Tag Archives: free legal consultation

Are Faulty Traffic Light Boxes Causing Pedestrian Accidents In Chicago

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CBS 2 Chicago produced an interesting story this week about faulty or “dark and faded” traffic light boxes around the city. The report pointed out that they counted a total of twenty-two (22) faded boxes on the North Side alone. Specifically, all four (4) light boxes were completely out at the intersection of Clark and Chicago streets.

The report asks whether these faulty light boxes could be the cause in the recent surge of pedestrian accidents in the city. It was noted that there were 207 pedestrian accidents alone that were reported in January of this year.

The news station reached out to CDOT asking for a comment and their only response was a generic press release stating: “electrical office schedules repairs on an ongoing basis.”

Further, the most recent report from “Vision Zero” did not mention any plans to update or maintain faulty traffic light boxes. “Vision Zero” is the city’s broad plan to eliminate all traffic fatalities in Chicago by the year 2026.

This seems to be a simple fix and something that should already be budgeted for by the city counsel. It should be a priority by the city to stay vigilant in the upkeep and repair of traffic light boxes if they plan to meet their goals from “Vision Zero.” Chicago has some of the heaviest foot and bicycle traffic in the U.S., and simple bulb repairs should not fall behind at any time. Especially when the city has publicly made pedestrian safety such a high priority. At least that is what they have stated.

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

Ford Motors Recalls 1.5 Million Vehicles For Defects

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Earlier this week Ford Motor Company announced to that they would be recalling almost 1.5 million Lincoln and Ford vehicles. The main culprit appears to be the 2011 – 2013 F-150 trucks that contain 6 speed transmissions. According to press releases, the faulty downshift to first gear has caused 5 accidents thus far. Approximately 1.48 million F-150 vehicles will be recalled

Ford spokespeople stated: ” Depending on vehicle speed, a downshift to first gear without warning could result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.” Ford is also recalling 27,000 2017 to 2019 Lincoln Continental vehicles , and 4,200 2019 Ford Mustangs silicon contamination in the door latch, which can prevent it from fully engaging.

It is important to point out that auto accidents caused by auto defects are completely different than your normal car accident caused by another driver’s negligence. If the evidence shows that a car crash was caused by a defect in the vehicle (as described above in the F-150 trucks), then the injured party can make a claim or ultimately file a lawsuit based on the auto defect. The complaint will include a count in their complaint against the auto maker alleging the auto defect caused the accident and the resulting damages. In Illinois, a plaintiff must plead and prove that (1) the injury or damage resulted from a condition of the product manufactured or sold by the defendant, (2) that the condition was an unreasonably dangerous one, and (3) that the condition existed at the time the product left the manufacturer’s control. This may sound easy on its’ face, but auto makers and other manufacturers of products defend these cases fiercely, specifically by hiring high paid experts to argue that either to product wasn’t unreasonably dangerous or it didn’t cause the injuries in question. It is important to consult with an attorney if you believe you were injured by an auto defect.

If you or a loved one were injured by a Chicago auto defect or involved in a Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago personal injury lawyer, Aaron J. Bryant, for a free legal consultation at 312-614-1076.

Study Says Chicago 3rd Worst In Traffic Congestion

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INRIX, a global transportation analytics company released a new study this week regarding traffic congestion in the U.S. and globally. The study revealed, to no ones surprise, that Chicago ranked as the 3rd most congested city in the U.S. The study stated that Chicago drivers wasted 138 hours sitting in traffic last year, and the traffic back-ups cost $1,920 per driver in 2018.

One reason experts have noted for the surge in traffic congestion in Chicago is due to the robust downtown economy. Several companies have opened new offices downtown and in the West Loop, including McDonalds and Google.

The thing that puzzles me about this ranking and about the traffic in general in Chicago is that there are so many alternate options for a work commute. Chicago has some of the most efficient train and bus lines with the CTA, and the number of bicycle commuters continues to grow, especially the number of dedicated bike lanes throughout the city. Also, Metra provides train rides for tens of thousands of commuters into the city every day. One factor that I didn’t see mentioned in any of the articles written about this study is the amount of road construction that has been going on. I-290 has been under construction the last several years. Hopefully when that is completed, it will free up a lot of the congestion from all directions coming into downtown.

