Certain parts of the country are notorious for extreme weather as the seasons change. For example, winter made an early entrance in Illinois with a snowstorm on Halloween this year. When roads become slick with ice and snow, drivers need to adjust their driving habits accordingly. It takes motorists longer to stop with any precipitation on the pavement. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, severe weather is a factor in almost 500,000 crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths each winter. 

If drivers are distracted or choose to speed despite the conditions, this behavior can have significant consequences, including serious car accidents. These crashes can involve minor to fatal injuries. In some cases, the collision could have been avoided if it were not for another driver’s negligent behavior. 

Steps to Take Behind the Wheel in Bad Weather

Although driving in the winter should include common sense, such as slowing down, some people disregard the weather conditions and still drive like the roads are clear and dry even when they are slick and icy. 

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 10,497 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2016, accounting for 28 percent of all traffic-related deaths in the United States that year. One way of trying to prevent drunk driving crashes is by performing DUI stops. During this type of traffic stop, a police officer may ask an alleged drunk driver to submit to a series of tests to determine his or her level of impairment. A field sobriety test is used by police officers when a motorist is stopped for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, the accuracy of these tests is often questioned. Consequently, it is important to note that a driver can refuse to submit to a field sobriety test without penalty in Illinois. 

What Do the Tests Involve?  

The Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST) is a series of three tests that judge a person’s ability to perform certain tasks that require specific motor skills. Statistics show that these tests have been proven to confirm legal intoxication (.08 or higher BAC) in motorists suspected of drunk driving in 90 percent of cases if conducted properly by a law enforcement officer. 

The three tests that comprise the SFST are:

Workers in the construction industry face certain risks that employees who work in an office or corporate setting do not. Whether it is building a new house or a skyscraper, the labor can be physical and often dangerous. Construction jobs also involve heavy equipment and power tools so it is important to follow proper safety procedures. 

Statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that approximately 150,000 construction site injuries occur each year. The BLS also reported that even though falls make up the majority of these accidents, equipment malfunctions also significantly contributed to causing injuries to employees. Unfortunately, construction site accidents can happen and they can cause serious injuries and deaths.

Safety First

Any type of construction site must follow strict rules and regulations for safety reasons. These procedures are monitored by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). There are certain standards that are frequently violated in the construction industry. Below are some of the common construction site safety issues that if not properly addressed or followed, can cause an accident with injuries:

Illinois is one of many states that require companies to carry insurance benefits for their employees to cover them in the unfortunate event of a workplace injury. Even if all the required safety measures are taken, accidents can and do happen on the job. Depending on the type of industry, injuries suffered can range from minor sprains or bruises to spinal cord damage. In some circumstances, a worker may never fully recover and is therefore entitled to permanent partial disability (PPD). Understanding the workers’ compensation process is integral to receiving benefits and moving on with your life. 

Illinois Workers’ Comp Laws

According to Illinois employment law, employers (or their insurers) are obligated to pay permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits to an injured employee who sustained disfigurement or impairment but can still work up to a certain capacity. Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits are paid to an employee who is totally and permanently unable to work.

If a worker has lost the total use, or partial use, of a body part (hand, leg, arm, ear, eye) or has lost partial use of his or her body as a whole, he or she may have the right to permanent disability benefits. In certain situations, a worker may be able to switch jobs within the same company. If the new job’s wages are less than the pre-injury job, the employee is entitled to receive a wage differential. 

Accidents of any type can result in serious injuries, but in some cases, they can also cause the wrongful death of the victim. The loss of a beloved relative can traumatize a family for years. It can be difficult to accept his or her untimely demise at the hands of another person. This can be especially true if the incident was preventable and was caused by a negligent party’s wrongdoing. 

In certain situations, such as a homicide, the death may have been caused intentionally. Regardless of whether the death was the result of a motor vehicle accident or medical malpractice, the deceased person’s surviving spouse and next of kin may be entitled to monetary compensation. In some cases, this may be particularly important if the victim was the sole provider of the family’s income. It is important to know what constitutes wrongful death and how to seek damages for this type of tragedy.   

Illinois Wrongful Death Act

The Illinois Wrongful Death Act specifically defines “wrongful death” of a victim and various aspects of filing a claim, such as: