Injures

Involved in the accident were two cars, a tour bus with nine passengers, two semis and a minivan, according to ISP Master Sgt. Joseph Stangl. Accident reports state that the chain-reaction accident started when the tour bus hit a semi, which then jack-knifed, straightened out and drove away. To avoid a collision with the tour bus, a passenger car swerved out of the way but was then hit by another semi. That car swerved the other way and then slammed into a concrete median. Lastly, a minivan slid sideways into the second semi. Names have not been released because charges are still pending.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that a 62- and a 57-year-old were killed in this accident. Also injured in the accident were two 57-year-olds and a 21-year-old. The accident was so severe that officials had to close down the southbound lanes for roughly five hours. Unfortunately, many accidents that occur on our state’s expressway produce catastrophic results like this one, because of the speed of traveling vehicles.

This is a perfect example as to why driving on interstates, highways and on expressways can be so dangerous. One wrong move from a driver can cause a chain reaction of accidents. Drivers and road hazards can set off these types of accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that thousands are killed in highway accidents in the U.S. every year. Because traffic is traveling at such high speeds on these roadways, accidents can be severe. Luckily, there are a few safety tips that we can all practice to help increase roadway safety on these busy streets.

Safe Driving Tips:

-Always maintain a safe following distance. You never want to tailgate or follow too closely. This only reduces your reaction time and increases your risks for an accident. Experts suggest the 3 second rule.

-Always keep an eye on what’s going on in front of you. Knowing what you’re approaching can help you to react better and more quickly.

-Always follow the posted speed limit. When you exceed the speed limit, you’re decreasing your reaction time. Speeding also increases your stopping time and distance.

-Know what’s going on in your blind spots. Whenever you’re changing lanes, make sure you physically look to see what is in your blind spots. Mirrors overlook these areas. Just turn your head back for a second and check.

-Always use your blinkers. Let other drivers know your intended maneuvers. Predictability is critical in reducing risks for an accident.

A large, box-style television set reportedly fell off of a bookshelf and onto a 2-year-old girl. Local police say that the accident happened around 3 p.m. at the little girl’s home on South Union Street in Aurora. The child was transported to Rush-Copley Medical Center. It has not yet been determined how the television fell off the shelf.

Our Chicago premises liability understand that there have been an overwhelming number of reports of TVs falling on children in the area in recent years.

Back in November, a 3-year-old was killed after a television fell on her in Hamilton Park. In October, a 6-year-old boy was killed after his television fell on his head. Just last month, a 4-year-old was killed. A 1-year-old and a 2-year-old were also killed earlier this month in similar tip-over situations.

These reports are causing some serious concern nationwide, too. As a matter of fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports there were nearly 250 deaths resulting from tip-over accidents from 2000 to 2010. All of these accident reports involved children under the age of 9. About 90 percent of these cases involved children who were under the age of 6. In nearly 60 percent of these reports, children were crushed by the weight of an appliance, a television or some kind of furniture. Nearly 70 percent of these fatalities were the result of injuries to the head.

The problem gets even worse. Approximately 22,000 children under the age of 9 were sent to emergency rooms from 2008 to 2010 because of injuries sustained in a tip-over accident. Again, a majority of these injuries were sustained to the victim’s head.

“Children like to climb on furniture. Placing TVs on furniture not intended for them or having furniture that is not secured can have tragic consequences,” said Chairman Inez Tenenbaum.

Tenenbaum would like to remind parents that these types of accidents can be easily prevented with a few low-cost steps, like anchoring down heavy devices, televisions, dressers, etc.

More Tips to Help Prevent Tip-Over Accidents:

-Anchor furniture to the floor or to the wall.

-Always put television sets on low, sturdy bases.

-Anchor your television to the furniture it’s on and then anchor that furniture to the wall or the floor.

-Push your furniture and television as close to the wall as possible.

-Keep toys, remote controls and other items children may be tempted to play with away from TV stands and other dangerous furniture.

-Remove all cable cords and electrical cords from a child’s reach.

-Always supervise children in rooms with these items.

-Be sure to equip your stoves and ranges with anti-tip brackets.