Motorcycle Accidents

November 6, 2010

Driving without a license may make you uninsured

In a consolidated case that involved six drivers that drove cars that were insured by Founders Insurance or Safeway Insurance, the issue was whether Founders and Safeway should pay for injuries caused by a driver that drove the car without a license. Founders and Safeway argued that they did not have to pay because their policy excluded drivers who do not have a drivers license. Five of the drivers had no license, while the sixth driver had a suspended license.

The Founders insurance policy had several exclusions to its liability coverage. One of the exclusion stated that coverage does not apply “to bodily injury or property damage arising out of the use by any person of a vehicle without a reasonable belief that the person is entitled to do so.” Founders argued that a person without a drivers license or a person with a suspended drivers license cannot have a reasonable belief that they are entitled to use the vehicle.

The Safeway insurance policy had a similar exclusion. The policy excluded any person “operating an automobile without a reasonable belief that he or she is entitled to do so.”

January 4, 2010

Illinois cracks down on uninsured drivers

by Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C.

A new law amends Section 625 ILCS 5/3-707 of the Illinois Vehicle Code making it a misdemeanor to injure someone while driving without insurance. Violators could spend up to a year in jail or face a $2,500 fine.

The amendment reads as follows:

625 ILCS 5/3-707

January 3, 2010

Texting and driving is now against the law in Illinois

by Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C.

Records compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that driver distraction is a significant factor in traffic crashes resulting in injury or death. The use of a cell phone while driving can increase the chances of becoming involved in a crash by 400 percent.

On January 1, 2010, two new traffic laws take effect in Illinois.

The first traffic law restricts drivers under the age of 19 (with an instruction permit or graduated license) from using a wireless or cellular phone while driving. This law law also prohibits the use of wireless telephones for all drivers, regardless of age, while operating a vehicle in a school zone or construction zone.

December 27, 2009

Illinois Outlaws Driving While Texting

by Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C.

As of January 1, 2010, Illinois makes texting while driving illegal. Specifically, the new law prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle while using an electronic communications device to compose, send, or read an electronic message

August 15, 2009

Illinois Promotes Motorcycle Safety

by Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C.

The Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Traffic Safety (IDOT/DTS) is offering free driver training classes for motorcycle operators. The Cycle Rider Safety Training Program (CRSTP) was initiated in 1976 in an effort to reduce injuries and deaths in accidents involving motorcyclists.

The training program is free to any Illinois resident 16 years of age or older who holds a valid automobile or motorcycle driver’s license or permit. The program is designed to help motorcyclists increase their skills and learn how to avoid crashes. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, research shows that over 90% of motorcycle riders involved in crashes were self-taught or learned from family or friends. In addition, the number of licensed motorcyle riders in Illinois continues to increase. This means there are more inexperienced riders on the highways, and these riders may lack the skills and judgment to avoid crashes.

The Illinois Cycle Rider Safety Training Program (CRSTP) offers courses for beginner, intermediate and experienced riders. If you are a new motorcyclist or want to brush up on your motorcycle riding skills, please consider enrolling in one of these courses.

August 1, 2009

Wrongful Death Suit in Chicago Area Motorcycle Accident

by Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C.

An Aurora woman has been accused of wrongful death and a suit has been filed against her after a motorcycle accident near Elburn on July 28th. Two motorcyclists were killed in the chain-reaction accident.

Alia Bernard, 24, has been accused of negligence in the death of Denise Thomas, 45. Thomas’ husband, Wade Thomas, was also killed in the accident. The Thomas’ were taking part in a Saturday morning ride with twenty other cyclists.

Apparently, Bernard rear-ended the Honda-Civic in front of her which was stopped at a light and waiting to turn left. The collision caused the Honda-Civic to be forced into the oncoming cycle traffic and the Thomas’ were unable to stop before hitting the Civic.