Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

We are at the end of November, and we may have some snow in the Chicago and Cook County areas in the upcoming months. During the winter, there are far too many people who do not plan ahead and therefore end up in the hospital after a bad encounter with ice on the roads.  Pedestrian accidents often occur when roads are treacherous, and cars are unable to stop on the ice. Considering all of this, it is best to prepare for the colder and snowier months, and here are some ways to keep yourself safe and away from the emergency room because of an accident.

Wear Appropriate Clothes

To prevent any slip and fall accidents due to icy sidewalks, it is best to wear proper footwear and clothes that can be easily seen. Invest in shoes with heavy treading and flat bottoms, so that the whole foot is on the ground’s surface. When snow is bad, sunglasses and bright clothing are appropriate. People driving cars will be more likely to see pedestrians who wear bright clothes and therefore prevent a car accident involving pedestrians.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

This month, the weather has been in the sub-zero degrees and driving conditions have been under par. The weather may get warmer, but we should not get too excited. As temperatures may be no more than 32 degrees, we are still in freezing temperatures, and we need to prepare for the worst driving conditions. Black ice is a very common factor in car accidents, and we need to know the dangers that black ice can cause.

What Is Black Ice?

Black ice is a thin coat of ice that is often impossible to see on the roadways, which can cause dangerous driving conditions. Black ice is formed when temperatures rise above freezing, or if the sun comes out at daytime. Any moisture on the ground will melt, and roadways will be wet. Puddles may form if it rains. Then, later in the evening, if the temperature drops below zero, the water formed will freeze again, and black ice will likely form.

Why Is Black Ice Dangerous?

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

Being in a car accident can be a very scary experience, even for the most seasoned drivers. With the event being a sudden occurrence, the individuals involved in the car accident may not remember much at first. Over time, post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can develop, with accidents being the most frequently experienced traumatic event among males and the second most frequently experienced traumatic event among females. Regardless, many survivors of car accidents frequently experience mental health difficulties, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.

What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is a condition that develops when people have experienced a scary or dangerous event. Nearly everyone who has been involved in a car accident will feel afraid immediately following the situation, but the majority of those individuals will recover from the “fight or flight” response rather quickly. Individuals who still feel afraid and experience the “fight or flight” response typically have PTSD and may feel stressed or frightened, even when they are not in danger.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

Getting involved in a car accident is a very scary event, especially if you or a loved one was hurt. If the other driver did not have auto insurance coverage at the time of the accident, there may be very serious consequences that could be faced. It is always important for both parties to have auto insurance coverage, as to protect themselves from hefty payments from the accident and related injuries. Uninsured motorist is good to have, as the insured will be protected in the event that the other person does not have auto insurance coverage.

What Will Uninsured Motorist Coverage Provide Compensation For?

Typically, uninsured motorist coverage will provide for medical expenses, funeral expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering. If a person is injured in a car accident and does not have uninsured motorist coverage, then he or she will typically be responsible for those expenses, as the insurance company will not pay if uninsured motorist coverage is not listed on the policy.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

Most of us have some first-hand knowledge of car accidents since these types of accidents happen all the time. Many of us have not been involved in a pedestrian accident, even though these types of accidents are often serious in nature. There is some suggestion that pedestrian accidents are more dangerous than other modes of travel, and nearly 18 percent of all traffic fatalities involve pedestrians.

Pedestrian Accident, Injury, and Fatality Statistics

Three years ago, in 2015, nearly 5,400 pedestrians were killed in pedestrian accidents which involved cars. Every day, on average, 15 pedestrians were killed in pedestrian and car accidents, representing the highest number of pedestrians killed since 1996. In 2015, nearly 70,000 pedestrians were injured as a result of a pedestrian accident, yet only a small percentage of injuries from pedestrian accidents are recorded by the police.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

Having a child is one of the fondest memories in a person’s life. However, there are many factors to consider when a woman is expecting a baby, such as driving habits. Research has shown that pregnant women are 42 percent more likely to be involved in a car accident by the second trimester. By the third trimester, however, the likelihood of being involved in a car accident is far less than it is for mothers in their second trimester.

Statistics of Pregnant Women in Car Accidents

About one in 50 pregnant women will be involved in a car accident at some time in their pregnancy. At the first month of the first trimester of pregnancy, there was a reported 4.33 crashes per 1,000 women per year. However, at the first month of the second trimester, the car accident rate increased to 7.66 crashes per 1,000 women per year. During the entire second trimester, the car accident rate was 6.47 car accidents per 1,000 women per year. During the last month of pregnancy, the car accident rate decreased to 2.74 crashes per 1,000 women for every year. After the birth of the baby, the car accident rate further decreased to 2.35 crashes per 1,000 women per year.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

A car accident can be a very life-changing event. As scary as car accidents always are, there is always the risk of developing physical problems following an accident. One of the most common injuries following a car accident is a concussion. If you have been injured in a car accident, you may not always know that you are suffering from a concussion, as this type of injury is often difficult to diagnose.

Signs of a Concussion

Symptoms of a concussion may not appear for weeks following a car accident. Research has shown that one incident of mild brain trauma or concussion is sustained every 21 seconds in the United States. Even though a concussion is fairly common, it is important to fully understand the signs of a concussion to properly treat the injury. Some of the symptoms of a concussion include but are certainly not limited to:

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

Having a child is one of the most exciting times in a person’s life. To make sure that your child is safe in your car at all times, it is very important to understand when to use booster seats and when to remove the booster seats. If your child is very young and not in a booster seat, the chances of him or her being seriously injured in a car accident are greater than that if he or she is in a booster seat.

The Benefits of Booster Seats

If a child is only protected by someone else’s lap or by a shoulder harness, the chances of him or her being injured in a car accident is 59 percent greater than if the child is appropriately strapped in a five-point harness or booster seat. Booster seats have the advantage of raising the child up and giving him or her room to sit comfortably with no slouching. Booster seats also give the benefit of having the lap belt across the upper thighs and not the abdomen. Restraining force is then kept away from the abdomen by increasing the lap belt angle at the time of a car accident.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

It is very important for all of us to stay healthy. This can include eating healthy food, exercising regularly, and generally taking care of our bodies. Unfortunately, there are situations where we have medical issues that cannot go away, no matter how hard we try to stay healthy. Some of these medical conditions can greatly increase the likelihood of a car accident, including diabetes, epilepsy, and irregular heartbeat. These medical conditions can also increase the likelihood of more serious injuries, deaths, longer hospital stays, and more costly hospital payments.

How Is an Irregular Heartbeat Linked to Car Accident Injuries and Deaths?

An irregular heartbeat, also known as atrial fibrillation, is a common heart rhythm disorder. Research has indicated that having an irregular heartbeat can greatly affect the likelihood of dying if involved in a car accident.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

Being injured as a pedestrian in a collision with an automobile can be extremely serious. These pedestrian accidents are also common. It is estimated that a pedestrian is injured every eight minutes in the United States. Pedestrian accidents can also be deadly. In fact, the United States averages to one crash-related pedestrian death every 1.6 hours.

How Pedestrians Are Injured

No two accidents are alike, and that is one reason why an attorney will be helpful in making your best arguments to an insurance adjuster or a judge and jury. However, most pedestrian-car accidents follow a similar injury pattern.

First, the car’s front bumper strikes the pedestrian’s lower leg area. Then, with the legs moving in the same direction as the vehicle’s travel, the upper body hits the car hood or windshield.

Thus, there are typically three points where the pedestrian is hit:

1. Between the lower leg and bumper;

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