The new year typically brings alterations to existing federal and state laws, and 2019 is no exception. This year’s updates include a change to federal tax laws that will significantly impact both parties involved in divorce, while one change to state laws adds a provision designed to reduce injuries in car accidents.

Spousal Support Tax Changes 

A substantial change in U.S. tax law that went into effect on January 1, 2019 spawned an increased push to finalize divorces before the new year. To help defray the cost of the 2017 tax reform bill, spousal maintenance (formerly called alimony in Illinois) is no longer tax-deductible for former spouses who make payments. Also, maintenance recipients will no longer claim those payments as taxable income. This change applies to couples who finalize their divorce after December 31, 2018.

The previous tax deduction law dated back to the 1940s. This change is expected to save the U.S. Treasury $6.7 billion, but it comes at a price. Many divorce attorneys say it will reduce the amount of money that can be split between former spouses, which is what sparked the run on divorces in the final weeks of 2018.

A car accident is a frightening experience, whether it is a minor rear-end collision or a major fender bender. In the immediate aftermath of a crash, people are often shaken up and unsure of how to handle the situation. By following these steps, you can not only ensure that you address the legal issues surrounding your accident, but you will be prepared to seek compensation for the injuries you have suffered:

1. Provide assistance - Drivers should always stop their car and, if possible, pull over to the side of the road after an accident, after which they can assess the damage and exchange information with the other driver(s). In Illinois, drivers involved in an accident are required to provide reasonable assistance to anyone who has been injured, including giving medical aid, calling 911, or transporting them to a medical facility.

2. Contact the police - Even if police officers do not come to the scene of the accident, it is important to report the accident to your local police department. This provides a record of the accident, which can be used to demonstrate fault when making an insurance claim or pursuing a lawsuit.

3. Obtain evidence - Gather as much evidence as possible at the scene of the accident, including taking photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, or any other factors which may have contributed to the collision. Speak to witnesses and write down their contact information. Check to see if any nearby businesses may have security camera footage of the crash.

4. Seek medical attention - Even if you do not believe you have suffered serious injuries, you, your passengers, and anyone else involved in the accident should see a doctor as soon as possible. Symptoms of car accident injuries, such as head injuries or neck injuries, may not be immediately apparent, and a thorough examination will help you demonstrate the damages which resulted from the crash.

5. Contact an attorney - An experienced personal injury lawyer can work with you to file a claim with insurance companies, negotiate a settlement that will meet your needs, and advocate for you to receive the compensation that will help you recover from your damages.

Contact a Kane County Car Accident Attorney

At Ariano Hardy Ritt Nyuli Richmond Lytle & Goettel P.C., our skilled attorneys can work with you to protect your rights following a car accident and help you follow the steps that will ensure that you are able to receive compensation for your injuries. Contact an Elgin personal injury lawyer today at 847-695-2400 to schedule a free initial consultation.

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The legal term “damages” refers to harms and losses that a person suffers because of someone else’s actions or negligence. These adverse effects can occur in a variety of situations, and depending on the nature of the damages suffered, an appropriate “measure” of these damages is ascertained and applied, and the party who has suffered losses can seek compensation for their damages from the person who was responsible. 

Following an automobile accident, damages typically include the losses a person experiences due to personal injuries (including medical bills, lost income, reduced earning capacity, ongoing rehabilitation, and pain and suffering), as well as vehicle damage caused by the negligent or intentionally wrongful conduct of a driver. However, in some cases, additional damages may apply. 

When Damages Suffered Go Beyond Personal Injuries and Vehicle Damage 

It is expected that property damage and personal injuries will be suffered in a high-speed collision between vehicles. However, what is under-discussed and seldom forecasted are the potential damages to valuable property or goods being stowed in a vehicle. 

We are in the midst of autumn, and the holiday season is fast approaching. To many people, these holidays are a great time to celebrate the true meaning of family and friends. To others, there is great worry that something tragic, such as an automobile collision, could happen to them or their loved ones. Car accidents can happen at any time, but they occur more often during the holidays. Here are some other statistics about car accidents that you should be aware of: 

When Do Car Accidents Typically Occur?

It makes sense to think that most car accidents would occur during the late night on weekends, since that is the time that many people go out drinking, and some may drive while under the influence of alcohol. However, data from the Illinois Department of Transportation shows that the majority of accidents occur on Friday between noon and 7:59 pm. Other key statistics include:

• In 2015, the most recent year for which data was available, there were 11,330 car accidents in Illinois that occurred on rural roadways between noon and 3:59 pm, and 14,597 car accidents between 4:00 pm and 7:59 pm.
• In the same year, there were 65,418 car accidents reported in Illinois that happened on urban roadways between noon and 3:59 pm, and 68,344 car accidents between 4:00 pm and 7:59 pm.

How Many Crashes Take Place in Illinois?

In 2015, there were 313,316 car accidents that occurred in the State of Illinois. 21 percent (65,744) of these crashes resulted in injuries, whether minor, serious, or critical, and less than one percent (914) of crashes were fatal. On average, there were 858 accidents each day, and nearly three of these accidents resulted in fatalities. More than 10 people were injured every hour in car accidents.

Autumn, some Chicagoans contend, is either a remarkably brief season or one that actually starts weeks prior to the first day of fall in September. Splendorous yellow and red leaves appear on tree-lined streets, Lake Michigan changes from a hub of activity to a mere inlet of water in the blink of an eye, and Chicago area children from Elgin to Edgewater enjoy final strolls along the outdoor areas of the city’s zoos and gardens.

Weather in the Chicago area is mighty, and it takes a toll on the city’s streets and highways. As the old joke says, there are only two seasons in Chicago: winter and construction. However, rush hour traffic on streets slick with rain or snow and ever undergoing repairs is no laughing matter. Car accidents happen and, sadly, injuries result.  

Negligence is a Common Cause of Car Accidents No Matter the Season

When a car accident, especially one that results in property damage and personal injuries, happens on a Chicago area road or highway, it’s not nearly enough to chalk it up to inclement weather and somehow just “move on.” No, responsibility must be taken for the damage done. Insurance claims must be filed, vehicles must be repaired or replaced, injuries must be attended to, and police reports must often be made. 

The event of a fatality on Illinois’ roads and highways is a grim reminder of the frailty of human life and the probabilities yielded by our vastly complex transportation network. Millions of Illinois residents travel by car, truck, bus, elevated trains, Metra, Uber, Lyft, and by foot every day. Tracking this universe of movement is astonishing – if you have ever seen a time-lapse video of city traffic, with the lights of vehicles and other methods of transport zooming through metropolitan areas at blinding speed, you have gotten a glimpse of the sheer scale of modern transportation.

In these millions of vessels traveling through urban, suburban, and rural networks are human beings of all types – young, old, male, female, and all races and ethnicities. With such an intricate web of traffic, accidents are a statistical inevitability. Within this group of outcomes, tragically, are accidents that result in fatalities. We see it every day on the evening news, and even though it happens frequently, it can still seem shocking and unreal. 

We think a driving fatality will never affect a loved one, until it actually happens to us. While this is gruesome to contemplate, it has become a necessary fact of life for many people. If you have lost a loved to a fatal accident on an Illinois road or highway, you know this. While nothing can ever bring back your loved one, a wrongful death legal claim may account for damages you have suffered.

Automobile accidents can cause a great deal of physical and emotional difficulty, and hit-and-run accidents are particularly devastating. Besides being potentially injured and understandably shaken, victims in such situations may feel a sense of hopelessness or dread. How will they ever repair their vehicle? Who will cover their medical expenses? Should they call the police? Each situation is different, but victims in these cases can take the following steps to protect themselves and obtain the care they need while pursuing compensation for their damages.

At the Scene of the Accident

If you have been injured and are left at the scene of an accident, you may need to call emergency responders to the scene. Should this be necessary, law enforcement is likely to show up to the scene as well, and you will be able to make a report to them once you have been examined by a qualified medical professional. If, on the other hand, you were uninjured, you may call the police to report the accident.