Recent Blog Posts
Why Is Driving Under the Influence So Dangerous?
You have probably seen various campaigns to prevent drunk driving, with slogans like, "You booze, you cruise, you lose." A similar campaign against driving while high uses the tagline, "If you feel different, you drive different." Illinois laws make driving under the influence illegal, but people still do it every day. Have you ever wondered why these behaviors are dangerous?
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol dramatically increases the chance of causing a car crash that may injure or kill someone. If you are injured in a car accident caused by someone who was driving under the influence, you deserve compensation. A skilled lawyer from Barrington Injury Attorneys can investigate your accident and help you hold the at-fault party accountable. Call now for your free consultation.
Why Is Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs Dangerous?
Using drugs or consuming alcohol can cause various impairments that make safe driving nearly impossible, as reflected in the current Illinois campaign slogan, "Drive safe, drive sober." These impairments include:
What Is Liability in a Personal Injury Claim?
You have probably heard that you can obtain a settlement if you are injured by another party’s negligence. Some kinds of personal injury claims can get you that compensation for your accident-related losses. Common types of claims involve car accidents, truck accidents, premises liability, and wrongful death.
Obtaining the compensation you deserve is not as simple as blaming someone for your injury and waiting for a payout. You must establish several facts before you can file a claim. One of our experienced personal injury lawyers at Barrington Injury Attorneys can evaluate your circumstances, discuss the validity of your claim, and explain how we can help during your free consultation.
Wrongful Death Claim Filed Against Highland Park Shooting Gun Manufacturer
The Highland Park, IL, July 4th Parade shooting in 2022 sent shockwaves throughout the state. Seven victims lost their lives when a 21-year-old opened fire. Another 48 people were injured in the shooting. The suspect was apprehended eight hours after the shooting and charged with seven counts of first-degree murder and 48 counts of attempted murder. While a wrongful death claim was the last thing on the minds of the family members, two years later, such a claim has been filed.
While justice can be elusive in the criminal arena, another type of justice may be possible for victims and their families. HB0218, the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act (FIRA), was signed into law by Governor Pritzker in August 2023. FIRA holds gun manufacturers accountable when they knowingly use unsafe marketing practices to cause harm.
If your loved one died as the result of another’s negligence, you should contact a Barrington wrongful death attorney from Barrington Injury Attorneys, who can help you file a claim for damages. When you have a skilled lawyer who will advocate for you and your family, you can take the time you need to grieve your loss.
What to Do if You Share Fault in a Motorcycle Accident
The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be daunting, especially when you believe you may share some fault in the incident. If you find yourself in this situation, it is helpful to understand your rights and the steps you should take to protect your interests. An Illinois lawyer can help you determine the necessary steps if you are partially at fault in a motorcycle accident.
What You Should Know About Illinois’ Comparative Fault Laws
Illinois follows a system of modified comparative fault, which means that you may still be able to recover damages, regardless of whether you hold partial fault for the accident. However, your percentage of fault must be less than 51% for you to be eligible for compensation. If your fault is determined to be 51% or more, you will be barred from recovering any damages.
What Needs to Be Established for a Successful Dog Bite Claim?
After being attacked or bitten by a dog, you may want to pursue legal action against the owner. Dog bites are a matter of premises liability, and the owner or person responsible for the dog during the attack may be liable for your injuries.
As you pursue a dog bite claim, a few elements must be established in your case to give you a strong chance of success. An experienced Illinois dog bite injury lawyer can help investigate the details of your case and advocate for the compensation you may be entitled to.
Establishing Your Dog Bite Claim
Illinois utilizes strict liability in dog bite cases, which means that the dog's owner is responsible for any injuries that his or her dog causes. If the dog's owner is not present, the non-owner who has assumed responsibility for the dog may be liable instead.
Can I Sue After an Injury in an Illinois Restaurant?
Though most trips to restaurants around the Illinois area are fun and relaxing experiences, injuries and accidents do happen at restaurants, and they can have serious consequences. It may be possible to sue after an injury occurs in an Illinois restaurant. However, you must prove that the restaurant staff or owner acted negligently or recklessly, causing your injury. An experienced Illinois premises liability lawyer can help you determine if you have a case against the restaurant where you were injured.
Common Restaurant Injuries in Illinois
While restaurants are generally safe, accidents and incidents sometimes result in illness or injury. Restaurant owners and staff must ensure that they uphold their duty of care to guests by warning of hazards and keeping both interior and exterior areas properly maintained. Failure to do this or acting recklessly and putting guests in harm's way can result in liability for the injuries that visitors may sustain in an accident.
Can I Sue After Being Injured on Illinois Public Transportation?
While public transportation is generally considered safe in Chicago and surrounding areas, unfortunate accidents and injuries do sometimes still occur. Victims of serious injuries or the families of victims of wrongful death caused by a public transportation accident may be able to sue for compensation. A skilled Illinois public transportation attorney can help you explore your legal options.
Who Is At Fault If I Am Injured on Illinois Public Transportation?
Illinois public transportation operators, such as Pace, Metra, and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), are subject to common carrier law. Under this law, any common carrier may potentially be held liable for a public transportation accident that results in injury and occurs due to the negligence of operators or failure to uphold duty of care to ensure safe transportation of passengers.
Can I Receive Compensation After a Distracted Driving Accident?
Being involved in a distracted driving accident can result in severe injuries and victims of distracted driving accidents often have to deal with expensive medical bills and repair costs. It may be possible to receive compensation after a distracted driving accident if you wish to pursue a claim in court. An experienced Illinois car accident attorney can help you navigate this process and advocate for you.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is a dangerous way to operate a motor vehicle, and any individual in a car, truck, or motorcycle may engage in distracted driving. The most common ways to be distracted while driving include:
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Reading a text, or using a cell phone while driving
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Adjusting music and GPS settings
How to Strengthen a Complex Workplace Injury Case
Workplace injuries can leave employees unable to work and struggling financially. When an injury case is complex, successfully proving negligence and securing adequate compensation can be challenging. However, with the right approach, complex cases can be strengthened with the help of an Illinois personal injury lawyer.
Gather Extensive Evidence from the Outset
The more evidence you collect for a complex workplace injury early on, the better. As soon as possible after the incident, take detailed photos of the unsafe conditions that caused the injury, preserving evidence before the employer can alter the scene. Obtain coworker statements on what transpired while events are fresh in their minds. Request to review inspection reports, training procedures, safety manuals, and the employer’s insurance information to uncover what safety lapses may have occurred.
What to Do If You Got Attacked By a Dog That Got In Your Yard
If you got bit by a dog that ventured onto your property, you have likely already taken immediate actions like seeking emergency medical treatment and reporting the incident to local animal control authorities. However, holding negligent dog owners fully accountable for the physical and emotional harms their animals cause often requires experienced legal guidance to successfully resolve. An Illinois personal injury lawyer can help you figure out the next step that makes sense to take for your specific case.
Gather Identifying Details
If you have not already, identify distinguishing characteristics of the attacking dog - breed, colorings, collar name tag, or physical markings - plus gather witness observations about that neighborhood animal roaming previously to help authorities link episodes definitively. Also, preserve any photos capturing identifying features. Vet reports describing bite wounds further corroborate matching attributes to a specific pet for building your case.