There are many reasons why a person may receive a traffic ticket for violating the laws that apply to drivers of motor vehicles. Drivers who disobey the law threaten the safety of themselves, their passengers, and others who use the roads, including people in other vehicles, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. When car accidents occur because of traffic violations, a driver who broke the law will usually be at fault for the collision, and they may be held liable for the injuries suffered by victims.

Dangerous Traffic Violations That May Cause Collisions

Drivers commonly commit the following types of violations, and when doing so, they put themselves and others at risk:

• Speeding - Speed limits are meant to ensure that drivers travel at speeds that are safe based on the activity on a certain road. Residential neighborhoods usually have lower speed limits, and speed limits are set appropriately on roads where drivers frequently slow down to make turns or stop at intersections. When drivers exceed the speed limit, they may be unable to slow down in time to avoid colliding with a vehicle that is making a turn or with bicyclists or pedestrians who have entered the road. On roads with higher speed limits, drivers who speed may lose control of their vehicle and collide with other vehicles or obstacles to the side of the road. In addition to violations for driving above the speed limit, drivers may be cited with violations such as Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident or Driving Too Fast for Conditions.

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UPDATE: The recall discussed below, which took place in 2014, was for two lots of ParaGard devices that were not known to be fully sterile. The ParaGard IUD has never been subject to a full recall. However, in the years since this recall, many patients have reported issues with the devices, and multiple lawsuits are currently pending against the manufacturer.

The primary issue that has been reported with the ParaGard IUD is the possibility that it will break, usually when being removed from a patient's uterus. This can leave fragments of the device inside a person's body, and these fragments may need to be surgically removed to prevent further damage to the uterus or other organs. Since 2013, there have been more than 3,000 reports of device breakage made to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Nearly 2,000 of these events were considered serious, and 102 people have been hospitalized or faced life-threatening complications. It is likely that the issue is much more widespread, since there are many more people who have not reported incidents to the government or who are unaware of the risks they may face.

While the FDA has not indicated that it will be conducting investigations into the safety of ParaGard IUDs, some online communities are working together to help people share their experiences and raise awareness of the risks people face. In addition, at least 55 lawsuits have been filed in 20 different states by women who have suffered injuries because of the breakage of these devices. If you have experienced any injuries or health issues related to ParaGard IUDs or other birth control devices, Newland & Newland, LLP can advise you of your legal options and help you take action to recover financial compensation. Contact our Schaumburg personal injury lawyers today at 847-797-8000 to arrange a free consultation.

The spinal cord is one of the most important parts of the body’s nervous system. Since the spinal cord connects the brain to the nerves in the rest of the body, injuries that affect the spine can disrupt the messages sent and received by the brain. Depending on the location of the injury and the extent of the damage, a person may experience severe pain, tingling, or numbness. In severe cases, a spinal cord injury may result in partial or complete paralysis that affects different parts of the body, and the loss of use of these body parts will likely result in permanent disabilities.

While some spinal cord injuries may occur because of diseases or health conditions, in many cases, another person is to blame for causing physical harm to a person. Car accidents are a common cause of injuries to the spine. People may also suffer spine injuries in slip and fall accidents, and elderly people are especially susceptible to serious harm in these cases. Those who have suffered serious injuries because of someone else’s negligence or intentional actions will want to work with an attorney to determine how they can receive financial compensation that addresses the harm done to them and their family.

The Extent of Spine Injuries Depends on the Level Where the Injury Occurred

While the vertebrae in the spine protect the spinal cord, the impact by a heavy object or projectile may cause the vertebrae to be crushed, damaging the nerves. In some cases, an impact may sever the spinal cord completely. Unnatural motions, such as extreme bending of the neck or back, may stretch or compress the spinal cord, causing irreparable damage to the nerves. 

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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