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Study Shows Chicago Police Reports Chalked Full Of Errors

by on April 28, 2012 in Accident, accidental death, car accident, IDOT

A study conducted by the Illinois Department of Transportation has shown that Chicago police reports are full of errors.

The study examined state records of Chicago police reports filed in 2006 at the city’s request in 2008. More than 70 percent of the crash reports were missing important data or details and 30 percent had errors in them.

According to a Chicago Tribune article, officials are now trying to correct the problems through improved training of police officers and clerical workers who compile the data, an easier-to-use accident form as well as better analysis of the raw data as it is received.

On example the article pointed out was that in 2006, the city counted 63 traffic deaths in Chicago while a state database, which is considered more accurate lists the deaths at 176.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or your loved one was killed in a motor vehicle accident, you may want to seek counsel from the Illinois accident lawyers at Dwyer & McDevitt. Call today for a free, initial consultation.

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IDOT Reminds Drivers Of Work Zone Safety

by on April 24, 2012 in Accident, car accident, distracted driving, drunk driving, IDOT, texting while driving

This week is National Work Zone Awareness Week. The Illinois Department of Transportation along with the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Illinois State Police, Local Laborers Union, Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association and others are participating in the awareness week in an effort to help reduce traffic-related crashes, injuries and fatalities in work zones.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation press release, speed and inattentiveness are the major contributing factors to work zone crashes. The coalition is working to remind drivers that when construction conditions are present, it is imperative to reduce speeds for the safety of all the workers as well as other drivers.

With lane reductions, lane closures, drop offs and heavy equipment moving next to traffic, if speeds are not reduced, the chance of having an accident greatly increases.

IDOT reminded drivers it is illegal to use a hand-held wireless device while operating a vehicle in a construction zone or operating any wireless device while operating a motor vehicle in Illinois is illegal.

IDOT said on average, there are more than 7,000 motor vehicle crashes in work zones yearly. Last year, 24 people were killed in work zone crashes. Twenty one of those killed were drivers or passengers, two were workers and one was a pedestrian.

Speeding in a work zone can result in a fine of $375 for first-time offenders and $1,000 for second-time offenders with a driver’s license suspension for up to 90 days. If a driver hits a worker, they face up to a $10,000 fine along with up to 14 years in prison.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a work zone crash, you may want to discuss your case with a Chicago car accident attorney who can help you decide your next step. Call the Law Office of Dwyer & McDevitt today for a free, initial consultation.

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Study: Automakers Need To Do More To Help Proper Car Seat Installation

by on April 16, 2012 in Accident, car accident, child safety restraint, seat belt law

A new study released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said modern car seat designs, not parent error, is making it challenging for parents to properly install car seats many times.

According to the study, the standard LATCH system is supposed to make it easier to properly install a car seat, but the study said research is showing auto makers aren’t doing enough to help.

The study, which was a joint effort by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety along with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute showed that only 21 percent of the 98 top-selling 2010 and 2011 model-year vehicles have a LATCH system that is easy to use.

In the tests, researchers examined LATCH hardware and looked at three factor. First researchers examined the depth the anchors were installed at. The anchors should be no lower than 3/4 of an inch in the seat and should be easy to spot.

The second factor they considered was clearance. Nothing should be in the way of the anchors and there should be enough room around them to hook the latch straight-on as well as at an angle.

The third factor researchers examined was force, or how much effort parents had to put forth to install a seat. Ideally, parents should be able to install a child restraint using 40 pounds of force or less.

2011 models that meet all 3 easy-installation criteria:

  • Audi A4 QuattroCadillac Escalade
  • Chevrolet Equinox LT
  • Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab LT
  • Chevrolet Suburban LT
  • Chevrolet Tahoe LS
  • Chrysler Town & Country (2010)
  • Dodge Caliber Mainstreet
  • Dodge Grand Caravan
  • Dodge Ram 1500 crew cab
  • Ford Escape XLT
  • Ford F-150 SuperCrew Cab
  • GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab SLE
  • Honda Pilot EX-L
  • Kia Sedona LX
  • Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  • Mercedes-Benz C300
  • Mercedes-Benz E350
  • Mitsubishi Eclipse coupe GS
  • Mitsubishi Lancer ES
  • Toyota Tacoma extended cab
If you or your loved one has sustained serious injuries in any type of motor vehicle accident, it is imperative to speak with a qualified, experienced Chicago personal injury attorney today to discuss your case.  Call today for a free, initial consultation.
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Bicycle Children’s Carriers Recalled Due To Laceration Hazard

by on April 14, 2012 in Accident, bicycle accident, product liability

About 40,000 bicycle child carrier seats have been recalled after the CPSC along with Todson Inc. said using the seats may cause lacerations or fingertip amputations.

