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The History of Tort Law and the American Jury: Putting Faith in Ordinary People

When someone is injured because another person or company was careless, the right to seek compensation may seem like an ordinary part of American law. But the modern personal injury case is the product of centuries of legal development.

American tort law did not begin with a single statute or constitutional provision. It grew from the English common law, was reshaped by American courts and legislatures, and continues to evolve as society, technology, transportation, medicine, and commerce change.

Electric scooters have become a common sight on Chicago streets. They offer a convenient way to travel short distances and reduce traffic congestion, but they have also created new safety concerns for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.

The e-scooter lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C., frequently see dangerous riding behavior that increases the risk of serious injury. One of the most common questions we hear is:

“Are e-scooters allowed to ride in the middle of busy streets like cars?”

In a busy city like Chicago, pedestrians do not always cross the street at an intersection or inside a marked crosswalk. People often cross “mid-block” — meaning they cross the street somewhere between intersections. Sometimes it happens because the nearest crosswalk is far away. Other times, a person may be walking to a parked car, a bus stop, a restaurant, or simply trying to save time.

But what happens if a pedestrian is hit by a car while crossing mid-block? Does the pedestrian automatically lose the right to bring a personal injury claim?

Under Illinois law, the answer is no.

A medida que Chicago finalmente se descongela tras otro largo invierno, las calles comienzan a cambiar. Las temperaturas más cálidas significan más peatones, más actividad al aire libre y, lo más importante, un fuerte aumento de ciclistas compartiendo la vía. Para los conductores en todo Chicago, este cambio estacional trae nuevos riesgos y responsabilidades.

En Zneimer & Zneimer P.C., un bufete de abogados de lesiones personales que representa a demandantes en Chicago, esta es la época del año en la que, lamentablemente, comenzamos a ver más lesiones relacionadas con bicicletas, muchas de las cuales son completamente prevenibles.

Más bicicletas, más riesgo

Recientemente, conducía de regreso a casa por la noche durante una fuerte tormenta de lluvia. Iba por debajo del límite de velocidad y prestando mucha atención a la carretera porque la visibilidad era un problema debido a la intensa lluvia, los limpiaparabrisas despejando furiosamente el parabrisas y el resplandor del tráfico que venía en sentido contrario. Conducía por Western Avenue como lo he hecho miles de veces. La calzada estaba oscura y mojada, y era difícil ver cualquier línea pintada, así que me mantenía recto en mi carril cuando, justo frente a mí, apareció el nuevo “refugio peatonal” de concreto que había sido construido recientemente en medio de la vía. La rueda de mi automóvil lo golpeó a aproximadamente 20 millas por hora, reventando la llanta y dejándome conmocionado.

Me quedé preguntándome cómo pude haber golpeado la isla peatonal cuando iba en línea recta. Al inspeccionarla, pude ver que ahora los conductores deben desviarse ligeramente hacia la derecha para evitarla. Al observar todas las marcas negras de neumáticos y el cemento astillado, quedó claro que no fui el único en golpearla. Los abogados de lesiones personales de Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C., en este artículo, analizarán los beneficios y peligros de las recientes incorporaciones a nuestras carreteras de Chicago.

Si conduce en Chicago, ha visto los cambios: “bump-outs” (extensiones de acera) de cemento en las esquinas, medianas de concreto, islas de refugio, carriles para bicicletas protegidos y más rotondas en lugares que antes eran intersecciones simples y amplias.

The city of Chicago has made a concerted effort in recent year to make it safer for pedestrians to cross the street. The City has added pedestrian bump outs at crosswalks, more signage, painted zebras across the street and in some cases flashing lights. The Chicago personal injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C.  note that more work needs to be done.  This article lists the hurdles that still remain in making the streets safer for pedestrians.

Many drivers simply do not stop at crosswalks.

Everyone in Chicago has probably experienced standing at a crosswalk waiting to cross as cars and trucks zoom past without even slowing down. One can venture out into traffic if one is brave or foolish enough to take for granted that the traffic will stop but this is not recommended.  Some drivers are distracted. Others are impatient. Some mistakenly believe pedestrians must always wait.

The polar vortex has arrived in Chicago.  When temperatures plunge to around zero, driving conditions can become dangerous fast, even on roads that look clear. Extreme cold creates unique hazards that increase the risk of serious crashes, injuries, and multi-vehicle accidents across the city and surrounding suburbs.

The personal injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. believe it is important to understand these risks to help prevent accidents and keep you safer during winter travel.

Why Extreme Cold Makes Driving More Dangerous