Fatigued Drivers Contributing to Risk of Car Accidents in Chicago

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that one of its recently conducted studies revealed that about 5 percent of drivers have fallen asleep at the wheel at least once in the last 30 days. The CDC conducted this study to truly illustrate the dangers of drowsy driving and the number of car accidents in Illinois and elsewhere.

Other studies reveal even more alarming statistics. The National Sleep Foundation also conducted a similar study that determined that about a third of all drivers have fallen asleep while driving over the last year. Another 13 percent of drivers from that study reported falling asleep while driving at least once over the last 30 days.

Our Chicago car crash attorneys understand that these statistics are likely much, much higher. Not all drivers will willingly report to an officer that they were fatigued or drowsy during a traffic accident. For this reason, no true number can be recorded. There's no equivalent to a Breathalyzer to monitor someone's level of sleepiness.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are approximately 100,000 motor-vehicle accidents that happen every single year that are caused by fatigued drivers. These types of accidents kill approximately 1,550 people and injure 71,000 more. These accidents result in nearly $13 billion in losses every year.

Some studies even conclude that about a fourth of all traffic accidents involve a drowsy or fatigued driver, according to Automotive Industry Today.

Fatigued driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Both scenarios significantly reduce a driver's ability to respond to traffic challenges and road hazards. The Centre for Sleep Research, which is based out of Australia, concludes that a driver that has been awake for about 18 hours has the same reactions as someone with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05. A driver that has been awake for an entire day, or 24 hours, has the same abilities as a driver that has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10. In Illinois, a driver is legally drunk when they've hit a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08.

One of the most ineffective ways that a driver can try to "cure" their sleepiness is to just pull through it. Many drivers believe that they can just drink some caffeine, open the windows or turn up the music to wake them up. These are only temporary fixes and won't last long, putting you right back into serious risks for a car accident.

Tips to prevent fatigued driving accidents:

-Schedule driving breaks. A driver should stop every three hours. Use this time to get out of the car and stretch.

-Get enough regular sleep. Drivers who get an average of six or seven hours of sleep each night are as much as twice as likely to be involved in an accident as a driver who regularly gets eight hours of sleep. Drivers who average five hours of sleep are five times as likely to be involved in an accident.

-If you feel tired behind the wheel, pull over and rest or switch with a passenger. Never continue to drive if you feel sleepy at the wheel.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a fatigued driver, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

More Blog Entries:

Distracted Driving Car Accidents in Chicago Believed to be underestimated, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, August 25, 2011

Deadly Chicago area auto accident caused by wrong way driver, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, August 21, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

IDOT Teams with NASCAR to Reduce Risks of Car Accidents in Chicago

Rain may have delayed the Geico 400 until Monday, but nothing takes away from the fact that the state of Illinois recently celebrated its 5th NASCAR race weekend. And this year, the weekend face opened up the 10-race Chase for the Championship.

From September 15th through the 18th, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) joined forces with Chicagoland Speedway and NASCAR to help raise awareness about the importance of safe driving habits. The event promoted both the "Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk" and the "Buckle Up America" safety campaigns in an effort to reduce the number of car accidents in Chicago, both on race weekend and through the upcoming holiday season.

“This productive relationship and popular racing venue has helped us deliver a positive message and dramatically impact driving behavior,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys understand that our state is the very first to team up with NASCAR to promote safe driving habits. Included in the event was prize drawings and a pledge for participants to make to drive safely on our roadways. Outreach programs were held in Champions Park, on the main Concourse, in the Midway and in the KidsZone. Child passenger safety was also a hot topic of the event. Drivers were urged to keep an eye on their speeds and to beware the dangers of potential driver distractions.

The vice president of public affairs and multicultural development, Marcus Jadotte, says the he and NASCAR were thrilled to be able to join efforts with IDOT and the Chicagoland Speedway. He says that this event was an excellent example of how the partnership continues to send a positive message to motorists, communities and NASCAR fans.

IDOT also invited a number of NASCAR racing teams to this year's event. With them came corporate sponsors and a number of drivers. Everyone joined together to support the cause.

NASCAR drivers in attendance at this year's event:

-Carl Edwards

-Clint Bowyer

-Reed Sorenson

-Trevor Bayne

-Stanton Barrett

-Colin Braun

-Cale Gale

-Kurt Busch

-David Ragan

-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

-Travis Kvapil

-Johnny Benson

-Erik Darnell

One of the tops causes for car accidents in our area is driver inattention. We can all do our part to help reduce the risks of these accidents by just focusing some of our attention inward and correcting our own driving deficiencies. Some of these poor driving habits include driver fatigue, driver distractions, impaired driving and speeding. These are all poor habits that come with simple fixes.

In Illinois, there were nearly 290,000 traffic accidents in 2010. About 89,000 people were injured in these accidents and nearly 930 were killed. Although this is the lowest number of traffic accident-related deaths that have been recorded since 1921, we're still experiencing far too many. These numbers can be significantly reduced with safe, cautious and alert driving habits.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, the Chicago injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer you a free consultation to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

More Blog Entries:

Fatigued Drivers Contributing to Risk of Car Accidents in Chicago
September 18, 2011

Fatal Distracted-Driving Car Accident in Chicago Could Result in Serious Criminal Charges
September 15, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Study Focuses on Countermeasures to Reduce Risks of Distracted-Driving Car Accidents in Illinois and Elsewhere

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) recently released a summary of the affects and consequences of distracted driving. The organization is giving the information to states, which are encouraged to make changes.

The information was taken from nearly 400 papers written between 2000 and 2011 about driver distraction. According to distraction.gov, more than 5,400 people were killed in 2009 because of car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere that involved a distracted driver. Approximately 448,000 people were injured because of these incidents.

Out Chicago personal injury attorneys understand that distracting diving habits can oftentimes produce fatal consequences. Distractions affect a driver's ability to react to road hazards and could be involved in as many as 30 percent of all traffic fatalities. The new report, "Distracted Driving: What Research Shows and What States Can Do." aims to determine which countermeasures can be taken by state officials to help reduce the risks of these types of accidents.

The study was funded by a grant from State Farm. The report also illustrates exactly what distracted driving is, how a distraction can impact a driver's abilities, how often motorists are distracted behind the wheel, and what the crash risks are for these types of accidents.

“Despite all that has been written about driver distraction, there is still a lot that we do not know,” said GHSA Executive Director Barbara Harsha.

The distracted driving report made the following findings:

-Distractions significantly affect a driver's performance.

-Drivers have been found to drive while distracted about half of the time they're behind the wheel.

-Drivers have the ability to adapt. Drivers are able to focus more of their attention on driving and reduce the attention focused on a distraction in a risky driving scenario.

-Texting behind the wheel is much more dangerous that using a cell phone while driving.

States, according to the report, should consider the following countermeasures to combat the problem:

-Continue low-cost road measures, including centerline rumble strips. These strips alert drivers that a vehicle is drifting out of the lane.

-Consider enacting a texting ban for all drivers.

-Consider enacting a complete cell phone ban for all drivers. This ban is most effective when hands-free devices are included in the law.

-Keep a record of all distracted-driving accidents. This information will help officials to evaluate any current distracted driving laws or programs.

-Conduct research before enacting new distracted driving-related laws. Government officials should research areas in which the desired laws are already in effect to determine how they could potentially affect local traffic.

-Continue to enforce current distracted driving-related laws.

-Encourage all employers to create and enforce an anti-cell phone policy in the workplace. This is especially important for employees who drive on the job.

In the state of Illinois, all drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone while driving through a school zone or in a highway construction zone. All school bus drivers and those who are under the age of 19 are also prohibited from using a cell phone while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. All drivers in the City of Chicago have been banned from using a hand held cell phone while driving. No driver is the state is allowed to text while driving.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident with a distracted driver, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer you a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

More Blog Entries:

Windy City Drivers Among the Nation's Worst -- Chicago Car Accidents Often Result, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, September 12, 2011

As the School Year Begins, Officials Focus on Preventing Teen Car Accidents in Illinois, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, August 31, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Local Celebs Participate in Demonstration to Raise Awareness of Drunk Driving Accidents in Illinois

We can now say goodbye to the summer season. Unfortunately the risks of drunk driving car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere will not diminish as we head into football season and the year-end holidays. With the holiday season approaching, more and more drivers head out to local hot spots to celebrate good times with friends and family, according to KTTC.

To help reduce the risks of these drunk driving accidents, Pete McMurray, the morning show host for Chicago's 97.9 The Loop and NBC Chicago's "24/7" television show, uses his time on the air to raise awareness in drivers of the effects of driving while intoxicated. He uses his shows to educate his listeners about the dangers and the consequences that motorists face when sharing the roadways with an irresponsible and intoxicated drivers.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys understand that a large number of motorists are injured and killed by intoxicated drivers every year. To help combat this number, the Illinois State Police recently conducted a "Wet Lab Experiment." As we recently discussed on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, a wet lab experiment requires participants to consume an amount of alcohol that would place them at a legally drunk level (.08 blood alcohol concentration). They are then asked to complete a number of tasks that a normal drunk driver would if they were stopped by an officer, including a DUI arrest and Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). McMurray was also a part of the demonstration.

McMurray participated in a wet lab experiment live during The Pete McMurray Show on 97.9 The Loop. The experiment took place late last month.

"It is important for people to know what effect even a single drink can have on your abilities and judgment. Even at 6am when we're starting the show and certain third shift socialites are just hitting their favorite pub," said McMurray.

Jane Monzures, the host of "Living Healthy Chicago" of WGN, also joined McMurray for the drunk driving awareness demonstration.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were more than 300 people that were killed because of traffic accidents that involved an intoxicated driver in 2009 in Illinois. Our state reports that about 50,000 people are arrested every single year for driving while intoxicated.

After the experiment, members from the Chicago, Police Department, The National Transportation Safety Administration, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the media personalities and a number of other state officials participated in a press conference to discuss the findings of the wet lab.

It's no surprise that drinking and driving is a dangerous habit, yet far too many motorists continue to endanger innocent motorists on our roadways. With increased enforcement efforts and more conscious driving habits, we can all contribute our efforts to help make our roadways safer during the upcoming holiday season and year round.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving car accident, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

More Blog Entries:

Officers Crackdown on Intoxicated Drivers to Prevent Fatal Car Accidents over the Labor Day Weekend, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, September 2, 2011

Chicago injury lawyer settles DUI accident lawsuit for $100,000 policy limits, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, July 24, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Driver's Ed Vehicles Could Be Endangering Teens in Chicago Car Accidents

Your teen driver may be learning to drive in a vehicle that has some of the worst safety ratings. The Chicago Tribune looked into the matter in an attempt to figure out which cars our young drivers are learning in and the results are frightening.

A large number of Chicagoland schools are putting our teens in the driver's seat of vehicles that would likely not adequately protect them in the event of a Chicago car accident.

Our Chicago injury attorneys understand that the type of vehicle that a motorists drives has a significant impact on occupant safety in the event of an accident. Motorists are asked to consider crash and safety ratings before selecting a vehicle to purchase. The make and model of your car can mean the difference between life and death.

After examining the vehicles of 50 schools in the area, the Chicago Tribune discovered the following about driver's education vehicles:

-Safety is hardly ever a top concern for Illinois officials and schools district leaders when selecting a vehicle for students to drive throughout a driver's education course.

-The safety rating of a vehicle in a driver's education program varies widely according to the location of the school.

-Virtually no agency keeps track of the kind of vehicles and the safety rating of the course cars.

-Few regulations govern the selection process and the use of these vehicles.

Cars.com examined vehicles that were used for driver's training programs during the 2010 school year and discovered that many of the vehicles completely failed on crash-test scores.

The bottom 10 districts for driver's education vehicle safety:

1.) Chicago Public Schools. Grade: F

2.) Elgin, Ill., U-46. Grade: F

3.) (tie) Township District 214 Grade F

3.) (tie) Vernon Hills, Ill., District 128. Grade: F

5.) Romeoville, Ill., Valley View District 365U. Grade: F

6.) (tie) Hinsdale, Ill., District 86. Grade: F

6.) (tie) Woodstock, Ill., District 200. Grade: F

8.) Warren Township District 121. Grade: D-

9.) (tie) Elmhurst, Ill., District 205. Grade: D+

9.) (tie) Palatine, Ill., Township District 211. Grade: D+

Chicago Public Schools, operated the largest driver's education course in the state. This district reportedly uses vehicles with poor safety ratings. Most of the vehicles used in this program are older than the students.

The top 10 districts for driver's education vehicle safety:

1.) (tie) Bloom Township District 206. Grade: A+

1.) (tie) Orland Park, Ill., Community High School District 230. Grade: A+

3.) Niles, Ill., District 219. Grade: A+

4.) (tie) Lyons Township High School District. Grade: A

4.) (tie) J. Sterling Morton School District 201. Grade: A

6.) Naperville, Ill., District 203. Grade: A

7.) Community High School District 218. Grade: B

8.) Rich Township District 227. Grade: B

9.) (tie) Proviso Township District 209. Grade: B

9.) (tie) Thornton Township District 205. Grade: B

"You don't want these young drivers in cars that don't have air bags or that are 10 or 15 years old and frankly are unsafe," said aid Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Lake Forest.

The average age for vehicles that were used in the 2010 and 2011 school year for these programs was slightly newer than 5-years-old. More than half of the vehicles were purchased after 2009. Nearly 70 percent of the vehicles were purchased by districts after 2006. More than 80 percent of these vehicles we purchased after 2001.

Safety should be a top concern of all district officials. Student drivers need to be equipped with vehicles that have the ability to save a life in the event of an accident. Poorly maintained and aging vehicles are unacceptable for our inexperienced drivers who are already at a high risk for a car accident.

If you or your teen driver has been involved in a car accident, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

More Blog Entries:

Fatigued Drivers Contributing to Risk of Car Accidents in Chicago, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, September 18, 2011

Windy City Drivers Among the Nation's Worst -- Chicago Car Accidents Often Result, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, September 12, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

How Much Liability Does the State of Kansas Share for Serious Injury Accidents on Dangerous Highways?

At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we hope heads of state in Kansas and Missouri were paying attention to a whopping decision by a jury in the state of California, wrapping up a long standing accidental head on collision in 2006.  The jury awarded the family of the victims $29 million dollars.  The crash killed 2 children, paralyzed another and hospitalized the mother for months with severe injuries.

Besides finding fault in the motorist who fell asleep and caused the the head on crash– shockingly the second time he’s been convicted of murder for falling asleep at the wheel and causing a car accident,  jurors also found the California Department at fault for the fatal crash for not making safety improvements, such as guard rails.

Our experienced Kansas City Auto Accident and Injury Attorneys are happy that the jury in this settlement was able to look past the motorist, who was also guilty of causing this accident– and see that highways in this country…at least some of them, are clearly dangerous and something has to be done.  The jury felt the state was guilty for not installing a safety barrier between the highways.  We’ve seen a number of accidents right here in Kansas– Highway 10 in particular, where accidents are happening that can be prevented with safety measures.

True, these safety precautions won’t prevent ALL auto injury accidents, but our highway would certainly be safer if  money was being spent on making these roads as safe as possible.

If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury as the result of a car accident in Kansas or Missouri, you may be entitled to compensation.  Call experienced Kansas City Personal Injury Attorney James Roswold.  With over 15 years of experience in Auto Injury Accident including Pedestrian Injury accident cases, we  might be able to help you.

Contact Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys to set up a free consultation to discuss your personal injury claim.  You can get started today by downloading our free book, “10 Essential Steps to Protecting Your Injury Claim“.  We want you to know your rights.

Posted by author on Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 10:20 am 
Filed under Aggressive Driving Incidents, Auto Accidents, distracted driving, Rollovers, Texting and Driving, Unsafe Roads · Tagged with $29 million settlement, dangerous highways, free consultation, head on crash, Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, Kansas city auto injury accients, Kansas highway 10, serious injury, serious injury accident, state of California jury

Kansas City Auto Accident Blog

Child Passenger Safety Week Kicks Off to Help Save Children in Illinois Car Accidents

National Passenger Safety Week is taking place from September 18th to the 24th. During this time, the Illinois State Police (ISP) will be continuing its efforts to help keep child passengers safe in the event of a car accident in Chicago or elsewhere in the state. During the 2011 safety campaign, the Department of Human Services will be joining the ISP to conduct a number of events and child seat inspections to help parents to learn how to properly buckle a child in a motor vehicle.

ISP Trooper Mindy Carroll says that all parents and guardians are encouraged to attend these events and to have their child's car seat inspected by a certified technician. During this time, parents will be taught how to properly buckle in a child's car seat. Recent statistics show that roughly 75 percent of child seats are improperly installed into motor vehicles.

Our Illinois child injury attorneys ask that all parents do their part to help keep our children safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were nearly 1,500 children who were age 14-years-old or younger who were killed and another 180,000 who were injured in motor-vehicle accidents in 2009 in the U.S. We would also like to point out that nearly 250 child lives ages 4 and younger were saved in 2008 because they were properly buckled in their child seat. When these seats are used properly, they can reduce the risk of death by more than 70 percent for infants. The seats have the ability to decrease the risk of death for toddlers aged 1- to 4-years-old by more than 50 percent. Booster seats can reduce the risk of injury for children ages 4- to 7-years-old by nearly 60 percent.

"It's very important the car seat is secured properly inside the car and the child is secured properly inside the seat," says Carroll.

According to Carroll, the ISP follows the most recent child car seat recommendations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Carroll goes on to instruct Illinois parents to keep all children that are under the age of 13 in the back seat. She also suggests that you keep your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as they're within the seat's height and weight limits as set forth by the manufacturer.

Illinois has enacted the Child Passenger Protection Act to further its efforts to keep our child passengers safe. This Act holds parents and guardians responsible for keeping children under the age of 8 safely and properly restrained in a child-safety seat. If you're busted with a child passenger who is not properly restrained, you can face a $75 fine for the first conviction. Illinois will waive the fee if you can prove that you have purchased or received an approved child seat and have had a technician properly install it into the vehicle.

If you or your child has been injured in a Chicago car accident, contact Abels & Annes for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

More Blog Entries:

Two Children Injured in a Three-Car Accident in Illinois, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, August 16, 2011

New Car Seat Regulations to Increase Child Safety in Chicago Car Accidents, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, March 22, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Drunk Driving Accidents Set off Chain Reaction and Cause Serious Injury and Death to Motorists and Pedestrians

You are here: Home / Aggressive Driving Incidents / Drunk Driving Accidents Set off Chain Reaction and Cause Serious Injury and Death to Motorists and Pedestrians

At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we work tirelessly to protect Kansas and Missouri pedestrians and motorists after they’ve become the victim of a serious injury accident with a drunk driver.  Believe us, you never know when a dangerous drunk driver can become a threat.  In New York last week,  a three vehicle accident that caused by a drunk driver who slammed into two vehicles including a MTA bus.  The force of the collision crashed the bus  into the side wall of a McDonald’s Restaurant.   There were no passengers aboard the bus at the time of the crash and no one inside the McDonald’s was injured.

However, the driver of the bus, a 51 year-old man; and the 27 year-old driver of the second vehicle were hospitalized with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

As experienced Kansas City Drunk Driving Injury Lawyers, we unfortunately see these types of accidents quite often.  Motorists aren’t the only ones in danger of a drunk driver because there are no rules stating where a drunk driver is likely to lose control.  This is a major reason why drunk driving is such a dangerous problem in Kansas and Missouri.

If you’re planning on going out for a drink and plan on driving, remember this– the penalties against drunk drivers in the state of Kansas is about to get a lot tougher.  A new law is expected to pass that would require ALL drivers charged with DUI, beginning with a first offense– to get an interlock device on their car.  Hopefully that alone is enough to get you to think twice before you drink an drive.

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury in an accident in Kansas or Missouri, you may be entitled to compensation.  Call experienced Kansas City Personal Injury Attorney James Roswold.  With over 15 years of experience in Auto Injury Accidents, including Drunk Driving Injury cases, we may be able to help you and your family get through this difficult, emotional and stressful time.

Contact Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys to set up a free consultation.  You can get started today by downloading our free book, “10 Essential Steps to Protecting Your Injury Claim“.  We want you to know your rights.

Posted by author on Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 2:04 pm 
Filed under Aggressive Driving Incidents, Alcohol and Illegal Drugs Related Auto Accidents, Driving Dangers, Drowsy Driving, drunk driving · Tagged with bus crashed into McDonald's, driving under the influence, drunk driving accident, DUI, james roswold, Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, kansas city drunk driving, kansas city drunk driving injury attorneys, multi-vehicle crash, serious injury

Kansas City Auto Accident Blog

Law Enforcement Steps Up Efforts to Reduce Risks of Drunk Driving Accidents in Illinois this Holiday Weekend

Drunk drivers are the target of a new campaign headed by a number of local police departments and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The campaign, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” will include a two-week enforcement effort consisting of roughly 350 sheriff's offices and police departments across the state. The enforcement efforts will continue through the first week of September in an attempt to bust drunk drivers before they cause a potentially fatal car accident in Illinois.

“Impaired driving is a serious crime plaguing our society, and affecting the lives of innocent, law abiding motorists on a regular basis,” said Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider.

Our Chicago drunk driving accident attorneys understand how dangerous these drivers are and how important it is to set up tough efforts to stop them. Through this new campaign, enforcement agencies throughout the state are prepared to take on these careless and reckless drivers.

Officials are also looking to crackdown on drivers that are not wearing a seat belt.

Through the enforcement period, the state of Illinois will conduct more than 200 roadside safe driving checkpoints. There will be hundreds of seat belt and intoxicated driving saturation patrols.

According to IDOT, both impaired driving and drivers not wearing a seat belt are a big problem that officials witness mainly during the evening hours. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that drivers are at the most risk for a car accident during 12:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. in the state of Illinois. This time period also reports the lowest seat belt usage and the highest percentage of drunk drivers.

“Violating these laws can result in fines and possible jail time and will be treated as criminal acts by the police and court system,” said ISP Director Hiram Grau.

Illinois accident statistics conclude that there are more than 300 fatalities each year that result from traffic accidents that involve an impaired driver. Hundreds more are injured in the incidents.

During the 2010 Labor Day weekend, which is calculated from 6:00 p.m. from the Friday before the holiday to 11:59 p.m. of Labor Day, more than 10 people were killed in traffic accidents. One of these deaths involved an intoxicated driver. Nearly 800 people were injured on our roadways during the 2010 holiday weekend. There have been roughly 70 deaths from traffic accidents from 2006 to 2010 on holiday weekends. Nearly 40 percent of the fatalities were caused by car accidents that involved an impaired driver.

Local police ask that you help with the efforts by doing the following if you suspect that a driver is drunk:

-Take note of the make, model and color of the vehicle that the alleged intoxicated driver is operating.

-Call local authorities with the information. Include the location of the vehicle and the direction it's traveling. If possible, give them the license plate number but don't get too close to the vehicle to get it. If you can see the driver, provide officials with that information, too.

-Back off. Don't try to stop the driver. Doing so can put you and your vehicle's occupants in a compromising situation. Leave the rest of the job in the hands of officers.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a drunk driver, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

More Blog Entries:

Two Children Injured in a Three-Car Accident in Illinois, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, August 16, 2011

Proposed Motor Vehicle and Highway Safety Legislation Aims to Reduce Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, August 4, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Distracted driving accidents – They can happen to you

We’re entering week two of our sweepstakes to help bring awareness to the dangers of distracted driving and the importance of good auto insurance. If you visit Michigan Auto Law’s Facebook page, you can enter to win a $1,032 check. Our personal injury attorneys hope the winner will use the check to buy auto insurance for a year.

As I’ve said before, distracted driving is the culprit behind far too many preventable car accidents. These days, Michigan drivers engage is so much distracted driving behavior, that they may not even realize they’re putting themselves - and others - in danger. For a lot of people, talking on the phone and driving go hand and hand. Or they’re so pressed for time that eat breakfast in the car on the way to work.  Last week I again saw someone on an iPad behind the wheel!

Here are some common questions our Michigan personal injury attorneys usually get asked. Thanks to Distraction.gov for the helpful statistics.

Q. What Is Distracted Driving?
A. Distracted driving is defined as any non-driving activity a person engages in that has the potential to distract him or her from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of a car accident or truck accident.

Q. Are there different types of distracted driving?
A. Yes, there are three main types of distracted driving.
•    Visual — taking your eyes off the road.
•    Manual — taking your hands off the wheel.
•    Cognitive — taking your mind off what you’re doing.

Q. What is the worst type of distracted driving?
A. All distractions can endanger a driver’s safety, but texting while driving is the most alarming because it involves all three types of distraction. You take your eyes off the road to look down at your phone, you take your hands off the wheel to type the text and you take your mind off of driving to think about your message and the actions it takes to complete it.

Q. What are some common distracted driving activities?
A. Other distracting activities include:
•    Using a cell phone,
•    Eating and drinking
•    Talking to passengers,
•    Grooming and applying makeup,
•    Reading (including maps),
•    Using a PDA or navigation system,
•    Watching a video,
•    Using the Internet
•    Changing the radio station, CD, or Mp3 player.

Q. How many car accidents are caused by distracted driving?
A.  20 percent of injury crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Q. How many people are injured and killed from distracted driving?
A.  The numbers of people hurt and killed from distracted driving are staggering.

•    Of those killed in distracted-driving-related crashes, 995 involved reports of a cell phone as a distraction. That’s an 18 percent fatality rate for distraction-related crashes. (NHTSA)

•    In 2009, 5,474 people were killed in U.S. roadways. (FARS)

•    Also in 2009, an estimated additional 448,000 were injured in auto accidents that were reported to have involved distracted driving. (GES)

Q. What age group is the most likely to drive while distracted?
A.  The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the under-20 age group . In other words, 16 percent of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving. (NHTSA)

Q. How much does distracted driving increase my chances of being in a car accident?
A.There are many facts that spell out how you’re more likely to crash when you are driving distracted.

•    Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)

•    Drivers who text and drive are 23 times more likely to be in a car accident. (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute)

•    Using a cell phone use while driving — whether it’s hand-held or hands-free —  delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent. (University of Utah)

Q. What can I do to help stop distracted driving?
A. There are several things to you can to do help stop this dangerous behavior and ensure safer Michigan driving conditions.

•    Participate in the Michigan Auto Law distracted driving campaign: Again, you can visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/MichiganAutoLaw, watch the video on distracted driving, and pass it on to your friends for the chance to win a $1,032 check. The prize is the average price to purchase good No-Fault auto insurance that includes uninsured and underinsured (UM/UIM).

•   Make a pledge to not drive distracted: This can be done with your family, friends and your children.

•    Lead by example: If you are a parent, lead by example and do not get distracted when you’re behind the wheel. Parents can also enforce household rules that prohibit their teens from texting while driving, among other distracted driving behaviors.

•  Prepare for your ride: If you’re prepared, a lot of the distracted driving activities can be eliminated. Eat before you get in the car, plug your iPod in (on shuffle mode) before you start the car, know your directions before you leave the house, etc.

•    Pull over to send that text: If you must send a text, make sure you pull over into a safe, well-lit area away from traffic before you do so.

- Steven M. Gursten, partner of Michigan Auto Law, is recognized as one of the nation’s top personal injury attorneys. Steve has received the top verdicts and settlements for car accident or truck accidents cases in the past three years, according to Michigan Lawyers Weekly. He frequently blogs about distracted driving and is available for comment.

Related Information to protect yourself:

6 tips to keep your teen drivers safe

Important Michigan car safety resources

17 mistakes that can ruin your car accident lawsuit

Michigan Auto Law is the largest law firm exclusively handling car accident, truck accident and motorcycle accident cases throughout the entire state. We have offices in Farmington Hills, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Sterling Heights to better serve you. Call (800) 777-0028 for a free consultation with an one of our personal injury attorneys.

Michigan Auto Lawyers

Distracted Driving Car Accidents in Chicago Believed to be underestimated

Distracted driving has become a critical safety issue in recent years with the continuous advancement in technology and is now a contributing factor in a great number of car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere in the world.

Now, Car Talk has totaled the costs of distracted driving, according to the Chicago Tribune. According to the National Safety Council, each distracted driving traffic accident costs about $1,130,000 if there's a fatality, approximately $61,600 if there's a resulting injury and about $7,500 per accident resulting in property damage. Nearly 30 percent of all traffic accidents involve a distracted driver. These are accidents that can all be prevented.

The occurrence of these accidents is expected to be even higher than statistics conclude because many are not reported. In 2009, there were approximately 5,400 people killed in traffic accidents that reported the involvement of a distracted driver. Another 450,000 motorists were injured in these accidents. Experts also estimate that the number of these preventable accidents has increased by as much as 10 percent just in the last 5 years.

Our Chicago car crash attorneys understand how dangerous it is to drive distracted. Nowadays, distractions include other passengers, mobile devices, music, eating at the wheel and grooming, to name a few. No driver should participate in any of these activities while operating a motor vehicle as the results can oftentimes be deadly. Distractions can either take your mind or eyes of the road and your hands off the wheel.

An insurance company recently paid out more than $30 million in a settlement for a deadly car accident that was caused by distracted driving, according to Jesse White, the Secretary of State.

Illinois roadways are dangerous enough as it is without the involvement of distraction. According to recent statistics, our state experiences more than 700 traffic accidents every day. This means that we see nearly 240,000 motor-vehicle accidents every year.

Here are some other Illinois traffic accident facts:

-Accidents resulting in injury: more than 197,000.

-Alcohol-related accidents: more than 20,000.

-Drug-related accidents: nearly 2,000.

-Pedestrian accidents: nearly 8,500.

-Motorcycle accidents: nearly 9,000.

-Teen accidents: nearly 25,000.

-Bicycle accidents: almost 5,000.

Currently, drivers in the state of Illinois are not allowed to be on a cell phone if they are driving through a construction zone or through a school speed zone or if they're under the age of 19 and have a learner's permit. No driver in the state of Illinois is allowed to text message while driving. This is a primary law, meaning that an officer can pull you over for the offense if they witness you in action. The text messaging law went into effect back in January of 2010. You will receive a $75 fine if you're busted.

Our state will continue to campaign about the danger of distracted driving through public campaigns, including the “Drive Now. Text Later” campaign.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident with a distracted driver, the Chicago injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free consultations to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

Additional Resources:

Car Talk Finds the Economic Cost of Distracted Driving, by Colin Bird, Chicago Tribune

More Blog Entries:

New Technology Aims to Curb Driver Distractions and Prevent Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, August 14, 2011

New Report Focuses on Causes of and Solutions to Distracted Driving Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, August 6, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

As the School Year Begins, Officials Focus on Preventing Teen Car Accidents in Illinois

As our teens head back to school for another year, officials head back to the drawing board to figure out ways to help keep our teen drivers from being involved in a car accident in Illinois. In another effort to keep our young driver safe, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) recently teamed up with the Illinois Secretary of State and Illinois State Police (ISP) to kick off the fifth year of the Operation Teen Safe Driving (OTSD) program.

“Whether the issue is texting, speed, or distracted or impaired driving, the program is successful because teens are directly educating their peers about the hazards of irresponsible driving behavior, and the messages continue to resonate with one another,” said Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand the number of risks that our teen drivers face on our roadways. Their inexperience behind the wheel leaves them extremely vulnerable to serious traffic accidents. With the proper driving education and with the help of parents, teens can be taught the skills necessary to help keep them safe.

Currently, the state of Illinois requires that's its newly licensed drivers complete a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. This is a system that allows teen drivers to learn how to drive through a three stage process in which they must abide by a number of restrictions.

Illinois GDL program:

-15-year-old drivers: Drivers in this age group must always ride with a licensed parent or guardian. They must also be enrolled in a driver's education program and must pass the exams. They're not allowed to drive Sunday through Thursday from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. On Thursday and Friday these drivers can drive until 11:00 p.m. A driver must hold this license for a minimum of nine months and complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving with 10 hours of the 50 occurring during the evening hours. Drivers that are 15-years-old are not allowed to use a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.

-Drivers Age ages 16- and 17-years-old: Driving is prohibited from Sunday through Thursday from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. for drivers in this age group. They're allowed to drive until 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Drivers must maintain a conviction-free driving record for the six months before they turn 18 before they can graduate to the Full Licensing Phase. All drivers in this age group must wear a seat belt while driving and can only have one passenger in the front seat. Drivers in this age group are prohibited from using a cell phone.

-18- to 20-year-old drivers: A driver can now drive with normal unrestricted license privileges provided they've passed all of the other licensing stages. No driver under the age of 19 is allowed to use a cell phone while driving unless they're using it for emergency purposes.

"Teen drivers who are educated and informed, develop safe and responsible driving habits as adults - and that is a safety goal OTSD is already achieving," said ISP Col. Robert Haley.

More than 100 local high schools participated in the fifth year of the Operation Teen Safe Driving program in an attempt to help educate young drivers. These students participated in a number of school assemblies, accident enactment seminars, fatal accident simulations and other informational events.

Each school was able to fund the program through a $2,000 grant from the participating organizations. Each school then participated in a contest to determine who led the best and most effective peer-led teen safe driving program. Winning schools received prize money to help them fund post-prom events aimed at encouraging kids to stay sober this school year.

They were also invited to participate in the Ford Motor Company Fund’s Driving Skills for Life Ride and Drive event.

As teens head back to school this year, parents are urged to speak with the young driver's in their life about the importance of safe driving habits.

If you or your teen driver has been injured in a car accident, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

More Blog Entries:

Expressways Experience Frequent Fatal Car Accidents in Chicago, Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, August 12, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Local blogger highlights the dangers of Chicago bicycle accidents on the lakefront trail

In light of the Department of Transportation Commissioner’s pronouncement in the Chicago Journal that he wants to make the city one of the most bike-friendly in the nation, a local blogger has requested he take a hard look at what he calls one of the most dangerous places for bicycle accidents in the city – the lakefront trail.

The Urban Cyclist, as he is known on his blog of the same name, said he was shocked to learn that the city’s $45 million Navy Pier Flyover plan would actually constrict the bike path at certain points, even though it is in desperate need of expansion. As a daily bicycle commuter, he has escaped serious injury in accidents with cars, cabs, and other cyclists, but an inattentive jogger on the lakefront trail left him with permanent scars on his hands.

He says the trail is basically an overcrowded highway for non-engine vehicles. Cyclists and bladers are intermingled with dog-walkers, their unpredictable pets, grandparents mindlessly walking grandkids, and various other outdoor enthusiasts who have no other option but to crowd together on the congested path.

The blogger measured the trail at 6 feet for each lane, with the new plan calling for 5 foot lanes in each direction with a 3 foot shoulder on both sides. While this is technically more space, he says the unpaved shoulder is unusable for cyclists and joggers rarely use them. He predicts the traffic and dangers will actually increase.

While he admittedly has no statistics to back up his claims, as Chicago does not keep statistics on bike-bike or bike-pedestrian accidents, he invites everyone to take a ride with him down the trail and tell him otherwise. He worries that with the Mayor and the head of CDOT aiming to make Chicago one of the bike-friendliest cities in the nation (read the story as reported by CBS news here), the increased traffic may make biking in the city even more dangerous than it currently is.

While Illinois bike crash lawyers at our office agree that the lakefront trail presents its share of hazards, inattentive drivers are still the greatest danger to cyclists in this city. Injuries to bicyclists when involved in collisions with motor vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries, and sometimes death.