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

Chicago Mayoral Candidates Weigh In On Red Light Cameras

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The Chicago mayoral election takes place on February 26, 2019. There are currently fourteen (14) candidates. It is a little overwhelming when trying to decide to vote for as there a several familiar names but many no one has heard of before. There are myriad of issues important to voters such as crime, property taxes, jobs, road construction etc… It can be difficult to see where candidate stands and how they stand out from others.

The Chicago Tribune recently collected information on Red Light Cameras, an issue I have studied and written about multiple times in the past. The Tribune wanted to know where each candidate stood. The good news is that all of the candidates they collected opinions on at least want to modify the current number of cameras and at least study the value of keeping them.

The following candidates states they wanted remove the cameras altogether:

Willie Wilson, Gery Chico and La Shawn Ford

The following candidates want to study the value of keeping the cameras and would be in favor of eliminating some of the cameras:

Toni Preckwinkle, Susana Mendoza and Jerry Joyce

The following candidates want to review the current fee structure and assess the fairness, especially those in poorer neighborhoods:

Lori Lightfoot and Bill Daley.

This is encouraging news. Most all of the candidates admitted to the newspaper something we have all known for years: red light cameras were a money grab by the city. Studies published by Northwestern and the Tribune, call into question as to whether the cameras actually make intersections safer.

I will be looking forward to see whether the person elected actually lives up to their promise, to at least re-asses the value of the cameras and at least remove the ones that are not improving safety.

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

 

Will We See Self-Driving Cars Anytime Soon?

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I have written about the perils of self-driving, autonomous cars many times in the past. There was the horrible accident in Arizona, where a self driving Uber crashed into a woman who was walking across the street. There have been other fatal car accidents involving self-driving Tesla vehicles.

The question the general public continued to ask itself was whether self-driving vehicles are safe and whether they would become more mainstream. I have been dubious of self-driving cars from the beginning for various reason. I’m not the only one. Associated Press writer, Tony Krisher, published an article recently listing all the reasons we will not see autonomous, self-driving cars in the very near future. Below is an outline of his reasoning:

  1. Snow & Weather: Kirsher believes that the technology for self-driving car cameras have a hard time seeing through eavy snow, rain, fog and sandstorms. The technology is just not there yet.
  2. Pavement Lines & Curbs: Kirsher points out that every city and state has different lane line and curb placement and it is difficult of the computerized vehicles to differentiate from city to city.
  3. Human Driver Factor: Kirsher rightly points out that human drivers do not always obey the rules of the road, and that the technology is still dealing with how to respond to humans who drive erratically, park illegally etc…
  4. Left Turns: The car makers have openly admitted that they are still having problems with left hand turns when there is no green arrow. This is a problem human drivers encounter and the designers of self-driving cars are having difficulty with the same timing issues.
  5. Consumer Acceptance: Kirsher mentions a AAA study showing that 73% of consumers would currently have trouble fully trusting a self-driving vehicle. This has obviously come after stories like the fatal car accident in Arizona last year.

Mr. Kirsher makes some great points in his article. I think the important thing to remember is that the technology is coming, and more and more vehicles will be developed and designed with self-driving options. The question will remain as to whether our society be ready for it ten or fifteen years from now.

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

New Illinois Left Lane Traffic Law Now In Effect

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I wrote a few weeks back about the new Illinois traffic laws for 2019. I did not mention a new statute that was enacted back in 2017, but went into effect this year. The new law, 625 ILCS 5/11-701, requires drivers to stay within the right lane in two (2) lane highways.

There are several exceptions, which include when passing other vehicles or moving over for an emergency vehicle. The Illinois State Police, who pushed for this new law, stated that the purpose of the provision is to keep traffic flowing and increase safety.
You’re not supposed to travel in the left lane and stay there,” said Lieutenant Matt Boerwinkle, spokesperson for Illinois State Police. “The main focus is to ensure that motorists have a means to get around traffic that should stay in the right lane.” The state police posted the hashtag
#LeftLaneLollygaggersBeware to their Facebook page.

Violators of this new traffic law will be hit with a $120.00 fine.

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

Winter Weather Driving Tips

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Those of us who live in the Midwest have know all too well that the severe winter weather is upon. The Midwest, including the Chicagoland region, have been hit with snow and ice over the last week. It is important to take precautions when driving in severe weather, and luckily the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has provided a list of tips before driving icy or snowy conditions:

1.  Take it slow, especially when approaching intersections, ramps, bridges and shady areas. All are prone to black ice, an invisible danger during some winter storms.
2.  Make sure your gas tank is full.
3. Keep a cell phone, warm clothes, blankets, food, water, a first-aid kit, washer fluid and an ice scraper in your vehicle.
4.Check the forecast and make sure someone is aware of your travel route and schedule.
5. Carry a cellphone in case of emergency. Reminder: Using handheld phones while driving is illegal in Illinois, unless it is an emergency situation.
6. Always wear a seat belt, whether you’re sitting in the front seat or back seat. It’s the law.

Please be careful while driving this winter, and take a close look at the tips provided by IDOT.

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

Illinois Department of Transportation Planning Distracted Driving Summit

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The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced last week that they are going to hold a safety summit on October 30 in Sangamon County. The summit which will focus on distracted driving. This announcement came one week after Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner announced that August 17 was Traffic Fatality Awareness Day.

Some of the current work championed by IDOT includes displaying crashed cars at rest areas as a physical reminder of the importance of responsible driving, dynamic messages signs across the state that display topical messages to capture public attention, and continued development of new ways to improve safety in work zones.

IDOT has previously focused on the seriousness of distracted driving. Earlier this year they launched a multi-media campaign called “Life or Death Illinois.” The campaign focuses the importance of safe driving and appealing to audiences to stop and consider the seriousness of the issues on the state’s roads. This was the first time IDOT expanded its key safety messages beyond the ongoing problems of impaired driving and unbuckled motorists to include new materials aimed at reducing fatalities and injuries tied to motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, work zones and distracted driving.

I will be interested to find out more information about this traffic safety summit. I’m interested to find out if they will be focusing any time on bicyclist safety. The number of bicycle commuters (especially in Chicago) continues to grow and emphasizing safety for everyone on the road should be an priority.  I will also want to know if they will discussing stiffer penalties for those caught and ticketed for driving while using their phones.

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

Arlington Heights Police Department Wins Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge

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The Chicago Tribune reported this week that the police department from  Suburban Chicago town of Arlington Heights won the award for the top traffic safety department in the state. The competition rates police departments across the state on their effectiveness in targeting three key traffic safety issues, including speeding, impaired driving and occupant protection.

Arlington Heights submission into this contest included a detailed analysis of traffic crash data and what they are doing to combat the areas most prone to car accidents.  To combat the high rate of traffic crashes at particular locations, Arlington Heights police commander, Greg Czernecki,  described as “overt and covert” strategies, including assigning additional officers to patrol the area. “If there is a high-visibility enforcement where drivers see we are pulling people over, they might think twice before speeding in the area the next time they pass by,” Czernecki said. The department’s traffic safety efforts also include ensuring drivers and passengers are properly using seat belts, looking for impaired drivers and cracking down on distracted drivers, Czarnecki said.

Czernecki also said that combating cell phone use by drivers has been a  focus by their department. He said that 6,000 drivers have been issued citations since the state law against using a cell phone behind the wheel took effect on Jan. 1, 2014.

Congratulations to the Arlington Height Police Department on their success in promoting and enforcing traffic safety and for their award.

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

Illinois Passes Two New Traffic Safety Laws

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Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed two (2) traffic safety bills into law this month. Both will take effect in July 2019. The first law creates stiffer fines for the use of a phone while driving. The new law, makes the penalty $75 for a first offense, $100 for a second, $125 for a third and $150 for a fourth or subsequent offense. Under current law, drivers get a warning and no fine the first time.

I guess you could say this is a step in the right direction, but I do not believe these new penalties go far enough. I don’t think these fines are enough of a deterrent for drivers to put their phones down while driving. Also, I don’t see any changes or stricter penalties for distracted drivers who cause car accidents that involve property damage or personal injury. As I have written over and over in the past, unless there are higher fines and/or stricter penalties, drivers will continue to to text and drive.

The other new law adds the “Dutch Reach” method of opening car doors to Illinois’ Rules of the Road manual and adds bike safety questions to the state driver’s license exam.T he Dutch Reach encourages drivers and passengers to use the hand farthest from the door to reach across the body to open the door after parallel parking. This prods people in motor vehicles to look back for cyclists and other traffic, and can help prevent sometimes-fatal “dooring” crashes.

Those of us who live in the city know that “dooring” accidents are common and incredibly dangerous. It is important for drivers to always look and use caution before opening their driver side door when parked on busy street in order to avoid oncoming cyclists. This is a step in the right direction by educating drivers of their responsibility to protect bicyclists.

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