming more and more common. Because of these dangerous conditions, workplace injuries are more likely to occur, and workers’ compensation claims tend to increase during winter months. During cold weather, you can take steps to protect your safety, but if an injury does occur, you should work with an attorney to determine your legal options.

Workplace Injuries Related to Cold Weather

During the winter, there are many different types of workplace injuries that can occur because of cold temperatures and hazardous conditions. In addition to the risks of slip-and-fall injuries due to icy and snowy working conditions, workers are also in danger of the following cold stress injuries:

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 Posted on November 20, 2019 in Medical Malpractice

Past studies reported by Forbes have estimated that 12 million Americans are misdiagnosed by health professionals each year, which makes up 5 percent of all patients who seek out doctors for answers to their health concerns. Considered by many experts to be an epidemic, the issue of medical malpractice takes many different forms, from medication and pharmaceutical errors to surgical, emergency room, and birth injury errors. Frightening accounts of medical malpractice cases are regularly amplified in the media and talked about in our communities, but many patients are still unsure of how to protect themselves and their families as they turn to their physicians for help. It is one thing to hear of someone else’s experience with a medical error, but it becomes an entirely different matter when it happens to you.

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 Posted on November 18, 2019 in Car Accident

The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of fatality in the workplace, and research according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that more than 32,000 people are killed each year due to car accidents across our highways nationwide. When it comes to non-fatal injuries due to vehicle collisions, the statistics are just as grim. The CDC reports that a staggering 2 million people are injured each year in car crashes in the United States alone. With numbers like these, drivers everywhere are in continual need of ongoing safety awareness and education. While prevention efforts are not enough on their own to put a stop to unnecessary collisions, they are key to saving lives, and they have been proven effective at significantly lowering injuries and accident risks, in general, each year.

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 Posted on November 12, 2019 in Brain Injury

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that approximately 2.87 million traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) were recorded in the year 2014. Motor vehicle accidents were the second most common cause of recorded brain injuries, and they accounted for more than half of all TBI-related hospitalizations in the United States that year. What can you expect during your crash-related TBI injury? It is important to understand what is involved in the recovery from this type of injury, both physically and financially. In some cases, another driver's negligence may have caused the crash that led to your TBI. A seasoned personal injury attorney can assist you in pursuing full and fair compensation for your losses. 

Understanding Your Prognosis

TBI-related injuries can range drastically in severity. Whereas one person might suffer only a minor concussion, needing only rest and relaxation for several weeks before making a full recovery, others may never return to full function. The areas of the brain affected by the injury, the duration between injury and treatment (where applicable), and the severity of the injury can all impact a person's prognosis. Some people do improve or recover sooner than expected, but your recovery plan should be discussed with your physician and followed exactly as instructed.

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 Posted on November 08, 2019 in Car Accident

The winter season is upon us, and as we gear up for another cold winter on our Illinois roadways, it is time to once again prepare for the potential seasonal road hazards that put drivers at risk for car accidents and injuries. Reports from USA Today revealed that between the years 2011 and 2015 alone, an average of nearly 800 people died in America due to winter weather. Everything from snow, rain, sleet, and ice caused such fatalities, and since then, the same seasonal hazards continue to cause both non-fatal and fatal injuries across the map each year around the same time. While these dangers naturally come with the territory when living in cold-weather regions, there are certain precautions drivers can take at the beginning of each winter season to help prevent themselves from becoming a car crash statistic, beginning with awareness.

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 Posted on November 04, 2019 in Car Accident

Whether you are involved in a minor fender-bender in a quiet, suburban area or find yourself a victim in a serious rear-end car accident, the moment you experience a crash, panic naturally takes over and can leave you feeling disoriented and unsure of what to do next. During those critical moments just after the collision, it can be difficult to push through the mental wave of shock, but the decisions you make amidst the aftermath are the most important and can make a significant difference in the outcome of the incident.

State Law Advisory for Drivers After a Crash

No matter where you are involved in a car accident, there are certain steps you need to take after the collision, like taking care of your health first and foremost. The state of Illinois advises all drivers to do the following after a crash and to be aware that failure to adhere to some of these practices could mean breaking the law:

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 Posted on October 30, 2019 in Medical Malpractice

If you have ever suspected a possible prescription medication error by your doctor or pharmacist, you are not alone. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that each year, they receive over 100,000 reports in the United States about suspected medication errors, which pile in from medical professionals, consumers, and drug manufacturers far and wide. Studies have shown that certain populations, such as the elderly and those of low socioeconomic status, are at greater risk of experiencing medication errors, a very serious form of medical malpractice. However, research further reveals that emergency departments are the third most common source for patients receiving incorrect doses or overdoses, placing the general public as a whole at risk.

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