At some point during the day, most people are pedestrians. You may walk from your car into a store, to catch a bus, or into your office from a parking area. Many people also walk, jog, and run for exercise. Unless you remain on a sidewalk at all times, chances are that you will share the street with motor vehicles.
Some people believe that pedestrians always have the right of way, and that drivers are always at fault in pedestrian accidents. The reality is that that is not always true. If you are injured in a pedestrian accident, a…
Continue Reading Can Pedestrians Share Fault for Car Accidents?

Rush hour in Chicagoland happens twice every weekday, generally from 6 AM to 9 AM and again from 3 PM to 7 PM. Lunchtime traffic is heavier also. The chances of being injured in an I-80 collision increase during rush hour traffic, especially with so many large trucks in the area. I-80 in Will County sees around 80,000 vehicles every day, with approximately 20,000 being tractor-trailers. A multi-year road construction project is underway to improve safety on I-80, but until it is complete, road construction zones add to the rush hour dangers.
It may not be possible to avoid traveling…
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Accident-related injuries happen every day, ranging in severity from extremely minor to exceptionally severe. Catastrophic injuries are often life-threatening; if the victim survives, her life is likely altered permanently.
If someone else’s negligence caused your catastrophic injuries, you may be eligible for compensation through a personal injury claim. However, no insurance company actually wants to pay fair value for claims, especially those with high damages. Partnering with the aggressive Orland Park, IL car accident attorney at the Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C. means I will fight to obtain the highest possible amount of compensation on your behalf…
Continue Reading Will My Settlement Be Higher for Catastrophic Injuries?

Motor vehicle accidents often produce injuries or fatalities. Some cause both. For example, on January 7th, an Oak Lawn collision claimed the life of a father and critically injured his 7-year-old daughter. Felony charges, including aggravated driving under the influence (DUI), reckless homicide, and DUI causing death, were brought against the driver who reportedly caused the crash.
A car accident claim can recoup accident-related expenses and provide compensation for other impacts on the victim’s life. Eligible survivors can bring a wrongful death action to cover various losses. An experienced Orland Park, IL personal injury lawyer can handle your case to…
Continue Reading What Damages Are Available After a Car Crash?

If your family is like most, your children probably received new clothes, toys, and other gifts during the recent holidays. While there are laws governing toy safety, defective products are still produced in the U.S. and elsewhere. Toys are not the only potentially dangerous items; car seats, strollers, jewelry, electronics, and even furniture can harm children.
If a toy or another item harmed my child, what are my legal options? What if that item was purchased directly from China, not through a U.S. retailer? A knowledgeable Orland Park, IL product liability lawyer can help you explore your options for compensation.
Continue Reading What Can I Do If a Defective Toy Harmed My Child?

Getting hit by a drunk driver can be terrifying. Drivers who are drunk are extremely unpredictable and are often not paying enough attention to other drivers on the road. It is common for drunk drivers to start braking far too late because their depth perception is impaired, causing them to rear-end the driver ahead of them or roll past a red light into the intersection. If you are injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, it is important to handle the situation correctly. You will need to call 911, and then reach out to an Orland Park,…
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As food delivery options becomes more and more popular, the amount of accidents caused by food delivery drivers has gone up. Drivers who work for companies like UberEats and DoorDash are usually rushing around from restaurant to restaurant and trying to drop off food as quickly as possible in unfamiliar neighborhoods. This creates a perfect storm of issues like distraction, being in a hurry, and driving unfamiliar routes that can all raise the risk of an accident. Accidents caused by food delivery drivers are often severe enough to cause serious bodily harm to others. If you were injured by a food…
Continue Reading Why Do Food Delivery Drivers Cause So Many Accidents?