Illinois and Missouri Motor Vehicle Accidents Law Blog

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:

Nightmares
Depression
Suicidal thoughts
Aggression
Irritability
Difficulty concentrating

Why do most truck accidents happen?

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Truck Accidents on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

Collisions between commercial trucks and private vehicles happen far more often in Illinois than they should. Really, they shouldn't happen at all, but that would be in a perfect world. Why do most truck accidents happen?

There are several reasons why semi-trailers crash. At the end of the day, it all comes down to driver decisions. When a truck driver is doing, or has done, any of the following, an accident is likely to occur:

Speeding
Using handheld electronic devices
Working too many hours
Fails to inspect the equipment

Hit-and-run auto accidents occur more often than people think

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Hit-and-Run Accidents on Monday, December 30, 2019.

Following a car crash, it is common knowledge that all involved parties are to remain on the scene. Unfortunately, some people choose not to. Hit-and-run auto accidents occur more often than people think, in Illinois and elsewhere. These events can leave victims or -- in the event of fatality -- their surviving family members feeling lost and hopeless.

How often do such incidents occur? According to the AAA Foundation, these accidents take place every 43 seconds -- roughly. This adds up to hundreds of thousands of hit-and-run collisions across the United States every year. About 2,000 people lose their lives in such incidents annually.

Too many hit-and-run auto accidents

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Hit-and-Run Accidents on Monday, December 23, 2019.

Everyone knows that after a car accident, those involved are supposed to stop and stay on the scene until help arrives, insurance information is exchanged and statements -- if necessary -- are given to police. Unfortunately, not everyone does. So many hit-and-run auto accidents occur in Illinois and across the country every year, some of them resulting in fatalities.

According to the AAA Foundation, hundreds of thousands of hit-and-run crashes occur every year. Such collisions make up roughly 12% of all auto accidents. It is believed that such events happen approximately every 43 seconds. This results in well over 1,000 deaths every year.

Yes, RSIs are covered under workers' compensation

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Workers' Compensation on Thursday, December 19, 2019.

When Illinois residents think of work-related injuries, they think of big things, big events that cause a person to suffer significant physical losses. Not all work injuries are like this, though. Sometimes, it is the little things that can add up over time that can cause a person to experience a great deal of pain. Let's look at repetitive stress injuries as an example. Yes, such injuries are covered under workers' compensation.

RSIs occur from doing the same tasks day in and day out. It could be typing on the computer, using the same motions to lift heavy objects or hammering nails -- among other things. It doesn't matter what it is; performing the same movements repeatedly stresses one's joints and muscles, and can cause significant damage.

Drunk driving is a big problem this time of year

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Drunk Driving Accidents on Friday, December 13, 2019.

The holiday season is in full swing and with that comes an increase in the number of people who get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Police do not take this issue lightly; neither does the state. Any Illinois resident or visitor to the area who is injured in a drunk driving-related incident or who loses a loved one in such an accident may be entitled to seek compensation for their losses through legal means.

How big of an issue is the drunk driving problem in the state of Illinois? According to a recently released article, it is bad enough that ridesharing companies have granted at least one county $20,000 in credits to hopefully reduce the number of people who choose to drink and drive this holiday season. The code to access these credits is expected to be shared on various social networking pages and can be claimed up until New Years Day. This deal is available to those who want to use ridesharing services around Sangamon County.

Truck accidents: Big rig driver dies in multi-vehicle crash

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Truck Accidents on Thursday, November 28, 2019.

Motorists in Illinois have reason to feel threatened by tractor-trailers, semis and 18-wheelers that share the roads with them. The shear size of a big rig is enough to make passenger vehicle operators feel vulnerable when they drive alongside the large trucks. Victims of car vs. truck accidents are seldom unscathed.

The driver and a passenger of a pickup truck were recently the victims of serious injuries when their vehicle was struck by a big rig. According to a preliminary crash report, Illinois State Police says the driver of a southbound semitrailer disregarded a red light in Kendall County. The large truck smashed into a pickup truck that was traveling east through the intersection.

When winter weather contributes to a car accident

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Car Accidents on Tuesday, November 26, 2019.

Southern Illinois may not see too much snow during the winter months, but freezing rain, ice and other adverse weather are still a problem at times. Sadly, too few people adjust their driving habits when the roads are bad due to these conditions, and accidents result. When winter weather contributes to a car accident, the victim or -- in the event of fatality -- his or her surviving family members may be entitled to seek compensation for any resulting losses.

According to a recently published article, over 1,300 people lose their lives, and nearly 117,000 individuals suffer injuries, in winter weather-related car accidents every year. Those numbers may seem relatively small, considering 70% of roads in the United States are affected by snow, ice, slush and other winter weather conditions, but the truth is one life, one injury is too much. These collisions do not have to happen. Most are highly preventable.

In a car accident with a drowsy driver?

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Car Accidents on Monday, November 18, 2019.

Distracted driving and impaired driving are two issues that are commonly talked about, as numerous people in Illinois and elsewhere are hurt or killed by drivers who are not paying attention or are too intoxicated to be driving their vehicles safely. Drowsy driving is also a big problem, one that deserves more attention than it gets. When a drowsy driver causes a car accident, the results can be devastating.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2017, nearly 800 people were killed in accidents caused by drowsy drivers -- many more were injured. More people can be found driving while tired simply because of how society has changed over the years. More people than ever are working night shifts or longer hours. More people have longer commutes. In general, people are trying to do more and be more, but they are sacrificing sleep to do it.

Workers' compensation payouts less than they used to be

On behalf of Johnston Law of Johnston Law Offices P.C. posted in Workers' Compensation on Monday, November 11, 2019.

Every year, too many Illinois residents suffer injuries while on the job. Every year, too many of these individuals end up getting very little in compensation. The simple truth is that the amount being paid in workers' compensation benefits, in general, is less than it used to be.

According to a recently published article, more people are entitled to workers' compensation benefits now than ever before, but the amount being paid out yearly has declined. In 2017, roughly $62 billion in benefits were paid to injured workers or their family members. This is a lot, but looking at the bigger picture, it is not as much as it should have been. In 1997, worker's wages were covered at a rate of $1.17 per $100, whereas two decades later, their benefit decreased to 80 cents per $100 in covered wages. That is a significant change.