Whiplash refers to a trauma-caused neck injury caused by the sudden, forceful, and rapid back and forth or side to side movement of the neck in an accident. While many people with whiplash get better in a few weeks of treatment, others may sustain chronic or permanent damage.

If you have suffered a whiplash car accident injury, find out how to handle it and what experienced Rockford Car Accident Lawyers can do for you.

Common Symptoms of Whiplash

Whiplash is essentially an injury to the soft tissues in your neck. You will usually experience symptoms within a few days of the accident, although the damage is often immediate, which is why you should seek treatment even if you are not showing any signs. When you do experience symptoms, the Mayo Clinic reports that you may notice the following:

• Pain that worsens when you move your neck
• Neck stiffness
• Headaches that begin at the base of the neck
• Tingling or numbness in the arms
• Loss of range of motion in the neck and sometimes shoulders
• Pain or tenderness in the arms, upper back, or shoulders
• Dizziness and fatigue

You may also experience blurred vision and changes in your sleep. Your best course of action, as mentioned, is to see a doctor immediately after your accident to get an early diagnosis.

Steps to Take After a Whiplash Injury

Your actions immediately after an accident will usually affect many things, including your chances of recovery and eligibility for compensation. If after an accident you suspect that you have suffered a whiplash injury, you should do the following:

• Get Immediate Medical Treatment

As a rule of thumb, always see a doctor after an accident, even if you feel fine. Once you explain the circumstances of your car accident, your doctor will check for signs of soft tissue injury and treat it. The medical records you acquire from this, and subsequent visits will come in handy when you file a claim.

• Document Your Expenses and Losses

Most insurance providers will require proof that your whiplash injury caused you damages. Immediately you notice any pain or discomfort, you should begin to document all your losses and expenses including, medical bills, car repair, and even mileage.   

• File a Personal Injury Claim

If you live in a no-fault state, you should file an injury claim with your insurer immediately. People who live in a fault state can turn to the at-fault party’s insurance provider. Failing to do so could leave you paying for your expenses and loses out of pocket. 

• File a Lawsuit

There are many unknowns that surround a personal injury. For instance, your insurer may deny your claim outright, or the at-fault party may be uninsured. Your best form of legal recourse in such situations may be to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you are successful, you may be awarded non-economic damages alongside your economic damages.

Contact Tuite Law Today

Tuite Law established its family-owned practice in Rockford, Illinois, in 1958. Since then, our Rockford Car Accident Lawyers have been defending the rights of personal injury victims throughout northern Illinois. We are dedicated to helping you get the compensation you deserve for your losses.

Are you a whiplash car accident victim living in Illinois? Contact Tuite Law today online or at (815) 965-5777 to schedule a consultation with a top attorney.

A T-bone accident occurs when one vehicle hits another from the side. Like other auto collisions, these accidents can have devastating results. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,000 of all the fatal car accidents in 2011 were T-bone collisions.

T-bone accidents are common at stop signs and intersections. However, they can happen anywhere a driver is negligent. Below, we investigate common T-bone car accident injuries.

If you have incurred an injury in a T-bone crash, the Rockford Personal Injury Lawyers at Tuite Law can help you seek the compensation you deserve.

Causes of T-Bone Accidents

Most T-bone collisions occur at intersections, stop signs, and traffic lights. Common scenarios include when a driver runs a red light, fails to yield, or make a turn in front of a car driving in the opposite direction. While every T-bone accident can be dangerous, the risk increases when:

• The driver who hit you was speeding.
• You weren’t wearing a seatbelt.
• You were hit at an angle.
• You were hit by a large vehicle, such as an 18-wheeler.

Overall, T-bone accidents might cause more severe injuries, on average. This could be because there is less car between your body and the other vehicle than in head-on collisions, for instance.

Common T-Bone Accident Injuries

The only thing protecting you and your passengers in a T-bone accident is your car’s thin metal doors. This might explain why T-bone accident injuries tend to be severe. That said, however, the severity will often depend on the impact angle, speed of collisions, seatbelt use, and vehicle type.

During a T-bone collision, several parts of your body are exposed to impact trauma. This might result in the following injuries:

Back Injury

The impact of a T-bone crash can hurt your back. The injuries could range from a simple strain to a break. Depending on the severity, you might suffer from chronic back pain for a long time.

Spinal Cord Injury

Your spinal cord is a highly delicate part of your body. Spinal cord injuries like herniated disks could be easier to treat than more severe damage, which could result in partial or total disability.

Neck Injury

During a T-bone crash, your neck might jerk from side to side of front to back. This movement could result in mild to severe muscle sprains, strains, nerve damage, or a broken neck.

Broken Bone or Fractures

The impact of a T-bone collision could be substantial enough to fracture or break your bones. Overall, the most commonly reported broken bones are arms, legs, hips, and pelvis.

Head and Brain Injury

Flying objects or debris could hit your head during a collision. You could also bump it against your window, dashboard, or seat. When this happens, you could sustain a concussion or contusion.

Talk to a Rockford Personal Injury Lawyer

T-bone car accident injuries can have severe and far-reaching consequences on you and your loved ones. Fortunately, you don’t need to face these losses on your own. An experienced attorney can help you file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party.

