For most of those working in the greater Chicago area, commuting through heavy traffic is part of the necessary daily routine. While consistently dealing with traffic can bring complacency behind the wheel, rush hour driving can be quite dangerous. 

On December 20, commuters in Illinois were reminded of the increased risk that comes with heavy traffic, as a four-vehicle collision on the Kennedy Expressway resulted in the death of one man. If you regularly commute through heavy traffic to get to and from work, these simple tips could help you avoid a car crash. 

According to studies conducted by the National Safety Council, in both 2016 and 2017, automobile accident deaths in the United States reached 40,000 for the first time in almost a decade. So what is causing the increase in accidents and fatal injuries? 

Law enforcement officials throughout the country believe the increase in collisions is largely due to one major issue: cell phone use while driving. 

For many Americans, there comes a time when they must consider placing elderly loved ones into the care of a nursing home. When doing so, we place our trust in the facility and its staff. Tragically, some elder care facilities neglect this trust, as more than two million elderly Americans face some form of abuse every year. 

If you believe your loved one is a victim of some form of nursing home abuse, it is critical you consult with a legal team immediately to discuss your options. 

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. 

With winter driving conditions comes a higher likelihood of car accidents. Due to the icy roads, rear-end collisions are among the most common car accidents that occur during winter months. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), upwards of 1.7 million rear-end collisions occur throughout the United States each year, and these collisions account for approximately 40% of all annual motor vehicle accidents. Due to the sheer number of these accidents, it is important to know what types of injury risks they can present. The most common injury suffered during a rear-end collision is whiplash. 

Why Whiplash Can Cause Concern

Whiplash injuries can occur in even the most minor of rear-end collisions. Whiplash is defined as a process in which a rapid back and forth movement caused by extreme force results in injury to the neck. Whiplash can lead to chronic neck pain, severe stiffness, and painful headaches. While many people believe that whiplash injuries have a limited impact on one’s life, these injuries can come with a number of painful symptoms that can result in the loss of work hours and expensive physical therapy. From blurred vision to cognitive difficulties, whiplash injuries can change a person’s life for extended periods of time. Do not take a whiplash injury lightly. 

Steps to Take After a Rear-End Collision

In the aftermath of any automobile accident, it is important to know how to react. After an accident, barring severe injury, you should take pictures of all vehicles involved in the collision and exchange insurance information with the other drivers. In rear-end collisions, it is extremely important to receive medical treatment as soon as possible, even if injuries are not present immediately after the accident. Symptoms of whiplash injuries can be delayed, and they may not appear until hours or even days after the initial impact. What may seem like a minor whiplash injury could in actuality be a severe spinal injury that will have a long-term impact on one’s health.