It seems like just last week that Illinois residents were celebrating the summer with barbecues, fireworks, and family softball games. Almost without warning, the leaves have changed colors and, in fact, many deserted the trees on which they grew, leaving the branches exposed and looking like the dead of winter. Make no mistake, winter is on its way. That is why now is the time to get your car or truck ready for the cold and snow, taking every precaution to avoid dangerous and deadly winter auto accidents. 

Prevent Breakdowns

There are countless resources, both online and in auto shops, that will go into minute detail about the various points of concern for winterizing your vehicle. Not all, of course, are applicable to every car or truck, or even every driver, so check with your mechanic about your particular needs. There are a few basic things, however, that apply to anyone taking to the roads this winter, and by taking a few moments now, you can help to prevent unforeseen tragedy.

Among the primary considerations for your car or truck in cold weather are your battery and your antifreeze. Your car’s engine relies on the battery to start, so you will need to be sure it has the power to withstand the pressures of winter. Similarly, antifreeze ensures that the water in your car’s radiator does not form ice crystals which could cause a whole host of problems. Make sure your antifreeze levels are maintained properly and flushed, if necessary, to start the winter season fresh.

The moments after a motor vehicle crash can be extremely overwhelming, especially if you have been injured. It may be very difficult to keep the events straight in your mind and, then, to relay that information to the responding police officer. There may be a myriad of factors of which you were unaware that still played a significant role in causing the accident and your resulting injuries. In many cases, accident reconstruction is necessary in helping establish the true nature of the accident and exactly which parties may be held liable.

Get Started Immediately

For accident reconstruction to be most effective, it needs to begin as soon as possible following the crash. Any delay can result in the loss of evidence and telltale signs of what may have happened, such as skid-marks on the pavement, leaking fluids, and more. It is important to get an accident reconstructionist on site quickly, even if for just a short time, so he or she can take photos, make measurements, and observe any and all indications of what took place. He or she can also extract information from electronic data recorders, or so-called “black-boxes,” installed as a standard feature on many of today’s cars and trucks.

Applied Science

To complete the investigation, the accident reconstructionist will also analyze the damage caused both to public and private property and each vehicle. Combining this information with the available police reports and vehicle specifics, the reconstructionist will utilize his or her scientific training to apply mathematical formulas and equations to recreate the accident as it most likely occurred. An accurate accident reconstruction is much more in-depth than a simple police report and can be used to identify contributing factors such as malfunctioning traffic signals, faulty vehicle equipment, poor roadway maintenance, and many more.

Establishing fault for a car accident is not always straightforward. Often, when motorists are involved in a car crash, there are a number of factors are at play. For example, outside distractions such as pedestrians, construction work, closed lanes, or heavy traffic can make an accident more likely to occur. Car accidents often involve several vehicles, and it can be extremely difficult to determine which car actually started an accident.

Proving who was at fault for a crash is crucial for several reasons. First, the at-fault party's car insurance company is usually responsible for paying repair costs for other vehicles involved in the accident. Secondly, if another person was injured in the accident, the at-fault party may be responsible for that person’s medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

No-Doubt Liability

Generally, auto insurance companies of the individuals involved in an accident will take a lead role in determining financial liability for a car accident. The insurance companies use the help of claims adjusters to determine which of the drivers involved in an accident was at fault.

Getting into a car accident can obviously cause significant personal injury. Such an accident can also result in significant financial losses, as well. Even automobile accidents which are not your fault can end up costing you and your family thousands of dollars. Imagine this scenario: You are driving down the highway when a flatbed truck pulls in front of you. Suddenly, cargo from the bed of the truck comes loose, falls, and strikes your windshield. You veer out of control and crash your vehicle, resulting in significant vehicular damage and several broken bones. Who is responsible for your injuries and the damage to your vehicle? Often, the answer to the question of liability in loose-cargo accidents is not clear-cut.

Falling Cargo Can Cause Fatal Car Accidents

A 2016 study conducted by AAA found that falling cargo was a factor in over 200,000 crashes between 2011 and 2014. Improperly secured cargo was the most common cause of these accidents. Road debris resulted in roughly 39,000 injuries and over 500 fatalities during the same time period. Loose cargo and road debris can cause serious neck and spine injuries, broken bones, traumatic brain injury, and worse. Even more devastating, some people injured by loose cargo are left in thousands of dollars of medical debt and are unable to work.

Is A Truck Driver Automatically Responsible for Falling Cargo?

Many people who are injured in a cargo-related truck accident assume that the truck driver is at fault. While this is sometimes true, there are many other factors that one must consider when assigning blame in a loose cargo traffic accident. For example, say a motorist’s vehicle is struck with items falling from a flatbed truck carrying farm equipment. The loose cargo may be due to driver error, improper loading, faulty restraints, or issues with the farm equipment itself.

Most sighted people take their ability to see the world around them for granted. Sadly, it is often only after a person experiences vision loss or impairment that he or she recognizes the sense of sight as the gift it really is. When a person is blinded or sustains a serious eye injury after an accident, they might be unable to work or enjoy the same quality of life they had before. When a person or entity’s negligence causes another person a life-altering injury, the negligent party should be held accountable. Read on to learn about the most common types of eye injuries that can be caused by auto accidents.

Airbag Injuries Are More Common Than You Might Think

Many people incorrectly imagine airbags as soft pillows designed to cushion the driver and passengers in the event of a crash. Although airbags are tremendously helpful at reducing fatalities in car accidents, they can also be the cause of certain injuries.  Airbags contain nitrogen gas and other chemicals which are activated during a car crash in order to rapidly fill the airbag with gas. The average airbag deploys at a speed of up to 186 miles an hour and is filled within about 0.03 seconds. While airbags are designed to prevent more traumatic head injuries, they have been known to cause retinal detachment and traumatic cataracts.

Traumatic Brain Injuries Can Cause Vision Problems

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are often caused by serious car accidents. TBIs are usually caused by forceful blows to the head. Head and skull trauma can also have a major effect on the eyes.