An enjoyable neighborhood walk or bike ride can turn nightmarish if you encounter an aggressive dog. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says around 4.7 million dog bites occur each year, with approximately 800,000 that require medical treatment. While large dogs like pit bulls and German shepherds can cause severe and disfiguring bite injuries, even small dogs can seriously injury such as attacking a bicyclist and causing a bike accident. These injuries can create high medical costs, loss of wages due to injury including unnecessary pain and suffering. In some instances, compensation for personal injury can be sought from the dog owner due to their negligence and inability to control their pet.

Rights of Dog Bite Victims

Most dog owners make mistakes and are unaware of the danger their pet possess. However, many are irresponsible and still take them out in public for walks and runs despite the risk of causing an accident or their animal attacking others nearby. Regardless of the circumstances, the Illinois Animal Control Act states that if a dog injured you and you did not provoke the animal or trespass on the owner’s property, the owner is liable for all costs related to your injuries. If you were peaceably conducting yourself in a location in which you were lawfully present, the owner is responsible for any injuries sustained.

Dog Attack Compensation

Dog bite injuries are typically covered by an individual’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. In this situation, an attorney will negotiate with the insurer for an agreeable injury settlement. If a negligent dog owner does not have sufficient insurance or has no coverage at all, they can be sued as part of a personal injury lawsuit. State law dictates there is no cap on damages compensation for dog bite injuries. 

Owning and riding a motorcycle can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience, and it provides the ability to travel freely across Illinois and the United States. Unfortunately, life as a motorcyclist can also be quite dangerous due to the negligent actions of other drivers. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says around 90,000 motorcyclists are injured and 5,000 killed each year in motorcycle accidents throughout the U.S. Due to a motorcycle’s lack of structural protection, riders and passengers are 28 times more likely to die in an auto collision that those traveling in a standard automobile. 

Anyone injured in an accident resulting from another driver’s negligence may be eligible for compensation to cover hospital and rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

After decades of decline, the number of fatal accidents involving large commercial vehicles is on the rise. In 2017, there was a 10 percent jump in truck accidents resulting in death across the United States, with a total of 4,657 people killed in crashes involving commercial trucks. 

There are a number of reasons for the increase in tractor-trailer truck accidents nationwide. Truck drivers are susceptible to many of the same bad driving habits as everyone else on the road, but the potential for disaster is much greater. If you are injured in a trucking accident, after you seek medical treatment, contact an experienced personal injury attorney for help.

Some common reasons for serious truck accident injuries include:

A conviction on drug charges can have a lasting impact on your life, even for simple possession. A criminal record can limit your occupational opportunities, affect your eligibility for financial loans, and result in changes to child custody. If you face a drug charge in Illinois, it is imperative to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can protect your rights and your future.

Illinois Drug Charges

Like every state, the penalties for drug crimes depend on the substance and the amount seized by police.  Charges will also differ depending on whether you were only in possession of drugs or if you had the intent to distribute. Charges will also increase for repeat offenders and if other factors are involved, including the sale of drugs on school property.

Medical marijuana is legal in Illinois, but possession and distribution of recreational cannabis remains illegal. While possession of 10 grams or less is a civil violation with a fine of no more than $200, penalties increase significantly for larger amounts. Possession of anything more than 30 grams is a felony, and a conviction will carry a mandatory minimum sentence of prison time and fines up to $25,000.

Each year, there are more than 300,000 motor vehicle accidents in Illinois, with approximately 65,000 crashes with injury and 1,000 individual fatalities. With over 9 million registered drivers in the state, many fail to practice safe driving habits, thus endangering other drivers on our roadways.

Driver negligence is a common cause of car accidents in Illinois and nationwide. If you or a loved one were injured in an auto accident due to another driver, it is imperative you contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can fight for compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Here are some of the most frequent types of negligent driving that a skilled injury attorney can prove in court: