Here in the greater Chicago area we are blessed to be in close proximity to an abundance of outdoor recreation areas. With access to the Shawnee National Forest, the Pere Marquette State Park, and other incredible gateways to nature, local residents have no shortage of options for recreation. Even in the dead of winter, we can still get out and experience the natural environment.

Today many Chicagoans choose to enjoy nature through the use of snowmobiles. While snowmobiles can be exceptionally fun for outdoor adventure seekers, they do come with risk of severe injury.

Risk of Injury

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You have a couple of options if an insurance company told you that you were partially at fault in a car accident. Fault is important because it is the first consideration in getting a victim compensated for injuries. If you are found to be at fault or mostly at fault, you will not be able to recover.

Option 1: Challenge the Fault Determination

If you got into a car accident with another person, the other driver’s insurer is interested in finding you to be at fault. If you are at fault or partially at fault, the insurance company will pay out less money to you.

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In some cases, deciding fault in a car accident is an open and shut case. If you were rear-ended or had the right of way, fault is easy to assign.

But what if fault is not so clear cut? In these cases, a car accident lawyer can help and can make your best case.

How Fault Is Determined Under the Law

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When a loved one is involved in a car accident, the entire family can be dramatically affected. Losing a family member is a tragic and traumatic event that can take years to recover from, both emotionally and financially. In some cases, multiple family members are involved in the accident, and in some worst-case scenarios, one family member may have even caused the accident and injury to another. One such case occurred in Niles early this year and has led to a lawsuit between family members.

Grandson Accidentally Strikes Grandmother with Car

In March 2016, a 79-year-old woman asked her 12-year-old grandson to help her place her 2005 Chrysler minivan in gear in a parking lot. The boy did so, and while the woman was walking up to open the driver’s side door, he accidentally shifted the car into reverse while his foot was on the gas pedal instead of the brake. The car struck the woman, and she was pronounced dead at the hospital later that day. The woman’s husband filed a wrongful death suit seeking an unspecified amount of money in Cook County Circuit Court accusing his grandson of negligence, claiming that the boy carelessly failed to keep the vehicle under control, failed to give warning, and failed to yield the right of way.

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The roadway can be a dangerous place for anyone and everyone. While certain demographics and driving behaviors tend to contribute to collision trends, the reality is car accident statistics do not discriminate. Everyone is at risk for causing or being involved in a crash. Just as young drivers face certain challenges as they learn to acquire good driving skills and the importance of avoiding bad habits, such as distracted driving, older drivers are presented with their own set of challenges when behind the wheel. Natural Challenges Natural changes that typically come with aging, such as vision changes and physical or mental limitations can, and often do, cause a shift in driving skills, making operating a vehicle riskier and more intimidating. The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration reported that over 5,000 people age 65 and older were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2012, which was an increase from previous years. Aging does not automatically equate to the need to give up driving. It does mean adopting a few new habits and being realistic about dangerous changes in driving habits, however. Recognizing and acknowledging the effects getting older can have on your driving skills is the first step to safer driving as you age. What You Can Do Whether you are beginning to notice changes in your driving abilities as the years go on or you are noticing changes in one of your loved ones, take note of the following driving safety tips to increase your chances of preventing a collision: Talk it out: If you are concerned about changes in your driving skills, it is important to talk things out with a trusted friend or family member. Talking about any decline in health is never easy, but expressing your concerns and thoughts about the matter with someone you love and trust can go a long way when it comes to acceptance. It also helps to brainstorm with someone to come up with ideas for how you can protect yourself behind the wheel and improve your level of safety as you age. Assess your physical health: Assessing your vision, physical fitness, and your reaction time and reflexes can give you a good indicator of where you stand when it comes to operating a vehicle. Stay up to date with your doctor visits so you can proactively manage any vision or health issues, and thoroughly voice your concerns to your doctor so you can understand the nature of your limitations. Consider new boundaries: Creating new boundaries for your driving patterns and habits can be an excellent way to combat risk on the roadway as you age. Consider eliminating driving at night or during certain times of day, such as during rush-hour, or make arrangements to drive with a friend when you need to run errands around town. Driving with another passenger can be helpful, as it gives you a second set of eyes on the roadway. If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto accident due to aging driver, speak with an experienced Lake County car accident attorney to make sure your rights are protected. Call Salvi & Maher, LLP today at 847-662-3303 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

http://www.nhtsa.gov/Driving+Safety/Older+Drivers

http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/olddrive/Driving%20Safely%20Aging%20Web/index.html