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Differences Between Motorcycle and Car Accidents
Motorcycles are a unique form of transportation. They offer benefits like fun, are compact, and cheaper to fuel, but unfortunately, they also have a higher risk of fatal injury to the driver. Because the risk is higher while driving a motorcycle, you will see drivers with protective gear such as helmets. Compared to a car there is a lot less in the way between the driver and the road. This is why accidents involving a motorcycle should be handled differently than a collision between two cars.
Although motorcycle accidents took up 1% of accidents in Illinois in 2015, motorcycle drivers made up 14% of all fatalities overall. The percentage of motorcycle drivers injured did decrease, but the percentage of deaths increased from the year prior. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, the majority of motorcyclists that were involved in an accident were driving straight ahead when the incident occurred. Here we will dive deeper into why motorcycle accidents are different than car accidents.
Car Accidents with Rideshare Services
Services like Uber and Lyft have changed the way we get around. Instead of needing to hire a taxi company with hidden fees, you get a price upfront depending on your city, location, and where you are trying to go. It is a great resource whether you have a car or not, for example, if you drive to a bar and drink too much, a rideshare service can get you home safely. However, once back in your own car, what happens if you get into a car accident with a rideshare driver?
Unlike a person driving his or her car for leisure, a rideshare driver is guaranteed to have car insurance - it is a requirement. When with a passenger in the car, or on the way to pick up a passenger, there is additional coverage provided by the rideshare company. Uber, for example, provides a $1,000,000 minimum for liability coverage, and the same amount to protect their driver, and any passengers, if the people in the rideshare are not at fault and the other party has poor or no insurance. Rideshare drivers not interacting with the app are covered by their own insurance only.
The University of Chicago and Rice University researchers have found that fatal injuries spiked after Uber or Lyft was launched in a city. Rideshare companies offer incentives for their drivers to complete more trips, and this can cause dangerous competitiveness because there is no limit of how long a driver can complete trips for. A driver may become overtired trying to earn a badge or reach a goal, instead of calling it a night.
It may not be obvious at first if you have been in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, especially if they are in the middle of a trip, but you will want to react similarly to a car accident with anyone. First, call the police if you are able. Having a police report will be important when filing an insurance claim. After calling, gather as much information as you can. Get the insurance and contact information of everyone in the other car, including passengers. If there were any witnesses to the accident, get their contact information as well. Take pictures of the accident and any bodily harm to yourself.
Contact an Orland Park Car Accident Attorney
Getting in a car accident with a rideshare driver can complicate your ability to get the compensation you deserve after an accident. These cases can uncharted territory due to the new technology. Contact an experienced Orland Park car accident attorney today to handle your accident with an Uber or Lyft Driver. Set up a free consultation by calling our office at 708-966-2408.
Birth Defects Caused By Medical Malpractice
The majority of children are born healthy, but three to four percent of babies will be born with a birth defect. A birth defect is a physiological or physical health concern that is apparent when a child is born. A genetic defect is more likely if it runs in the family, but birth defects can also be caused by the negligence or mistake of a doctor, nurse, or hospital.
There are over 4,000 known birth defects, and although it is not a doctor’s fault for a genetic birth defect, there are tests that can identify some defects early such as, Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, cystic fibrosis, or muscular dystrophy. How to move forward with a pregnancy can be determined by this genetic testing. Not providing these tests, or providing misinformation, can be considered negligent, and put a mother and baby at risk.
Even during a healthy pregnancy, a birth defect is still possible for a child to develop during delivery. These disorders can be caused during birth and may be caused by the negligence of a doctor or hospital.
Getting in an Accident with an Uninsured Driver
For things not required by law, we purchase insurance as a safety precaution. That being said, liability car insurance is mandatory in 49 out of 50 states. Getting into a car accident with someone who is uninsured may be concerning, but it does not mean that you will not be paid.
What Is Liability Car Insurance?
When someone is found at fault for a car accident, it is the at-fault driver's automobile insurance company that pays the affected party. Each state has their own minimum rates of protection that drivers must reach. In Illinois, are minimums are as followed:
- Death or injury of one person - $25,000,
- Death or injury of multiple people - $50,000,
- Property damage - $20,000.
This insurance helps cover the medical expenses and lost wages of people injured in an accident, as well as your legal fees if you are sued.
Despite it being illegal to be on the road in Illinois without car insurance, the Insurance Research Council reports that 1 in every 8 drivers operates a vehicle without it. Car insurance is expensive, and it may feel like your best interest to avoid it. However, a person found without insurance will be subject to fees, have their license suspended, have their vehicle impounded, and be responsible financially for any accidents by their fault.
Requirements for a Wrongful Death Claim
After a loved one passed away, it is the family who celebrates their life. After a wrongful death, it is the same parties that fight for justice. Although a lawsuit will not bring back your loved one, suing the company or people responsible for their death can bring closure and hold them responsible.
What Is A Wrongful Death?
Similar to that of a personal injury lawsuit, a wrongful death lawsuit is classified by the negligence of others. What is different is that the family members sue for their suffering and financial burden of losing a loved one unexpectedly. Only heirs and beneficiaries can sue for wrongful death. Most common causes of wrongful death are,
- Car accidents,
- Workplace accidents,
- Medical malpractice,
- Criminal activity, and
- Product liability.
There are four requirements for a wrongful death claim:
Preventing Pedestrian Accidents
A pedestrian is considered a person who is not utilizing a motor vehicle. People go to the streets on foot to get to a destination or even to get exercise in the form of a walk or run. Despite safety precautions from motorists, over 5,000 pedestrians were killed during an auto accident in 2015 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection. Even more pedestrians were injured, so in the case of an auto accident with a pedestrian, who is responsible?
It is important for drivers and pedestrians to be mindful of each other. Here are steps each party can take to lower their chances of getting into a potentially fatal accident.
Vehicles
- Obey the speed limit - 30mph speed limits are not there to annoy, but to keep everyone safe. The road may be unsafe to drive at higher speeds, or the low-speed limit may be there because the area is residential or there is a school. A slower speed gives you a higher reaction time if a child suddenly crosses the road.
Slip and Falls in the Winter
Winter conditions make functioning daily more dangerous. Slips and falls are one of the most common accidents and they can result in a variety of injuries from scrapes and bruises to breaks and fractures. What is important in a lawsuit following a slip and fall is negligence on behalf of the property owner. This can be a business, private property, or public government property that you fall on.
What Is Negligence
Negligence is when a person could have done something about a situation, failed to do so, and a person got injured because of that failure. A couple examples of negligence are:
- A driver going significantly over the speed limit and gets in a car accident;
- An accidental overdose of medicine administered by a health provider; and
- A business not mopping up a spill and someone falls.
Safety Tips for Motorcyclists
Operating a motorcycle is an exciting way to get around. However, according to the National Motorcycle Institute, driving a motorcycle is 27 times more dangerous than operating a car. Unlike a car or truck, as a driver, you are completely exposed to the environment around you. There are precautions like gear and helmets that can help keep motorists safe, but they only help if you wear them.
Does a Helmet Really Make a Difference?
Yes, wearing a helmet is 37 percent effective in preventing death and 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries in a road accident. Protecting yourself is one thing, but being mindful on the road can prevent accidents and other people being injured. Addition to personal safety, here are some safety tips for operating a motorcycle. Be responsible: Bikers get a bad reputation of being mean-spirited misfits, but even the most grisly looking motorcycle rider can practice the rules of the road. As you would in a car, follow traffic lights and signs unless otherwise instructed by a member of law enforcement. Always use your turn signals and keep a reasonable distance between other vehicles. Remember that on a motorcycle you may be harder to see for some drivers. Wear bright clothing or reflectors to help others see you. Stay sober: The same rules for operating a car apply for driving a motorcycle when it comes to being under the influence of a substance. Motorcycle riders are almost three times more likely to be involved in an alcohol-related fatal accident than other vehicles on the road. Alcohol and other substances can alter your perception, making it a dangerous time to get on a motorcycle. Be educated: A motorcycle is a specialized machine, and like most machines, require knowledge to operate to one’s best ability. Taking a motorcycle rider course is not required by law in the state of Illinois, but if you are over the age of 18, it allows you to waive the written and driving portions of obtaining a motorcycle license. Another benefit of taking an Illinois Department of Transportation approved course is that you may be eligible for a discount on your motorcycle insurance.Contact an Orland Park, Illinois Personal Injury Attorney Today
Pedestrian Safety Tips
In 2007, the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration reported that over 4,500 pedestrians were killed as result of an auto accident. It is the responsibility of drivers and pedestrians to keep each other safe on the road. Drivers should always be operating in a defensive mode. However, a pedestrian suddenly crossing into the road to cross does not give a lot of time to react behind the wheel. A driver disobeying a traffic light also puts a pedestrian, crossing safely, at risk.
Traffic Lights Explained
At intersections, traffic lights help us stay organized and safe. For drivers, the light patterns are more straightforward: green: go, yellow: slow down, red: stop. Here are the pedestrian lights explained further:
- Walk: The symbol of a walking person means that pedestrians may cross the street that the signal is facing, and have the right of way.
Reducing Cell Phone Distracted Driving
Although young drivers are the most attached to their phones, adults drive distracted as well. You are 400% more likely to get into a car accident while using a cell phone, than regular motor use. Although Bluetooth, or hands-free, devices are legal to use on the road for drivers over the age of 19 in Illinois, it is still more dangerous than talking to a passenger in the car.
What If I Need to Use My Phone?
Life continues while you are in the car. If you do need to make a phone call or respond to a text message, Illinois State Police recommend safely pulling over to the shoulder of the road. Although hands-free driving is legal, this does not include talking on speakerphone. The only times a nonhands-free device can be used are:
- Parked on the road shoulder;
- To report an emergency; and
- When the car is in neutral or park during regular traffic.
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9631 W. 153rd St., Suite 32,
Orland Park, IL 60462
Phone
708-966-2408
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9631 W. 153rd St., Suite 32, Orland Park, IL 60462
708-966-2408
