blog | Lane Brown, LLC

You Can Take Steps to Keep Your Young Passengers Safe During September’s National Safety Week

This year, National Child Passenger Safety Week will take place the week of September 13, ending with “Seat Check Saturday” on September 19. Organizations across the nation will be marking the week with education and awareness campaigns, and it’s likely that you’ll see or hear about child passenger safety from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and other organizations in Illinois. Although you may believe that you’re doing everything right, don’t ignore the message if you drive with young passengers in the car. This month, make sure that you are doing all you can do to improve their safety.

Five Ways to Make Sure Kids Are Safe in Car Seats

If a car seat is the wrong fit or used improperly, it might not protect your child adequately in an accident. It’s important to know how to find the right car seat for your situation. Safe Kids Worldwide has a quick guide to a car seat checkup you can do at home. This includes five fairly basic steps:

Make sure the car seat or booster seat you use is appropriate for your child’s age and size. Check the label on the seat you’re using from time to time to make sure that it’s still the right seat as your child grows.
Always keep children in car seats in the back seat.
Use a rear-facing car seat for the first two years or so, and wait as long as possible before switching to a forward-facing seat.
Make sure you can’t move the car seat more than an inch to either side once it’s strapped in.
Once all the straps are properly buckled up, try to pinch the belt at your child’s shoulder. You shouldn’t be able to pinch any excess material.

Ultimately, the best way to make sure you’re using your car seat properly is to have a professional take a look. On September 19, take part in Seat Check Saturday by stopping by a child car seat inspection location. Look for an inspection station near you.

Older Children Still Need Special Care in the Car

As children grow out of their car seats and booster seats, they still need to be buckled up properly to stay safe. Here are some tips for making sure older children are protected, too:

Talk to your kids about the importance of always using a seatbelt in the car, and make sure that they stay buckled up when they ride.
Even if your child is getting to the age where it’s “uncool” to use a booster seat, remember that it could save his or her life in an accident. If your child’s height and weight make a booster seat necessary, don’t let him or her ride without one.
Children under the age of 13 should ride in the back seat of the car, even after they’re too big for a booster seat. The back seat is much safer for children should an accident occur.

Did you find this article helpful? Find more tips and information about driving safely, protecting your children, and your rights if a family member has been injured by subscribing to our monthly newsletter.

Make September Special by Taking Advantage of These Fun Events in Chicago

As Chicago makes the transition from summer into the cooler days of fall, it may seem like all the fun is over for the year. However, there is still a lot of fun to be had—and beautiful evenings to enjoy—before the snow starts to fall. If you feel like you’re out of ideas for keeping things interesting now that summer vacation time is over, here are some ideas for making September special:

Access for All: Tom Olin’s Photographs of the Disability Rights Movement, until April 10, 2016. The Chicago History Museum is still hosting a powerful exhibit of photos from photographer Tom Olin. The prints show activists fighting for disability rights to bring about the Americans With Disabilities Act, and the exhibit will focus on educating visitors about this important moment in history. Take an afternoon to check it out before it disappears next April!
Super Bears Shuffle 5K, September 10. Can’t wait for game day? Get ready for the Super Bears Shuffle 5K! Just the second year for this event, participants can expect a fun day at Soldier Field with the Bears Drumline, Staley Da Bear, and a pep rally.
Venetian Night, September 12. Enjoy an evening that features a parade of illuminated boats, favorite Broadway themes, and fireworks at the Navy Pier. Venetian Night brings the spirit of Venice to Lake Michigan and promises fun for the whole family.
Oktoberfest, September 18 and 19. Are you ready for a little taste of autumn? The “Oktober” festival takes place for two days in downtown Oak Park, featuring music, craft beer, fall-themed foods, and even a root beer garden for the kids!
Apple Fest, September 19. In its 28^th year, the Annual Apple Fest kicks off the fall season and celebrates one of America’s favorite fruits. Expect to enjoy candy apples, apple pies, steaming apple cider, local musicians, and craft vendors.
Oktoberfest Chicago, September 25–27. Head down to St. Alphonsus in the West Lakeview neighborhood and enjoy a Bavarian-themed weekend. The event invites you to “bring on autumn and pull out the lederhosen” and features food, beer tastings, brats, two music stages, and kids’ activities.
Grand Art & Design Festival, September 26 and 27. The recently revamped Art & Design Festival will still bring together home and garden design vendors, but it will now also feature music, local crafts, handmade goods, jewelry, food trucks, and hayrides! It takes place in the Grand Avenue Design District in West Town.

