Traffic Accidents | Lane Brown, LLC

One would think that a city struggling through financial hardship would take every precautionary measure possible to reduce unnecessary spending. In some cases, simple changes to policy can save a city thousands of dollars that could be put to use to help improve the community.

However, in Chicago’s case, one lack of policy will end up costing the city more than $16 million due to one man’s dangerous choice to drive a city sanitation truck while intoxicated.

On Monday, January 13, the City Council’s Finance Committee agreed to a multi-million dollar settlement to Jennifer Anton, one of three victims seriously injured in the May 2011 drunk driving accident caused by 61-year-old city worker Dwight Washington. The other two victims have already received their settlements awarded from jury verdicts. The combined total of all three awards topped the $16 million mark.

Why was a city worker picking up garbage allowed to drive a city truck while intoxicated?

Well, at the time of the accident, random alcohol and drug testing was only required for those city employees who held commercial driver’s licenses. But, since Street and Sanitation workers who are assigned to collect garbage and debris did not fall under this criterion, they were exempt from undergoing such testing. Mayor Rahm Emmanuel has since pushed for policy changes to be made in order to prevent such accidents from happening again.

Due to the new policy changes in place, Street and Sanitation Department drivers now must undergo the same random alcohol and drug testing as other positions within the city.

Apparently, this was not Washington’s first offense, either. About one year before the 2011 crash occurred, Washington was involved in another job-related accident that caused property damage. After that incident, he was apparently drug tested, and results came back negative. Washington was given an “oral reprimand” as a result.

Because of one man’s negligence, and a city’s insufficient safety policies for its workers, Jennifer Anton was critically injured while walking down the street with the 20-month-old child she was caring for. Fortunately, she was able to push the toddler out of the way in time. However, she was not so lucky. As a result, Anton suffered severe injuries below her waist. Virtually every bone on the lower half of her body was shattered, along with a fractured pelvis and hips. The skin tissue on her legs was also torn off due to the accident.

In all, seven individuals were injured to some degree on that fateful day. Hopefully, this costly choice will teach Washington, and the city of Chicago a valuable lesson about the roles they play in public safety. Policy and accountability matter!

If you have questions or comments about this case, or other drunk driving-related injuries, please contact us today to arrange a free, no obligation consultation. We want to hear from you!

We’ve all seen “those” drivers on the road — those that drive too slow in the fast lane, change their speed without cause, or can’t seem to pick a lane to drive in. When we’re running late, most of us don’t like being caught driving behind the slow-moving truck or school bus. But, when feelings of frustration behind the wheel turn to road rage, everyone around is put in greater risk of being involved in a serious traffic accident.

Was your Cook County traffic accident the result of road rage? Often described alongside aggressive driving, motorists driving with road rage are often distracted while driving, focusing more on their emotional reaction to other drivers than on safe driving habits. The signs of road rage can often lead to serious auto accidents, or even physical confrontations, between drivers. When aggression takes over, clear, rational, controlled thought can be replaced with revenge, anger, and hostility, all of which can be a breeding grounds for disaster on the road.

Pay Attention to Common Signs of Road Rage

Excessive honking at other drivers.
Swearing or using foul language at other drivers, whether they can hear you or not.
Tailgating other drivers.
Swerving in out of multiple lanes, cutting off other drivers.
Speeding up to prevent other drivers from passing or merging.
Stealing other drivers’ parking spots in lots while they wait.
Assaulting other drivers, whether physically or using a vehicle as a weapon.

There can be a wide variety of reasons why a driver would be enraged while behind the wheel. But, no matter the cause, drivers have a responsibility to make safe choices while driving, so as not to endanger themselves or others on the road. When they fail to do so, they may be found negligent for their actions if they cause an accident.

