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.

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.

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

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.

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.

A new law that went into effect this year allows the state to withhold money from a tax refund of those who own cash to the city of Chicago, along with some other local governments.

According to the Bloomington Pantagraph, Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka’s office has already notified more than 40,000 people that their tax refunds will be less than they expect or nonexistent because they owe money on their water bill or for unpaid tickets.

The effort, dubbed the Local debt Recovery Program, will affect residents of Chicago, Aurora, Juliet, Springfield, Collinsville and Lakeland Community College in Mattoon.

Even though it is aimed at these municipalities, any Illinois resident owing money to one of those municipalities participating could find themselves with a reduced refund. According to the Panatagraph, parents of children who have received a ticket may be affect as well as someone who has an unpaid ticket from years ago.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident, you may want to discuss your case with an experienced Chicago personal injury. Contact our offices today for a free, initial consultation.

BPA stands for Bisphenol A and it is used in the production of plastics and resins, including some water bottles and food cans. It is also used in other types of goods like compact discs and some cash register tape, according to the FDA press release.

It has been put in the spotlight in recent years by advocacy groups worried that the exposure to the chemical may negatively affect development of all people, but especially young children. Many companies have voluntarily removed BPA from their products in response to the concerns.

The FDA has decided after “extensive research” on BPA that at this time, there is unsufficient scientific data to show the low level exposure many get in their every day diets are unsafe and should be regulated. They said that levels that enter the body are a lot lower than previously believed and any that enters a child or adult’s bloodstream is quickly metabolized.

Plastic containers with a recycle code of 3 or 7 may contain BPA. Levels of BPA exposure increase when the container is heated and comes in contact with food.

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

After an inspection September 29, the company was cited for 22 violation, which included four repeat violations. According to OSHA, the inspection was a follow-up to a July 20 inspection where inspectors cited the company for for exposing workers to energized equipment by failing to implement and provide training on lockout/ tagout procedures.

Three repeat health violations involved failing to mark chemical containers with their contents and hazardous warning labels failing to provide emergency eyewash stations for employees working with corrosive chemicals. The fourth repeat violation was cited due to an obstructed emergency exit.

The company was also cited for nine serious safety violations and seven serious health violations in addition to another safety violation.

The Anaheim, Calif.-based Bridgford Foods Corp. plant is located in Chicago. As with all OSHA citations, the company has up to 15 business days from receiving the citations to comply, request an informal conference or contest the citations.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a work-related accident, contact our Chicago worker’s compensation attorneys today for a free, initial consultation to review your claims.

OSHA press release >>

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.

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.