If you enjoyed this article, let us know by leaving a quick comment below—or get more great news and information from our Chicago law office by subscribing to our monthly newsletter!

Enjoy a Labor Day Weekend of Fun in Chicago Before Bidding Farewell to Summer

Are you ready to get a few more days of events, festivals, and fun in before the summer is officially over for 2015? Although there’s quite a bit to choose from, here is just a sampling of some of the exciting events going on in Chicago for Labor Day weekend:

Chicago Jazz Festival, September 3–6. This year, the 37^th annual Chicago Jazz Festival will continue to promote the appreciation of jazz by bringing in talented musicians from Chicago, around the nation, and around the world. Head to the Chicago Cultural Center at Millennium Park over Labor Day weekend—admission is free! If you can’t make it to this event, don’t forget that you can still catch some of the Neighborhood Nights on weekends until August 22.
Taste of Polonia Festival, September 4–7. Also known as Polish Fest, this four-day event will feature four stages of non-stop live music, delicious Polish food and beer, activities for kids, plus vendors and cultural exhibits. It will be held at the Copernicus Center in Jefferson Park, and children under the age of 12 get in free!
The Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival, September 4–7. If you’ve been spending the late summer days pondering your autumn wardrobe, take a chance to indulge yourself during the Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival. The event is billed as “America’s only shopping festival,” and it features non-stop events that that focus on fashion, fitness, and food. You might even want to check out the Magnificent Mile Chicago Women’s Half Marathon & 5K on Sunday, September 6.
Naperville Jaycees Last Fling 2015, September 4–7. Celebrating 50 years this year, the Last Fling promises a fun end to the summer with live music, a 5k run, and a Labor Day Parade. The events will take place across the street from Rotary Hill in Naperville, not far from Central High School.
Chicago’s Best Summer WingFest, September 5. Are you passionate about wings? Summer WingFest promises to reinvent itself this year with more of everything, including music, carnival games, eating contests, craft beers, vendors, and—of course—delicious chicken wings prepared by some of the best local chefs!
Motor Row Craft Beer & Wine Fest, September 5 & 6. If you want to enjoy a sampling of wines and microbrews in a historic neighborhood, check out the Motor Row Craft Beer & Wine Fest. This will be the first year for the festival, which will be held in the Motor Row District. Along with the tasting events, you’ll find art, music, and food.

No matter how you and your family choose to celebrate Labor Day this year, we hope that you’ll do so safely and responsibly—and that you enjoy the long weekend. For more news, events, and information from our legal team, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Google Plus.

Parents Need to Be Ready to Help Teens Deal With Insurance Companies After an Accident

As a parent, there’s a lot you’ll need to do for your teen after he or she has been hurt in a car accident. However, as concern about your teen’s physical recovery takes the top priority, don’t forget about protecting his or her legal rights, too. There are some things teens should know about dealing with another driver’s insurance company after a serious wreck, and it’s up to you to help them avoid wrecking their rights.

What Teens Need to Understand About the Other Driver’s Insurance Company After a Wreck

Even as an experienced adult, it can be difficult to deal with the demands of pursuing compensation for a serious injury in an accident. Teens, however, don’t have an adult’s experience with driving, and they often don’t understand potential pitfalls of filing an injury claim against the negligent driver’s insurance company. Before he or she is contacted by an insurance adjuster, here’s what your teen should know:

The insurance company is trying to help, but they don’t work for your family. No matter how friendly or helpful the insurance company’s representatives may seem, they are trained to minimize how much their employer must pay out after an accident. While they aren’t really “out to get you,” they are interested in any information that may help them reduce the amount an injury claim is ultimately worth.
Always stick to the facts and the truth. Many teens think that they can help by exaggerating or lying about what happened, but they need to know that this is more likely to hurt the chances of success. If they have been legitimately injured because of another driver’s negligence, there is absolutely no need to lie or “pad the truth.” However, it is important that they stick to facts and avoid offering more information than is strictly necessary. If your family is having trouble deciding what is appropriate, don’t be afraid to talk with an attorney and bring your teen along.
Be careful what you post online. Most modern teens are hooked on social media and post everything about their lives on Facebook, Twitter, and other sites. However, insurance companies can and will look for information about your teen online that could be used to call a claim into question. If in doubt, make sure your teen knows not to talk about the accident online—you might even consider having your teen avoid social media entirely until everything has been settled.

The aftermath of a serious accident can be especially hard on teens, but it is possible to get through it. This little bit of simple guidance about the reality of dealing with an insurance company can save you and your teen a lot of struggles down the road and help you find success in your case.

Get Help With Your Accident Questions Today

If your family needs help after your teenaged child has been involved in an accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced legal team 312-332-1400 for a free case review and answers to your questions. We have extensive experience working with children, teens, and families in difficult legal situations, and we would be happy to answer your questions today.

Accidents With HAZMAT Trucks Pose Additional Risks for Victims

The size of a truck plays a part in the severity of a wreck, but what a truck is carrying can have an even bigger impact. Large tanker trucks and 18-wheelers are a regular sight on Illinois roadways, and some of them are marked with colorful, diamond-shaped placards that mean they are carrying potentially dangerous substances that pose a risk to health and safety. When these trucks get involved in accidents, the results can be especially tragic—and it can have a far-reaching impact on drivers, passengers, bystanders, and communities.

What Is HAZMAT?

HAZMAT is short for “hazardous materials,” and the term is used throughout the transportation industry to describe items or substances that are potentially harmful to people, plants, and animals. According to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Global Supply Standards, the types of substances classified as hazardous materials include:

Toxic substances
Cancer-causing substances
Irritants and corrosives
Combustible items or substances
Unstable or explosive materials
Chemicals that release dangerous dust or fumes when handled
Radioactive materials
Anything that is considered a physical or health hazard

Some specific examples of materials that might fall under one of these categories include:

Chemicals for commercial uses
Gases, whether compressed or liquid
Fuels and oils
Pest control agents
Paint, varnish, and similar items
Dyes
Cleaning and disinfecting products

Because of the additional threat to public health and safety, trucks that carry hazardous materials are held to higher standards and more regulations than trucks that don’t come with the same kinds of risks. For example, these more stringent regulations require trucks carrying these materials to inform certain authorities and label their trucks appropriately, among many other rules for safe transport. But what are the real risks of these large vehicles and their cargo?

Why Are Accidents With HAZMAT Trucks Potentially More Dangerous?

The Analysis Division of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released a report that showed that:

Four percent of large trucks involved in fatal accidents had hazardous material placards, and two percent of the trucks involved in non-fatal accidents had placards.
In 15 percent of the placarded trucks involved in accidents, the hazardous materials were released during the incident.
In fatal crashes, 48 percent of those releases were flammable liquids, such as fuel. For non-fatal crashes, 56 percent were flammable liquids.

While wrecks involving HAZMAT trucks may not be common, they can be very dangerous and negatively affect many lives. While a collision with an 18-wheeler is already a potentially tragic event, the addition of flammable fuels, possible explosions, and dangerous fumes can add to the injuries and death. In some cases, the hazardous cargo that is released during an accident may not even have an immediate effect on health, but could create risks—such as cancer or lung issues—for victims later in life.

What Causes HAZMAT Accidents?

HAZMAT accidents are caused by the same kinds of issues that cause other accidents, but the addition of hazardous materials can especially be a problem with:

Overloaded or improperly loaded trucks
Rollover accidents
Reckless driving and driver errors
Any collision that punctures a tanker truck or causes it to spill its load

Sometimes, there is no way to predict or prevent a serious accident. However, in other cases, accidents happen because a HAZMAT driver ignored the rules of the road or a company chose to overlook one of the numerous safety regulations in place for trucks transporting hazardous materials. The companies that use trucking fleets to move potentially dangerous materials from place to place have a duty to the public and the people they share the road with to make safety a priority. When they fail to do so, and a HAZMAT truck spills its load over an already serious accident scene, the victims of the accident may be able to launch a claim for financial compensation.

How Can I Get Help If I’ve Been Hurt in an Accident With a Vehicle Carrying Hazardous Materials?

Just like in any accident with a large truck, the trucking company often has the advantage over uninformed victims. While trucking companies may have experience defending themselves against claims from victims, victims don’t generally have experience holding trucking companies responsible for severe and disabling injuries.

If you have been involved in an accident with a tanker truck that spilled hazardous cargo, you have a limited time to get informed about your rights and how to protect them. Before you sign any documents or give a statement to the insurance company, consider talking directly with an attorney who is familiar with the laws and regulations involved. The team at Lane Brown has extensive experience helping seriously injured people across the state of Illinois recover compensation from large companies and transportation services after an accident. For more information and a free case review, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 312-332-1400.

Planning a Summer Road Trip? Follow These Summer Travel Safety Tips to Make Sure Your Vehicle is Ready for the Road.

You may be looking forward to your family’s summer road trip as a break from the usual duties and routines of daily life, but there are still a few things you should be doing to get prepared. Taking just a little bit of time out to make sure you have everything you need to travel safely can mean that your trip is more enjoyable and less likely to put your family at risk.

Tips for Safer Summer Road Trips

While you may be focused on your destination, you should also be taking the time to focus on what you can do to make sure you “get there in one piece.” Road trip safety doesn’t have to be complicated or take a long time—it really just takes a little planning and common-sense precaution. If you need some help getting started on a safety check before you hit the road, here’s a breakdown of some summer driving tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

Make Sure Your Vehicle Is Ready for the Trip

Even if you’ve stayed on top of your vehicle maintenance routine, walk through a basic safety inspection before you pack up for your vacation. You or your mechanic should carefully check your battery, tires, brakes, windshield wipers, fluid levels, and service your air conditioning.

Check for any recalls you may have missed by using the NHTSA’s VIN Lookup Tool.

Have an Emergency Kit Ready

Breakdowns and accidents happen—are you prepared? Don’t forget to pack up some emergency supplies, just in case. You should think about taking:

A phone and charger for the car
A battery jumping cable for the car
A first-aid kit
A flashlight
Emergency flares
A tire pressure gauge
A jack
Heavy gloves and change of clothes
Water and extra food
Extra washer fluid
Paper maps as a backup for your GPS device
Blankets and towels

Be Prepared If You’re Traveling With Kids–Common Sense Rules!

If you plan to travel with young family members, you should be planning to keep them safe and happy for a long drive. Plan enough time to take frequent breaks outside the car, and bring favorite books or car-safe toys to keep them occupied. Remember that kids are more vulnerable to heatstroke, so they should never be left unattended in a vehicle. You may also want to get sunshades for the back seat and make sure everyone has sunglasses and sunblock. It’s also not a bad idea to talk to your kids about safety in and around the vehicle and develop a plan for sticking together at crowded destinations.

Traffic Laws Don’t Take Summer Vacations

The rules of the road always apply, whether you’re driving around town on a typical day or heading out for vacation. Summer driving also means sharing the road with more motorcycles, bikes, and pedestrians. Even if you’re making a long drive, remember to stay alert and be aware of traffic laws in the areas you are traveling through. Avoid common driving risks while on vacation like distracted driving, drinking or using drugs, speeding, or slipping out of your seatbelt.

Do you have your own tried-and-true tips for making road trips safer and more fun? Share them in the comments below or connect with Lane Brown on Facebook!