Driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the most dangerous things a person can do. Unfortunately, drunk driving is still common in Illinois and across the nation. If you or a loved one were injured in a car crash caused by an intoxicated driver, you may be interested in learning about your legal options. The drunk driver may face DUI charges and even jail time for his or her role in the crash. However, the criminal justice system does not provide compensation to victims of drunk driving accidents.

You may be able to seek monetary damages through a personal injury lawsuit. If you are successful, you could receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It is important to note that you only have a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit. Therefore, it is important to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible after the accident.

Bringing a Personal Injury Claim After an Accident Caused by a Drunk Driver

A personal injury claim may be the best way to hold a drunk driver responsible for the harm their actions caused you. In most cases, an out-of-court settlement is reached with the at-fault driver's insurance company. Unfortunately, insurance companies are interested in protecting their bottom line, not providing you with the full compensation you deserve.

Rideshare apps such as Uber and Lyft are becoming increasingly prevalent in modern-day society. According to the Pew Research Center, 36 percent of adults in the United States say they have used ridesharing apps like Uber or Lyft. Many individuals use apps like these because they provide a safe transportation alternative, especially if you are traveling to the airport or other locations with limited parking. In addition, Uber and Lyft are often seen as attractive alternative modes of transportation for a night out on the town. However, what happens if you are in an Uber or Lyft and your driver gets into an accident, causing you to suffer injuries?  

If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft car accident, consider contacting an experienced personal injury attorney who is familiar with rideshare car accident cases to get the compensation you may be entitled to receive. 

Your Uber or Lyft Driver Was At Fault in a Car Accident, and You Were Injured. Now What? 

If you were injured as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, you might feel overwhelmed and confused about what exactly happened. Often, passengers in rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are in the backseat and not paying any real attention to what’s happening on the road. For the sake of this blog, let us assume that your Uber or Lyft driver was at fault for the accident and that you sustained injuries. In Illinois, drivers are legally required to have car insurance. Illinois also sets minimum insurance levels required for Uber and Lyft drivers to carry. Uber and Lyft insurance policies when carrying a passenger exceed the minimum required under Illinois law. 

Researchers and public health experts are stymied and alarmed by the growing trend of pedestrian injuries and deaths due to traffic accidents. While many types of car accidents have been steadily decreasing, pedestrian injuries have actually increased significantly in the last 10 years and pedestrian fatalities among children under age 15 have more than doubled in recent years. If you or a loved one were struck by a vehicle while on foot, you are probably wondering whether you have legal options.

Common Injuries in Pedestrian-Vehicle Accidents

Because of the significant difference in size and weight between a pedestrian and a vehicle, it is not surprising that injuries tend to be serious even when they are not life-threatening. Common injuries suffered by people struck by vehicles include, but are not limited to:

• Head, face, and neck injuries - These include skull and jaw fractures, damaged vertebrae, broken necks, traumatic brain injuries, globe luxation, paraplegia or quadriplegia, and spinal cord damage
• Foot, leg, and hip injuries - These include broken bones, torn ligaments and muscles, hemorrhaging, hip dislocation, and dismemberment
• Internal injuries - These include internal bleeding, broken rib bones, collapsed lungs, and ruptured organs
• Hand, arm, and shoulder injuries - These include shoulder displacement, broken bones, mobility loss, and dismemberment

What Damages Can a Pedestrian Struck by a Vehicle Sue For?

Injured pedestrians or their loved ones may be able to recover several kinds of damages, including pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, lost wages, medical expenses, funeral expenses, loss of consortium, and more.

When you go to see the latest blockbuster hit at your local movie theater, you can hardly anticipate having a serious accident while inside the theater. After all, theaters tend to be fairly tame places as far as entertainment goes - you buy a snack, find your seat, and get up to leave after the movie is over.

Surprisingly, however, movie theaters are rife with opportunities for customers to get seriously injured. If you were hurt in a movie theater, it is important to take your injuries seriously. You deserve to be compensated for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages if the theater was responsible for causing or contributing to your injuries. To learn more, read this blog and then contact an experienced Illinois premises liability to learn more about your options.

Common Injuries in Illinois Movie Theaters

Many things in movie theaters can cause unsuspecting patrons to get hurt. These include, but are not limited to:

Illinois construction sites are notoriously dangerous places to work. One of the most important security measures that help protect construction workers is scaffolding. Appropriate scaffolding that is constructed according to OSHA standards has saved the lives of countless people who must work in high places. Unfortunately, poorly constructed scaffolding causes thousands of workers every year to fall, resulting in serious injuries and even death. Such construction injuries are almost entirely preventable, and if you suffered an injury or lost a loved one because of poor scaffolding, you may rightfully feel angry and motivated to take action. 

How Are Construction Workers Injured on Scaffolding? 

Scaffolding has been in use for hundreds of years, and the dangers of improper scaffolding have been understood for decades. When dangerous scaffolding errors take place because OSHA regulations are ignored by either the company or the employees responsible for setting up the scaffolding, there is simply no excuse. While scaffolding accidents can happen in many ways, the vast majority of avoidable accidents are attributable to the following situations: 

• Dangerous objects or substances sitting on the work platform 

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