Personal Injury Lawyer | Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd

Personal Injury Paralysis From a Truck Accident

January 13, 2017/in Blog, Car accident injury law, Personal injury claim, Personal injury law, Trucking accident injury law/by Yao Dinizulu

Every single time you drive, you risk being seriously injured or even paralyzed. And yes, this could happen to even the most careful driver. In Illinois, paralysis is among the most common personal injury when a car collides with a truck. As a result of these accidents, more serious injuries are often found on the occupants of cars rather than on truck drivers. In Chicago and throughout Illinois, injured victims face significant medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. Additionally, their family members suffer economic loss, mental anguish and the loss of companionship.

Building a Truck Accident Lawsuit

If you have suffered a life-altering injury, such as paralysis, the various provisions that must be made for your care can be much more expansive than you thought. You may not be able to handle this on your own. A life care planner and an experienced truck accident lawyer is needed to present your personal injury lawsuit to the courts.

At the Dinizulu Law Group, when we consult a life care planner, we ensure that all your anticipated needs will be taken into account. Our personal injury attorneys will confirm that the current and future medical needs are analyzed and supported across all providers. We help ensure the life care planner gets admissible evidence from medical doctors, psychologists and the entire team of experts to ensure that a judge will allow the jury to hear all parts of the Life Care Plan. The plan must include future medication, adaptive furniture, assisted living professionals, rehabilitation, transportation needs, recreational opportunities and construction modifications to the home to accommodate new realities like the need for wheel chair access, an elevator lift, and specialized bathing areas for the seriously injured.

We know if you or a loved one experiences a serious injury that you want the best personal injury lawyer on your case. We at Dinzulu Law Group, Ltd are Chicago accident lawyers with extensive experience in truck accident lawsuits and presenting complicated and individualized life plans to the courts. If you have been injured, contact us today so that we can help you navigate the complex legal processes.

Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois

You should also visit The Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois if you suffer from paralysis and live in Illinois. This is a non-profit information and support resource for individuals paralyzed by spinal cord injury and their families. You can also learn about the health care and related professionals that serve the paralysis community. Though this resource is located in LaGrange, IL, a suburb of Chicago, it serves the entire state of Illinois. Furthermore, for many additional resources, such as support groups, centers for independent living, state disability resources, and more, please visit the United Spinal Association website.

Rules For Ensuring Trucking Companies Properly Secure Their Cargo

January 6, 2017/in Blog, Personal injury law, Trucking accident injury law, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

Many different parties are responsible for securing cargo on a semi truck, and 7% of all serious semi truck accidents are caused by loose cargo. If you happen to be the person driving behind the semi who is hit with flying debris, you’re going to want to know who is responsible for the damage and injuries you incurred as a result of lack of adequate securement.

The initial shipping company is responsible for ensuring that all cargo is properly loaded into the semi truck following OSHA safety standards. They can’t take any shortcuts, or else they risk violating OSHA standards, which can have serious consequences for them. The trucking companies must also make sure that their drivers are properly trained in how to secure loads. The seller or manufacturer of the securement devices also holds responsibility for properly secured loads. If their device is faulty, then there is a chance that a load won’t be properly secured. The manufacturer of the cargo itself also holds responsibility. They need to make sure that all of the cargo is properly bundled before shipping.

In short, there are multiple companies that are responsible for secure loads in semi trucks. You need to know which party’s negligence led to the load not remaining secured. That’s where the help of a truck accident attorney comes in. Watch the video to learn more.

If you have questions about trucking accidents and determining the responsibility for securing a load, we want you to contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. Our phone number is 1-312-384-1920 and 1-800-693-1LAW. We are a Chicago personal injury law firm with experienced truck accident lawyers who are here for you.

You may also find more videos about truck accident injuries and our law our firm on our media page.

Electronic Logging Devices Hold Truck Drivers Accountable for Negligence, Recklessness, and Breaking the Law

December 30, 2016/in Blog, Car accident injury law, Personal injury claim, Personal injury law, Trucking accident injury law/by Yao Dinizulu

It’s winter weather and holiday driving can be hazardous on icy roads and skid-prone conditions. Add trucks and semitrailers to the mix and an accident is much more severe when a large vehicle loses control on the road.

When a truck collides which a smaller passenger vehicle, a disastrous injury occurs more often to the occupants of the other smaller vehicle. To protect all drivers, in 2014, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposed and adopted a rule requiring Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to be utilized in large trucks. ELDs are akin to those black boxes you hear about in planes, which help investigators understand how and why an accident happened. Similarly, ELDs in commercial trucks electronically record data from a vehicle’s sensors which can be subsequently downloaded.

Currently, much of a truck driver’s accountability stems from his or her own written records, but the ELDs will ensure that the truck driver can not cheat the system or inadvertently make a mistake. ELDs record speed, when the truck is in motion and other significant pieces of data.

The Trucking Industry Must Utilize ELDs by December 16, 2019

Although the ELD rule was adopted in 2014, the FMCSA understands that changes do not happen overnight. Accordingly, the trucking industry was given a grace period to incorporate the rule into practice and during that period, records could be kept through paper logs, logging software, automatic onboard recording devices or appropriately registered ELDs. The grace period ends December 16, 2019 and on that date, all drivers subject to the rule must use certified and registered ELDs.

While there are exceptions to the rule, in general if the truck driver was originally required to provide logs showing their hours of service then they are subject to the ELD requirement. While some drivers have met this new requirement with skepticism, the FMCSA maintains that ELDs will reduce risk of accidents and will also allow for a more streamlined collection of data.

ELDs can Help Answer Questions About Liability in a Trucking Accident

The ELDs will play an important role in the legal arena, as well. If you or a loved one is injured in a trucking accident, then you will have to prove that the truck driver acted wrongfully in some way. Maybe they were driving too fast, or perhaps they were drowsy. Truck drivers, their employers and their insurance companies oftentimes have a team of lawyers helping them avoid liability and so it is imperative that you also obtain a personal injury attorney right away.

Obtaining evidence from an opposing party can be difficult and is often subject to strict court rules. During a time when you are already reeling from a terrible accident, it is advised that you seek professional legal help. You will need an accident attorney who not only understands the litigation process, but also acts as your advocate during a time when you need it most.

Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. always provides a free initial case evaluation and will help you pursue the necessary legal action if you have been involved in a truck wreck accident. Our experienced Illinois truck accident attorneys understand the importance of monetary justice when a victim is facing current and future medical bills in addition to being unable to work. A personal injury accident happens in an instant, but the effects can last a lifetime. Please contact us today to find out how we can help you.

What to Do When Car Accidents Are Serious Personal Injuries?

November 18, 2016/in Blog, Car accident injury law, Personal injury claim, Personal injury law, Trucking accident injury law/by Yao Dinizulu

Truck accident

If you experience a serious car accident, chances are insurance companies will try to get you to sign on an injury settlement amount quickly. This is never a good idea. When injured, you may not be able to perceive the long-term effects of the accident and this is what insurance companies want. Accepting a short-term settlement amount quickly will only leave you paying unforeseen expenditures out of your own pocket. This is not something that most people are able to afford and it often leads to financial ruin. There also may be the matter of ongoing medical care which you or your loved one will need. This is often impossible to get without fair representation in the courts from an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Head and back injuries are some of the most serious injuries that can happen in a car accident. These are the type of cases that you must have representation from a good personal injury lawyer. You need a lawyer who is experienced in litigation and will be able to able to get you the compensation you deserve. When back injuries result in severe nerve damage or even paralysis, these conditions leave people with lifelong physical issues and enormous medical bills. The average yearly expenses of someone living with severe a spinal cord injury ranges between $230,000 to over $775,000. This can amount to millions of dollars across the average lifetime. These financial costs can be ruinous to both the victims and their families without monetary compensation. Insurance companies are not willing to give this level of money unless they are taken to court.

Trucking Accidents & Serious Personal Injuries

While we often wishfully think such serious injuries won’t happen to us, they can, especially when a large truck collides with a car. Serious injuries or death when trucks and cars collide are often in the car and not the cause of the accident. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that while only about 6% of traffic crashes in Illinois involve large trucks, these wrecks represent a disproportionate number of traffic fatalities (nearly 13%).

Illinois Personal Injury Attorneys

If you or somebody you know has been involved in a car accident injury due to collision with a large truck or other commercial vehicle, it is important to seek help from an attorney who is familiar with the tactics used by truck and insurance companies and has the knowledge to anticipate the future needs and challenges that could be faced by you or your loved one. The experienced and compassionate personal injury lawyers at the Dinizulu Law Group will work with you to determine the best way to handle your personal injury claim. Contact us to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced car accident injury lawyers today.

Personal Injury Claim: Recovery Amount Grows with a Life Care Plan

November 1, 2016/in Blog, Personal injury claim, Personal injury law/by Yao Dinizulu

life-care-plan-2 Have you heard of Life Care Planning? Some may think of it as designed to anticipate the needs of the elderly. We typically think of life care planning as a matter of wills and estates. In a personal injury action it outlines the specific losses over a long period of time.

What Goes into a Life Care Plan in a Serious Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Imagine that your family member is in an accident that results in a spinal injury and permanent paralysis. While we all like to think that something like that could never happen to us, it certainly can. According to a 2009 study, approximately 5.6 million people in the United States were suffering from paralysis. Spinal injuries account for almost 25% of mobility loss.

A Life Care Plan drafted by professionals will contain specific information relevant to the needs of the individual. This may include:

●Current and future medical needs, including medication, adaptive furniture, assisted living professionals, rehabilitation, etc.
● Transportation needs
● Recreational opportunities
● Construction modifications to the home to accommodate new equipment/needs

How are Life Care Plans Used by Personal Injury Lawyers?

In personal injury cases, life care plans are instrumental in building your case. They give the jury a lens into you or your loved one’s future needs and the validity of the compensation claim. Professional testimonials from medical doctors, psychologist and counselors and other professionals like economist are brought on to the team of experts, led by your attorney to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present and future needs of a seriously injured client for presentation at a jury trial.

At the Dinizulu Law Group, when we consult a life care planner, we ensure that all your anticipated needs will be taken into account. Our lawyers will make sure that the current and future medical needs are analyzed and supported across all providers. Unlike when Life Care Plans are established outside of litigation, the lawyers must help the Life Care Planner get admissible evidence from all of the team of experts to ensure that a judge will allow the jury to hear all parts of the Life Care Plan. The plan must include future medication, adaptive furniture, assisted living professionals, rehabilitation, transportation needs, recreational opportunities and construction modifications to the home to accommodate new realities like the need for wheel chair access, an elevator lift, and specialized bathing areas for the seriously injured.

We know if you or a loved one experiences a serious injury that you want the best personal injury lawyer on your case. We at Dinzulu Law Group, Ltd have extensive experience in personal injury lawsuits and presenting complicated and individualized Plans to the courts. If you have been injured, contact us today so that we can help you navigate the complex legal processes.

Divvy: New Options Bring New Hazards

November 8, 2015/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

Divvy: New Options Bring New Hazards

Bike sharing has become a growing trend in urban transportation. Opening for service in June of 2013, Divvy was the city of Chicago’s answer to this new mobility option. With a system of close to 5,000 bicycles and 476 stations, and a daily ridership of around 13,000 people, chances are you have seen some of these blue and white bikes around town already.

With Divvy, riders purchase either a yearly membership or a day pass that will allow them to unlock bicycles from the rental stations around town, then when they return the bike to a station they are billed according to their usage. Divvy does not, however, provide helmets or safety information, and it requires users to sign a thorough rental agreement with the company. Among other things, this agreement indemnifies Divvy and the city of Chicago from any liability resulting from the use of the service, and makes the renter financially responsible for the full replacement cost ($1,200) of the bike if it is stolen or irreparably damaged.

Bicycle Accidents

Illinois is fifth in the nation in the yearly number of bicycle deaths, and the most recent statistics provided by the city of Chicago report nearly 9,000 bicycle crashes resulting in injuries and 32 fatalities within a six year period. While these crashes only make up a small number of the total bicyclists navigating Chicago’s streets on a daily basis, bicycle accidents have a high likelihood of resulting in head injuries which can lead to lifelong medical issues. A sobering statistic from the motorcycling community that is relevant to bicyclists too is that 61% of damages that occur to the head area of riders involved in crashes occur in places that are not covered by half-helmet
-style protection, such as bicycle helmets.

Bicycles and Traffic Laws

In the state of Illinois bicycles are considered a vehicle and are held to the same traffic laws that cars are. This means that not only do bicyclists have to follow the same rules of the road as cars, but they are also held to the same liability standards as cars. If a bicyclist causes a wreck, they are financially responsible for whatever damages result. While nobody can argue that a car will not cause a lot more property damage than a bicycle can if the two get in a collision, the proliferation of molded plastic body panels in modern automotive manufacturing makes it where even a small amount of damage can cause thousands of dollars in repair bills. This is one of the reasons that there are movements in many areas to require bicycle riders to be registered, insured, and licensed to operate on the public roadways.

Insurance Options

Insurance for bicyclists generally breaks down into three categories:

● Medical insurance for the rider
● Uninsured motorist coverage
● Liability insurance

There are companies that offer bicycle-specific insurance policies, but these are uncommon in the United States at this time. Certain insurance policies you already have may cover certain things to some extent. A standard automotive insurance policy UIM rider may cover the insured when they are on a bicycle, and many homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies will cover the insured for liability instances up to established policy limits. Regardless of if you get your insurance through a specific bicyclist policy or through riders on other insurance policies, it is important to make sure that you are properly insured to protect yourself from whatever eventualities we all hope will never occur.

Illinois Personal Injury Attorneys

If you or somebody you know has been hurt in a bicycle accident you could be entitled to recover monetary compensation for your expenses, injuries, and suffering. The experienced and compassionate attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group will work with you to determine the best way to handle your personal injury claim. Contact us to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys today.