When most of us think of reckless driving habits, including those that often cause car accidents, we envision speeding drivers or motorists driving under the influence of alcohol. The truth is, reckless and dangerous driving come in many forms, and one of the most common is drowsy driving. With early-morning commutes, late-night drives home, and lengthy trips, drivers commonly fall asleep at the wheel. 

Fatigued Driving Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 4,100 Americans were injured in collisions involving a drowsy driver in 2017. Of those injured, 795 people were killed. Fatigued driving is incredibly dangerous for a number of reasons. While it impacts reaction time and general awareness, the danger is obviously magnified if the driver actually falls asleep at the wheel, even for a moment.

On Saturday, January 5, two Chicago police officers were injured when their vehicle was struck by a vehicle believed to have been stolen. After the collision, the driver fled the scene, leaving the officers with severe but non-life threatening injuries. For Illinois drivers, the hit and run collision served as a reminder that some drivers will attempt to flee the scene of an accident even when it involves law enforcement.  

After a hit and run accident, one must act quickly and calmly to help ensure law enforcement officials are equipped with the requisite information to find the perpetrator. 

Nothing compares to the pain of losing a family member. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon on our roadways. More than 40,000 Americans lost their lives in car crashes in 2017, and the vast majority were caused by driver negligence. While moving forward after a family member is tragically killed is incredibly difficult, facing the financial problems of life without a spouse or parent can compound the difficulty. 

If your loved one was fatally injured in a car accident, it is critical to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party. An experienced legal team can help you and your family receive the compensation you deserve. 

On New Year’s Eve, a 25-year-old woman was arrested on DUI charges after crashing her vehicle into Riverside Brookfield High School. The collision, which occurred around 2:40 a.m., was one of only a handful of drunk driving collisions in the greater Chicago area during the recent holiday season. For law enforcement officials and the public, the low number of drunk driving accidents represented a victory for anti-DUI initiatives. 

Holiday Drunk Driving

The holiday season brings celebrations, and many of those involve the consumption of alcohol. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over half of American adults admit to drinking more during the holidays. It should come as no surprise that more than 33 percent of all December traffic fatalities occur between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

On December 23, 2018, a car crash in the Little Village neighborhood on the Southwest side of Chicago resulted in the hospitalization of two children. The injured children, ages 3 and 10, were both rushed to Stroger Hospital. Fortunately, no one was fatally injured in the accident, but the crash did serve as a reminder of the risks that young children face when traveling in motor vehicles. If you or a loved one are injured in a motor vehicle collision, it is important to contact a legal team to learn about your options for receiving compensation for your damages. 

Simple Steps to Protect Your Children From Injury 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), transportation injuries are the most common cause of fatalities among children. While car crashes are often unavoidable, there are a few ways you can lower the chances of your children suffering severe injuries in a collision:

• Buckle Them Up: Studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), found that the lives of more than 14,000 Americans were saved in 2016 due to the use of seat belt restraint systems. Despite the overwhelming evidence that seat belts can be key to avoiding serious injuries, almost 10% of Americans neglect to wear their seat belts. Next time you drive with your children, make sure that they are properly buckled in. 
• Properly Use Booster Seats: For parents of young children, booster seats are needed to help children avoid injuries. When placing your child in their booster seat, make sure that they are in the seat correctly and that the seat is properly restrained. It is also important to ensure that the booster seat is the correct size. If your child grows out of a booster seat, yet they are still not big enough for a vehicle’s standard seat belts, it is important to purchase a larger sized seat. If your child is too small for their seat, return it and get a new one. Utilizing a booster seat that does not fit your child can put them at risk of serious injury. 
• Avoid Distractions: Any parent knows how easy it is to be distracted by your children. When driving, distractions can come with severe consequences. Distracted driving is responsible for approximately 25% of all car accidents nationwide. Next time you drive with your children, avoid taking your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel, which could make the difference in avoiding a collision. 

Contact a Waukegan Car Accident Lawyer

At Salvi and Maher, L.L.C., our legal team is dedicated to ensuring that our clients receive the compensation they deserve for injuries suffered in car accidents. If you or a loved one is injured in a motor vehicle collision, it is time to seek out legal assistance. To schedule a complimentary consultation with a Lake County personal injury attorney, call us today at 847-662-3303.