Illinois and Missouri Motor Vehicle Accidents Law Blog

Daylight saving time and truck accidents

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Truck Accidents on Thursday, March 26, 2020.

It's March, and that means daylight saving time. Most people in Illinois and elsewhere dread it; many states want to get rid of it, but for now, it is just something that millions of Americans have to deal with. According to researchers, adjusting to the time change is harder on the body than people may realize. It can cause a lot of problems, and at least one of those problems may lead to an increase in truck accidents.

According to a recent report, the effect daylight saving time has on the body is not only mental, it is also physical. The week of the time change, there are higher rates of heart attacks and increased blood pressure. Numerous individuals also find themselves struggling with fatigue, which, of course, can negatively impact every aspect of their lives.

Lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident?

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Drunk Driving Accidents on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

Losing a loved one is difficult to go through. When a life is taken in a drunk driving accident, wrapping your head around the loss can be particularly challenging. These accidents are highly preventable, yet they happen in Illinois all the time. It is okay to be angry about your loss, and it is okay to want to hold the responsible individual accountable.

If your loved one died because someone else decided to drive while intoxicated, you may be entitled to seek relief for your losses through legal means. To do this, you would need to file a wrongful death claim, along with any other applicable claims, in an Illinois civil court. This does not mean you'll be battling things out in a courtroom. It is just how you get the process of seeking compensation started.

Injured while riding a bike?

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Bicycle Accidents on Friday, March 6, 2020.

Spring is fast approaching, and that means more cyclists will soon be out on Illinois roads. Will you or any of your loved ones be among them? If you are an avid cyclist, you know just how dangerous the sport can be. Too many drivers fail to share the road as they should, and as a result, numerous cyclists end up hurt -- or worse. If you or a loved one are injured while riding a bike, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your losses.

Most cyclists have had close calls while trying to share the road with motorists. They encounter drivers who fail to yield the right of way, and others who simply fail to see them. It can make riding a bike a nerve-racking experience.

Auto accident leads to 1 death, 3 injuries

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Car Accidents on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.

A girl, 6, has sadly lost her life in a tragic motor vehicle collision in Illinois. The evening auto accident also caused three other injuries. The crash, which involved two cars, took place at the intersection of an avenue and Route 111.

The recent crash took place at about 6:06 p.m. on a Sunday. According to authorities, a girl was riding in a car with her father, who was the driver. The car then reportedly ran into a pickup truck.

Those who work these jobs more likely to get hurt -- or worse

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Workers' Compensation on Tuesday, February 25, 2020.

Work injuries happen every day in the United States. No field of employment is immune, though, and some see more work-related injuries and fatalities than others. According to a recently published article, those who work the following jobs in Illinois or elsewhere are more likely to suffer significant or fatal injuries.

Logging workers are believed to have the most dangerous job in the United States. In 2018, there were 56 fatal injuries and over 1,000 nonfatal injuries reported in this field of employment. Fishing workers come in second place with 30 fatal injuries reported in 2018. Pilots/flight engineers claim the third most dangerous, with a fatal injury rate of nearly 60 per every 100,000 workers in 2018. Construction workers, particularly roofers, come in fourth place, while sanitation workers round out the top five most dangerous jobs in America.

Will the autonomous car put an end to the car accidents?

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Car Accidents on Monday, February 17, 2020.

Americans are said to drive more than people in other countries. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, in a two-year period, the average American will spend a total of 18 full days behind the wheel of a car. With so many people using this form of transportation daily, car accidents are a big problem nationwide, with roughly 100 people dying per day in such events. Lawmakers in Illinois and elsewhere are hoping that the autonomous car will put an end to both fatal and non-fatal collisions.

According to a recently published article, human error is believed responsible for 94-96% of auto accidents. Human error means a lot of different things, such as driving while distracted or impaired, driving recklessly or simply making mistakes -- among other things. Car builders and lawmakers are hoping that, by taking the driver out of the equation, car accidents will become a thing of the past.

Injured in a hit-and-run car accident?

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Hit-and-Run Accidents on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.

It seems like a week doesn't go by without hearing about someone being injured by a hit-and-run driver. Such accidents happen far too often in the state of Illinois, and they leave their victims suffering in numerous ways. If you or a loved one happen to be the victim of a hit-and-run car accident, you may seek compensation for your losses, regardless if the driver responsible is found.

Victims of hit-and-run collisions often suffer severe injuries that require extensive medical care and rehabilitation in order to recover. Even with all that, there are no guarantees of a full recovery. The cost of care, along with any lost wages, physical and emotional pain, and various other losses, can certainly take a toll on the victim and his or her family.

How using ADAS can contribute to auto accidents

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, January 29, 2020.

Advanced driver assist systems are being installed on all new vehicles and can be found on many makes and models currently on the road in Illinois. These devices are meant to keep people safe and reduce the number of auto accidents seen in any given year. Unfortunately, according to the AAA Foundation, they may be causing more problems instead.

It was recently reported that drivers who regularly use ADAS and are comfortable doing so are twice as likely to participate in distracted driving behaviors. Many of them can be seen texting or flat out not paying attention to the road. They are totally dependent on their vehicles to protect them from being involved in car accidents.

Whiplash is a common car accident injury

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, January 29, 2020.

Most people are left with some aches and pains following motor vehicle collisions. At first, these seemingly minor injuries may not seem like a big deal, but in reality, they might be. Whiplash is a common car accident injury that causes some of these aches and pains. Numerous Illinois residents may be unaware that whiplash can actually cause long-term damage to the body.

Whiplash occurs when the head and neck are quite literally whipped in a swift backward then forward motion. This violent motion can overstretch muscles and ligaments in the neck, causing a person to experience pain. Other symptoms of whiplash include:

Neck/shoulder stiffness
Reduced range of motion
Headaches
Dizziness
Fatigue

Is PTSD covered under workers' compensation?

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Workers' Compensation on Wednesday, January 15, 2020.

There are many people who see some truly awful things while on the job. Emergency responders, law enforcement and medical staff see such things daily. There are also other Illinois residents who are subjected to violence in their places of work, which may leave them psychologically scarred. Psychological damage can affect one's life personally and professionally. Is such trauma covered under workers' compensation?

Many people end up with post-traumatic stress disorder because of things that they have witnessed at their place of work. This disorder can make it impossible for them to go about their days as they normally would. PTSD causes a person to experience these symptoms -- among others: