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What Are the Consequences of a DUI Conviction for a Driver Under 21 in Illinois?
Every year in Illinois, hundreds of people die as a result of drinking and/or drugged driving. Hundreds more are seriously injured or permanently disabled. Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol is illegal in the state of Illinois, and the penalties for it are steep. Drivers under the age of 21 only make up 10 percent of licensed drivers, but they are involved in 17 percent of alcohol-related fatal crashes.
Even though the legal drinking age is 21 in Illinois, many people drink before their 21st birthday. Some people may think this is harmless, but when a teenager chooses to operate a vehicle while intoxicated, it can result in devastating injuries or even death, not only for him or her, but for other drivers on the road as well. Consequently, someone stopped for a suspected DUI who is also under 21 can face severe legal penalties that can have lasting effects.
When Do I File a Third-Party Lawsuit Instead of a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Accidents can and do happen on the job, regardless of the occupation or workplace environment. According to Illinois law, if you are injured at work, you can file a workers’ compensation claim. This claim means you cannot sue your employer for an injury you suffer performing your job, even if your employer’s negligence caused your injury. Alternatively, when someone else who is not your employer is at fault for your work-related injury, you may sue him or her for wages lost or medical bills caused by his or her negligence. These types of claims against an individual or another company that caused a workplace injury are called “third-party claims.”
Understanding Third-Party Liability
Illinois has a no-fault workers’ compensation system, meaning it does not matter if the employer or employee is to blame for the injury. If an employee suffers a serious injury at his or her workplace in Illinois, he or she can file a workers’ compensation claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. Benefits can include temporary or permanent disability payments, as well as coverage for medical bills and lost wages.
Staying Safe on the Roads as a Motorcyclist
It is no secret that riding a motorcycle is extremely dangerous and could result in permanent or fatal injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,172 motorcyclists were killed in accidents in 2017. While driving a motorcycle is dangerous regardless of the situation, there are some preventative safety measures that can be taken to better protect yourself while riding on the roads.
What Can I Do Before Getting on my Motorcycle?
Driving a motorcycle requires different skills than operating your average car does. Motorcycle licenses are required in addition to a typical automobile driver’s license. One should spend ample time practicing in a controlled space before heading to busier roads. Inexperienced drivers can be the most dangerous.
Like any vehicle, motorcycles must be checked to ensure that everything is in proper working order. Many do not self-check their cars after taking them to the mechanic for a routine checkup. Motorcycle drivers should be taking additional measures. The NHTSA suggests checking the tire pressure and tread depth, hand and foot brakes, headlights and signal indicators, and fluid levels before riding your motorcycle.
What If I Am Permanently Disabled Due to a Work Injury?
Accidents can and do occur at companies and job sites even if every safety precaution is taken. In Illinois, workers’ compensation benefits can help cover medical expenses and lost wages if a worker is hurt while on the job. The majority of workplace injuries involve an employee eventually returning to work after he or she is healed. In certain accidents, however, a worker may sustain injuries so severe that they cause permanent restrictions or disability. If you are permanently disabled as a result of a catastrophic work injury, disability benefits might help you reclaim your life.
Types of Permanent Disability Benefits in Illinois
According to Illinois law, there are two different types of permanent disability benefits depending on the consequences of an injury. Employers are required to pay permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits to an employee who is impaired or disfigured in some way while performing his or her job but who is still able to work in a limited capacity. Sometimes surgery will repair or correct an injury, and the worker can go back to his or her job after attending a rehab facility or doing physical therapy.
How Road Rage Can Lead to Bicycle Accidents
Many people enjoy riding their bicycles in the summer, especially after a long winter. In Illinois, cyclists must obey the same traffic laws, signs, and signals that apply to motor vehicles. For example, bicyclists are required by law to ride in the same direction as vehicle traffic. However, even though bikes have the same rights as other vehicles, cyclists are much more likely to be injured in a motor vehicle collision.
Road rage is one issue that can have a significant impact on bicyclists. An aggressive driver who strikes a bicycle is likely to cause serious or fatal injuries. If you are hurt while riding your bike due to a road rage incident, you should seek legal advice and learn about your options for pursuing compensation from the driver who injured you.
Examples of Road Rage
A lot of drivers do not think bicyclists should share the roadway with them, which can lead to problems. Motorists in cars or trucks often try to pass bicyclists unsafely, especially when they are in a hurry to get where they are going. They may become impatient and angry at the bicyclist for slowing them down, leading them to risk a collision when attempting to pass when there is not enough room to do so safely.
Common Car Accident Injuries in Illinois
The Chicago metropolitan area is among the most congested in the United States. The average driver spends an extra 111 hours in the car each year because of traffic. Along with the millions of cars on our roadways each day also comes an increased risk of car accidents and potential injury.
Some car crashes are minor, while others result in severe injuries with long-term effects or even permanent disability to drivers and occupants. Anyone injured in an auto accident should first seek medical attention for a complete diagnosis. If your accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, the next step is to contact a skilled personal injury lawyer who can fight for the compensation you deserve.
Here are some of the most frequent injuries suffered in car collisions:
Concussions
A concussion can occur due to a direct impact to the skull or from the head being thrown side-to-side or front-to-back because of the force of an accident. Concussion symptoms include headache, dizziness, ear ringing, and head pressure. Symptoms may develop immediately or hours after the crash.
What are Aggravated DUI Charges in Illinois?
With around 27,000 driving while intoxicated arrests in Illinois each year, some involve aggravated DUI, which is charged as felony DUI. These offenses include those that result in endangerment, injury, or death to another driver, passenger, or pedestrian. Punishments for a conviction can include incarceration that cannot be reduced or suspended. Individuals who are offered probation can receive a minimum of 480 hours of community service or 10 days in jail.
If you were arrested for aggravated DUI, it is imperative you secure skilled legal representation from an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Aggravated DUI Penalties in Illinois
Punishments for aggravated DUI in the state of Illinois include:
Class 4 Felony (up to three years of incarceration and $25,000 in fines)
What Options Are Available for First-Time DUI Offenders in Illinois?
Illinois law enforcement officers arrest approximately 27,000 people each year for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Of those arrested, around 86 percent are first-time DUI offenders, and 91 percent lose their driving privileges in some capacity.
With the help of a skilled DUI lawyer, you may have your case dismissed if police did not read you your Miranda rights or failed to properly administer standardized field sobriety testing, or if your blood-alcohol concentration was incorrectly measured by a malfunctioning breathalyzer. If none of these occurred, your attorney can still help minimize the impact of the arrest on your everyday life. While police and the courts vigorously enforce Illinois DUI laws, there are allowances for those with no prior DUI arrests or convictions.
How to Pursue Injury Compensation After a Dog Attack
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.
What to Do if You Are in an Illinois Motorcycle Accident
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.
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