The Chicago Tribune reports that drivers frequently veer into designated lanes, turn in front of cyclists, and open their doors in the path of bikers, also known as “dooring.” According to an NHTSA study, 630 cyclists were killed in traffic accidents and another 51,000 were injured nationwide in 2009, with 70% of the fatalities occurring in urban areas like Chicago. 20 of those fatalities occurred in Illinois alone. The study cites a number of things drivers can do to avoid injuring cyclists, including:

• Allowing at least 3 feet of clearance when passing a biker on the road
• Look for cyclists before opening your car door or pulling out of a parking spot
• Yield to cyclists at intersections and as directed by signs and markers
• Be especially careful to look for cyclists before making turns
• Pay attention

Cyclists have the same rights as motorists when traveling on public roads, and drivers need to make an effort to learn the rules of the road and how to properly implement cyclist awareness into their ever day driving habits.

If you have been injured in an Illinois cycling accident due to a negligent driver, please contact a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer for a free consultation. Call (866) 99-ABELS now.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules fireworks more important than preventing truck accidents

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has decided to give nine trucking company members of the American Pyrotechnics Association exemption from its hours of service (HOS) regulations. This means that these trucking companies transporting fireworks are allowed to drive their trucks past the 14-hour time limit that other truckers must follow.

There are so many things wrong with this decision.

Our truck accident lawyers know with scientific certainty that truck driver fatigue causes more truck crashes. This applies to all drivers, of course, but there is a big difference between an 80,000 pound tractor-trailer truck and a 6,000 pound car. This is why commercial trucks require professional drivers, special tests and a license (the CDL). There are also certain hours of service requirements to drive these trucks, in order to avoid otherwise preventable truck accidents from occurring.

We also know that fatigue is one of the most significant factors responsible for a large number of the 5,000 Americans who are killed in truck accidents every year. And we know driver fatigue is responsible for the tens of thousands more who suffer serious personal injury in other trucking accident cases, such as my own client in Fairley v. Schiber Truck Co. in Jackson County, last December.

We know that truck drivers who continue to drive trucks over regulated hours, called “hours-of-service” rules, are less able to perceive and to react to road conditions. We know these delayed perception and reaction times cause precious seconds to pass before a fatigued driver can apply air brakes, or turn his wheel to avoid crashing into a pedestrian or car.

We know tired and fatigued drivers fall into “micro or mini-sleeps” when they literally are asleep at the wheel - the wheel of an 80,000 pound metal missile driving down our roads.

And we know that at the most basic level, a tired trucker makes bad decisions.

In fact, these tired and fatigued truck drivers pose such a danger to public safety that there is a specific federal safety regulation, FMCSR 392.3 Ill or fatigued driver, that specifically prohibits truckers from continuing to drive over the mandatory hours of service rules. Here’s a blog on how to nab the tired trucker in a deposition.

Well, not anymore.  We can forget all that. Because it is apparently more important that we get our pyrotechnics and fireworks - made in China, of course - then it is to save lives and protect the public.

The FMCSA has announced its decision to grant the application for exemption from the American Pyrotechnics Association on behalf of nine member trucking companies seeking “relief” from the FMCSA’s hours-of-service (HOS) regulations, which prohibit truck drivers of commercial motor vehicles from continuing to drive after 14 hours. “Relief” is sadly, the word the organization chose to use that’s responsible for enforcing mandatory trucking safety standards.

The exemption for trucks carrying fireworks is effective during the periods of June 28, 2011, through July 8, 2011, and June 28, 2012, through July 8, 2012, inclusive.

Who knew the pyrotechnic industry wielded such power?  Apparently, instead of just planning a little earlier so its trucks can deliver its fireworks and pyrotechnics on time, we are having large commercial trucks loaded with pyrotechnics now being driven on our roadways by tired and fatigued drivers who can now keep driving past the 14 hour hours of service rules!

Can’t wait to see what the toxic waste lobby petitions for…

- Steven Gursten is a partner of Michigan Auto Law. He is past president of the American Association for Justice Truck Accident Litigation Group, and has received the top-reported jury verdict in Michigan for truck accidents, according to Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

- Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, by bayasaa

Related information:

Michigan truck accident FAQs

What safety violation is the No. 1 truck accident predictor?

Truck drivers on drugs - and how to catch them

Michigan Auto Law exclusively handles car accident, truck accident and motorcycle accident cases throughout the entire state of Michigan. We have offices in Farmington Hills, Sterling Heights, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Detroit to better serve you. Call (800) 777-0028 for a free consultation with one of our truck accident lawyers.

Kansas City Auto Accident Blog

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules fireworks more important than preventing truck accidents

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has decided to give nine trucking company members of the American Pyrotechnics Association exemption from its hours of service (HOS) regulations. This means that these trucking companies transporting fireworks are allowed to drive their trucks past the 14-hour time limit that other truckers must follow.

There are so many things wrong with this decision.

Our truck accident lawyers know with scientific certainty that truck driver fatigue causes more truck crashes. This applies to all drivers, of course, but there is a big difference between an 80,000 pound tractor-trailer truck and a 6,000 pound car. This is why commercial trucks require professional drivers, special tests and a license (the CDL). There are also certain hours of service requirements to drive these trucks, in order to avoid otherwise preventable truck accidents from occurring.

We also know that fatigue is one of the most significant factors responsible for a large number of the 5,000 Americans who are killed in truck accidents every year. And we know driver fatigue is responsible for the tens of thousands more who suffer serious personal injury in other trucking accident cases, such as my own client in Fairley v. Schiber Truck Co. in Jackson County, last December.

We know that truck drivers who continue to drive trucks over regulated hours, called “hours-of-service” rules, are less able to perceive and to react to road conditions. We know these delayed perception and reaction times cause precious seconds to pass before a fatigued driver can apply air brakes, or turn his wheel to avoid crashing into a pedestrian or car.

We know tired and fatigued drivers fall into “micro or mini-sleeps” when they literally are asleep at the wheel - the wheel of an 80,000 pound metal missile driving down our roads.

And we know that at the most basic level, a tired trucker makes bad decisions.

In fact, these tired and fatigued truck drivers pose such a danger to public safety that there is a specific federal safety regulation, FMCSR 392.3 Ill or fatigued driver, that specifically prohibits truckers from continuing to drive over the mandatory hours of service rules. Here’s a blog on how to nab the tired trucker in a deposition.

Well, not anymore.  We can forget all that. Because it is apparently more important that we get our pyrotechnics and fireworks - made in China, of course - then it is to save lives and protect the public.

The FMCSA has announced its decision to grant the application for exemption from the American Pyrotechnics Association on behalf of nine member trucking companies seeking “relief” from the FMCSA’s hours-of-service (HOS) regulations, which prohibit truck drivers of commercial motor vehicles from continuing to drive after 14 hours. “Relief” is sadly, the word the organization chose to use that’s responsible for enforcing mandatory trucking safety standards.

The exemption for trucks carrying fireworks is effective during the periods of June 28, 2011, through July 8, 2011, and June 28, 2012, through July 8, 2012, inclusive.

Who knew the pyrotechnic industry wielded such power?  Apparently, instead of just planning a little earlier so its trucks can deliver its fireworks and pyrotechnics on time, we are having large commercial trucks loaded with pyrotechnics now being driven on our roadways by tired and fatigued drivers who can now keep driving past the 14 hour hours of service rules!

Can’t wait to see what the toxic waste lobby petitions for…

- Steven Gursten is a partner of Michigan Auto Law. He is past president of the American Association for Justice Truck Accident Litigation Group, and has received the top-reported jury verdict in Michigan for truck accidents, according to Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

- Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, by bayasaa

Related information:

Michigan truck accident FAQs

What safety violation is the No. 1 truck accident predictor?

Truck drivers on drugs - and how to catch them

Michigan Auto Law exclusively handles car accident, truck accident and motorcycle accident cases throughout the entire state of Michigan. We have offices in Farmington Hills, Sterling Heights, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Detroit to better serve you. Call (800) 777-0028 for a free consultation with one of our truck accident lawyers.

Michigan Auto Lawyers

Drunk driving car accidents and deaths in Macomb County, Michigan

I’ve been writing about the latest Michigan drunk driving statistics. I’ve been focusing on this topic because drunk driving fatalities occur the most during Michigan summers, especially in the month of July.

These statistics come from a list of drunk driving car accidents and fatalities by county in Michigan for 2009, provided by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning. The list ranks Michigan counties by population and number of drunken driving auto accidents and fatalities per capita.

Of all the counties in Michigan, Macomb County had the third most auto accidents involving drunk driving.

Michigan Auto Law has one of our five law firm offices is in Sterling Heights, Michigan. This provides a convenient location to meet with people who have been injured in car accidents in Sterling Heights, Shelby Township and Warren.  It serves as a convenient base camp when we are in trial in Macomb County Circuit Court (such as when we received the top-reported car accident verdict, when a Sterling Heights resident was seriously injured).

Because of the more concentrated population in Macomb County, the ranking according to number of fatal car crashes per capita is actually not as high in there as it was in many other Michigan counties. These statistics go by a Macomb County population estimate of 831,427 residents and 20,797 estimated car accidents.

Drinking and driving accidents in Macomb County – Macomb County had the third-most drinking and driving accidents, with 795 crashes involving drivers who had been drinking.

Drinking and driving fatalities in Macomb County – There were 15 drinking and driving fatalities in Oakland County, the third highest amount of drinking and driving fatalities in all of the Michigan counties.

Macomb County’s fatal crash rate - The Macomb County rating for fatal car accidents involving drunk drivers was .0180, and it ranked 54 out of 64 total Michigan counties.

Please, promise to never drink and drive. You can always call a friend, family member or a cab instead.

- Source – Michigan State Police Michigan Traffic Facts

- Steven M. Gursten, partner of Michigan Auto Law, is recognized as one of the nation’s top auto attorneys. He frequently blogs about safe driving and is available for comment.

More resources to protect yourself:

Michigan drunk driving and fatal car accident statistics

New Michigan drunk driving law targets “drunker” drivers

Preventing car accidents - Michigan safe driving tips

Michigan Auto Law is the largest law firm exclusively handling car accident, truck accident and motorcycle accident cases throughout the entire state. We have offices in Farmington Hills, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Sterling Heights to better serve you. Call (800) 777-0028 for a free consultation with an one of our auto attorneys.

Kansas City Auto Accident Blog

A rash of Illinois motorcycle accidents leaves 5 riders dead

It has been a dangerous week of Chicago area motorcycle crashes as a string of collisions have the claimed the lives of five people.

A 37 year-old woman was killed in Dolton, Illinois after a man driving a Ford SUV failed to yield to her before taking a left turn, causing her to collide into the SUV. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the motorist involved in SUV vs. motorcycle crash, who was driving with his 16 year-old nephew, exited his vehicle, removed his license plate, and attempted to leave the scene after the accident. A group of residents were able to restrain the man until police arrived, however, and he was soon placed under arrest.

According to 2008 nationwide statistics from the NSTSA, these types of accidents, where an automobile driver taking a left turn fails to yield to an oncoming motorcyclist, accounted for 41% of all fatal accidents involving a motorcycle and another car. This type of collision is particularly dangerous because the rider’s momentum continues as their vehicle comes to a sudden halt, resulting in them being launched headfirst into the street at a high velocity.

In another incident, a 26 year-old man and a 23 year-old woman were killed in Wheeling after the motorcycle they were riding lost control and struck a utility box. The Chicago Daily Herald is reporting that prior to the crash, Buffalo Grove police attempted to pull over the man and his passenger after they sped away from a gas station on the 200 block of Milwaukee Avenue. After seeing the officer’s emergency lights, the pair sped away at what was described as a high rate of speed. As is protocol, the officer did not pursue the riders and alerted the Wheeling police that a speeding motorcycle was headed their way.

Soon after, at about 3:07 a.m., Wheeling police responded to a crash at the intersection of Milwaukee Road and Center Avenue where the riders were found dead. It appears that the riders, who were not wearing helmets at the time, were traveling at a right rate of speed when the driver lost control. Police are still working on reconstructing exactly how the crash occurred.

The Chicago Tribune reported on two other accidents where motorcyclists were killed as well. The first occurred in Glenview, Illinois when a 26 year-old man failed to obey a stop sign on Magnolia Street before attempting a left turn onto East Lake Avenue. A driver traveling eastbound down the center lane struck the rider, who was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead. The other accident reported in the Tribune involved a 51 year-old man who died after rear-ending a car on the Dan Ryan expressway and losing control of his vehicle.

Summers are traditionally a dangerous time for riders in Illinois. After the long winter, motorcyclists come out in droves to take advantage of the state’s warm weather and lack of mandatory helmet laws. In fact, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation, the number of registered motorcycles in Illinois has risen 76% since 1999 to go along with the 26% increase in fatalities during that same period.

While motorcyclists cannot control the negligence of automobile drivers on the road, there are a number of things they can do to hopefully reduce their injuries:

• WEAR A HELMET! The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that wearing a helmet saved the lives of 1,829 riders in 2008
• Drive defensively and do not assume other drivers can see you or are aware of your presence. The NHTSA reports that the majority of multiple-vehicle motorcycle accidents happen because the motorist does not see the rider
• Make sure your lights are functioning so people can see you
• Don’t drive too fast. Even experienced riders can lose control

As always, the lawyers at Abels & Annes are available for consultations free of charge. If you are a motorcycle rider who has been injured by a negligent driver, call (866) 99-ABELS to speak directly to a lawyer now.

Click below to read more recent motorcycle blogs:

Decrease in number of Chicago motorcycle accidents

Abels & Annes reach policy limits settlement for Illinois motorcycle rider

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Pair of fatal auto accidents in the Chicago area highlights dangers of drunk driving

Two women have been killed in separate Chicago area car crashes this month, with alleged DUI drivers being responsible for both accidents.

On July 3, a 39-year old Carol Stream man was driving in the early hours of the morning with a 30-year old woman when he failed to stop at a train crossing in Itasca, Illinois, drove through the lowered gate, and struck the engine of a passing train. According to the Chicago Tribune, the man had a blood-alcohol content of .183, more than twice the legal limit of .08. His passenger died of her injuries soon after the crash.

The man has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, and is being held on $500,000 bail.

A week later, a 43-year old woman returning home from her job as a 911 dispatcher when a 16-year old driver, who was drunk and high on drugs, plowed into her car. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the young driver, who was an honors student and two-sport athlete at his high school, was being pursued by police at the time of the accident.

The youth had just left a party near Old Town, where he got “drunk and high,” when he saw a man leave his SUV idling on North Michigan Avenue while he went to pay for parking. The youth stole the car and fled police after they attempted to pull him over after he ran a red light. During the pursuit, the youth ran a stop sign at the intersection of Armitage and Hoyne Avenues in Bucktown and hit the 911 dispatcher, causing her to careen into a fire hydrant. The youth escaped on foot, but was soon apprehended. Police say the teen had a blood-alcohol content of .186 and was also high on marijuana and ecstasy at the time of the crash.

The youth has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder, felony burglary, misdemeanor DUI, and two traffic citations. His bond is set at $1 million.

Drunk driving is incredibly dangerous for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike. Each year, thousands of innocent people are killed in alcohol-related crashes. A brief look government statistics from 2009 illustrate this grim reality:

• Out of the 33,808 driving fatalities nationwide, 10,839 of them were alcohol-impaired driving fatalities (32%) – That is roughly 1 every 48 minutes

• 1,077 teens died drunk driving crashes

• 70% of drivers involved in fatal drunk driving crashes had blood-alcohol levels above .15, and the median level was .17

• 44% of the drivers involved in fatal crashes had at least 1 prior DWI conviction

• 1.4 million people were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

• Out of the 911 driving fatalities in Illinois, 319 of them were alcohol-impaired driving fatalities (35%)

Sources:
- 2009 NHTSA Traffic Report
- NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)
- 2009 Century Counsel Report- Drunk Driving Fatalities in America
- CDC Stat sheet

Drunk driving is not something that only affects those who engage in it. Innocent people who abstain from drinking and driving are killed every day. If you are injured by a drunk driver, you are entitled to be compensated and can seek the help of an Illinois injury lawyer. Call 312-924-7575 to speak directly to an attorney now.

Recent DUI blogs:

Memorial Day crash caused by drunk driver

Mayor calls for stricter rules after intoxicated city employee causes pedestrian accident

This blog was co-authored Shane Nichols, a 2013 Juris Doctor candidate from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Drunk driving car accidents and deaths in Macomb County, Michigan

I’ve been writing about the latest Michigan drunk driving statistics. I’ve been focusing on this topic because drunk driving fatalities occur the most during Michigan summers, especially in the month of July.

These statistics come from a list of drunk driving car accidents and fatalities by county in Michigan for 2009, provided by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning. The list ranks Michigan counties by population and number of drunken driving auto accidents and fatalities per capita.

Of all the counties in Michigan, Macomb County had the third most auto accidents involving drunk driving.

Michigan Auto Law has one of our five law firm offices is in Sterling Heights, Michigan. This provides a convenient location to meet with people who have been injured in car accidents in Sterling Heights, Shelby Township and Warren.  It serves as a convenient base camp when we are in trial in Macomb County Circuit Court (such as when we received the top-reported car accident verdict, when a Sterling Heights resident was seriously injured).

Because of the more concentrated population in Macomb County, the ranking according to number of fatal car crashes per capita is actually not as high in there as it was in many other Michigan counties. These statistics go by a Macomb County population estimate of 831,427 residents and 20,797 estimated car accidents.

Drinking and driving accidents in Macomb County – Macomb County had the third-most drinking and driving accidents, with 795 crashes involving drivers who had been drinking.

Drinking and driving fatalities in Macomb County – There were 15 drinking and driving fatalities in Oakland County, the third highest amount of drinking and driving fatalities in all of the Michigan counties.

Macomb County’s fatal crash rate - The Macomb County rating for fatal car accidents involving drunk drivers was .0180, and it ranked 54 out of 64 total Michigan counties.

Please, promise to never drink and drive. You can always call a friend, family member or a cab instead.

- Source – Michigan State Police Michigan Traffic Facts

- Steven M. Gursten, partner of Michigan Auto Law, is recognized as one of the nation’s top auto attorneys. He frequently blogs about safe driving and is available for comment.

More resources to protect yourself:

Michigan drunk driving and fatal car accident statistics

New Michigan drunk driving law targets “drunker” drivers

Preventing car accidents - Michigan safe driving tips

Michigan Auto Law is the largest law firm exclusively handling car accident, truck accident and motorcycle accident cases throughout the entire state. We have offices in Farmington Hills, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Sterling Heights to better serve you. Call (800) 777-0028 for a free consultation with an one of our auto attorneys.

Michigan Auto Lawyers

New Study Aims to Stop Car Accidents in Chicago Before They Happen

A single-vehicle car accident in Chicago left one woman dead and two others critically injured. The accident happened in the Hyde Park neighborhood on the South Side. The vehicle left the roadways and slammed into a tree near the intersection of Midway Plaisance and South Cornell Avenue, according to My Fox Chicago.

One woman was thrown 25 feet from the vehicle. She was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition. Two other vehicle occupants had to be extricated from the car. One was later pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The other passenger was taken in critical condition to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. The police Major Accident Investigation Unit is investigating.

In an effort to reduce the number of serious and fatal car accidents nationwide, a new two-year study will be conducted to observe driver's actions and reactions to varying traffic conditions. Researchers then plan to use this information to aid the development of safety improvements in road design, cars and driver training programs. Our Chicago car accident attorneys recognize the significance of this type of study. Crash avoidance research may usher in a new wave of technology that will one day have the ability to save thousands of lives on our roadways.

“Collision prevention is the central goal of the study” said Ken Campbell, chief program officer overseeing safety for the Strategic Highway Research Program, which is part of the non-profit Transportation Research Board. “And the driver is the key to prevent collision.”

The two-year study will install special equipment into the vehicles of 3,100 participants. This equipment consists of four cameras and a data box. The four cameras will record forward and rear views along with the driver’s face and hands. This data will be held in the storage box, which will be kept in the vehicle's glove box. Researchers will be collecting the recorded data every four to six months, according to Forbes.

“You can’t just look at collisions or near collisions to know what risk factors are. It’s that comparison with what the driver is doing when there is not a safety-related event that tells you what the risk factors are,” says Campbell.

In previous studies, researchers generally focused on countermeasures that protect drivers and passengers after collisions, like seat belts, airbags and crash-worthy vehicles. This is one of the few studies that takes it a step farther and focuses on avoiding the crashes altogether. Car accidents that happen at intersections and accidents where the driver runs off the road will be initial focus areas of this study

The Transportation Research Board is looking for volunteers to participate in Buffalo, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Durham, central Pennsylvania and Bloomington. Every driver that participates in the study will be rewarded with $500 for each year.

“We are particularly interested in people under 25 and over 65” Dr. Campbell said. Both groups represent a small percentage of all drivers and have high collision rates.

To participate, you'll be required to have a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and an approved vehicle. Participating vehicles are subject to a brief inspection. More than half of all vehicle makes are eligible.

“This study is long overdue and has the potential for providing the most comprehensive look at why highway crashes occur,” said Peter Kissinger, president and chief executive of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a nonprofit research and educational organization that provided technical advice for the study. “It is unprecedented in its scope and approach. It will be a wonderful supplement to other ongoing and planned traffic safety research efforts. My only disappointment is that the transportation research community didn’t initiate the study several years ago.”

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

More Blog Entries:

16-year-old boy faces murder charges after causing deadly Chicago car crash , Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, July 12, 2011

Red-Light Cameras in Chicago - Saving Lives or Stealing Money? , Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, July 8, 2011

Safe Driver Act of 2011 Could Increase Distracted Driving Laws in Illinois , Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, July 1, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer