Illinois Woman Celebrates End of DUI Penalties By Drinking and Driving

A 58-year-old Brookfield woman was arrested for driving under the influence on Friday in Riverside. When asked by police officers, the woman informed them that she had been celebrating earlier in the evening because she got her driver's licence back after a conviction for driving under the influence last fall.

The woman was pulled over for speeding but later tests revealed her blood alcohol content to be 0.155, nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08. She is facing charges for felony aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol and may face incarceration as a result.

The responding officer ran a check on the woman's license and learned that it was still suspended from her prior conviction, despite her claims to the contrary. As part of her prior sentence, a breath-alcohol ignition interlock device was reportedly installed in her car. The device requires a driver to exhale into a collection tube before the car can be started. If the presence of alcohol is detected on the driver's breath, the vehicle will not start. However in this case, it appears the woman was driving someone else's car that did not have a breath-alcohol ignition interlock device installed, allowing her to drive even with her high blood alcohol content.

Illinois law presumes that any driver with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher is driving under the influence of alcohol and is impaired. This is the level that applies to the general population though specific types of drivers may face more stringent requirements. For example, drivers under the age of 21 and bus drivers are not allowed any alcohol in their system when driving while the limit for commercial drivers is a blood alcohol content of 0.04. According to the Illinois Secretary of State, the average driver arrested for driving under the influence is male, 34 years old, arrested between 11:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. on a weekend, and possesses a blood alcohol content of 0.16 - twice the legal limit.

Drunk drivers are less aware of their surroundings and have slower reaction times, making them a danger to all drivers on the roads. They can be responsible for collisions with other vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, or even pedestrians that may result in injuries or death. If you have been injured by a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs, call the Illinois drunk driving injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. today for a consultation regarding your case. You may have a claim for your personal injuries and any lost wages you sustained as a result of the collision. If you have been injured or if a loved one has been injured or killed, call us today at (312) 924-7575 or toll free at (855) 529-2442. We have a lawyer standing by to take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide you with a free consultation with no obligation. Call us now and let us fight for a recovery you deserve.

Prior Blog Entries:

School Bus Driver Faces No Charges in Fatal Illinois Crash, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published May 3, 2013.

4 Vehicle Crash Injures 5 in Southwest Chicago Suburb, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published May 2, 2013.

Resources:

Woman busted in Riverside for DUI tells police she was celebrating getting license back - after earlier DUI, Chicago Sun-Times, published May 4, 2013.

2013 Illinois DUI fact book, State of Illinois, February 2013.

Photo Credit: A beer in a pub, Image ID 1171697, stock.xchng.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Nissan Plans Self Driving Cars by 2020 With Goal of Crash-Free, Fatality-Free Vehicles

Nissan took a big step forward in the race to produce commercially viable autonomous, or self driving cars, announcing Tuesday that the Japanese auto maker will be selling autonomous models by 2020. It is no secret that Nissan has been working on the technology for a self driving car for some time as many other auto makers, including General Motors, Audi, Toyota, Ford, and Volkswagen have, but the self imposed time limit of seven years from today took many by surprise.

Estimates earlier this year put autonomous technology as likely to be commercially used by 2025 - five years later than Nissan now says it will have its cars available for consumer purchase. Nissan has a history of meeting its aggressive production goals. Its chief executive claims that in 2007, Nissan pledged to make an all-electric car by 2010 and responded with the Nissan Leaf which has found commercial success in the American market.

Unlike the venture into fully electric cars, when it comes to an autonomous vehicle, Nissan claims that it will have several unique models of cars on the market in seven years, all utilizing its driving system known as Autonomous Drive. With the implemented technology, a car will be able to drive without a human actively controlling the car's motions. From entering a highway to exiting, turning at an intersection and starting and stopping, the car's internal computer will do it all.

Some current luxury vehicles on the market have some semi-autonomous features that have been well received by the public. Several use adaptive cruise control which keeps the car a specified distance from any car in front of it, slowing the car as necessary so that the risk of a rear end collision is decreased. Others automatically apply the brakes when a hazard is sensed in the road. The brakes can be applied even before a human has an opportunity to respond, increasing the odds that the vehicle will stop before a collision occurs. Another recent feature that is catching on is blindspot alert where a visual cue informs a driver when a vehicle is in a blind spot, making the driver aware that he or she should refrain from changing lanes until it is safe to do so.

New technology is improving the safety of vehicles on Illinois roads and increasing the chances that victims of car accidents will survive. The belief is that autonomous vehicles will further increase safety while also adding convenience to the lives of Americans. With the ability to set a course and then engage in other tasks while riding, the belief is that many common driving practices will be eliminated. It will no longer be necessary to focus on the road if you have a self driving car so an operator will be free to make phone calls or send text messages if desired. Adults who have been drinking may still be able to use their own vehicles to get home at the end of the night without threatening safety because a computerized car will be driving, not the drunk adult. Tired drivers would not be a threat and in fact, many may choose to nap while their car drives them from one place to another. Autonomous driving will reinvent national transportation from the daily commute to the family road trip.

Only time and testing will determine if this new technology will reduce automobile collisions, and if so, how much, but experts believe that we are on the cusp of a safety revolution in transportation. If Nissan's projection holds true, our roads could be substantially safer by 2020. In the meantime, automobile collisions continue to claim the lives of thousands of Americans every year. Car crashes continue to be the number one cause of accidental death among 15-20 year olds as well as a significant cause of death among all other age groups.

If you or your family member has been injured in an accident, call the Chicago car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today. We are standing by at (312) 924-7575 to take your call and to provide you with a free, no obligation telephone consultation.

Prior Blog Entries:

DUI Driver Who Fled Scene of Fatal Crash Gets 7 Year Prison Sentence, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published August 23, 2013.

Driver Distracted By Cell Phone Charger Cord Causes Fatal Accident, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published August 20, 2013.

Resources:

Nissan plans to sell self-driving cars by 2020, by Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNNMoney, published August 27, 2013.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

School Bus Driver Arrested in West Chicago Suspected of Driving Drunk

A 42-year-old South Elgin woman was arrested Friday for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. What made this incident particularly distressing to many parents was that the woman was a school bus driver and was driving her assigned route at the time she was arrested.

It is unclear at this time whether any children were on the bus but authorities have stated that the woman was pulled over after a school employee reported that the employee smelled alcohol on the school bus driver's breath. The driver was pulled over in West Chicago where police officers performed a field sobriety test, leading to her removal from the bus and arrest by the officers.

At this time, the school bus driver has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol and bond has been set at $100,000. If the woman is convicted, she could face up to three years incarcerated in prison as well as being labeled a convicted felon.

Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is very dangerous and puts the lives of all other drivers at risk. For this reason, Illinois makes it illegal to drive a motorized vehicle under the influence of alcohol and it presumes that drivers are drunk when their blood alcohol levels are 0.08 or higher. However, merely having a BAC below 0.08 does not mean that a motorist is not under the influence; in fact, any driver who is affected by alcohol can be cited for driving intoxicated, regardless of what his or her BAC is at the time of arrest.

School bus drivers are held to a different, and higher, standard than average drivers on Illinois roads. There is no leniency when it comes to school bus drivers and alcohol. Illinois law forbids any school bus driver to operate a bus while there is any alcohol in his or her system, and a violation of this prohibition is breaking the law. The rules are much stricter when it comes to school bus operators because of the nature of their jobs and those who ride as passengers. A fully loaded school bus can easily carry in excess of 50 students, all of whom place their safety and security in the hands of the driver. With so many people on board, it would be easy for an accident to turn catastrophic in a moment. Decreasing the risks faced by these children decrease the odds of a school bus accident and increase the chances that all children will remain safe while traveling to and from school.

On average, there are over four school bus accidents every day in Illinois, many of which result in injuries to the children on board. As a child is not driving the bus and is otherwise not in control of the bus's movement, the children hurt in these accidents tend to be innocent victims. After a crash, a parent might face expensive medical bills for treatment of their child as well as the devastation that an accident can cause.

If your child has been the victim of an accident, call the Chicago school bus lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today for a free, no obligation telephone consultation. We have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day to take your call because we understand that you might want answers at any hour. At Abels & Annes, P.C., we have a history of representing school bus accident victims and their families and we are ready to represent you. Call us today at (312) 924-7575 or toll free at (855) 529-2442 now and let us help you understand your legal options.

Prior Blog Entries:

Chicago Hit-And-Run Crash Leaves 1 Dead, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published September 10, 2013.

Fatal Crash in Long Grove Leaves 1 Dead, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published September 6, 2013.

Resources:

School Bus Driver Charged With DUI, Associated Press/CBS Chicago, published September 14, 2013.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Daydreaming While Driving in Chicago is Often Deadly

A new survey on fatal car crashes shows that drivers who were daydreaming or lost in thought are five times more likely to cause a collision resulting in death than those drivers who were distracted by a cell phone. The study was conducted and published by Erie Insurance Company and showed that over a two year period, the U.S. had more than 65,000 fatal car accidents, a staggering amount.

Not all of those fatal car crashes were due to distracted driving, about 10 percent, according to the study. And surprisingly the majority of these fatal accidents were due to daydreaming - 62 percent. Cell phones caused 12 percent of those collisions, while rubbernecking or the "gawker effect" caused 7 percent. Other contributing causes included other occupants in the vehicle, reaching for an object, eating or drinking, adjusting controls on the dashboard, reaching for an ashtray, and pets within the car.

Young drivers are the most likely to drive while distracted. In fact, of drivers under the age of 20 who were killed in a collision, 11 percent were reportedly distracted at the time of the crash. This is a higher percentage than found among any other age group.

The results of this survey should alert all drivers of the need to focus on the task at hand: driving. While Americans lead busy lives, there is no time to be distracted or to split your attention while driving. Focus on the road and pay attention to traffic when you are driving, and if you need to make a call, send a text, or discipline your children, please pull over in a safe area before doing so.

It only takes a second of distracted driving to cause a fatal crash, meaning that it is crucial that drivers are aware of their surroundings and aware of other drivers who may be distracted.

Any distraction while driving is unsafe and many are illegal. For example, young drivers in Illinois are prohibited from using a cell phone and all drivers are banned from texting. What many drivers many not know is that cell phone use is also banned in school zones or in highway construction zones. Violations of these laws can result in significant fines or even imprisonment if the distraction causes a crash.

Be smart and be safe when driving. Do not drive while distracted and watch out for other drivers who may be distracted.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Myths about Driving Dangers in Kansas City

How often are you in a hurry to run a quick errand that you jump in your car sans shoes?  Believe it or not, people do it all the time.  What you may not realize is that driving bare foot isn’t exactly…illegal but Kansas City police would rather see you driving with shoes than without.  The reason being that a barefoot is more likely to slip and in case an emergency stop is necessary, then having traction on your brake foot is in everyone’s best interest.

Another myth of safe driving is wearing head phones.  A lot of motorists like driving around listening to their iPods or Mp3 players but this can create several dangers the most obvious being that it negates you being able to hear an approaching emergency vehicle and that could lead to an accident.  According to police in Kansas and Missouri, this is also NOT illegal just highly advised against.

Finally, how old should your child be when they stop riding in a car or booster seat?  This tends to vary depending on the parent.  Most people have their kids out of booster seats long before the age of 12.  Police feel that even though it’s not required that keeping

Our experienced Kansas City Auto Injury Lawyers are rightfully concerned about these statistics.  While we are happy to see the the state wide numbers are down– the increase in Kansas City car accidents as well as the cause of this increase is what really has us concerned.  It’s no secret that Drunk Driving has become a serious problem, not only in Kansas and Missouri, but across the United States.

If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury in an auto 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, we may be able to help you and your family through this difficult time.

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 Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 3:22 pm 
Filed under Auto Accidents, distracted driving, Driving Dangers · Tagged with child car seats, distracted driving, driving dangers, driving with headphones, driving without shoes, Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, Kansas city car accident attorneys, kansas city personal injury lawyers, safety seats, serious injury

Kansas City Auto Accident Blog

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

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

Texting while driving – Frequently asked questions

This week, we kicked off a giveaway sweepstakes to help bring awareness to the dangers of texting while driving. If you visit our Facebook page, you can enter to win a $1,032 check by watching a quick video on distracted driving and filling out a brief form.

Texting while driving, and distracted driving in general, is causing an ever increasing number of preventable car accidents. Here are some common questions our personal injury lawyers usually get asked.

Q. What is the law in Michigan regarding texting while driving?
A. The Michigan texting while driving ban prohibits reading, typing or sending text messages using a wireless two-way communication device in a person’s hand or lap while driving a car. Here’s the statute.

Q. What happens if I’m caught texting while driving?
A. Under Michigan law, texting while driving is classified as a primary offense. This means you can be pulled over and ticketed based on a text messaging offense alone. Violators face a fine of $100 for the first offense and $200 for subsequent offenses.

Here’s the interesting part: a texting ticket does not come with points, and will not become part of a driver’s permanent record. Here are more FAQs about the Michigan texting and driving ban.

Q. How dangerous is texting while driving?
A. If you’re texting while driving, your chances of being in a serious car accident or truck accident increase 23 fold. This is according to a Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study. The study found that “sending and receiving text messages is by far the riskiest behavior, because it diverts the driver’s attention from the road for extended periods of time.” A driver sending a text message may have his or her eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds over a six-second period, and is 23.2 times more likely to be in a car accident than while not distracted.

Q. What can I do to help stop texting while driving?
A. There are several things to you can to do help stop texting while driving.

•    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 check amount is the average price to purchase good No-Fault auto insurance that includes uninsured and underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage to protect yourself and your family.

•   Make a pledge to not text and drive: 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 text and drive. Parents can also enforce household rules that prohibit their teens from texting while driving.

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

Q. Since I’m trying not to text, is it illegal to use a Bluetooth in Michigan (which allows voice-activated, hands-free texting)?
A. Technically it’s not illegal, and it is better than talking on a handheld phone, but not as much as you would think.  We still advise drivers not to use a Bluetooth if they can avoid doing so. I’ve written a blog on this subject already: Is using my Bluetooth illegal with Michigan’s texting while driving ban?

Our best guess today is that a device not located in a driver’s hand or lap, that is capable of sending text messages that are not “manually” typed, should be permitted by the statute. Because one’s eyes would not leave the road and distract a driver’s attention, texting in such a way would not disobey the behavior which the statute seeks to promote. This is assuming that if you have a Bluetooth to create and send texts, and this Bluetooth is also hands free, this would not violate the texting while driving ban.

Still, as a Michigan personal injury lawyer who has handled far too many preventable car accidents due to distracted driving, I believe that texting “hands-free” is problematic and dangerous.  A person using the Bluetooth that can create/send texts hands-free would still probably read those text messages at some point. And if the reading is done while driving, it raises all the same issues about distraction and impaired reaction time.

- Steven M. Gursten, partner of Michigan Auto Law, is recognized as one of the nation’s top personal injury lawyers. 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

iPad while driving? Seriously?

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 personal injury lawyers.

Michigan Auto Lawyers

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

6 Labor Day driving safety tips

As a car accident lawyer, I always tend to worry when holiday weekends come around, especially in the summer, when more deadly drinking and driving crashes occur. According to AAA Michigan, about 1.2 million Michigan drivers will travel 50 miles or more from home between Sept. 1 and Sept. 5, 2011.

I’d like to share the following 6 driving tips with my readers. These tips can truly prevent car accidents this Labor Day weekend, whether you’re taking a road trip up north, driving to another state, or taking a quick ride to a local party.

1. Never drive distracted  - and no texting while driving
Drivers who are texting are 23 times more likely to get into a car accident. So don’t use cell phones or text. If you really must use your cell phone, pull over first. Remember, our car accident lawyers are currently running a distracted driving awareness sweepstakes, where the winner will win a $1,032 check. You can enter to win on our Facebook page.

2. Know your way before you leave, and be aware of road construction detours
Planning your route this Labor Day weekend should involve more than looking at a map. Road construction is still under way, and there are detours throughout the country. Visit the Michigan Department of Transportation website, where you can find updated detour information. You can use a mapping site like Google Maps that allows you to adjust your route, and avoid getting lost.

3. Wear your helmet
If you’re a parent, make sure your kids to wear the proper helmet when riding a bike or scooter. If you’re a motorcyclist, always wear the right motorcycle helmet. And don’t let kids under 16 ride on an ATV or other types of off-road motorized cycles.

4. Remember the basics of safe driving
Maintain your vehicle, drive defensively, don’t drive if you’ve had too much to eat… Here’s a list of our safe driving basics.

5. Watch gas prices
There’s no way to avoid paying the high price of fuel. But you can prepare by searching out the best gas prices available. If you use a Smartphone, try apps that can point you toward the lowest prices. If you don’t have a Smartphone, check gas price on websites like Gasbuddy.com to get an idea of where the deals are.

6. As always, buckle up!
Labor Day is a dangerous time to travel, because there are more people driving, and the number of drunk drivers is higher, too. Don’t start your car until you’re buckled up and your children are secured into a car seat or booster seat.

Here are a few other very important safety tips that don’t fall under the umbrella of safe driving.

