Springfield Legal Blog

The thought of being hit by a drunk or a drugged driver is an understandably worrisome one for Illinois residents. If that drunk or drugged driver happens to be operating a semi truck, dump truck or other very large and heavy commercial vehicle, your concerns may well be even greater than if they were driving a passenger car. The weight and size of these vehicles can definitely increase the serious nature of the consequences of such crashes.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration knows this and that is part of why it created a new rule to institute a stronger process around preventing impaired operation among truckers. Referred to as the drug and alcohol clearinghouse, this rule has several components including mandated pre-employment drug and alcohol screenings. Another element of the rule is the required substance testing by state agencies prior to issuing any new, transferred or renewed commercial driving licenses.

If you are a grandparent in Illinois and you have filed a petition for visitation rights with your grandchildren, there are some things you should be aware of as you make your request. 

Illinois Legal Aid Online explains what judges are looking for when they are deciding whether to grant non-parents the right to see children. Remembering the courts are always working for the best interests of the kids, you should also be mindful of other issues. Have you already established a relationship with your grandchildren, for example? Legal Aid Online describes it in this way: "whether the child visited with the non-parent for at least 12 consecutive months." Monthly visits establish the existence of a relationship and show how strong the ties are.

If you live in Illinois and have ever had the unfortunate experience of suffering a dog bite from someone else’s animal, you are not alone. According to 2014 numbers, Illinois ranks fourth in the nation in terms of the number of dog bite claims filed, with insurance agencies in the state paying an average of $34,894 per claim. At the Law Office of Kerley & Associates, we understand that considerable expenses often result from dog bites, and we have helped many dog bite victims across the state seek appropriate compensation for their injuries.

Per the Insurance Journal, only three states in the nation see more dog bites claims than Illinois, and, nationwide, the average cost per claim is on the rise. Why? Part of the uptick is attributable to the fact that many claims filed nowadays involve more than just dog bites. For example, some claims involve animals who, whether on or off-leash, cause children, bicyclists and seniors, among others, to fall and injure themselves.

CBS Chicago reported on a March 1, 2018, accident that involved three semitrucks and four vehicles. One person died as a result of the collision, and Illinois Interstate 290 closed for half a day while first responders worked the scene. Because the crash caught fire and caused a fatality, the National Transportation Safety Board has sent a team to investigate. They are hoping to determine what triggered the deadly collision.

Even before the March 1 incident, the Illinois Department of Transportation recognized the dangers for semitruck drivers on the state's roads. Since operators of heavy vehicles represent 14 percent of fatalities on Illinois highways, state leaders had put regulations on weight and speed in place while promoting campaigns to raise awareness in all drivers. The leaders' end goal is to "eliminate all heavy-vehicle-involved fatalities."