Chicago Accident and Injury Lawyer Blog

Illinois has a new law to protect the state's bicyclists, pedestrians and horseback riders. Public Act 096-1007, which was introduced as Senate Bill 2951 was signed into law by Governor Quinn today.

The legislation amends Section 11-703 of the Vehicle Code to provide that a person driving a motor vehicle shall not, in a reckless manner, drive the motor vehicle unnecessarily close to, toward, or near a "bicyclist, pedestrian, or a person riding a horse or driving an animal drawn vehicle." Crowding a bicyclist, pedestrian or horseback rider is now a Class 3 felony, rather than a Class 4 felony.

Continue reading "CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY APPLAUDS NEW LEGISLATION IN ILLINOIS" »

As a bicycle accident attorney in Chicago, I found a recent report on the attitudes and behavior of bicyclists from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) very interesting. The data comes from 9,616 U.S. residents age 16 and older during the summer of 2002. The August of 2008 report contained the following interesting findings about who is riding and the reason that they ride:

- Slightly less than half (46%) of those 16 and older have regular access to a bicycle.
- 43% ride a bicycle at least once during the summer months.
- Bicycling declines with age.
- The majority of bicycle trips are for recreation or exercise; only 14% of rides were to run errands and 5% were for commuting to work or school.

With regard to the where they ride and safety issues, the findings include:

- 48% of trips were made on paved roads.
- 32% of bicyclists said bike paths were available, but they do not use them because they are not convenient, available or go where they need to go.
- 4% of bicyclists were injured while riding in the past two years;
- 50% of bicyclists wear a helmet for some trips and 35% of bicyclists wear a helmet for all trips.
- 47% of bicyclists would like to see changes in how their local community is designed for making bicycle riding safer, including more bike lanes (38%) and bike paths (30%).

To create a bike route for your next bike ride, check out Google Maps, which now has a bicycle feature.

With spring weather here in earnest, many bicyclists are facing a danger that they literally do not see coming. One of the most common accidents to a bicyclist occurs when a car door is opened in the path of a bicyclist. People who are exiting a parked car must look for bicyclists every time they exit. This is especially true in the City of Chicago. The City of Chicago understands this problem and currently has an ordinance which makes it illegal to open a car door in front of a bicyclist.

Chicago Municipal Ordinance 9-80-035 provides:

No person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless or until it is reasonable safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.

The Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Kroll is concerned with bicycle safety and has previously posted bicycle safety tips on this blog. If you or a loved on have been injured as a bicyclist, contact our personal injury law firm at (312)676-7222.

On Tuesday February 9th, 2010, an elderly woman was hit and killed by a snow plow while she was walking as a pedestrian on the 1300 block of West Morse Avenue. The snow plow was apparently reversing into a driveway at about 2:15 p.m. when it struck the woman, according to police. The driver was cited for failing to exercise due care for a pedestrian in the roadway and for failing to use due caution when reversing his vehicle.

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Mayor Daley’s Pedestrian Advisory Council (MPAC) are encouraging residents and business to remove sidewalk snow.

A program created by CDOT involves informational door hangers intended to increase awareness and encouragement. The door hangers were distributed to the offices of city aldermen and community and business groups. The door hanger promotes being a good neighbor when it comes to sidewalk snow removal. The hanger also informs residents and business that Chicago municipal code requires them to clear sidewalks of ice and snow.

The Sidewalk Snow Clearance campaign recognizes businesses that do an excellent job at removing snow and ice.

Snowy and icy sidewalks are a serious hazard to pedestrians. As I have observed countless times as a Chicago personal injury attorney, a fall on an icy patch can change a person's life due to the devastating injuries sustained. Homeowners, landlords and business owners, please keep sidewalks, common ways, driveways and parking lots free of ice and snow!

A study presented by the 2009 Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons held on October 11 to 15, 2009 in Chicago, shows that injuries due to bicycling are on the rise. The researchers found that the severity and number of bicycle injuries has been on the rise the past eleven years.

The Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Kroll was recently retained by a young woman who was injured when her bicycle was struck by a motor vehicle in Cook County. The woman sustained multiple injuries as a result of the collision.

Continue reading "CHICAGO BICYCLE INJURY LAWYER URGES HELMET USE!" »

Oprah Winfrey highlighted the dangers of distracted driving on her January 18, 2010 show. Oprah is asking everyone to take a "no phone zone" pledge promising to not text or talk on the phone while driving.

As a Chicago personal injury attorney, I have seen the devastating effects of distracted driving and have made an effort to increase public awareness of the problem on this blog. From Boston, to California, here in Illinois, and around the world, distracted driving is a serious problem. It is great to see Oprah focusing everyone's attention on this serious hazard.

Remember, while texting and talking are serious forms of distracted driving and behavior that need to be stopped, please do not do anything that diverts your attention from the road in front of you!

A 32-year old bicyclist was killed in Chicago on December 16, 2009 by a hit-and-run driver in the Logan Square neighborhood by a van driver who was involved in road rage with another van. According to media reports, the driver of one van rammed a second van repeatedly. The van that was being struck by the other van swerved off the road and crashed through a body shop's wrought-iron fence. Sadly, the driver of the other van also lost control and struck the bicyclist.

The body shop had a surveillance video camera that recorded the crash and its aftermath. Road rage is irresponsible and can lead to tragedy. In this case, an innocent bystander who was reportedly filling out job applications, lost his life. Please drive safe.

It is widely know that talking on a cell phone while driving is one of the most dangerous behaviors a driver can engage in, but a new study published in the journal "Accident Analysis and Prevention" shows that walking while talking on a cell phone can also be dangerous.

Researchers from the University of Illinois studied 36 college students as they walked on a treadmill in a "virtual environment" meant to simulate crossing a busy street. The subjects "crossed the street" while undistracted, while talking on a cell phone, or while listening to music on an iPod. The researchers found that the students who were talking on a phone took 25% longer to cross the street than those who were not on the phone. Moreover, those on the phone were less likely to cross the street in the 30 seconds allotted. Students not on the phone or listening to music had no problem crossing the street in the time permitted.

In a second, unpublished study, the researchers studied 48 adults, aged 60 and older, including some with a history of falling. Older adults on the phone got "run over" 15% more often than those who were not on the phone.

This study suggests that "distracted walking" can be just as hazardous as distracted driving. As pedestrians, we have a duty to be alert to traffic and to obey traffic signals and signs. Do your part to prevent pedestrian accidents by paying attention and minimizing distractions.

Continue reading "NEW STUDY REPORTS DANGERS OF WALKING & TALKING" »

A 23-year-old woman was killed yesterday after she fell from her bicycle and was run over by a truck in Chicago's Roscoe Village.

Chicago police report that the cyclist was riding southbound on Damen Avenue near its intersection with Wellington Avenue with her 24-year-old female roommate. They stopped for a red light at Wellington and were between the bus and the truck. Police spokesman John Mirabelli said that the victim slipped and fell underneath the truck when traffic started moving. The truck driver was unaware that the woman had fallen underneath his truck and ran over her. She was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 700 cyclists are killed each year in bicycle accidents. Bicycle fatalities represent just fewer than two percent of all traffic fatalities, and yet bicycle trips account for less than one percent of all trips in the United States. The most serious injuries among a majority of those killed are to the head, highlighting the importance of wearing a bicycle helmet. Helmet use has been estimated to reduce head injury risk by 85 percent, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Pursuant to Chicago municipal ordinance, "Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of Illinois." Motorists need to be attentive to bicycles and keep the following safety tips, courtesy of Traffic Safety in Alberta, in mind:

* When passing a cyclist, go around them like you would any other vehicle. Leave lots of room.
* When you are preparing to make a right turn, watch for cyclists who may pull up alongside your vehicle. Remember to shoulder check your blind spots.
* When pulling away from the curb, always check for cyclists who may be trying to pass you.
* When parked at the curb, always check for cyclists before you open your vehicle door. It is the driver's responsibility not to open the vehicle door into traffic.
* Do not follow too close behind cyclists. They do not have brake lights to warn you when they are stopping.
* Cyclists are entitled to make left turns in the same manner as motorists. Since they are more exposed to traffic on left turns, they will need extra consideration, especially on multi-lane roads.
* Cyclists are required to ride as close as practicable to the curb, however, they may need to ride further out when they have to steer away from drainage grates, pot holes, debris, loose gravel or sand, wet or slippery surfaces, rutted or grooved pavement and even dogs. Be aware of the roadway conditions that may affect a cyclist.
* Do not sound your horn unnecessarily when you are overtaking a cyclist. It may startle them and cause them to lose control. If you feel that you must use your horn, tap it quickly and lightly while you are still some distance away from the cyclist.

Similarly, cyclists have a duty to ride responsibly and follow the rules of the road. Always wear a helmet and ride defensively.

Continue reading "CYCLIST KILLED BY TRUCK ON CITY'S NORTH SIDE" »

On January 24, 2008 Scott Hirschey and his best friend, Chicago news anchor Randy Salerno, were snowmobiling in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Hirschey was driving with Salerno on the back. According to police reports, Hirschey missed a trail entrance and hit an embankment, sending the snowmobile 20 feet in the air before hitting a tree. Hirschey's blood alcohol content was .183, more than double the legal limit.

Hirschey was charged with one felony count of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle in the death of his friend. Just last week a plea agreement was reached. Hirschey will serve three years probation and 100 hours community service. He will be able to complete his probation in Illinois. A felony conviction will be on his permanent record.

This story once again underscores the dangers of mixing drinking and driving. Any type of vehicle, be it a car, a boat or a snowmobile should never be driven when you have been drinking. The potential results are too devastating to take a chance. Tragedies that result from drinking and driving are 100% preventable. Designate a driver anytime you will be drinking.

A 60-year-old Illinois woman was attending a convention in San Diego last week when she was involved in a fatal pedicab accident. She reportedly hit her head on the ground after falling out of a moving pedicab in the downtown area. The pedicab was traveling in an area where pedicabs and bicycles are prohibited. The pedicab driver, a resident of Turkey living in the US on a work visa, was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter.

In response to the accident, four San Diego City Council members have called for stricter regulations and oversight of pedicabs. Approximately 400 pedal-powered, three-wheeled pedicabs roam the streets of San Diego, particularly in the summer months, when tourists abound. The city council members believe the death underscores the need to step up oversight of the industry.

New proposed regulations include banning three-wheeled taxis from sidewalks and from streets with speed limits greater than 25 miles per hour. The city also wants to cap the number of pedicabs allowed to operate at 250 and further limit the number allowed in high-traffic areas.

Since at least 2000, pedicab drivers have been required to register with the City of San Diego. Each cab must have seat belts, but riders are not required to wear them. Police said that pedicab involved in last week's fatality did not have seat belts. The driver was reportedly swerving through a no-pedicab zone when the woman was thrown from the vehicle.

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of this woman.

Continue reading "ILLINOIS WOMAN KILLED IN PEDICAB ACCIDENT" »

Two cyclists, a mom and daughter, were struck by a pick-up truck Sunday while riding their bikes in Kendall County. The 46-year old mother was pronounced dead at Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora. Her 25-year old daughter remained in fair condition Monday.

The man who hit the women, a 43-year-old Yorkville resident, was traveling east on Kennedy Road when he struck the cyclists who were also riding eastbound. Police charged the driver with improper lane usage. A preliminary investigation does not show sings of drug or alcohol involvement. Police also believe that speed did not play a factor in the accident.

All motorists need to remember to SHARE THE ROAD. Cyclists enjoy the same rights as motorists on the roads and are entitled, in fact required, to ride on the street alongside vehicular traffic.

Drivers, please keep these following tips, courtesy of the League of American Bicyclists, in mind when you encounter a cyclist on the road:

Drive Cautiously:
* Reduce speed when encountering cyclists.
* Don't tailgate, especially in bad weather.
* Recognize hazards cyclists may face and give them space.

Yield to Cyclists:
* Bicycles are considered vehicles.
* Cyclists should be given the appropriate right of way.
* Allow extra time for cyclists to traverse intersections.

Be Considerate:
* Scan for cyclists in traffic and at intersections.
* Do not blast your horn in close proximity to cyclists.
* Look for cyclists when opening doors.

Pass with Care:
* When passing, leave four feet between you and a cyclist.
* Wait for safe road and traffic conditions before you pass.
* Check over your shoulder before moving back.

Watch for Children:
* Children on bicycles are often unpredictable.
* Expect the unexpected and slow down.
* Don't expect children to know traffic laws.
* Because of their size children can be harder to see.

Continue reading "PICK-UP HITS 2 CYCLISTS; 1 DEAD" »

A 65-year-old California man was bicycling his way across the United States when his trip and his life were cut short by a drunk driver. The cyclist was struck and killed on June 21 while riding his bike east on U.S. Route 50, about 60 miles east of St. Louis. The driver of the vehicle that struck the cyclist from the rear fled the scene, but was later arrested. The 27-year-old Centrailia, Illinois man has has since been charged with aggravated leaving the scene of an accident involving death.

Prosecutors in Clinton County are reviewing all details of the case, including the driver's blood-alcohol level and may file felony DUI charges. The driver is being held in jail on $100,000 bail.

The cyclist had left his home in Chula Vista, California on April 27 and had plans to bike all the way to Washington, D.C. on a trip he had called his "Mad As Hell Bike Ride Across U.S." Along the way, he was gathering signatures and protesting the government bailouts.

The cyclist was a seasoned rider, but this tragic story proves that even the most experienced riders face perilous risks. The section of Route 50 on which he was riding was a narrow, two-lane highway with no shoulder and poor lighting. While these conditions serve as no excuse for the man accused of striking and killing the cyclist, we are all reminded to take precautions when riding at night. Wear reflective clothing and use other protective gear, especially a helmet. Try to bike on roads that have marked bicycle lanes and, when riding at night, try to stay in areas that are well-lit.

My most sincere condolences to the family and friends of this man who was hoping to have his voice heard in our nation's capital.

Continue reading "CYCLIST KILLED IN HIT AND RUN" »

Bicycling season is well under way in Illinois. Before you hit the trails, consider proper bike safety. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 698 cyclists were killed and an additional 44,000 were injured in traffic crashes in 2007.

Take precautions to limit your risk as a cyclist. Such precautions include wearing a helmet that fits properly. One study reports that it would be cheaper for society, overall, to give every child that rides a bike a helmet rather than cover the medical costs that stem from injuries. You should also wear appropriate clothing, especially at night, in order to be visible to traffic. Regular maintenance of your bike is also key to safe riding. Most importantly, pedal with safety in mind. Respect all the rules of the road as if you were in a car. Keep to the right and ride with traffic, as opposed to against it. Ride your bike predictably and always signal when you turn or stop.

Motorists need to be extra cautious, as well, now that more bikes are on the road. Cyclists should be treated as any other vehicle operator on the road.

May is Bicycle Safety Month and I want to remind everyone, particularly parents, that this is the time to reinforce safe riding habits, such as wearing a helmet. Helmets can prevent serious head injuries and brain damage and are an important part of bike safety for all ages.

About 800 people are killed in bicycle-related crashes each year in the United States. About 70% of all fatal bicycle crashes involve head injuries, yet only about 20-25% of all bicyclists wear helmets. What's more - a bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of a head injury by up to 85%. There's no question that helmets save lives, so please remind your kids to always wear one.

Here are some other safety tips to keep in mind when you wheel out the bike:

* Adjust your bicycle to fit. The seat height should be adjusted to allow a slight bend at the knee when the leg is fully extended. The handlebar height should be at the same level with the seat.
* Make sure tires are inflated properly and your brakes work before you leave.
* Ride on the right in the same direction as other vehicles.
* Signal your intentions in advance so motorists have a chance to react.
* Always ride with at least one hand on the handlebars.
* Watch for road hazards such as potholes or broken glass.
* Check your quick release on both the front and rear wheels to ensure that it is fully closed.

Continue reading "CHICAGO INJURY ATTORNEY REMINDS YOU TO WEAR A HELMET WHEN YOU BIKE!" »

This morning was the annual "Bike the Drive" event in Chicago. The event involved 20,000 bicyclists cruising down Lake Shore Drive, which was free of cars. Starting at 5:30 a.m., the drive was closed to vehicles and open only to bicyclists. The event allows cyclists the opportunity to drive on a major thoroughfare, along the lakefront, without the fear of the danger that accompanies sharing the road with motorists.

On the same morning that the "Bike the Drive" event was held, a Chicago police officer appeared in court Sunday after being charged in an accident that killed a 13-year-old boy. It is such a tragedy; this little boy's wrongful death occurred while he was enjoying an activity that is a part of everyone's childhood, riding a bicycle. The officer is charged with reckless homicide, aggravated DUI, and leaving the scene of an accident.

As a Chicago personal injury attorney, I have handled a number of bicycle and pedestrian injury cases. These incidents are nearly always preventable. As the weather warms up and more bicyclists and motorists are sharing the road, I urge everyone to be careful and follow the rules of the road.

A 42-year old man was struck and killed by a taxi cab this morning around 6:30 a.m. as he was walking down the street. The cab was coming out of a driveway when he struck the pedestrian. He was cited for failing to stop when emerging from a driveway or alley.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) reports that in 2007, 4,654 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States — a decrease of 13 percent from the 5,321 pedestrians killed in 1997. Nevertheless, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 113 minutes and injured in a traffic crash every 8 minutes. Most pedestrian fatalities in 2007 occurred in urban areas (73%), at non-intersection locations (77%), in normal weather conditions (90%), and at night (67%). Moreover, there were 70,000 pedestrians injured in traffic crashes in 2007.

Drivers, particularly drivers emerging from driveways and alleys, must be aware of their surroundings. With the warmer weather, more people will be out walking, running, riding their bikes and rollerblading. Drivers must be actively looking for these people. Drive cautiously, pay attention to your surroundings and drive slowly enough in residential areas that you can stop suddenly if need be. While the 13 percent decrease in pedestrian fatalities is laudable, there are still thousands of people getting killed each year by inattentive drivers. It is up to everyone to reduce this number even more.

Specialized brand bicycles announced a voluntary recall of its 2004 Roubaix Comp 18, 2004 Roubaix Comp 27, 2004 Roubaix Pro 18, and 2004 Roubaix Pro Frameset bicycles this week. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the cable stop on the bicycle can loosen, which can cause the rider to lose control and fall from the bike.

The voluntary recall was initiated after Specialized received reports of two falls that resulted in fractures requiring medical attention and surgery.

The recalled bikes were sold nationwide from September 2003 through August 2004 at authorized Specialized dealers for between $1600 and $4000. If you own one of the recalled bikes (the model names of the recalled bikes can be found on the top tube of the bike frame), you should immediately stop using it and return it to an authorized Specialized dealer for an approved repair, free of charge.

Additionally, Specialized has voluntarily recalled its 2009 Model bicycles due to a defect in the handlebars which poses a fall hazard to the rider. Specialized initiated this recall after receiving reports of the handlebars breaking during use, one of which caused a rider to suffer head trauma and a puncture wound to the arm.

This recall involves HL handlebars (model number ALR-14 NTFOV) on the following 2009 models: Cross Trail Comp, Myka HT Elite, Myka HT Comp, Rockhopper, Rockhopper Comp Disc, and Rockhopper Comp Disc 29. If you have purchased one of these models, stop using it immediately and contact a Specialized dealer for a free replacement handlebar.

Continue reading "BICYCLE RECALL DUE TO FALL HAZARD" »

Each year, more than a quarter of a million children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries related to skateboarding, scooters and biking. If you add into the mix, baseball related injuries or other activities that require helmets, it is obvious that wearing a helmet shows you are using your head.

For many sports related activities, a helmet can reduce the risk of serious head injury and even save lives. If you are wearing the appropriate helmet during a fall or collision, the impact energy will be absorbed by the helmet, rather than the head and brain.

It is important to note that all helmets are not created equal. There are different helmets for different sports. While some can be worn for multiple sports or activities, each helmet is designed to protect your head from the impacts common to that particular sport or activity. Common sense will dictate that a baseball helmet is different than a bike helmet. Bicycle helmets manufactured after 1999 must meet the Consumer Protection Safety Commission’s Bicycle Helmet Standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission does produce a guide, “Which Helmet for Which Activity,” which can assist you in choosing your helmet.

Continue reading "HELMETS PREVENT HEAD INJURIES TO CHILDREN" »

During my career as a personal injury attorney in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, I have represented numerous individuals who have been struck by vehicles while they were crossing the street in the crosswalk, which is supposed to be a zone of safety.

Pedestrian safety is now on the agenda in the City of Chicago. Under the law, a motorist must yield to a pedestrian who has entered the crosswalk. At crossings with traffic lights, motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians must obey their signal. At stop signs, pedestrians have the right of way, unless they begin crossing the street after the car has legally stopped and begun to proceed across the street. The City is planning on cracking down on drivers who do not yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

The City's plan consists of "at least 50" operations involving undercover police officers posing as pedestrians. Fines for violators will range from $50 to $500.

Sadly, last year alone, there were more than 3,000 pedestrian-related accidents on Chicago streets. More than 50 of them resulted in pedestrian fatalities, an average of one a week.

The first two-hour sting will take place April 20, with at least two a week through the end of this year. The locations of the undercover operations have not been revealed yet, bu tthey will be publicized in order to give motorists fair warning.

Each of the city's 25 police districts will get at least two stings at crosswalks near schools, senior housing and commercial districts. Most if not all of the locations will be "at or within a few blocks" of the site of a pedestrian crash in 2006 or 2007. The worst intersection in Chicago for pedestrian accidents is King Drive and 79th Street, with 13 accidents over a two-year period ending in 2005. That's followed by 79th and Ashland (11); North and California (10), and Madison and Cicero (9).

Continue reading "UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS BEGIN AT CHICAGO CROSSWALKS" »

A 30 or 31 year old female pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking through a crosswalk early yesterday morning. The woman was hit at the intersection of West School Street and North Harlem Avenue on the northwest side of Chicago. The Major Accident Investigation Unit is investigating the incident.

The Federal Highway Administration recommends that pedestrians make themselves visible to drivers by wearing retroreflective materials and bright or light colored clothing. At nighttime, the FHWA suggests carrying a flashlight, not wearing headphones, and using extreme caution when crossing the street. Pedestrians should also avoid dangerous behavior and always walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic. Finally, pedestrians should cross streets only at marked crosswalks or intersections and obey traffic singals such as walk/don't walk signals.

Drivers should also be aware of pedestrians. The FHWA recommends that drivers scan the road and the sides of the road ahead for potential pedestrians, looking in all directions for pedestrians before making a turn, and not driving while distracted or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drivers should always stop or yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and when making right or left turns at intersections. The FHWA encourages drivers to drive the speed limit and avoid aggressive maneuvers and to always be prepared to stop for pedestrians, especially in residential areas and near schools.

As noted in my blog last week, "falling back" can be good for your heart, but it can mean death for pedestrians.

Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University discovered that pedestrians walking around dusk are three times more likely to be struck and killed by cars after clocks are turned back. They concluded that 37 more American pedestrians die around 6 p.m. in November compared to October. This translates to a 186% increase in pedestrian deaths from October to November. The risk for pedestrian deaths at 6 p.m. is by far the highest in November than any other month. This risk decreases each month through May. Indeed, the risk at 6 p.m. in November, after daylight saving time ends, is eleven times higher than the risk at 6 p.m. in April, when daylight saving begins.

The spike in pedestrian deaths after moving the clocks back is directly related to the end of daylight saving time and earlier darkness, but the researchers claim it's not necessarily the darkness itself, but rather the adjustment to earlier nighttime that is the killer. The drop-off in pedestrian deaths by December suggests the risk to pedestrians is caused by the trouble drivers and pedestrians have adjusting to darkness that suddenly comes an hour earlier.

The researchers noted that the reverse happens in the morning, when daylight comes earlier. Pedestiran risk plummets, but there are fewer walkers then, too.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has concluded that that extending daylight saving time year round could help prevent pedestrian deaths and injuries. According to their research, adding an hour of light to the afternoon increases the visibility of both vehicles and pedestrians. Researchers estimated that about 900 fatal crashes (727 involving pedestrians and 174 involving vehicle occupants) could have been avoided during 1987-91 if daylight saving time had been in effect throughout the year.

Continue reading "SETTING BACK CLOCKS IS DANGEROUS FOR PEDESTRIANS" »

Halloween is a frightfully fun time of year, for adults and children alike, but keep these "tricks" in mind to keep the holiday a "treat" for everyone.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends the following tips:

*Look for the label "FLAME RESISTANT" when buying costumes, wigs, masks, and beards.
*Avoid costumes made with flimsy material and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.
*Wear costumes that are light and bright enough to be clearly visible to motorists.
*Decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights.
*Make sure your child's costume is short enough to prevent your child from tripping and falling.
*Have your child wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes.
*Hats and scarves should be tied securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes.
*Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a child wear a loose-fitting mask that might restrict breathing or obscure vision. If your child does wear a mask, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision.
*Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be of soft and flexible material.

Happy Halloween, Chicagoland! Be safe!

Continue reading "HALLOWEEN COSTUME SAFETY TIPS...FOR YOU AND ALL YOUR LITTLE "PUMPKINS"" »

It won’t be long before we roll back the clocks and roll up the windows. With earlier nightfall comes an increased risk for cyclists in the Chicagoland area. As an attorney in the Chicagoland area with experience in pedestrian and bicycle accident cases, I have seen individuals become victims due to darker road conditions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that nearly one-third of all cycling fatalities during a ten-year time-frame of 1991-2001 occurred between the hours of 4:00pm and 8:00pm. In 1999 alone, 39% of bicycle deaths nationwide occurred between 6pm and midnight. This statistic is linked not only to less visibility at nighttime, but also to alcohol. In fact, in 2001, the NHTSA reports that alcohol was involved in more than one-third of the traffic crashes that resulted in cyclist fatalities. What does this mean for you as a cyclist? Perhaps, more importantly, what does this mean for you as a motorist?

As a cyclist, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends the following precautions:

• Be sure your bike has reflectors required on all new bicycles by the CPSC bicycle regulation. This includes front and rear reflectors, pedal reflectors and side rim or wheel reflectors. You may even want to consider front and rear lights to help make your bicycle more noticeable to drivers at night. • Wear reflective clothing, such as reflective bands on your arms and legs, to make yourself more visible to drivers. • Always wear a helmet with a rigid (but crushable) interior material which may help absorb the force of an impact. • Never allow your children to ride at night. • Avoid riding on dark, narrow roadways where the posted speed limit is more than 35mph.

As a motorist, always remember that cyclists have an equal right to the road. The more motorists know about cycling safety, the safer the streets will be for everyone. Bicycling Info.org offers the following tips to motorists:

• Learn to look for cyclists in traffic just as you would check for cars, especially when changing lanes or proceeding through an intersection. • Anticipate cyclists at night and learn how to detect them. Wait until traffic conditions are clear and safe enough to comfortably pass a cyclist, allowing at least 3 feet between the vehicle and the bicycle.

For more information on cycling safely in the city, visit www.biketraffic.org.

Continue reading "BICYCLE AND MOTORIST SAFETY TIPS FROM A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY" »