According to the press release from the CPSC, a child may place his or her fingers in the opening at the grab abr hinge and when someone else lifts the bar to remove the child from the seat, injury may occur.

The company received two reports of incidents including near amputations resulting in stitches and a crushed finger.

The recall includes Topeak Babyseat II carrier seats with model numbers TCS2100, TCS2101 and TCS2102. The seats were sold at J&B Imports, REI, Action and Hawley as well as independent bicycle dealers and shops and online at REI.com from January 2009 through April 2012. They retailed at between $140 and $180 a seat.

If you own one of the recalled seats, you should stop using it immediately and contact the company at 800-250-3068 or on their website at www.todson.com for a free hinge cover to retrofit the seat hinge.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a defective or unsafe product, you may want to discuss your case with an experienced Chicago products liability attorney today. Call us for a free, initial consultation.

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CPSC Warns Parents About Dangers Of Opening Windows

by on April 10, 2012 in Accident, accidental death, concussions, CPSC, fall, window fall, wrongful death

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a timely warning for all families, especially for those with young children.

As spring approaches, many start opening their windows and although opened windows bring relief from the heat, they may also bring danger to those who are on the inside.

According to data from the CPSC, about 3,300 children five years and younger are treated yearly for window falls and about eight children die yearly. About 34 percent of those who fall, must be hospitalized as they recover from their injuries.

The National Safety Council recommends parents and caregivers take these steps to help prevent falls of young children.

- Avoid placing furniture young children can climb on near windows.

- Do not lean on screens or rely on them to prevent a window fall. Insect screens are designed to keep bugs out, not to keep children in the home.

- Supervise children to prevent them from playing near windows, balconies or patio doors.

- Install building code-compliant devices such as window guards (with quick-release mechanisms in case of fire).

- Teach your children how to safely use a window to escape during an emergency.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a fall from a window, the Chicago personal injury attorneys at Dwyer & McDevitt may be able to assist you. Contact our offices today for a free, initial consultation.

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NHTSA Recommends Regulating Use Of Distracting Electronics

by on March 21, 2012 in Accident, accidental death, cell phone ban, distracted driving, NHTSA, texting while driving

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is defending it’s proposal that automakers block drivers from using their GPS devices or Web searches while in motion.

According to the agency, 3,000 people died in distracted driving crashes last year, even though the data showed the most common distraction was other passengers and reaching for an item. Only three percent of those killed included distraction by an electronic device.

The proposal was posed in February, but some opponents of stricter regulation argue that locking a person out of the car devices would only encourage them to turn to their cellular phones more, in turn causing a higher rate of distraction than is seen currently.

If these guidelines are implemented, a driver would be prevented from sending or receiving text messages, browsing the Internet, tweeting or posting status updates, entering addresses into navigation systems as well as additional activities.

Studies have shown that even handheld devices don’t necessarily reduce the risk of a serious accident.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured by a distracted driver, it is imperative to speak to an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney immediately for a free consultation to review your case. Call us today.

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Family Of Dance Instructor Killed In Train Collision Receives $6M

by on March 17, 2012 in Accident, accidental death, train accident, wrongful death

Nearly two years after a Naperville dance instructor was struck and killed at a train crossing due to malfunctioning equipment, the family has come to a $6 million settlement with the railroad company.

Twenty-six-year-old Katie Ann Lunn was on her way to her Lincoln Park residence from an awards contest when a Chicago-bound Amtrak collided with her sports utility vehicle at approximately 78 mph. Witnesses reported and video showed the gates, lights and bells were not working at the time of the crash.

Canadian National Railway Co. had a crew out there working hours before the crash and had accidentally disabled the gate and warning lights and sounds. The family was scheduled to go to trial in a civil suit against the railway company on Tuesday, but the family came to an agreement with the company Monday evening.

Additionally, the signalman assigned to assuring the signals were operating correctly should have been tested for drugs and alcohol, but no test was given because it apparently wasn’t mandatory for non crewmen. The Amtrak crew was cleared of wrongdoing in the accident.

If you or your loved one has been serious injured or killed in any type of train accident, you want an aggressive Chicago personal injury attorney on your side fighting on your behalf. Call our offices today for a free, initial consultation.

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Two Bills Targeting Driving With Cell Phones Pass House

by on March 13, 2012 in Accident, car accident, cell phone ban, legislation

The Illinois House passed legislation last week in an effort to protect the public from distracted drivers.

On Thursday, the House passed legislation making it illegal to use a handheld cell phone while driving. Although some areas, like Chicago, already have such a ban in place, this is a first for the whole state.

Violators would be cited and fined $75 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, $125 for a third offense and $150 for a fourth or subsequent offense.

On Friday, the House passed a law banning drivers from using cell phones while passing through emergency areas.

Violators would receive a traffic citation and a fine of up to $70. In the legislation, an emergency area is any and all areas where an emergency vehicle is parked with lights on.

Currently, it is illegal for drivers to talk on a cell phone while driving through construction areas and school zones.

Both bills are headed to the state Senate.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident, you may want to speak with an experienced Chicago car accident attorney today to discuss your case.

House Bill 3972

House Bill 5099

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Proposed Legislation Would Add Federal Oversight For Rental Car Companies

by on February 29, 2012 in Accident, accidental death, defective product, new law, product liability

Last week, a mother who lost her two girls in a 2004 fiery crash involving a rental car that was under a safety recall was able to get Enterprise Holdings to pay attention to her plea.

The PT Cruiser Cally Houck’s daughters Raechel and Jacqueline Houck were driving had been recalled because of a power steering fluid problem. The power steering fluid apparently caught fire as the girls drove the car and caused the girls to lose control of the vehicle, drive across a grassy median and slam into an oncoming semi tractor-trailer. They had rented the vehicle from Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Houck posted an online petition on change.org and within two days 130,000 people had signed her petition in support of an act that would bring about federal safety legislation. The Raechel and Jacqueline Houck Safe Rental Car Act would require car-rental companies to ground any vehicles that are under federal safety recall and to repair the problems before leasing or selling the vehicles. New-car dealers have had to abide by such rules since the 1960s.

Enterprise went to Washington to discuss such legislation for the first time last week. The company has been resistant for years, but with control of more than half of the rental-car market, the Houcks believe it is key to get them on board. Enterprise owns both Alamo and National chains.

Just two years ago, the Houck family received a $15 million settlement after Enterprise accepted responsibility for the girls’ deaths. Houck said she wants to make sure this doesn’t happen to any other family.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured by a defective product or in a car accident, you may have a personal injury case. Contact your Chicago personal injury attorneys today to find out how we can assist you. Call for your free, initial consultation.

RELATED ARTICLES:

USA Today

Boston Herald

ABC News

Bellingham Herald

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Proposed Legislation Would Require Stricter Anti-Bullying Policies In Schools

by on February 28, 2012 in Accident, bullying

Illinois is moving one step closer to developing a program to help curb bullying in schools.

Tuesday, the Illinois Human Rights Commission unanimously endorsed HB 5290. The bill is legislation proposed by Rep. Kelly Cassidy D-Chicago that would build on the Illinois School Violence Act and require the Illinois State Board of Education to develop a model bullying prevention policy that could be adapted statewide.

If passed, the new legislation would require all schools to implement aggressive new anti-bullying and anti-cyber-bullying policies beginning in the 2013-2014 school year. The legislation would also require schools to track bullying incidents and update their policies regularly.

In 2010 Illinois became the ninth state to enact stronger anti-bullying laws when the Illinois Prevent School Violence act went into law in June.

If your child has been the victim of bullying online or at school and has suffered injuries because of it, you may want to discuss your case with an experienced, aggressive Chicago personal injury attorney today. Contact our office today for a free, initial consultation.

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