On January 23, a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus crashed into a pole on Chicago Avenue, resulting in injuries to 15 people, including 13 bus passengers. The accident occurred when the bus driver lost control of the vehicle due to ice on the road and veered into oncoming traffic. In an attempt to avoid a collision with any other vehicles, the driver rapidly changed direction and ultimately collided with a street pole. While no passengers were killed in the accident, injuries to the 13 riders were severe enough to require hospitalization. For users of Chicago-area public transit, the collision served as a stirring reminder that accidents do occur while riding on public transportation. 

Bus Accidents in the United States

While the vast majority of Americans believe they are entirely safe while utilizing public transportation, bus accidents are actually quite common in the U.S. According to studies conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), around 225 Americans were killed in bus accidents in 2016. In the 10-year span from 2006-16, intercity transit bus accidents accounted for 13 percent of all fatal bus accidents across the country. 

With New Year’s Eve quickly approaching, thousands of Illinoisans are preparing to purchase fireworks for their holiday festivities. Despite stringent laws that prohibit the use of certain kinds of fireworks in Illinois, many holiday parties feature some incredibly dangerous displays of explosive materials. The use of these fireworks can lead to serious injuries, and the healing process can be stressful and expensive. If you have suffered a fireworks injury, a personal injury attorney can help you understand your options for pursuing compensation.

Firework Injuries Rising

While most Americans view fireworks as a fun and festive way to ring the new year, in all actuality, they are a legitimate safety threat. Throughout 2017, approximately 12,900 Americans were hospitalized due to injuries suffered while using fireworks. Tragically, eight of those injuries proved to be fatal. Despite laws prohibiting certain types of dangerous fireworks and countless safety videos designed to reduce fireworks injuries, these injuries continue to rise. In 2017, there was a 15% increase in fireworks injury hospitalizations. Unfortunately, fireworks injuries are often incredibly difficult to recover from, and they can alter a person’s life permanently. 

Common Injuries

Fireworks injuries can be some of the most gruesome and painful injuries imaginable. Over half of all fireworks injuries involve some forms of burns, and bruises and open wounds account for 30% of these injuries. The vast majority of fireworks injuries occur on the hand or wrist. Hundreds of people lose hands or fingers due to injuries suffered while using fireworks. Loss of limbs, open wounds, and severe burns can all require extensive physical therapy to fully recover. 

Illinois residents have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. In the summer, thousands of Illinoisans enjoy boating on Lake Michigan and hiking throughout the state’s incredible parks and forests. In the winter time, Illinois is known for its expansive snowmobiling recreation areas. 

While snowmobiling is a fun outdoor activity for those that live in colder climates, snowmobile accidents are fairly common, and these accidents can lead to serious and fatal injuries. If you or a loved one are injured in a snowmobile accident, it is possible your injuries were caused by the reckless or negligent actions of another party. 

Snowmobiling Accidents Common in the United States 

Throughout the United States, more than two million people use snowmobiles each winter. Snowmobiles can be incredibly dangerous due to their size (some snowmobiles weigh over 600 pounds) and speed (snowmobiles can travel as fast as 90 mph). A staggering 14,000 people are injured in snowmobile crashes across the United States each year, and an average of 200 Americans are killed on snowmobiles on an annual basis. The leading causes of snowmobiling injuries include traveling at excessive speeds, consuming alcohol while operating a vehicle, and traveling on unmarked or unsafe terrain. Snowmobile injuries can range from broken bones to severe organ damage. The most common fatal snowmobiling injuries are traumatic brain injuries. 

In 2016, 4,693 workers were fatally injured while on the job. Of those who suffered fatal injuries, over 20 percent worked in the construction industry. In all, over 900 construction workers lost their lives while working.

Due in large part to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the United States Department of Labor, workplace fatalities have dropped drastically over the past few decades. Worker deaths in the United States have dropped from just under 40 deaths per day in 1970, to 14 deaths a day in 2016.

OSHA’s efforts to implement safety regulations in the workplace have monumentally altered the landscape of safety in the American workplace, yet construction workers still face incredible danger every time they go to work. If you or a loved one suffer a workplace injury, contact our knowledgeable team of Waukegan personal injury attorneys. 

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) pedestrian fatalities rose by 11 percent from 2015 to 2016, and smartphone technology was considered the primary culprit.

As drivers and pedestrians continue to utilize their mobile devices while traveling, the fatality rate for pedestrians continues to climb. The 11 percent increase in fatalities from 2015 to 2016 marks the largest single year rise in the history of the United States. Equally concerning, the overall death count of just under 6,000 is the single largest annual pedestrian fatality count in over two decades. The commonly held notion that pedestrians are choosing a safer method of travel by electing to walk has become factually incorrect, as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely than than automobile occupants to suffer fatal injuries each trip.

At Salvi & Maher, L.L.C., our personal injury team has years of experience representing pedestrians involved in automobile accidents. If you or a member of your family are injured in an automobile collision, please contact an experienced Waukegan attorney group to discuss your case and legal options.