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Product liability refers to the liability of any or all parties along the chain of manufacturing or distribution of a particular product for any damage caused by that product. This will apply to the manufacturer of individual component parts, or the assembling manufacturer, the designer, the wholesaler, and even the retail store owner. Product liability covers both the consumer of the product and also anyone to whom the product was given or loaned.
An insurance claim is a request for benefits or compensation for damages that result from a motor vehicle accident. The claim is typically made with the insurance company representing the driver who is at fault.  Both drivers will need to report the accident to their insurance companies, however, in accordance to the requirements of their individual policies. Many car insurance claims are made each day around the nation, and the process has become relatively standardized. That doesn’t mean the insurance company won’t push back if they believe they shouldn’t recognize their liability, but the process will be similar to most other accidents of the same type.
Chicago car accident attorneys are likely going to attempt to reach a settlement with the insurance company before going to court. The majority of car accident lawsuits are settled out of court. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, or if they have decided to argue fault for the accident, you could find yourself going to court.  
If you were injured in a trucking accident in Chicago, Berwyn, Oak Lawn, Cicero, or a nearby community, call the injury attorneys at Lloyd Miller Law for a free consultation.

Texting & Driving: No Laughing Matter

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Woman using cellphone while driving

OMG. AITR. LOL. Adults may not quickly understand text message shorthand much less be able to use it proficiently. However, teenagers have become masters at conversing via text nearly anywhere and anytime without even thinking about it, but that’s where the problem lies.

Nearly 75 percent of American teenagers admit to texting while driving, and thus increasing their chances of being in an accident by 23 times. The unfortunate fact is that many of those accidents do not leave the drivers or the passengers AAS (alive and smiling); rather, they are more likely to be DOA (dead on arrival).

Tragedy Could Be Just a Keystroke Away

Recognizing the deadly consequences of texting and driving, AT&T recently launched a campaign to promote the message “TXTNG & DRIVNG … IT CAN WAIT.” As part of the campaign, AT&T created a documentary in 2010 called “The Last Text” to share the real stories of lives impacted by texting while driving. It seems to have struck a nerve: nearly 2.5 million views have been recorded by YouTube with thousands of viewers leaving comments.

Phone manufacturers are also taking measures to prevent texting in vehicles. Many phones now feature “car mode” which blocks users from accessing texts received or sending texts while vehicles are in motion.

On a state level, Illinois lawmakers decided to take the legislative route to discourage distracted driving in Illinois. Effective January 1, 2010, the text messaging and cell phone law (Public Act 096-0130) prohibits a person from operating a vehicle on a roadway while using a device to compose, send or read e-mail, text messages or instant messages. Fines for violation of the law begin at $75.

The efforts to prevent tragedies, such as those seen in the AT&T documentary, are noble. But will they be enough to make a change in teenage driving habits? That is TBD.

Source: CBS News

About the Author

Kurt D. Lloyd is a plaintiff’s trial lawyer who focuses on medical malpractice and other catastrophic injury cases. He lives in Chicago and represents injured clients throughout Illinois. He is also the founder of Lloyd Law Group, Ltd.

Chicago accident lawyer Kurt D. Lloyd