Tuite Law has been defending the rights of accident victims in Rockford, Illinois, since 1958. We are dedicated to helping you get the compensation you deserve. Have you been injured in a T-bone accident? Contact us at (815) 965-5777 to discuss your case with top Rockford Personal Injury Lawyers.

According to the National Safety Council, car accidents caused approximately 4.5 million severe injuries in the country in 2018. One of the most devastating of these injuries was brain injury. A brain injury from car accident occurs due to trauma to the head, which is caused by sudden blows. The damage could range from a mild concussion to life-altering brain damage.

Brain injury can result in medical bills, time off work, and physical pain. It can also have long-term psychological impacts on you and your loved ones. Luckily, you can work with Rockford Personal Injury Lawyers to pursue damages for your losses.

Have you suffered a brain injury? Contact Tuite Law to learn about your rights.

Types of Brain Injury

Brain injury is usually caused by a jolt, bump, or blow to the head, which disrupts normal brain function. It can be mild and temporary or permanent, depending on how long the disruption lasts. Common types of brain injury include:

• Concussion – Most common brain injury. Occurs due to significant trauma, which causes the brain to move around in the head.
• Coup-Countercoup – Happens when trauma to the head causes the brain to slam onto the opposite side of the skull. Could cause bleeding on both sides of the brain.
• Diffuse Axonal – Refers to nerve tissue tears in the brain caused when the brain lags during movement of the skull.
• Contusion – This is direct trauma to the head which causes bleeding in the brain

Symptoms of a Car Accident Brain Injury

You might not experience symptoms of brain injury immediately after a car accident. However, it is crucial that you seek medical help immediately. Also, see a doctor if you experience the following:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue, dizziness, and loss of balance
• Headache
• Change in sleep patterns
• Blurred vision and speech problems
• Sensitivity to light
• Concentration problems
• Convulsions or seizures
• Loss of consciousness

Brain Injury Treatment

Always see a healthcare provider immediately after a car accident. Every brain injury case is different. However, treatment will usually involve the following crucial stages:

• Diagnosis – Diagnosis will include a series of medical tests such as MRIs, X-Rays and CT scans
• Treatment – Your treatment plan will depend on your injuries. Mild concussions could require pain medication and rest. On the other hand, a severe injury could require surgery.
• Rehabilitation – Severe brain injuries often require extensive rehabilitation.

How Can Top Rockford Personal Injury Lawyers Help?

A brain injury from car accident can have life-altering impacts. Our Rockford Personal Injury Lawyers can help you seek damages to cover your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Ultimately, our goal is to fight your legal battles and allow you to focus on your recovery.

We understand that personal injury law can be complex. This why we offer top-rate legal representation and advice. Whether your case requires negotiations with the insurance company or litigation, we are up to the task. We will file and guide you through a personal injury lawsuit or claim.

Contact Us Today

At Tuite Law, we have been representing personal injury victims for over 5 decades. We are dedicated to helping you get back on your feet by getting you the compensation you deserve for your losses. Contact our legal team today online or at (815) 965-5777 to discuss your case.

Reckless driving is a charge that can be applied when you are driving at a higher speed than the set limit or in other special conditions. In this article, our experienced Rockford Car Accident Lawyers at Tuite Law explains all you need to know about reckless driving in the state of Illinois.

Is Reckless Driving A Misdemeanor in Illinois?

Roadways are becoming more dangerous each year. Especially during the winter season, all drivers must obey the traffic rules and drive safely. Any action that does not comply with the law can be regarded as reckless driving, which results in consequences.

Illinois traffic laws state that reckless driving is any activity while driving a vehicle that deliberately puts others in danger of death or injury. These actions are implemented through traffic references when police officers notice reckless behavior on the road.

Examples of reckless driving

The law is comprehensive when it comes to ascertaining reckless driving. The modest act of speeding can lead to reckless driving charges since when someone is speeding, it is easy to collide with other vehicles or pedestrians. Here are some of the examples of dangerous and reckless behavior:

• Not yielding to school buses picking up children or pedestrians at crosswalks
• Racing other vehicles
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Speeding across construction zones
• Driving through stop signs or red lights
• Changing lanes without sufficient space
• Talking on your mobile phone while driving
• Swerving between lanes

Reckless driving in the state of Illinois is charged as a Class A misdemeanor that results in the punishment of up to one-year jail term, a $2,500 fine, or both. The driver will not lose his or her privileges for a single reckless driving conviction.

The state of Illinois does not suspend the driver’s license until three strikes have been given to a driver within one year. The exception to this regulation is if the driver is below 21 years. In this case, the driver’s license will be suspended as soon as the conviction is made.

Other impacts of reckless driving

Reckless driving charges increase a point to the record of a driver, which will, in turn, increase the rate of insurance on the driver’s vehicle. That makes paying for insurance every time more expensive. Reckless driving can result in serious accidents that can leave victims injured or even dead. Under the laws of Illinois, a reckless driver will be required to pay compensation to the injured parties involved in the accident and pay for the damages done to the vehicles of the victims.

