Bicyclists understand that they are at risk of injury when riding near vehicles. However, drivers are responsible for sharing the road safely with bicycles and taking the proper measures to avoid bicycle accidents. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to live up to this responsibility. If drivers do not notice bicycles near their vehicle, or if they act unsafely when bicycles are on the road, they can cause serious injuries to bicyclists. One way people in vehicles can injure bicycles is through “dooring.”

What Is Dooring?

When drivers park on the side of a busy road, they will likely be aware of other vehicles, and they will be looking to protect their own safety when they open their doors and exit their vehicle. However, drivers and passengers often fail to look for bicycles in these situations, including those who are traveling in bike lanes or who are riding in a lane of traffic near parked vehicles. If a person in a vehicle opens their door without checking for bicycles, they may block a bicyclist’s path or strike a bicycle.

In many cases, dooring will cause a cyclist to fall from their bike. A bicyclist who cannot stop before colliding with a car door in their path may be sent flying over their handlebars. This can cause multiple types of injuries when a cyclist collides with a door and lands on the ground. These may include serious cuts and bruises, broken bones, dislocated joints such as shoulders or wrists, injuries to the spinal cord and the vertebrae in the neck or back, or traumatic brain injuries, which may occur even if a person is wearing a helmet.

Injuries can occur for a wide variety of reasons, and in many cases, they are accidental. However, there are some situations where injuries may be intentionally inflicted. Bar fights are one such situation, and even if a person was not looking to start a fight, they may act aggressively toward someone else and cause them harm. As more bars and entertainment venues begin to open to the public after being closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is likely that fights will occur. Those who are injured in these types of fights will want to understand their options for receiving financial compensation. By identifying the parties who were responsible for their injuries, victims can take action to hold these parties liable and receive compensation for their damages.

Liability for Bar Fight Injuries

Whenever a person acts in a way that causes harm to someone else, they can be held liable for the injuries and damages that were inflicted. In cases involving bar fights, a person may be charged with assault and battery, but even if they are not convicted of these charges, they may be held liable for injuries they intentionally inflicted on someone else. Depending on the extent of the victim’s injuries and whether a person acted with reckless disregard for others’ safety, they may be required to pay punitive damages in addition to compensating the victim for the ways they have been affected.

In addition to the person who injured someone else in a bar fight, the establishment where the fight occurred may also be liable. A victim may be able to pursue a premises liability lawsuit against a bar or nightclub if it did not take the proper measures to protect its patrons’ safety. For example, a bar may be liable if it did not provide proper security and remove patrons who were acting aggressively or belligerently towards others. An establishment may also be liable for injuries inflicted by bouncers or security staff who were breaking up a fight.

For many, warmer weather means that it is time to get out on the water. The Arlington Heights area has many opportunities for fishing, canoeing, water skiing, jet skiing, or lounging on the deck of a pontoon. Unfortunately, severe and even fatal accidents can occur during a boating excursion. If you or a loved one were hurt in a boat accident in a boat that was rented, you might be unsure of your rights in this scenario. Is the boat rental company liable for the accident? Who will pay for your medical bills?

Understanding Liability for a Boat Accident

Boat accidents can happen for countless reasons. In some cases, a boat collides with the shore, a submerged object, or another watercraft. Injuries may also occur when a boater slips and falls on the boat deck. Boat defects may cause the boat to flood, resulting in injuries or even death due to drowning. After a boat-related injury, the legal options available to you are primarily based on the reasons for the boat accident. The cause of your boat accident may include:

• Boating under the influence – Although prohibited by Illinois law, many boaters choose to operate the boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you were injured in a boat accident caused by an intoxicated boat operator, the operator might be liable for your injury. If a boat operator of a commercial boat such as a fishing charter caused a boat accident while under the influence, the company may be liable.

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The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) reports that one individual is sexually assaulted every 73 seconds in the United States. The effect that sexual violence has on the victim cannot be overstated. Sexual abuse victims often bear physical and psychological scars for the rest of their lives. If you or a loved one were the victim of sexual abuse, you should know that you may be able to hold the perpetrator accountable and recover damages through a personal injury lawsuit.

How a Personal Injury Case Differs From a Criminal Case

Sadly, many sexual abuse victims are abused by someone that they trusted. The perpetrator may be a family member, teacher, religious authority, community member, or another respected figure. This can often make it even harder for the victim to report the abuse. Some sexual abuse survivors can hold their abuser accountable through criminal proceedings. However, there is sometimes not enough evidence for the prosecution to secure a conviction against the perpetrator. Even if the criminal case is successful, a criminal conviction against an abuser does not offer the victim restitution.

A personal injury lawsuit is a civil case that may be brought in the absence of a conviction or in addition to a criminal case. The perpetrator does not need to be convicted of sexual abuse or another sex crime for the victim to bring a civil claim against him or her. In fact, it is possible to bring a successful civil case against the perpetrator even if the perpetrator was acquitted of criminal charges. This is because the standard of proof in a personal injury case is lower than that of a criminal case. Prosecutors must prove guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt” to get a criminal conviction. To hold a perpetrator civilly liable for the abuse, his or her actions must be proven "by a preponderance of the evidence,”—which means that the judge or jury must be convinced that the perpetrator was more likely than not to have caused the injuries alleged in the lawsuit. 

Foodborne illnesses occur when food is contaminated with dangerous viruses, bacteria, or parasites. About one out of six people in the United States suffer from some type of foodborne illness each year. Some endure painful symptoms such as severe vomiting and diarrhea that keep them from working and fulfilling their daily responsibilities. Others get so sick that they require hospitalization. Sadly, about 3000 people die because of foodborne illnesses annually. If you or a loved one suffered from food poisoning or another form of foodborne illness, you may be able to sue the responsible party and collect compensation for your damages.  

Foodborne Illnesses Often Occur When Food is Negligently Prepared or Stored

Most foodborne illnesses are preventable. Many times, an individual suffers a foodborne illness because a restaurant, grocery store, product manufacturer, or other party acted negligently.  According to the Food and Drug Administration, the following steps can prevent most pathogens from contaminating food:

• Thoroughly washing hands and cooking equipment  
• Washing fruits and vegetables
• Cooking food to a safe temperature
• Avoiding cross-contamination between raw and cooked food
• Keeping food refrigerated

Failure to follow basic hygiene and safe cooking procedures can constitute negligence. Sick individuals have the right to bring a personal injury claim and pursue compensation when a party’s negligent actions cause them to suffer injury or illness and the injury or illness leads to damages. Damages in a foodborne illness case often include hospital bills, lost income from missed work, and pain and suffering.