Tag Archives: Chicago car accident

AAA Publishes Best Times To Travel During Thanksgiving Holiday

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Thanksgiving is next week and millions of Americans will travel by plane and by car to visit family and friends. This is one of the busiest weeks of the year for traveling on the roads and it can be helpful to plan ahead. AAA recently published on their website their recommendations on when to travel to avoid the heavy traffic jams:

Tuesday, Nov. 25

  • Best Times: Before 12:00 p.m.
  • Worst Times: 12:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 26

  • Best Times: Before 11:00 a.m.
  • Worst Times: 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 27

  • Minimal traffic impact expected

Friday, Nov. 28

  • Best Times: Before 11:00 a.m.
  • Worst Times: 1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 29

  • Best Times: Before 10:00 a.m.
  • Worst Times: 1:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 30

  • Best Times: Before 11:00 a.m.
  • Worst Times: 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

Be sure to plan ahead and find the best time that fits you and your family’s schedule and hopefully avoid the rush on the roads.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Chicago traffic accident or Chicago truck accident, then please call the Chicago accident attorneys at The Bryant Law Group at 312-614-1076 or go directly to firm’s website www.blgchicago.com. We offer free legal consultations on your Chicago car accident or Illinois workers compensation cases.

Beware Of New “Traffic Ticket” Scam Aimed At Illinois Drivers

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I wrote earlier this year about a texting scam sent to Illinois drivers regarding fake unpaid tolls. The scammers would send a text threatening drivers license suspensions if the fines were not paid.

The scammers are back at again. NBC 5 Chicago reported this week that a new phishing scam has surfaced. Text messages stating there are “outstanding traffic ticket” with a “final notice” from a number purporting to be the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles. The fake messages warn that if the fines are not paid within 24 hours it could lead vehicle registration suspension, prosecution, credit score impact, and a 35% fee at tolls.

We know these are fake text messages because there is no such thing as the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles. Vehicles are registered through the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.

The Illinois Secretary of State’s office previously issued a warning back in May regarding the similar phishing scam: “These are not legitimate messages from the Illinois Department of Transportation,” a banner on IDOT’s website said. “If you receive a message report it to the Federal Trade Commission and/or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.”

If you receive one of these messages, please remember to ignore and do not click on any of the links as that could lead to stolen personal information on your phone.

If you or a loved one has been injured in Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then reach out to the Chicago personal injury attorneys at The Bryant Law Group, LLC. for a free legal consultation at 312-614-1076 or go directly to the firm’s website at www.blgchicago.com.

Phase 2 Of Grand Avenue Contruction To Begin In 2026

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According to Block Club Chicago and the Chicago Department of Transportation (“CDOT”), a long awaited road improvement project on Grand Avenue will not begin until next year. CDOT announced earlier this week that the city is still going through a formal bidding process for the contruction, which will delay the start, which was originally announced in the summer of 2024.

The project along Grand Avenue, which stretches from Chicago Avenue to Ogden, will include additional protected bike lanes, slower speed limits, bus boarding islands, utility and structural work.

The first phase of the Grand avenue project, which stretched from Chicago Avenue to Damen, was completed last summer.

I applaud these road projects that have occurred piece by piece through the city the last five plus years. The additions of dedicated bike lanes and newer and protected CTA bus stops, makes busy streets and intersections much safer for bicyclists and pedestrians. Also, hopefully, reduce the number of cars on the road, by encouraging people to bike, walk and take public transportation. Also the streets (like Grand) look much nicer and more modern once construction is completed.

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago bicycle accident, then call the Chicago accident lawyers at the Bryant Law Group, LLC for a free legal consutlation at 312-614-1076 or go directly to the firm’s website at www.blgchicago.com.

Chicago To Add 50 New Speed Cameras Around City

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Multiple new outlets, including WGN News, report last week that the Chicago Department of Transportation (“CDOT”) plans to install 50 new speeder cameras around the city. CDOT spokespeoples have not announced specific locations but they will take into consideration crash data from different busy intersections and stretches of road along with requests from alderpeople. By state law, cameras can only be within 660 feet of a school or a park. These 50 new cameras will bring the total to 200 in the city.

These cameras have been scrutenized from the very beginning when they were installed under former mayor Rahm Emanual. Critics have called these cameras a crash grab by the city. I have yet to see any detailed studies that they have decreased the number of car crashes in the areas where the cameras were installed.

I think it is fair to point out that current mayor, Brandon Johnson, has at least been up front that the cameras are being installed to help revenue for the city: Mayor Brandon Johnson said revenue from the cameras would help, in part, to generate $11 million needed to restore more than 160 police positions tied to the consent decree and would make up less than one-tenth of one percent of the 2025 budget.

Though, he is denying that the new cameras are being installed to balance th city budget. “The City of Chicago does not rely on speed cameras to balance its budget…. Mayor Johnson believes that speed cameras should be utilized to promote traffic safety in an equitable way, not as a revenue source for the City.”

The CDOT spokesperson said 136 people were killed in traffic crashes on Chicago roadways in 2023. Speed was a factor in nearly 70 percent of those crashes. CDOT will publicize the cameras’ locations before they’re activated. Drivers will be given a 30-day grace period once the new cameras are installed and receive a warning in the mail.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call the Illinois injury attorneys at the Bryant Law Group for a free consultation at 312-614-1076 or go to the firm’s website a www.blgchicago.com.

Ford Recalls 270,000 Vehicles Over Safety Concern

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) announced this week that Ford Motor Company has recalled 270,000 vehicles over concerns battery failure. The recall affects certain 2021-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles.

The NHTSA announced that 12-volt battery in these vehicles may experience degradation and suddenly fail, which can result in a loss of electrical accessories, including the hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford stated that dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the 12-volt battery free of charge.

No serious car crashes or traffic fatalities have been reported to date. If you own a 2021 to 2023 Bronco Sport or a 2022 to 2023 Maverick please consult with your local dealer to determine if you need a replacement.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call the Bryant Law Group, LLC for a free legal consultation at 312-614-1076 or go directly to the firm’s website at www.blgchicago.com.

New Illinois Driver And Traffic Laws For 2025

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It’s a new year and there are dozens of new laws that take effect in Illinois. Most of the new laws that I reviewed have to do with health insurance and insurance coverage. There were only three (3) new traffic and/or driver laws in Illinois that take effect in 2025. I have outlined these new laws below:

HB 4592 – Allows the Secretary of State to issue mobile ID cards and driver’s licenses.

SB 0275 – The Secretary of State’s Office will be required to offer applicants the option to be issued an 8-year driver’s license within the next two years.

HB 5408 – Drivers will be prohibited from stopping or parking vehicles on shoulders of highways within a half-mile radius of the eastern entrance to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.

Nothing too dramatic was passed last year by the Illinois legislature that will affect Illinois drivers in 2025, but it is always good to know any new laws that have been enacted.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call the Chicago injury lawyers at The Bryant Law Group, LLC at 312-614-1076 for a free legal consultation or go directly to the firm’s website at www.blgchicago.com.

Illinois State Police Partake In Traffic Safety Enforcement Along I-57

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According to Southern Illinois Now news outlet, the Illinois State Police (“ISP”) announced the results of the their traffic safety enforcement program that took place on I-57 from October 2 through October 7. The program covered I-57 from northern Champaign county all the way down to the southern tip of the state.

During this enforcement period the  599 speeding citations, 484 speeding warnings, 198 motor carrier safety inspections, 16 Move Over ‘Scott’s Law’ Citations, six criminal arrests and 46 suspended, revoked, no driver’s license citations.

More importantly there were zero (0) traffic fatalities and only five (5) car accidents reported. The Patrol officers from Troops 7, 9, and 10 with assistance from ISP center and south Special Operations Group’s Fatal Four team saturated the interstate, enforcing Illinois Vehicle Code violations, especially speeding.

State Police say speeding is a contributing factor in nearly one-third of all fatality crashes.  Officers also focused on Motor Carrier Safety Inspections for commercial motor vehicles.  Over a quarter of all fatal crashes involving large trucks occur on the Interstate highways.

The purpose of this operation was to encourage safer driving and decrease aggressive and unsafe driving behaviors. The program seemed to have work. The question will be whether intensive operations like this will affect drivers when the ISP is not out on full force.

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a Chicago car accident or Illinois truck accident, then call the Illinois accident attorneys at The Bryant Law Group for a free legal consultation at 312-614-1076 or go to our website at www.blgchicago.com.

GMC Recalls SUV And Pick Up Trucks For Brake Fluid Defect

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) announced this week that GMC will be recalling approximately 450,000 SUVs and Trucks due to an electronic brake control module software that could fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid takes place.

The recall includes 2023-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESVs, 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban 1500, 2023 GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL,

GMC stated that the recall will include a free software update, which will hopefully eliminate the defect.

The NHTSA stated th a vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid if they aren’t provided the warning, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a Chicago car accident or an Illinois traffic accident involving a auto defect, then call the Chicago personal injury lawyers at the Bryant Law Group for a free legal consultation at 312-614-1076.

“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign Returns To Illinois For Labor Day Weekend

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Multiple police departments and county sheriff’s offices will be implementing the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled” campaign to curb drunk driving over Labor Day weekend. The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign runs from Aug. 19 through the early morning hours of Sept. 6. During this period, law enforcement will be stepping up efforts focused on impaired, unbuckled and distracted drivers.

The Lake County sheriff’s department recommended the following tips for drivers who may be out and about or headed to parties over the next couple weekends:

•Before the party starts, remember to designate a sober driver, and don’t let friends or family members drive impaired. Other important tips include:

• If you’re hosting, make sure all your guests designate a sober driver in advance or arrange ride-sharing or another sober ride home. Also serve lots of food and include nonalcoholic beverages at the party.

• If you do not have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home, call a cab, or stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.

• Don’t let friends leave your sight if you think they are about to drive impaired.

• Always buckle up – it is your best defense in a crash.

I think this is an important safety campaign, but I would like to see resources and messaging go towards prevention of distracted driving and phone use while driving. Regardless, be careful if you will be out on the roads over the upcoming holiday weekend.

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call the Chicago personal injury attorneys at the Bryant Law Group for a free legal consultation at 312-614-1076.

Chicago City Council Holds Off On Speed Camera Vote

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Last year Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot included a controversial wrinkle in her yearly budget. The budget included fines for those caught on camera speeding between 6-10 miles per hour over the limit. These tickets are non-moving violations. Lightfood has touted this change as safety issue, but detractors to the fine saw it as nothing but a money grab.

An alderman has an ammendment that would eliminate the 6-10 mph fine and only fine those caught going 11 mph and over. The new law would make those tickets $100. The current fine is $35.

ABC 7 and Block Club Chicago reported that the amendment was deferred and continued to a later date by one of Mayor Lightfoot’s alies on the council. It is unclear why the mayor and her alies did not want the vote or why they did not allow at least a debate on the issue.

According to Block Club the speed cameras issued 2.3 million tickets in the first 10 months of 2021 after the speeding threshold was lowered to 6 mph — nearly as many as the city issued in 2018, 2019 and 2020 combined.

Mayor Lightfoot’s other argument is that if these fines are removed, the city would lose $45 million in revenue annually. I have yet to see any studies or data as to whether th 6-10 mph threshold actually makes the city’s streets safer. We will be following this closely in the weeks ahead.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago personal injury lawyer, Aaron J. Bryant, at 312-614-1076 for a free legal consultation.