Named after Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department, who was struck and killed by a drunk driver while helping a distressed motorist on the Dan Ryan Expressway, the law requires any motorist “approaching any police or other emergency vehicle stopped along the roadway” to yield to the moving emergency vehicles, by:

• Proceeding with caution
• Changing lanes, if possible
• Reducing speed

Penalties under Scott’s Law vary depending on whether the violation happened due to “a factor of aggravation,” such as driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.  Such penalties include:

• Property damage: 90 days to one year suspension of driving privileges
• Injury to another person: 180 days to 2 years suspension of driving privileges
• Death of another person: 2 year suspension of driving privileges

Indeed, the Illinois State Police has stated that violators of Scott’s Law will be fined up to $10,000 and have their driver’s license suspended for up to two years.

Though Scott’s Law deals specifically with emergency vehicles, other laws may also apply to serious motor vehicle accidents, depending on whether or not the driver was intoxicated, uninsured or underinsured.  An experienced transportation accident lawyer has a thorough understanding of all applicable laws and investigative tools relating catastrophic motor vehicle accidents.

Motor vehicle accidents may be caused by a number of factors, including driver negligence, defective parts, or simply bad luck.   In any particular accident, there may be many persons or entities involved, including drivers, witnesses, employers, insurance companies and medical personnel.  A top Chicago car accident lawyer can help you navigate the players and investigate the facts to ensure you receive the full compensation you are entitled under the law.

For a free consultation with one of our accident attorneys, call Passen Law Group today at (312) 527-4500.

One example of such technology is adaptive headlights.  Such headlights may swerve, or rotate around a bend in a curve, illuminating both the curve and potential hazards, like animals in the road, pedestrians or another vehicle.  Because a common cause of many deadly car accidents is the inability to see a road hazard due to weather or lighting conditions, this technology can certainly save lives.

However, crash avoidance technology will probably not impact the number of car accidents caused by reckless drivers, drunk drivers or faulty vehicles parts.  A top car accident lawyer in Chicago can help you investigate the accident, identify responsible parties and navigate various state and federal laws so you get the compensation you deserve.

According to the latest Fatality Facts released by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), there were 37,261 deaths due to automobile accidents in 2008. Crash avoidance technology, such as adaptive headlights, blind spot sensors and lane departure warnings, have the potential of cutting down on car accident fatalities. The ABC News story says that 31 percent of car accident fatalities “could be prevented, or have an alternate outcome” if such technology is used in vehicles.

Although crash avoidance technology has the potential to make driving safer for all, such technology is not being used by all car manufacturers — and it will take years for such technology to become prevalent in most cars on our nation’s roadways.  Furthermore, crash avoidance technology will not prevent serious motor vehicle accidents caused by negligent or reckless drivers.  To speak with a Chicago auto accident lawyer regarding your injury, call Passen Law Group at 312-527-4500 for a free consultation.

Still, despite the increase in women driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the vast majority of people arrested for drunk driving (DUI) are men.  In 2007, for example, 626,371 men were arrested for DUI, compared with 162,493 women.

In a parallel study released by the Transportation Department found that women drunk drivers were responsible for approximately 2,000 highway deaths each year.  According to transportation officials, the number of people killed in a motor vehicle crash by a drunk driver who was a woman increased in 10 states from 2007 to 2008.

These studies were released in connection with the government’s anti-drunk driving enforcement campaign targeting drivers leading up to the Labor Day holiday weekend, which typically results in a spike of alcohol-related car accidents.  To speak with a top Chicago personal injury lawyer with experience handling cases involving serious motor vehicle accidents, call Passen Law Group at (312) 527-4500 for a free consultation.