As motorists, we can make every attempt to follow safe driving practices, but ultimately, we have no control over other drivers on the road. If you were seriously injured in a Chicago area car accident, and believe that driver road rage may have been a contributing factor to the crash, having an experienced traffic accident attorney on your side can help you assert your legal rights. Call Lane Brown, LLC at 312-332-1400 today to schedule a no-cost appointment with an attorney to discuss your claim.

We’ve all passed them on the roadways, wondering whether it’s safe for them to be driving a car and whether they might be putting other drivers in danger. In many instances, those questions of concern—or even impatience—are unfounded. But in other circumstances, they are justifiable. The concern: elderly drivers on the road.

Recent statistics show that more than one out of every ten fatal car accidents involves a driver over the age of 65. As motorists continue to drive at older ages, there are numerous factors that contribute to senior driver-related car crashes.

Common Causes of Elderly Driver Car Accidents

Diminished Health

Vision and hearing are crucial components to safe driving. Visual cues allow drivers to see other motorists on the road, flying debris, and other objects in the road that could cause a dangerous Chicago car accident. Reduced hearing limits an elderly driver’s ability to hear horns, sirens, and other external noises that might warn of dangerous traffic conditions.
In addition, slower reaction times to sudden traffic changes, animal crossings, and a vehicle’s mechanical problems can appear as a senior’s cognitive brain functioning (reasoning and remembering) declines.

Wrong Vehicle Type for the Elderly

Elderly drivers should be driving vehicles that fit their physical and cognitive needs appropriately. Questions to be considered include:

Is the car too big or too small? Can the driver smoothly steer the car around turns? Can the driver see over the steering wheel while driving? The driver’s physical stature should be considered when choosing a car. Visibility can be reduced, creating unsafe blind spots for senior drivers.
Does the car offer appropriate space for drivers with infirmities? Older people who have had hip or knee replacements need special consideration. Those surgeries may require extra room for maneuverability in a vehicle. If a driver is uncomfortable in the car, it may cause distractions while driving.

When Illinois car accidents involving senior citizens occur, you may wonder what to do. After all, many of us want to show kindness and respect to the elderly. However, if you suffer catastrophic injuries from elderly drivers who shouldn’t be driving, you may have grounds to take legal action. Only an experienced Chicago vehicle accident attorney can help you understand the facts, learn your legal rights, and figure out what your next steps should be.

You can schedule a free consultation with a skilled Chicago car crash lawyer today by calling 1-312-332-1400, or by filling out the quick and easy online form.

Category: Traffic Accidents

Labels: Chicago car accident Chicago car crash lawyer Chicago vehicle accident attorney elderly driver car accidents Illinois car accidents involving senior citizens

Recently, there has been a string of injuries and wrongful deaths caused by the negligence of private bus and limousine companies. This week, one such case has resulted in the filing of a wrongful death suit being filed against a party bus operator. The Kansas City (MO) Star (6/18, Rizzo, 197K) reports, “A wrongful death lawsuit was filed Tuesday against the operators of a party bus from which a young mother fell to her death in May.” The Star notes that “according to the lawsuits filed by Kansas City attorneys Lynn Johnson and David Morantz, after Midnight Express bought the used vehicle in 2010, it made ‘extensive modifications’ that included removal of some of the vehicle’s safety features.” According to the Star, “in late May, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued an ‘imminent hazard’ order that prohibited the company from continuing to operate until it addressed what the federal order termed an ‘appalling’ disregard for safety.”

If you or someone you know needs assistance after a bus or limousine accident, please contact The Law Offices of Lane Brown, LLC, or call 312-332-1400 or 1-800-LAWYERS.

What to do If You Are In A Car Accident

1. Try to stay calm: Auto accidents can be a pretty scary, stressful time, but it is extremely important that you try not to panic and remain calm, especially if there are other passengers in the vehicle.

2. Immediate Steps After a Car Accident: There are a few steps you should always follow after an accident. First, put the car in park and put on your emergency lights. Do not leave the scene of the accident. Assess any injuries to yourself and/or passengers, and inspect the car for damages.

3. Report the Car Accident: Immediately call 911 and report the accident, giving dispatchers any helpful landmarks or signs that will help them find your location quickly. Let them know how many vehicles are involved, and if you or your passengers have been injured. You should not move your vehicle until the police come and safely guide you to the shoulder or side of the road.

4. File the Car Accident Report: Once the police arrive, file an accident report. Do not discuss the accident with anyone except for the police. When you do talk to the police, be as accurate as possible about any statements that you make, as they will often be stated as either your quotes or statements that are attributed to you in the police report.

5. You should get as much contact information as possible from the drivers and passengers of other vehicles involved in the accident, as well as contact information from any witnesses. Important information such as name, contact numbers, addresses, car make, model, year, color, license plate number, and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).

You also need their car insurance name and phone number as well, and any policy numbers they might have.

6. It is extremely helpful to try to preserve evidence. If you have a camera or cell phone which has a built-in camera, take photographs of the cars’ damages and the scene of the accident, as well as any visible signs of injury. In photographing the vehicles, take pictures that show all of the damage on all vehicles as well as damage to the surrounding scene that would illustrate what happened and how the accident occurred. If you can, take pictures of the resting positions of the vehicles immediately after the impact, and before they have been moved. If any of the vehicles have already been moved from their resting position, take photos that show the location where each vehicle came to a stop after the collision. Photograph any debris from the vehicles, skid marks and anything else which would help to explain what happened. It is smart and safe practice to either keep a camera in your car, or to use the camera capabilities on cell phones.

7. Contact Your Car Insurance Company: Call your insurance company as soon as possible. Most insurance companies provide you with a wallet-sized reference card with a 1-800 emergency phone number. You can also refer to the copy of your insurance policy (which you should keep in your glove compartment). Be sure to give the insurance company as much information as possible.

8. Whether or not you are able to take photographs after an accident, as soon after the accident as possible, write down everything that happened in the time leading up to the collision, what happened during the accident and what happened immediately following the accident. If you or others in your vehicle have been injured, you should seek immediate medical care, even if you don’t belive that the injuries are serious at the time. It is not unusual for serious injuries to be “hidden” by the trauma of an accident, and many serious injuries can be avoided by prompt medical attention. On the other hand, many serious injuries can turn into tragedies if they are not detected as early as possible.
Auto accidents are never pleasant, but being able follow these steps will ensure that dealing with the aftermath will be a lot less painful.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, you may be able to take action. Please contact the attorneys of Lane Brown, LLC, or call us at 312-332-1400 to speak with us about your options. We can help. To learn more about Lane Brown, please visit our website at lanebrownlaw.com.

Recent research conducted by the Erie Insurance Group shows that drivers who are “lost in thought” are more dangerous than those talking or texting on their cell phones. In fact, drivers who daydream while behind the wheel are reportedly five times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash than those distracted by cell phones and other electronic devices.

The study results were based on the 65,000 fatal vehicle accidents that occurred over the past two years. Distracted driving was the cause of approximately ten percent (6,500) of these deadly accidents.

According to reports filed by law enforcement officials concerning these fatal crashes, daydreaming was the primary factor behind 62 percent of these accidents, as compared to the 12 percent caused by cell phone use.

Following are some of the dangers of daydreaming while driving:

Running stop signs, yield signs, and red lights
Swerving between lanes
Failing to recognize sharp turns in the road
Being unprepared to suddenly stop when a car in front abruptly brakes

We have all been behind the wheel, thinking about responsibilities at home, work, or school. These distractions take our minds away from the road and other drivers, and put everyone at risk of serious injury or death. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car crash due to the negligence of another driver, a Chicago car wreck lawyer at Lane Brown, LLC may be able to help. Our skilled and compassionate attorneys will take the time to review your case, answer all of your questions, and help you to understand your legal options. Give us a call today at 312-332-1400 to schedule your free consultation. We will work tirelessly to help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries.