Every year around this time, sleet, snow, and ice make for dangerous driving. Most drivers slow down and take the roads carefully, but not everybody drives safely enough to prevent serious car accidents from happening. 

One such accident recently occurred on the Illinois-Wisconsin border that sent nearly 30 people to the hospital and involved several dozen vehicles. Accidents like this cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage, threaten lives, and often lead to many victims who require expensive, long-term medical care. However, determining who is responsible for such an accident can be very difficult, especially with so many cars involved. If you were hurt in an Illinois multi-vehicle pileup accident, a personal injury lawyer could be very helpful to you. 

Who is Responsible for Causing a Pileup Crash? 

One of the cardinal rules of driving is making sure that you leave enough room between yourself and the car in front of you to come to a sudden and complete stop if necessary. However, multi-car pileups complicate this factor, because getting hit from behind by another car can cause you to lurch forward and hit the car in front of you. 

Various parts of Illinois are bustling with pedestrians rushing to get to work or simply enjoying the day. But pedestrians are some of the most vulnerable people on the roads. They have to share the streets with fast-moving cars and big trucks and the obvious disadvantage is that they lack protective equipment when taking a stroll. A recent study shows that pedestrian accidents lead to a high number of knee injuries. Being injured in any type of accident can lead to long-term physical disability and impairment. At Newland & Newland, LLP, we are dedicated to helping you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Why is The Knee Such an Easy Target?

A recent study looked at pedestrian accidents and people’s knees. It found that the front bumper in low passenger cars often strikes the knee joint or just below the knee joint. The most vulnerable part of the knee is the MCL ligament and menisci. The severity of the injury often depends on how fast the car was going at the time of impact and exactly what part of the knee was struck. The knee joint is supposed to bend and rotate smoothly as the bones, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons work in tandem. If you experience knee pain after a car accident, it can certainly be due to one of these areas being injured.

A Closer Look at Knee Injuries

A serious pedestrian accident can cause permanent damage to the knee. In many cases, mobility is often never quite the same. Here is a closer look at the potential knee injuries a pedestrian may sustain if they are hit by a car and why surgery may be required:

X-rays are crucial in diagnosing an illness. But despite advances in technology, error rates in radiology remain almost the same as they did back in 1949. New research found that radiologists are missing significant problems in about 30 percent of chest x-rays while looking for disease. Radiologist mistakes continue to happen and, in some instances, they can lead to irreversible damage. Responsible parties must be held accountable because injuries from a misread x-ray can lead to lifelong disabilities or even death.

X-Rays and Neurocognitive Flaws

Typically, x-ray technicians and doctors review the images to determine if there is a cause for concern. This is often the time when errors occur. In many cases, radiologists do not notice potential health problems leading to worsening health conditions for the patient.

The most common injury at birth is a newborn’s fractured collarbone, which can lead to the development of Erb’s palsy (also known as brachial plexus birth palsy), a nerve condition that affects the shoulder and arm. The mere thought of that happening to your newborn is upsetting and painful to parents. Unfortunately, some 12,000 babies are born with Erb’s palsy. If your child suffered a birth injury you could be entitled to financial compensation for medical malpractice.

How Can Childbirth Trigger Erb’s Palsy?

During a difficult vaginal childbirth or a cesarean section, a doctor may have to move the baby’s head if it is in a breech position. This condition is most common in larger babies who may need to be pulled out during delivery. In some cases, the stretching of the nerves causes damage and tears. The injury leads to weakness or loss of muscle function. Medications such as oxytocin or an epidural during labor can also be contributing factors. There are four types of brachial plexus injuries during childbirth:

• Avulsion – nerve tears away from the spine

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Medical errors are a serious public health problem and a leading cause of death in the United States. At least 4,000 surgical mistakes occur each year in the United States, causing catastrophic harm to patients. The Joint Commission, which drives quality improvement and patient safety, acknowledges that surgical errors are preventable. If a surgical error caused you serious harm, you may be entitled to compensation.

What Triggers Surgical Mistakes?

The impact of surgical errors can range from life-altering injuries to loss of life. Surgical mistakes seem to be more common before and after the actual surgery rather than errors made in the operating room. However, there are some errors that occur frequently. Some of the causes of surgical errors include the following:

• Inadequate surgeon training and education

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