The Wrongful Death Act is established under 740 Illinois Consolidated Statute 180 and provides that wrongful death actions must be filed by the personal representative of a deceased person and damages are paid to a deceased person’s spouse and next of kin. Wrongful death lawsuits can be very complicated, and any family dealing with a potential wrongful death claim should be certain to hire qualified legal counsel.

While the statute of limitations on a wrongful death claim is typically two years in Illinois, certain cases involving violent conduct or criminal actions could lead to additional time in some cases. Beyond the basic filing concerns, many people wonder exactly what kinds of damages they will be able to recover.

Common Types of Wrongful Death Damages

When it comes to damages in a wrongful death case, Illinois state law references “pecuniary injuries resulting from” death. Pecuniary injuries typically include compensatory damages that are often broken into economic damages and noneconomic damages.

Lake County Chief Deputy Coroner recently identified a 39-year-old man and father who was killed after his motorcycle broke down and he was struck by a 2021 Chevrolet Trax SUV. The man’s street-legal 2018 Kawasaki Z125 Pro experienced some kind of mechanical issue that forced him to slow down or stop on Green Bay Road, where the fatal collision occurred.

This story should serve as an important reminder to all motorcyclists that a significant number of motorcycle accidents tend to involve bikes that end up failing their owners while they are being ridden. People who ride motorcycles regularly, especially during the winter, are going to need to make sure their bikes are in top of the line condition so they do not encounter any kinds of issues that can lead to a fatal accident.

Common Kinds of Motorcycle Issues

When it comes to maintaining your motorcycle, you need to be aware of a few important areas not to overlook. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation recommends riders follow the T-CLOCS inspection method, which stands for Tires and wheels, Controls, Lights and electrics, Oil and other fluids, Chassis, and Stands.

A WGN-TV story from Halloween day was a frightening reminder of how deadly rear-end collisions can become. Two people were killed and two more were seriously hurt when a Lexus SUV traveling eastbound on Empire Road struck the rear of a Lily Lake Elementary School bus between Burlington Road and Illinois Route 47. A 19-year-old male passenger and 20-year-old female passenger were both pronounced dead at the scene while the 18-year-old male driver and a 17-year-old female passenger were transported to Delnor Hospital before being airlifted to Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago with life-threatening injuries. Central Community Unit School District 301 said no students were harmed in the collision and all were released and reunited with their families.

Anybody who suffers injuries in a rear-end accident should quickly contact a Waukegan rear-end collision attorney for help investigating the accident. Compensation for medical bills, lost income, vehicle repairs, and other damages may be available. 

Rear-End Accidents 

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that rear-end crashes are the most frequently occurring type of collision, accounting for approximately 29 percent of all crashes. The Washington Post reported a few years ago that there are currently 1.7 million rear-end collisions a year in the United States.

The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that more than 500 people could die on American roads during the Thanksgiving holiday period because of the increased number of travelors on the road and the frequency of alcohol consumption at most family gatherings. Approximately 29 percent of motor vehicle accident fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver during Thanksgiving. Insurance research and analysis website ValuePenguin states that Texas is the 17th most dangerous state for people to drive in during Thanksgiving with a holiday motor vehicle fatality rate of 1.58 per 100,000 residents.

Being involved in a crash can lead to painful injuries and heavy financial burdens, including medical expenses and vehicle repair costs. Any person dealing with injuries after a car accident this November should quickly seek the help of a Waukegan car accident attorney.

As people all over Illinois prepare to hit the road for the holidays, now is as good a time as any to review some common safe driving tips for throughout the holiday season. Many car accidents stem from people becoming distracted while trying to do other things behind the wheel, so try to stay focused on what your primary task is while you are driving.

You do not have to look too hard to see how frequently pedestrians are in the news for being involved in various motor vehicle accidents in the greater Lake County area. On October 19, 2022, the Lake & McHenry County Scanner reported that the McHenry County Coroner had identified a 47-year-old woman who was struck and killed while trying to cross Algonquin Road in Lake in the Hills.

If you or a loved one were involved in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to recover monetary compensation for your medical bills and other damages. 

How Pedestrians Can Stay Safe

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) outlines eight safety tips for both drivers and pedestrians when it comes to pedestrian safety. This is good to understand because the truth of the matter is that both drivers and pedestrians have important roles to play in avoiding motor vehicle collisions.