•   Reduce the risk of drowning: Always supervise kids in the water and have them wear a Coast Guard-approved life vest or life jacket when on a lake or river — even if they know how to swim.

•   Watch what you eat: Don’t eat food that has been left out for more than an hour at barbecues and family picnics. It can cause food poisoning.

•   Wear your sunscreen: Prevent sunburn by lathering on the sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside.

- Steven M. Gursten, partner of Michigan Auto Law, is recognized as one of the nation’s top car accident lawyers. 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 safe driving and is available for comment.

- Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, by sporst

Related Information to protect yourself:

Texting while driving - Frequently asked questions

6 tips to keep your teen drivers safe

Checklist - What to do after a car accident in Michigan

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 car accident lawyers.

Michigan Auto Lawyers

Myths about Driving Dangers in Kansas City

How often are you in a hurry to run a quick errand that you jump in your car sans shoes?  Believe it or not, people do it all the time.  What you may not realize is that driving bare foot isn’t exactly…illegal but Kansas City police would rather see you driving with shoes than without.  The reason being that a barefoot is more likely to slip and in case an emergency stop is necessary, then having traction on your brake foot is in everyone’s best interest.

Another myth of safe driving is wearing head phones.  A lot of motorists like driving around listening to their iPods or Mp3 players but this can create several dangers the most obvious being that it negates you being able to hear an approaching emergency vehicle and that could lead to an accident.  According to police in Kansas and Missouri, this is also NOT illegal just highly advised against.

Finally, how old should your child be when they stop riding in a car or booster seat?  This tends to vary depending on the parent.  Most people have their kids out of booster seats long before the age of 12.  Police feel that even though it’s not required that keeping

Our experienced Kansas City Auto Injury Lawyers are rightfully concerned about these statistics.  While we are happy to see the the state wide numbers are down– the increase in Kansas City car accidents as well as the cause of this increase is what really has us concerned.  It’s no secret that Drunk Driving has become a serious problem, not only in Kansas and Missouri, but across the United States.

If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury in an auto 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, we may be able to help you and your family through this difficult time.

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 Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 3:22 pm 
Filed under Auto Accidents, distracted driving, Driving Dangers · Tagged with child car seats, distracted driving, driving dangers, driving with headphones, driving without shoes, Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, Kansas city car accident attorneys, kansas city personal injury lawyers, safety seats, serious injury

Kansas City Auto Accident Blog

Michigan Auto Law wants to stop texting while driving with $1,032 giveaway

Today our accident attorneys are kicking off a three-week campaign sweepstakes against the dangers of texting while driving — and the winner will receive a $1,032 check.

All you have to do is visit Michigan Auto Law’s Facebook page, “Like” the law firm and enter to win by watching a short video on distracted driving and filling out a quick contact form.

People who text and drive are 23 times more likely to be in an auto accident, according to a study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. We want to raise awareness of the dangers of texting while driving and we also want to really protect Michigan drivers.

The distracted driving campaign will run three weeks and the winner will be announced on Sept. 12, 2011. Official rules and details can be found on Facebook.com/MichiganAutoLaw.

The winner can use the money however he or she wishes, but we hope the winner will use it to buy the right kind of auto insurance. Part of this campaign also centers on our hope to educate drivers about just how many people today are uninsured on our roads.

About 50 percent of Detroit drivers, for example, are driving without any auto insurance whatsoever today. And in the state of Michigan, about 19 percent of drivers have no auto insurance, according to published reports such as the Detroit Legal News and a news release by the Insurance Research Council.

Why giveaway $1,032? The Insurance Institute of Michigan’s December 2010 data states that the average auto insurance premium in Michigan is $1,032.02.

People are not properly protected, and we’re hoping this campaign lets us spread awareness about just how dangerous texting while driving is, while also helping educate the public about the proper auto insurance they should be buying.

We have drivers who are texting, talking on the phone, even surfing the Internet. Meanwhile, in some cities, we have up to 50 percent of our drivers riding with no insurance to protect them in case of a serious auto accident. It’s the perfect storm.

Uninsured motorist coverage is a special, low-cost additional insurance coverage people can buy.  It’s typically sold as  uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. These coverages are must-have. For the price of a movie and popcorn, this UM/UIM can protect you and your family if you’re a car crash with a driver who doesn’t have auto insurance.

I hope this campaign will make drivers – especially newer drivers – think twice before they text and drive. If we can prevent even one car accident, it’s worth it. I also want people participating in this great opportunity to win cash for auto insurance and to make a sincere pledge to not text and drive.

- Steven M. Gursten, partner of Michigan Auto Law, is recognized as one of the nation’s top accident attorneys. Steve has received the top verdicts and settlements for car accident or truck accidents cases in 2008, 2009 and 2010, according to Michigan Lawyers Weekly. He frequently blogs about distracted driving and is available for comment.

Related Information to protect yourself:

Choosing the best auto insurance in Michigan

Top 4 best Michigan auto insurance companies

Michigan No-Fault insurance resource center

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 accident attorneys.

Michigan Auto Lawyers

Chicago auto accident attorney takes on drowsy driving case

An Illinois injury lawyer at Abels and Annes has agreed to help a motorist that was recently injured by another driver who fell asleep at the wheel.

The Chicago-area car crash occurred earlier this month in Aurora, Illinois around 4 AM. The plaintiff was driving his 1999 Honda Accord home from work on Farnsworth Street. At that time the defendant, who was driving a 2007 Mitsubishi Gallant in the opposite direction, fell asleep at the wheel and crossed the center line, striking our client's vehicle head-on.

The Aurora Police Department responded to the scene of the accident. After the investigation, they placed the defendant at fault on the police report.

Unfortunately, our client was seriously injured in the accident. He was taken by ambulance to Provena Mercy Medical Center with significant internal bleeding in his stomach. There he had to undergo emergency surgery. He was also having breathing/lung issues, right shoulder pain and low back pain. Due to the surgical procedure, he has a 8 to 10 inch wound which has been closed up with staples. He is expected to have a large permanent scar. He is also going to have to have follow-up medical care with several different specialists.

Our law firm has been brought in to pursue a claim against the at fault driver and his insurance carrier.

This accident is a good example of the dangers of drowsy driving. According to statistics gathered by the National Sleep Foundation, in the year 2005 approximately 60% of drivers (168 million drivers) stated that they had driven drowsy over the past 12 months, and 37% of those drivers had actually fall asleep at the wheel. Of those who fell asleep, 13% admitted that it happens to them around once a month. 4 percent, which is around 11 million motorists, said they were involved in a crash or a near collision due to drowsiness.

On the foundation's website, DrowsyDriving.org, they go on to state that the federal government estimates that there are around 100,000 accidents each year caused by drowsiness. These accidents result in over 1500 deaths, 71,000 injuries and a financial cost of over $12 billion. These statistics are taken from police reports..

The foundation also speculates that these 100,000 accidents could be just the "tip of the iceberg" because it is often difficult to determine that sleepiness caused a collision for the following reasons:

– Police have no test to determine drowsiness (unlike DUIs where officers have many different tests).

– States have no consistent practice as to how to report crashes caused by sleepiness.

– Data from overseas (England, Finland, Australia and other European nations) where there are more consistent accident reporting methods compared to the USA, have statistics that show driver fatigue causes anywhere from 10 to 30% of all accidents.

The website also reports that many motorists are drowsy as they commute to and from work. Around 71% of Americans drive to their places of employment. 27% of those commuters admit to driving drowsy several days per month, 12% did it a few days a week, and 4% admit driving drowsy almost every day.

Drowsy driving accidents occur most with younger people, shift workers, and adults with children. The worst sleepy offenders are adults ages 18-29 who represent 71% of drowsy motorists, as compared to people ages 65 and over who represent a much lower 19%.

When you are behind the wheel, here are some warning signs that you are sleepy and that you should get off the road:

– You are yawning a lot
– Blurred vision
– Your head starts to nod and your eyelids droop
– You have trouble remembering the last few miles driven, or you miss an exit or traffic sign
– You drive off on the shoulder, drift from your lane or tailgate
– You feel restless and irritable

Like drinking and driving, drowsy driving slows down your reaction time, impairs your judgment and increases your risk of being involved in an accident.

If you've been injured by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel, contact an attorney at Abels & Annes for a free consultation. Call 312-924-7575.

Other recent blogs:

Teen driver education website

NHTSA Releases Car Accident Stats

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Safe Driver Act of 2011 Could Increase Distracted Driving Laws in Illinois

Posted On: July 1, 2011 by Dave Abels

Illinois is already one of the states in the United States that has banned the use of cell phones by drivers in school and work zones and has banned all drivers from text messaging in an attempt to reduce the frequency of distracted driving car accidents in Illinois, according to the Governors Highway Safety Administration. While many motorists ignore these safe driving laws, they may soon have another force fighting their distracted driving habits. A proposed federal law. Introduced by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., aims to federalize driving and cell phone usage. These types of laws are currently managed by individual states-- and sometimes even cities as is the case with Chicago's cell phone ban.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys hope that this proposed legislation will one day serve as additional ammo in the fight against distracted drivers. The proposed bill would direct the U.S. Department of Transportation to set up a standard for the entire country that would prohibit hand-held cell phone use while driving.

“Driving while making a phone call, texting or using apps can be as dangerous as driving drunk, and much more common,” Rep. McCarthy said. “With some basic commonsense rules that are already in place in some parts of the country, we can reduce injuries and save lives in America.”

There are a few exclusions to this proposed law. Drivers would still be allowed to use voice-operated, vehicle-integrated devices, as well as voice-operated GPS systems. Even though there are cognitive distractions still present with hands-free devices, they pose a much less serious problem than using a hand-held device.

Under the proposed bill, the Department of Transportation would be required to conduct a study on distracted driving. This study would be required to focus on the issue of cognitive distraction and the impact of distraction on newly licensed, young drivers. Within two years of the completed study, the DOT would then be required to report its findings to Congress. Recommendations for revising the minimum distracted driving prohibitions and penalties must accompany this report. These newly proposed minimum distracted driving prohibitions would be mandatory for all states. Each state would then be allotted two years to comply with the law or lose a quarter of their federal highway funding.

Currently, each state is able to create their own laws regulating cell phone and texting use. Some states offer strict laws to prevent distracted driving while others have absolutely no restrictions at all. A majority of states ban teenagers from using cell phones while driving. Texting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle is forbidden in some 30 states. If this proposed bill becomes law, the entire country would be put under a seamless law that would require all motorists to follow it or face the consequences.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 5,500 people died because of car accidents that involved a distracted driver in 2009. These accidents accounted for roughly 1 in 6 of all motor-vehicle accident related fatalities that year.

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.

Additional Resources:

Safe Drivers Act of 2011 Introduced to Congress, by Matt Keegan, Auto Trends Magazine

More Blog Entries:

Website Dedicated to Teen Driver Education and Reducing Teen Car Accidents in Illinois, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, June 26, 2011

NHTSA Releases Stats for Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, June 24, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Allstate sin No. 5: Driving out brain injury doctors who treat car accident victims

Last week, I discussed Allstate’s third and fourth sins: Running doctors who treat car accident victims out of business and using false allegations as reason to refuse payment to these doctors. And today I’m going to tell you about Allstate’s fifth sin — the last in my series (for now), about the insurance giant’s wrongdoings.

These blogs were inspired by Allstate’s new  “claims satisfaction guarantee,” which is prompting many No-Fault insurance lawyers who are familiar with Allstate to shake our heads at the hypocrisy of its new advertising campaign in light of its actions.

Here’s the skinny on Allstate’s final stunt:

Recently, Allstate filed a federal lawsuit against 24 medical providers in Michigan. Allstate wanted to recoup money it had paid to the doctors for their care of auto accident victims (who were covered by Allstate insurance).

Why would Allstate deliberately target these doctors?

To save money. There are only a handful of private practice doctors who treat traumatic brain injury victims in Michigan. If Allstate targets the ones who provide this necessary but expensive medical treatment for the brain injury community and can dissuade them from helping TBI car accident victims or drive them out of business, it can save itself millions of dollars.

But Allstate didn’t prevail this time. In Allstate Insurance Company v. Global Medical Billing, Inc., et al. (U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, February 23, 2011), a federal judge said Allstate could not sue these Michigan medical care providers to recover $680,000.  It also raised disturbing questions about Allstate’s conduct and motives - after all, there are many independent agencies that could investigate allegations of fraud that would not raise the obvious conflict of interest here.

For more information about the case, take a look at our blog, Allstate Insurance won’t be targeting Michigan doctors who help auto accident victims.

Here’s how Allstate attacked a doctor in another state – and had to pay a  whopping $21 million verdict for defaming him and running him out of business.

As I’ve written before, I certainly believe, as do many insurance lawyers around the country, that this abuse by insurance companies against good doctors who care for car accident victims is calculated and intentional.  It’s a war that has been going on for many years.

This is the last in my series of Allstate’s sins, for now.  But our No-Fault insurance lawyers are very confident that Allstate will still be giving us plenty to write about in the future.

If you can think of any additional “sins” that Allstate should repent for in its claims handling for Michigan auto accident victims, share them with us by making a comment below, or on our Facebook page.

Next week, I’ll be writing about what’s really in the fine print of Allstate’s “claims satisfaction guarantee.”

- Steven Gursten is recognized as one of the nation’s top No-Fault lawyers handling serious auto accident cases and insurance litigation. He writes about insurance company abuse and Michigan No-Fault insurance laws, and is available for comment.

- This blog was written by Steven Gursten and Todd Berg, esq.

Allstate’s sins – Our blog series:

Allstate’s 5 sins: Profit-boosting tactics that harmed auto accident victims

Allstate sin 1: Using Colossus software to reduce payouts to auto accident victims

Allstate sin 2: Targeting accident victims who had the audacity to hire an attorney

Allstate Sin 3&4: Running doctors out of business and using false allegations as reason to refuse payment to these doctors

Allstate Sin 5 (written above): Driving out brain injury doctors

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 one of our No-Fault insurance lawyers.

Kansas City Auto Accident Blog

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

Allstate sin No. 5: Driving out brain injury doctors who treat car accident victims

Last week, I discussed Allstate’s third and fourth sins: Running doctors who treat car accident victims out of business and using false allegations as reason to refuse payment to these doctors. And today I’m going to tell you about Allstate’s fifth sin — the last in my series (for now), about the insurance giant’s wrongdoings.

These blogs were inspired by Allstate’s new  “claims satisfaction guarantee,” which is prompting many No-Fault insurance lawyers who are familiar with Allstate to shake our heads at the hypocrisy of its new advertising campaign in light of its actions.

Here’s the skinny on Allstate’s final stunt:

Recently, Allstate filed a federal lawsuit against 24 medical providers in Michigan. Allstate wanted to recoup money it had paid to the doctors for their care of auto accident victims (who were covered by Allstate insurance).

Why would Allstate deliberately target these doctors?

To save money. There are only a handful of private practice doctors who treat traumatic brain injury victims in Michigan. If Allstate targets the ones who provide this necessary but expensive medical treatment for the brain injury community and can dissuade them from helping TBI car accident victims or drive them out of business, it can save itself millions of dollars.

But Allstate didn’t prevail this time. In Allstate Insurance Company v. Global Medical Billing, Inc., et al. (U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, February 23, 2011), a federal judge said Allstate could not sue these Michigan medical care providers to recover $680,000.  It also raised disturbing questions about Allstate’s conduct and motives - after all, there are many independent agencies that could investigate allegations of fraud that would not raise the obvious conflict of interest here.

For more information about the case, take a look at our blog, Allstate Insurance won’t be targeting Michigan doctors who help auto accident victims.

Here’s how Allstate attacked a doctor in another state – and had to pay a  whopping $21 million verdict for defaming him and running him out of business.

As I’ve written before, I certainly believe, as do many insurance lawyers around the country, that this abuse by insurance companies against good doctors who care for car accident victims is calculated and intentional.  It’s a war that has been going on for many years.

This is the last in my series of Allstate’s sins, for now.  But our No-Fault insurance lawyers are very confident that Allstate will still be giving us plenty to write about in the future.

If you can think of any additional “sins” that Allstate should repent for in its claims handling for Michigan auto accident victims, share them with us by making a comment below, or on our Facebook page.

Next week, I’ll be writing about what’s really in the fine print of Allstate’s “claims satisfaction guarantee.”

- Steven Gursten is recognized as one of the nation’s top No-Fault lawyers handling serious auto accident cases and insurance litigation. He writes about insurance company abuse and Michigan No-Fault insurance laws, and is available for comment.

- This blog was written by Steven Gursten and Todd Berg, esq.

Allstate’s sins – Our blog series:

Allstate’s 5 sins: Profit-boosting tactics that harmed auto accident victims

Allstate sin 1: Using Colossus software to reduce payouts to auto accident victims

Allstate sin 2: Targeting accident victims who had the audacity to hire an attorney

Allstate Sin 3&4: Running doctors out of business and using false allegations as reason to refuse payment to these doctors

Allstate Sin 5 (written above): Driving out brain injury doctors

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 one of our No-Fault insurance lawyers.

Michigan Auto Lawyers

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.

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

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer