Articles Posted in Auto Accidents

Multi-tasking is nothing new, and nowadays, the busier our lives become, the more we try to squeeze into a day. Unfortunately, many view driving as a time where they can get from point A to point B, while also performing a task and/or checking an item off their ‘to-do’ list. Few would dispute that driving while distracted, and they accidents caused by such behavior, is certainly on the rise.

Cosmetic application; personal hygiene; searching for lost items; fidgeting with control devices in your car; eating, and sometimes while attempting to use condiments or cleaning a food-related spill or mess—we’ve all seen it or may even be guilty of it ourselves. Distracted driving has been around as long as automobiles have. Add in technology, though, now we have an equation for disaster. How many times have you seen a motorist engaging in a distracting activity WHILE ALSO utilizing a mobile device? Undoubtedly, most have witnessed such behaviors in the past, if not on a regular basis.

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The Chicago Car Accident Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. know that being involved in an auto wreck is stressful enough, in and of itself. For many victims, understanding legal rights, entitlement to financial compensation, and the claims process in general, can caused added anxiety during a period that is difficult. Similarly nerve-wracking can be the process of selecting a lawyer—and not just any lawyer—but one that has the legal know-how to maximize your financial recovery, while also providing you with the personal attention you need to have peace of mind. Our firm offers both.

For those reading this following an auto accident-related injury or death, you probably already know the benefits of pursuing your claim through an attorney-represented approach. Arriving at this conclusion is the easy part—however choosing a car accident attorney in one of the largest cities in the U.S.— this can be challenging. However, by knowing what to look for, particularly with regard to attorney advertising techniques that may be potentially deceptive, misleading or illusive, selecting legal representation can become less of a challenge, and more of a process of elimination. Just a few things to take into consideration are:

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Over our decades in practice, the Chicago Personal Injury attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. have taken note of many unwarranted, and often peculiar defenses asserted by defendants, both in the criminal and civil setting. While our firm’s primary focus resides in providing representation to clients in civil proceedings, it is not uncommon for a civil matter to be closely connected to a criminal matter. Consider an auto accidents involving an impaired driver; nursing home abuse involving a sexual offender; or an attack by a dog that was trained or known to be vicious, to name a few.

Here, we limit our discussion to the topic of hit-and-run collisions, in which a driver flees the scene, but then later claims that they didn’t know they hit someone. The possibility that a law-abiding motorist could collide with an individual, and not be aware, seems highly improbable. Although unawareness of striking a victim is conceivable, these incidents are far and few between, and limited to exceptional circumstances. Let’s explore the ‘I didn’t know,’ or ‘ignorance of incident’ defense in regards to both criminal culpability and civil liability.

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The potential for an auto accident during the winter season is concerning no matter where you live. However, the Automobile Collision Attorneys, of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C., feel that the large quantity of streets, roads, and highways, as well as sheer volume of traffic in the Chicagoland area, present unique concerns over the risk for collision associated with winter weather conditions. By taking the proper safety precautions, we can all aide in the reduction and prevention of injuries and fatalities caused in weather-related motor vehicle crashes this winter.

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As the season of gloom and doom starts, the Chicago Automobile Collision Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. remind motorists to use caution when traveling in inclement weather. According to the Federal Highway Administration, close to 6 million accidents occur each year, and of these, nearly a quarter are weather-related. NHTSA reports that more than 6,000 persons are killed, and close to half a million people sustain injury due to weather-related crashes, on average, each year. Although a large percentage such accidents are attributed to rainfall, many car wrecks also occur due to winter weather conditions (i.e. snow, sleet, ice, slush).

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With the cold weather upon us, now is a good time for motorists to inspect their vehicles and ensure preparedness for the winter season, particular with regard to tires. The Chicago Automobile Collision Attorneys, of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C., discuss some Tire Safety Tips in hopes of promoting awareness, improving safety, as well as reducing injuries and fatalities associated with car accidents, for the residents of Chicagoland and surrounding communities.

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Claims against governmental entities (i.e. state, county, school district) are highly unique in comparison to other types of actions brought forth to recover damages for a death, injury, harm or other loss. This is because most government-associated entities enjoy some form of immunity from such suits. Further, actions against the government are subject to distinctive procedural rules, standards, and guidelines, which vary greatly from the usual personal injury lawsuit involving non-government defendants. Here, the Chicago Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. discuss government liability in motor vehicle collisions involving roadway safety issues.

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While the median-barrier problems in Oregon serve as a perfect example of the complexities involved in defining the parameters of government responsibility in providing safe roadways, this particular issue applies to a number of highways located throughout the U.S., Illinois included. The law pertaining to the maintenance of roadways is fairly uniform in most states, in that a duty exists to provide reasonably safe roadways, which includes protecting the public from inherently dangerous conditions that pose safety risks or hazards to persons that the entity intended, permitted, and reasonably expected to make use of, in the manner for which it used (i.e. motorists and passengers of motor vehicles).

And although the government can shield themselves from liability-at least in some ways-however, the duty to exercise ‘due’ and ‘ordinary’ care remains, as it would for any property owner, whether the government or a private individual. So then, at what point can the government be held responsible for their failure to remedy a known hazardous roadway condition?

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The Chicago Accident & Injury Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. take note of an alert, issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), regarding the recall of nearly 5 million vehicles due to defective airbags. Recalled vehicles include several early 2000 models of certain Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, BMW, and GM vehicles. According to reports, the airbag inflators, made by Takata Corp., can fail to deploy in the event of collision, thereby posing a serious risk of injury or fatality.

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