Injury Lawyer News: Man Dies in Distracted-Driving Accident and Other News

Personal Injury - July 21, 2014

Distracted Driving Accidents Illinois

For the past decade, government agencies and local law enforcement have conducted countless campaigns against distracted driving. During that time, every state except one has enacted some sort of texting-while-driving ban, and news agencies have posted shocking articles detailing the horrific aftermath of distracted-driving accidents. Despite these facts, the problem only has grown worse.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 387,000 people suffered injuries in accidents with texting drivers in 2011. By 2012, that number had surged to 421,000 people. The latest victim of distracted driving was a Chicago grandfather.

Authorities Suspect Distracted Driving Played a Role in the Car Accident

NBC News reports that early in the afternoon, an SUV failed to slow down with traffic along the interstate and rear-ended a car in front of it. The crash spread to two other vehicles before it ended.
Police say two people were seriously injured in the auto wreck. Walter Blockmon was driving the car that the SUV initially struck, and police say he suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.
Blockmon’s family was outraged to hear from police that the driver of the SUV was likely reading a text message or distracted by his GPS when the car accident occurred. Illinois laws are some of the strictest in the country and ban all handheld phone use while driving. The driver of the SUV was not injured in the accident, and he could be facing serious penalties if police determine that his negligence caused the car accident.

Man Files Lawsuit After Boat Catches Fire and Sinks

In May, a group of four boaters were out on Lake Michigan when their boat caught fire suddenly and sank before they could call for help. The group was on its way to Chicago when the accident happened.
Two of the boaters died when the boat sank; a third is still missing, and the fourth made it to shore. CBS News reports that the survivor of the accident discovered that the boating company knew the vessel had an electrical problem but rented it out anyway. After one month in the hospital, he recently filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging that they company’s negligence caused the fire and his injuries.
If you’ve been injured during a distracted-driving or boating accident and are looking for an injury lawyer to help you find justice, call us. At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers have been representing clients in the courtroom since 1924. To arrange a free case evaluation with an injury lawyer from our firm, call us toll free at 800-985-1819.