Cell phones are a major driving distraction that contributes to injuries and death. Kentucky lawmakers have proposed a bill to help reduce injuries and fatalities by banning cell phone use when someone is driving. It’s possible the bill will be brought to a vote in 2020.
While riding in an Uber through Center City, Philadelphia in March 2018, Jillian Kemenosh’s driver ran a red light that caused a car accident so bad that she ended up fracturing her spine as well as sustaining a concussion and traumatic brain injury. After the accident, Kemenosh tried to file a claim against Uber, its local subsidiaries, and the driver for her injuries because they were directly caused by her driver’s reckless actions.
In court, Uber said she didn’t have the right to a public trial, saying that she had agreed to binding arbitration back in 2013 when she joined the app and agreed to their terms of service. When riders sign up for the Uber app, they must agree to the terms of service, which includes that they are 18 years or older, are using a valid credit card, and won’t sue the company in a trial by jury. Instead, they agree to settle by arbitration agreement.
Many people decide to go out on weekends, whether it’s for dinner and drinks or just going to a bar. They may think they’re feeling okay after a drink or two, but then when they’re behind the wheel find that they shouldn’t be driving. It’s common for people to try to just get home, but any kind of buzzed driving is dangerous driving. If a cop sees you driving in a way that’s endangering others, they can pull you over. A breathalyzer test may be administered. If the breathalyzer says you’re below .08, you may think you’re safe from getting a DUI charge, but this isn’t the case. There are other factors in play that you should know about.
A car accident usually leaves you with injuries, some minor and others serious. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported nearly 2 million injuries from car accidents in 2017. About 80,000 of those injuries occurred in Illinois. Some of those accidents result in injuries that cause chronic pain that lasts for a long period of time. If you’ve been in a car accident in Chicago that resulted in chronic pain, you should seek compensation for your injuries and suffering.
You may not think twice about letting a trusted friend or family member drive your car if the situation calls for it. However, you’re also probably not thinking about the consequences of that person getting into an auto wreck. These situations can cause some confusion with insurance companies and you may be affected, even if you weren’t in the car at the time. Here’s what you need to know about how liability is determined after a collision involving a vehicle that’s owned by someone other than who is driving:
Many people believe in a common misconception when their friend or family member is driving their car. They think that insurance applies to the driver. However, this is not the case. Insurance applies to the vehicle. So, if someone who is not on your insurance plan is driving your vehicle, your insurance still applies in the case of an accident.
