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Causes of Rollover Accidents
While all kinds of car accidents can result in serious damage and tragic injury or fatality, rollover accidents are particularly intense, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA reports that rollovers are both complex and violent, due largely to the fact that the reasons behind them are so diverse. Unlike rear-end accidents, for example, which are often a result of speeding through an intersection or distracted driving behaviors, rollover accidents are the result of a number of different factors, and usually multiple factors combined.
Contributing Factors in Rollover Incidents
While rollovers happen less frequently than other kinds of collisions, they also have a higher fatality rate, accounting for almost thirty-five percent of all deaths from passenger vehicle crashes. It is typically a dangerous combination of the following factors that contribute to a single rollover incident:
Speed
Forty percent of fatal rollover crashes are due to excessive speeding, with a significant number of those fatalities taking place in speed limit areas where the limit is fifty-five mph or higher. Speeding, even when the increase does not jump drastically over the limit, makes it much easier to lose control of your vehicle.
Intoxication
Not surprisingly, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol has proven to severely increase a driver’s chance of experiencing a rollover accident. The NHTSA reports that alcohol impairment is such a large factor, in fact, that it actually accounts for almost half of all fatal rollover crashes.
Location
Although coming into contact with guardrails or barriers can and often does result in collision, driving on roads that are undivided and have no barriers is more likely to increase the severity of a rollover incident. This makes rural roads especially risky where rollover accidents are concerned. According to the NHTSA, nearly three-fourths of fatal rollovers take place on rural highways.
Other Risks
Another factor that increases a car’s chances of experiencing a severe rollover collision is the vehicle’s size and style. For example, SUVs, pickups, and vans, which are taller and more narrow in design, have a higher center of gravity, putting them at higher risk for a rollover than smaller, wider, more compact vehicles. Additionally,
Additionally, distracted driving behavior is a major cause of rollover-style collisions. Data from the NHTSA shows us that an overwhelming percentage - 90 percent - of cars that were in fatal rollovers were performing routine maneuvers at the time of the accident, such as driving straight. These findings point heavily to driver inattention as the reason for such crashes.
If you have been injured in a rollover accident, it is imperative you speak with a knowledgeable Lake County car accident attorney immediately to ensure your rights are protected and that you receive proper compensation for your injuries. Call Salvi & Maher, LLP at 847-662-3303 for a consultation today.
Work Zone Accident Prevention
The Chicago Tribune reports that since 1995, the number of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians in the state of Illinois who were injured in construction work zones amounted to over 3,000 people. Almost three-quarters of those injuries took place in the Chicago metropolitan area alone, giving both drivers and roadway officials further reason to continue to pay serious attention to car accident and personal injury risks in work zone areas throughout the city and state.
Inherent Dangers of Roadway Work Zones
A number of inherent dangers exist in construction zones, making them an ongoing challenge for everyone traveling through or working in their vicinities. From narrower lanes to sudden changes in road markings, work zones present multiple hazards for drivers. Turns are sharper, heavy equipment and construction trucks pass through active traffic lanes, and visibility is often poor due to road obstruction, dust, and fumes. Add to these obstacles the concrete barriers that sit on the roadway shoulders as drivers attempt to navigate the roads, and you have a recipe for all kinds of potential accidents.
The Chicago Tribune attributed most work zone accident rates to drivers’ tendencies to abruptly switch lanes, tailgate, or merging poorly. Above all, failure to observe and follow the reduced speed limits is cited as the largest cause of accidents in work zone areas. Speeding, in general, is always a risk, even under the best roadway conditions, so it is not surprising that speeding in work zone areas is a cause for significant spikes in accident and injury statistics.
Efforts to Combat the Problem
In response to the problem, officials from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) have made several efforts in the past to slow down vehicles passing through work zones, as risks for injury have proven to be just as high for the workers employed in these zones. While IDOT reported the fatality rate to be around 35 deaths annually, one-sixth were found to be construction workers, and the Federal Highway Administration has said that work-zone deaths have reached up to 800 annually.
Traffic Fatalities on the Rise in Illinois
As the state of the economy improves, gas prices decrease, and more Americans head back to work, morale throughout the country rises. Unfortunately, there is something else rising as well – traffic fatalities. In fact, statistics suggest the state of Illinois is experiencing the highest number of traffic deaths since 2008. What does this mean for drivers and other road users? The following explains.
The Trend of Rising Traffic Fatalities in Illinois
Records obtained by the Chicago Tribune show that traffic fatalities in Illinois have been rising for some time now. In 2013, crashes raised by 4 percent, reaching an average of 782 incidents per day and just a little more than 1,000 deaths for that year (1,043). Numbers decreased slightly in 2014, but not by much (898 deaths for the year). This year, the number of deaths has already reached 958 and is expected to exceed the 2013 total. Only time will tell, though, if the deaths will surpass those from 2008.
Drug Overdoses While Driving: A New and Concerning Epidemic
According to national statistics, heroin and opiate overdoses have increased by 500 percent since 2005. This is concerning, in and of itself, but there is an even more frightening epidemic. All across the country, and right here in Illinois, there are drivers who are suffering from an overdose behind the wheel of a car. This puts them, and countless others at risk. Learn what this drugged driving epidemic may mean for you and your family, and what you can do, should an accident occur.
A Look at the Overdosed Driver Epidemic
There have been multiple incidents nationwide of overdosed while driving. In Milwaukee, a passerby reported that an in-gear vehicle was blocking traffic and that the man behind the wheel appeared to be dead. When officers arrived on the scene, they broke into the vehicle and found that that man, not breathing and turning blue, was not dead, but had overdosed. They gave him an opiate overdose antidote to revive him.
In Ohio, a driver and passenger were found passed out in a car, not breathing and turning blue, with a small child in the back seat of the car. The vehicle was in park but the risk is clear: had they been driving at the time, they, the child, and anyone around them would have been at risk for death and/or injury.
A Boston man, also an overdosed driver, crashed his vehicle into another person’s car while driving. The news report did not indicate if anyone was injured in the accident, but the man was revived, again using the antidote for opiate overdose.
If You Are the Victim of an Overdosed Driver Accident
Because the problem is so prevalent, it is critical that Illinois drivers know how to respond appropriately, should they experience an accident with a drugged driver. First, make sure to call emergency responders. Not only do you and your passengers need to be assessed for possible injuries, but the drugged driver may need the potentially life-saving antidote. Further, they may have other non-drugged passengers in their vehicle (children are of especially high concern) that need medical care.
Once everyone is safe, make sure you visit the hospital or your primary care doctor to check for any injuries that were not immediately noticeable at the time of the crash. Lastly, make sure you gather as much documentation as possible and supply it to your attorney. Doing so protects your right to compensation and ensures that all your losses are accounted for when pursuing damages.
Contact Our Lake County Personal Injury Lawyers
At Salvi & Maher, LLP, we fight to protect the rights of victims. In every situation, our seasoned Lake County personal injury attorneys pursue the most favorable outcome possible. Get the skilled representation you deserve. Call 414-271-1440 and schedule your initial consultation today.
Is Your Child at Risk of a School Bus Accident?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that approximately 450,000 public school buses transport 23.5 million children on our roadways each year, transporting them to and from school, as well as to and from special school activities. Still, school bus accidents and injuries abound, raising great cause for concern across our communities and educational institutions.
Why School Buses Are Safer than Cars
While the NHTSA reports that there are at least six school-age fatalities recorded every year, studies show that generally, school buses are still considered one of the safest modes of transportation on the road today. Between the years of 2003 and 2012, the NHTSA found that 174 school-age children died in school-related transportation accidents, but only 55 of those deaths were occupants of school buses.
Click It or Ticket: Car Accident Safety
If you drive a vehicle, chances are you’ve heard the slogan “click it or ticket” used on more than one occasion to reinforce the importance of seatbelts as a means to reduce death and serious injury in car accidents. The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) uses the catchy phrase as part of their nationwide campaign efforts to bring attention to the dire need for drivers to wear their seatbelts anytime, and every time they operate a vehicle. When it comes to car collision safety, the concept behind the slogan is clear: More passengers wearing seatbelts means more lives saved, and fewer tickets issued. The proof is in the statistics - wearing seatbelts saved nearly 14,000 lives in the year 2015 alone.
Seatbelt Safety’s Role in Preventing Injury and Fatality
Wearing the proper safety restraint is one of the easiest, most effective ways to protect yourself behind the wheel of a car, and doing so also sets an example for any passengers traveling with you who may otherwise choose to neglect wearing their seatbelt. The goal behind the Click It or Ticket enforcement effort is to hold drivers accountable for their part in seat belt safety through periods of increased monitoring and citation issuing. The mission is to illuminate the seat belt’s role in preventing accident injury and fatality rates across the nation.
Tips for Driving on Icy Roads
Although spring weather is just around the corner, Illinois is still dealing with winter storms, which presents a number of challenges for drivers. Preventing car accident and injury is crucial, no matter what time of year, but it is especially important to take special safety precautions during those wet, cold, icy months that make our roadways significantly more hazardous. Icy conditions, in particular, can be very treacherous for drivers, which is why it is wise to make sure we stay on top of our winter weather driving knowledge to keep ourselves, our passengers, and others safe.
Tips for Driving in Icy Conditions
According to expert advice from CBS News, there are certain steps drivers can take to decrease their chances of accidents when venturing out onto the highways during the winter season. It is suggested that every driver practice the following when operating a vehicle under icy weather conditions:
Maintain proper tire pressure - Big changes in temperature can drastically affect your tire pressure, so it is extremely important to make sure you maintain proper levels throughout the cold season. It is recommended that you check the pressure every week, or at least once a month at minimum. Another alternative is to use radial snow tires on your vehicle, which are designed to remain flexible when temperatures fluctuate.
Keep windshield wipers in good shape. - It is crucial to make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition to ensure you have clear visibility when driving in snow. You should also consider using a winter-formula window washer fluid to prevent your windshield from icing over in cold temperatures.
Control your skid - As most vehicles are now front-wheel drive, the rule of thumb when you begin to slide on ice is to steer in the direction you want to go. Use your field of vision as a guide, looking in the direction you want to go, and then steer. Keep your foot on the gas and rely on your anti-lock brake system to do its job. Your control is limited when you begin to slide, but this will help you maintain what control you can.
Do not speed - Speeding when roads are icy is a deadly combination. In fact, most collisions that take place on icy roads are usually due to speeding. When driving in snow or on ice, a vehicle may take nine times longer to come to a stop than under normal, ideal conditions, so keep this in mind as you drive.
Should you experience an accident or injury due to a winter-weather related car collision, consulting with a knowledgeable Lake County car accident attorney is an important step toward protecting your rights in a court of law. Make sure you receive the proper compensation due to you following the collision. Call Salvi & Maher, LLP today at 847-662-3303 for a personal consultation.
Collision Hotspots
Every driver knows there are certain behaviors that place them at risk for car accident and injury on the roadway, such as texting behind the wheel or operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Dangerous behaviors that distract us from the road or prohibit us from safely operating a vehicle are risky on their own, but their threat is intensified around certain driving environments, where precise focus and attention are crucial in order to avoid serious collision and bodily injury.
Roadway Areas You Are More Likely to Be Harmed or Cause Harm
Collision hotspots in the state of Illinois are similar to those around the nation; certain areas tend to rack up greater accident statistics, no matter where you live or what kind of vehicle you drive. Here are three areas on our roadways that are especially prone to causing accident and injury:
1. Road Work and Construction Zones
School Bus Accident Accountability
Although statistics show school buses to be relatively safe modes of transportation compared to other kinds of vehicles, the area around them is not always so safe. In fact, the zones surrounding our children’s buses are often the sites of tragic school bus accident injuries and fatalities. While child passenger fatalities are rare (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that an average of six school-age children die as passengers each year), accidents that are related to school transportation, in general, are still significant in number.
School Bus Crashes Affect More than Just Bus Passengers
Children riding our community school buses are not the only ones injured by bus-related collisions. More recent crash data from the NHTSA shows that 8 percent of the 134 people who die annually due to school-bus-related incidences are riding in the buses, while pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers represent 21 percent of the overall related fatalities. This means those walking, biking, and driving around bus zone areas are at risk everyday when commuting on our Illinois roadways.
The Proper Way to Navigate School Bus Zones
When navigating around school buses, drivers must abide by certain laws set forth by the state. The Illinois State Police remind us of the following:
- When a school bus has its stop signal arm extended and is in the process of loading or unloading children, it is unlawful to pass the bus.
Child Vehicle Safety Tips
Whether you have children of your own, babysit regularly, or are simply watching a neighbor’s child for a few hours, if you are transporting a child in your personal vehicle, car accident and injury prevention efforts are more important than ever. One of many studies from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discovered that more than 618,000 children - newborns to age 12 - rode in vehicles without the use of a car seat or safety restraint most of the time, over the course of a single year. In the year 2014 alone, another study revealed that over 600 children, all 12 years old or younger, died as occupants in motor vehicles, while more than 120,000 were injured due to the same factors.
Any parent or caregiver driving a child around in their car should be aware of the following before getting behind the wheel:
1. The Illinois “Child Passenger Protection Act” sets the standard for safety and accountability.
Illinois law states that any person driving a child under the age of 8 is responsible for ensuring the child is secured in the proper restraint system. This means using an appropriate booster seat, and using a proper seat belt for children over the age of 8 but under the age of 16. Educate yourself about the various age stages and the restraint requirements for each. For example, newborn babies and children up to 2 years old must be transported in rear-facing car seats, while children up to 5 years old must be in forward-facing car seats.
2. Car seat and booster seat placement is everything.
Contact a Lake County Vehicle Accident Attorney Who is Ready to Help You
If you or a member of your family has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact our office. Call 847-662-3303 to set up a free initial consultation at one of our four convenient locations. There is no risk because we only collect fees if you collect compensation. With offices in Libertyville, Waukegan, Richmond, and Chicago, we represent clients in Lake County, Cook County, DuPage County, and McHenry County.
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