Looking for ways to be a better driver in the city of Chicago? Do you have a teen who just received their license and is in need of some additional tips they can implement as they now spend more of their time out on the roadways? If so, the Chicago truck accident lawyers at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd have a few helpful ones you can begin implementing immediately.
Last year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which monitors safety regulations for the trucking industry introduced a three-year pilot program to allow 18-21 year-old drivers haul large trucks and tractor trailers across state lines. Why is this considered a good idea?
According to the CDC, teen drivers are already disproportionately prone to fatalities when driving cars, and 18 to 21-year-olds are already allowed to drive trucks, but not across state lines. This law based on state line restrictions is an arbitrary way to control how long a teen truck driver can be on the road. For example, a drive from Chicago to Southern Illinois may well be over 300 miles, while a much shorter drive from Chicago to Gary, Indiana is about 30 miles. The latter of these two drives is not allowed for teen truck drivers because they would be crossing state lines. However, it is just as risky, if not more so, when teenagers are allowed to haul large vehicles for the longest of distances within their states. Therefore, it would be safer for everyone if teen truck drivers would be limited to driving a set number of miles rather than being restricted on crossing state borders.
The new pilot program limits truck drivers under 21 to drive 100 miles into neighboring states, but this policy still has its flaws. This pilot program begs the question for how long would these teen drivers be driving in total? If a teen truck driver is traveling 100 miles in the neighboring state, this is in addition to what distance driven from the home state to get to the neighboring state?
Furthermore, the pilot program is using a very selective sample as a generality for the average teen truck driver. The 18 to 21-year-olds selected for the pilot program are military veterans who drove trucks as part of their service. The problem with using this sample group is that most of these veterans would be 21 or closer to 21, because the military starts to admit recruits at 18 years of age.
Another problem is that it’s very different working for the nation’s security as opposed to a for-profit trucking company that’s looking out for its bottom line. When rushed by their customers and bosses, young truck drivers are more likely to make deadly mistakes. Eric Penucci, a veteran truck driver interviewed by NPR said, “There’s a lot of stress in the trucking business. All customers are in a hurry to get their stuff. Traffic causes delays. Truck drivers need to be experienced, calm under pressure, and able to make good decisions.”
The trucking industry is facing a shortage of drivers, which may only get worse. Older and experienced drivers are retiring or leaving the industry altogether. Future truck drivers may be overworked, underage, and less-knowledgeable on roadway safety. These factors create fatalities on our highways that will only grow unless safer policies are put in place.
I am a truck accident lawyer in Chicago and often times I am dealing with the tragedy these accidents bring to families and communities. If you or your loved one was injured in an accident involving a truck you shouldn’t feel alone. Get the help and legal representation that will help you or your loved one move forward. Committed to your needs, our truck accident attorneys understand what you may be going through. The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. is available to answer all your questions and help you navigate through this difficult time. Our number is 312-384-1920 and 1-800-693-1LAW, or reach us by email at info@dinizululawgroup.com.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has reported that over the past few decades cars have gotten safer and fatalities have gone down. This trend can be linked to advances in safety features, such as airbags, electronic stability control, and anti-lock brakes, among other technical advances.
While this same technology is also available for trucks and trailers, the trucking industry hasn’t implemented such safety equipment. In United States, only about 3% of the Class 8 trucks—the heaviest ones which includes most tractor-trailers—are equipped with any collision-avoidance technology. In Europe, most such heavy trucks are sold with this technology.
These large trucks are disproportionately involved in fatal accidents. According to the New York Times, these heavy trucks are involved in 1 out of 8 of all fatal accidents and 25% of all fatalities in construction-zone accidents.
The trucking industry claims the cost of these safety technologies hurt their bottom line. The trucking industry, through its chief trade group, the American Trucking Association, continues to lobby Congress against safety laws, claiming expenditures on safety technology will raise rates for shippers and consumers.
But what the trucking industry has failed to notice is that stronger safety measures prevent higher insurance rates and also prevent millions of dollars from being spent in resolving injury claims. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also estimates $99 billion to be the annual cost to the economy for truck and large vehicle crashes.
Many of these expenditures can be avoided if Congress were to pass a common-sense safety bill that addresses the concerns of car drivers, truck drivers, and creates a trucking industry that is safer and more profitable in the long run.
At the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd., we are safety advocates. Those who injure others through their careless actions must be held accountable for their wrongdoing. That is why our team of truck accident lawyers in Chicago has your back. With over 50 years of combined experience, we know the strategies the defense will use to discredit your injuries. But we bring commitment and expertise to each case and help you get results. Set up a free initial consultation with one of our truck accident attorneys in Chicago. Call 1 (312) 384-1920 or 1 (800) 693-1LAW, or reach us by email.
With the end of October quickly approaching, there is one thing that sits on the minds of many, and that is Halloween. Halloween is a time for children and their families to transform into someone they idolize or even something creepy and walk through their neighborhoods collecting candy and enjoying each other’s company. With so many trick-or-treaters expected to be out this Halloween, it is important that we don’t forget about the real dangers that lurk on the roadways. Come Monday night, Chicago streets are going to be filled with eager children trick-or-treating, but that isn’t all.
There are more nursing home residents who are unable to speak, move, and defend themselves, and these individuals are more vunerable to mistreatment, neglect, and sexual abuse during their stay in a nursing home facility.
For our aging loved ones, bed sores can be a serious and even deadly affliction. Also known as decubitus ulcers or pressure sores, bedsores can range in severity from superficial skin wounds to deep ulcers that expose bone. As though deep skin ulcers were not a severe enough issue, the Mayo Clinic describes complications that may arise from bed sores including:
In addition to the terrible pain and debilitating wounds, each bed sore complication described above can result in death. It is oftentimes difficult for elderly individuals to heal effectively, thus preventing bed sores can be a life or death matter.
Are Bed Sores Preventable?
As the name implies, pressure sores are caused by pressure on the skin. This pressure ultimately reduces blood flow resulting in a breakdown of the tissue. In addition to sustained pressure on the skin, friction and shear can be contributing factors as well. For example, a nursing home resident in an adjustable bed that tilts up or down may experience shear as the bed adjust against their body weight. If a nursing home caretaker handles an individual too roughly, the friction may be enough to damage skin that is already frail.
Data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that 11% of residents in nursing homes may have bed sores. Sometimes bedsores occur in nursing home residents despite good efforts, but there are still measures a nursing home care taker should follow to prevent bed sores. For example, encouraging the proper movement in residents with limited mobility is crucial to preventing bed sores. If an individual is bedridden or wheelchair bound, the patient must be repositioned every couple of hours.
What To Do If Your Loved One Develops Bedsores While in a Nursing Home?
While we hope that our aging or disabled loved ones would be treated properly in a nursing home, we know that oftentimes this is not the case. Unfortunately, many nursing homes fail their residents and let them fall victim to neglect or abuse, resulting in bedsores or far worse outcomes. As skilled nursing home neglect attorneys in Chicago, the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. knows what the standard of care is for Illinois nursing homes. With over 50 years of combined experience, our nursing home abuse lawyers hold caregivers accountable for the injuries they have caused their residents.
Contact us by email or call us at 1-312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW to schedule a free consultation. Our nursing home abuse attorneys can build a case that brings justice and compensation for your injured loved ones.
While the state of Illinois requires that its professionals report nursing home abuse and/or neglect, not always do they take the necessary measures to do so. Unfortunately, many cases of elder abuse go unnoticed and unaddressed. However, you have the power with the right Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer to make a difference in your family member’s life.
If your loved one is in a nursing home in Chicago, IL, you probably visit them regularly to check in, and spend quality time with them and stay on top of their living conditions, right? While things may appear to be going well, it is important to be aware of what’s going on under the surface.
The issue of elder abuse and nursing home mistreatment and neglect is on the rise and is expected to continue to increase in the coming years. In a recent government audit, it was revealed that one in four cases of possible sexual and physical abuse against nursing home patients apparently went unreported to police” [Source: wqad.com]. Although Medicare is required by law to enforce a federal law that requires facilities to notify law enforcement of the abuse, 38 of the 134 cases investigated showed no contact with law enforcement was made as the hospital records indicated no such report in their records.
Nursing home abuse and neglect is a serious matter and it is vital you become aware of how to recognize when a loved is being harmed.
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The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd, is a distinguished personal injury law firm in Chicago providing outstanding legal representation to its clients. They specialize in personal injury litigation, dedicating themselves to fighting for justice on behalf of individuals who have suffered serious and permanent injuries or wrongful death. With an unwavering commitment to personalized service, combined with exceptional knowledge, they deliver stellar results while providing steadfast support throughout every step of the legal process. Contact us today to schedule a Free consultation.