The most severe consequences come if a victim dies during a reckless driving car crash. The at-fault driver can be charged with manslaughter and face hefty compensation to the family of the deceased and felony punishments of jail time.

Contact a Rockford, IL Car Accident Attorney

It is always good to travel as safely as possible to avoid unnecessary accidents. Reckless driving results in various punishments, but having the help of an experienced and knowledgeable attorney from Tuite Law can protect you from harsh consequences. To schedule a free consultation with our Rockford, IL traffic violations attorney, call our offices today or fill our online appointment form.

According to Illinois laws, reckless driving is described as a situation where one drives with wanton disregard for the safety of other people or their property. It may also be described as a situation where a person intentionally uses an incline causing their vehicle to be airborne. Your Rockford car accident lawyers can answer your questions including ‘how long is reckless driving on your record?’ and ‘what are the consequences?’ 

Some of the most common examples of reckless driving include;

• Changing lanes without giving a signal
• Driving at a high speed
• Swerving

Reckless driving is considered a class ‘A’ misdemeanor. The possible punishments are; 

• $2,500 in fees and fines without considering the court costs
• 364 or fewer days in a county jail

The convictions impose one point on your license if you are a driver under 21. The point can put your license at risk of suspension. 

How Long Does Reckless Driving Stay on Your Record?

Adults have two records for reckless driving; a criminal record and a DMV record. Reckless driving can stay on your record for up to 11 years. It will always remain on your criminal record. 

The records for adults are different from juveniles. Juvenile records can’t be accessed by members of the public. However, they may be available to specific government agencies. If you were convicted for reckless driving while you were a minor, you may be expunged when you become an adult. 

Moving violation traffic tickets stay on your driving record for up to five years from the conviction date. These violations include; disregarding stop signs, speeding, and wrong lane usage. The Secretary of State may remove the offense in four to five hours at their discretion. 

If a traffic ticket results in the revocation or suspension of your ticket, it will remain on your record for a minimum of seven years from the date when your license is reinstated. Drug or alcohol-related offenses will stay on your driving record permanently. 

Your traffic ticket will remain accessible on Illinois public driving records unless a court orders otherwise. 

How Can a Reckless Driving Conviction Affect You?

A reckless driving conviction can have various effects on you and the quality of life you live. Some of the possible repercussions include;

• Increased premium payments
• You may miss out on possible employment opportunities
• Some employers may terminate your employer if you have a criminal record

Are you looking for Rockford car accident lawyers? Consider seeking the help of Tuite Law. We are a team of experienced and passionate injury and disability attorneys that focus on the specific needs of all our clients. We have more than 50 years of experience in representing the disabled and injured. We are happy to represent clients from all walks of life. No case is too big or too small for our passionate attorneys. We are proud members of associations such as; WCBA, Super Lawyers, WCLA, and WILG. If you need urgent legal representation, call us today and get the help you need.

Call now! (815) 965-5777

Being involved in a car accident can be both a very scary experience, as well as a very costly and inconvenient one. Indeed, even if you aren’t seriously injured, you will have to file a police report, should be checked out by a doctor, and then will have to deal with numerous insurance claims over the next weeks or months. And if you are seriously injured, then the aftermath of a car accident can be that much worse.

What’s more, because Illinois is an at-fault car insurance state, if you’re found to be at-fault for the crash, then the points for the crash will be assessed against your driver’s license record.

If you have points assessed against your record following a car accident, it’s important to know how these points may affect your insurance rates, as well as for how long they’ll likely remain on your record. Here’s what you should know–

The Significance of Points On Your Driver’s License Record

Performing any illegal maneuver can result in points on your driver’s license record. If you receive too many points in a given time period, your license can be suspended. What’s more, if you have points on your driver’s license, your insurance company may raise your insurance rates as such, as points signal that you are perhaps an irresponsible or unsafe driver. 

How many points you get and how close it brings you to license suspension/how it affects your insurance rate likely depends on the offense. For example, reckless driving can result in a whopping 55 points assessed against your record, whereas speeding between one and 10 miles per hour over the limit will result in five points. If you’re in a car accident, you will get points based on the negligent action that caused the crash (i.e. speeding or careless driving). 

How Long Will Points Stay on My Driver’s License Record?

The Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles maintains driving records that reflect activity and points assessed for minor offenses for four to five years, depending on the offense. More serious offenses, on the other hand, will be reflected on your record for up to seven years if the offense resulted in a suspension or revocation of your license. Your insurance company may use this as a reason to raise your rates and make you pay a higher premium.

What If I Wasn’t at Fault in a Crash – What Can My Insurer Do?

While your insurer may be within its rights to raise your rights if your negligent behavior leads to a car accident, it should not penalize you for being the victim of a crash that was caused by the fault of another. What’s more, your insurer cannot penalize you or raise your rates for exercising your right to file a claim and seek compensation per your policy. If your insurer threatens to do, you should talk to an attorney.

Call Tuite Law Today for More Information

Knowing your rights after a car accident in Rockford is important. To learn more about how points may affect your license and your insurance, or to speak to a Rockford car accident lawyer, call Tuite Law directly today at 877-965-5777 for a free consultation.