Unfortunately, car accidents are a reality on our nation’s roadways. Regardless if it is a highway or a rural street, collisions occur on a frequent basis for a number of reasons. In many cases, a crash is due to the reckless behavior or negligent actions of another driver. If a vehicle is traveling at a high rate of speed, the force of the impact when it collides with another vehicle or object can cause catastrophic injuries. Occupants can hit their heads on the windshield or dashboard, resulting in serious head trauma. Many head injuries also affect the brain, which can lead to a long recovery, including surgeries or months of rehabilitation. In some cases, a head injury can prove fatal. If you or your loved one suffered because of an automobile accident, it is crucial that you seek the guidance of a personal injury attorney to explore your legal options for securing compensation.

Closed Head Injuries

An injury to the head that does not go through the skull is considered a closed head injury. Closed head injuries can range from minor to life-threatening. This type of injury can cause broken bones to the face or skull, in addition to significant damage to the brain, including:

• Bruising of the brain
• Concussion
• Bleeding on the brain (intracranial hemorrhage)

Symptoms of a closed head injury may include dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, and more. These signs and symptoms can start immediately following an accident or even days later, and for some, they can last for weeks or months. In severe cases, a victim can be in a coma and may need to be put on life support.

Americans like to eat out, and it is likely you have a favorite dining establishment that you or your family frequent on a regular basis. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, many local restaurants have been allowed to continue carry-out and seat patrons inside or outside using social distancing guidelines. Whenever you eat food that someone else cooks, however, it is important to make sure it is prepared and cooked thoroughly. Otherwise, you run the risk of becoming a victim of a foodborne illness, or what is commonly known as food poisoning. This type of illness is typically caused by food that is contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins. If you became sick after eating food that was prepared by a restaurant, you may end up in the hospital and unable to work. A personal injury attorney can help you explore your legal options for obtaining compensation for medical bills and lost income.

Symptoms of Foodborne Illness

The most common causes of food poisoning are infectious organisms or their toxins. The effects of the illness can show signs as soon as a few hours after ingesting the contaminated food. Food poisoning symptoms may include but are not limited to the following:

• Cramping
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Most cases of food poisoning are fairly mild and resolve without medical attention. However, you can become dehydrated quickly, so it is important to get adequate hydration and seek medical treatment if symptoms persist. In some situations, the food poisoning can lead to other complications, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), automobile accident injuries are a leading cause of fatalities among children in the United States. Studies show that many of these deaths can be prevented when safety restraints and car seats are used properly. However, kids can still suffer serious injuries in collisions even when safety precautions are taken. After any accident, emergency responders should be called to assess the physical injuries and vehicle damage. In some cases, a negligent driver who was intoxicated or distracted may have caused the accident. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you with the legal steps for pursuing compensation for your child’s pain and suffering.

Head Trauma

According to the National Institutes of Health, head injuries are one of the leading causes of trauma sustained by children in crashes. Because kids are smaller than adults, they are sometimes more vulnerable in the event of an accident. These types of head injuries may include:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Concussion
• Whiplash
• Contusions
• Skull fractures

Broken Bones/Fractures

Like adults who are involved in a crash, children passengers may try to brace for impact and in the process suffer hand, arm, wrist, or foot fractures. They can also sustain a broken pelvis or spinal cord damage if they become trapped in the vehicle. Children who are thrown from the vehicle may sustain a broken femur, back, or neck.

Even with fewer citizens commuting to and from their jobs on a daily basis because they are working remotely, Illinois roadways have seen an increase in vehicle-related fatalities recently. After months of staying at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, many people are taking cross-country road trips instead of traveling by airplane. In some cases, reckless actions such as speeding or disregard for traffic laws have led to an increase in car accidents with injuries. Victims of automobile crashes may be confused and unsure of what to do in the aftermath of a crash. Seeking immediate medical attention for any injuries should be your first priority. Your next step should be talking to witnesses who saw the incident unfold. An eyewitness who provides a statement to the responding officer can offer a neutral third-party perspective of the collision and why it may have occurred.

Illinois Liability Laws

In any personal injury case, a victim must prove who was liable or at fault for the accident. The state of Illinois follows a fault-based system, sometimes referred to as a tort liability system. This means Illinois motorists who are responsible for causing a crash are responsible for paying for any damages related to the accident.

All Illinois drivers must carry auto insurance that meets the state’s minimum requirements for liability coverage. Anyone who is hurt in a vehicle collision typically files a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. However, insurance companies are known for minimizing the payouts for injury victims. In certain cases, a driver or passenger could suffer serious injuries that require a lengthy hospital stay, surgery, or rehabilitation. That is why it is important to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney about how to go about filing a claim for your pain and suffering.

Accidents often occur when people least expect it. Depending on the situation, a person can suffer minor bumps and bruises to severe and long-lasting complications. Injuries can happen even when safety precautions are taken. However, they can also take place due to another party’s negligence. A common shoulder injury is a torn rotator cuff. Although typical in sports-related accidents, tears in the rotator cuff can occur as a result of falling onto hard pavement after slipping and falling or sudden impact such as from a car accident. It is important for anyone who is involved in those types of accidents to seek medical attention and then consult a personal injury attorney to determine liability for your pain and suffering.

Signs and Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint and allows an individual to lift and rotate his or her arms. There are two different types of rotator cuff tears. A partial tear is when the muscle that forms the rotator cuff becomes damaged. A complete tear pulls the tendon off of the shoulder bone.

It is not uncommon for a torn rotator cuff to be mistaken for a pulled muscle at first. In some cases, a person may experience the following conditions: