Category: Car Accident

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, elderly drivers only account for about 9 percent of the population, but accident statistics show that they account for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities and 17 percent of all pedestrian fatalities. Illinois car accident lawyers commonly see serious injuries caused by elderly drivers behind the wheel.

Pedestrian safety is a growing concern in big cities around the country. A recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates a 10 percent increase in pedestrian fatalities from car accidents since 2014. The report is published annually and shows data collected from all 50 states. Data collected in 2015 shows the largest year-to-year increase in pedestrian injuries and fatalities since national record keeping began in 1975. Increased pedestrian injuries in Chicago have created an urgent need for Illinois car accident lawyers who can provide important legal advice.

More than 125,000 children are injured in motor vehicle accidents each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that this is in large part due to approximately 618,000 child passengers age 12 and younger riding without age- and size-appropriate car seats or even wearing a seat belt each year. During 2013, 38 percent of children who died inmotor vehicle accidents were not buckled up. From 2001 to 2010, 1 in every 5 child passenger deaths involved drunk driving. Any parent who is involved in a motor vehicle accident should consult with an Illinois car accident lawyer about their rights and legal options.

Cars that are completely self-driven may still be more than a decade away, but auto manufacturers are using some of the same sensor technology to reduce accidents in current vehicles. The integration of these technologies improves safety and saves lives.

Research shows that many things can impair a driver's ability to drive properly. People tend to think about someone being under the influence of drugs and alcohol when they think about impaired driving. Other things that impair one's driving aren't so obvious, but they can be just as dangerous. It is important for someone in an accident to consult a Chicago car accident attorney to determine if the other driver was distracted, because this can affect the amount of compensation they receive.