Personal Injury Law Blog

Driving in Illinois is limited to essential travel due to the coronavirus pandemic. State officials have said that residents should stay home as much as possible and only venture out for essential reasons such as getting medication, shopping for groceries or picking up meals.

Chicago police officers started performing roadside safety checks in early April to make sure people were wearing seatbelts and not driving under the influence. They also provided motorists with information about the state’s stay-at-home order to curb the spread of the virus.

While travel restrictions may mean that overall there is less traffic on the roads, car accidents can still occur as more people are choosing to drive rather than use public transportation. Being cautious behind the wheel is always important, but even more so during the current public health crisis.

Continue to practice safe driving habits as always. Make sure to wear your seat belt, follow speed limits, pay attention to your surroundings and avoid distractions when driving. Do not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Drive with caution during bad weather. On April 15, there was a nearly 60-vehicle pileup on the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago. Snowy and icy conditions led to the crash as some drivers were speeding. Almost 50 people were injured and 14 were transported to area hospitals.

Hospitals are focused on treating coronavirus patients, and emergency services may find it harder to arrive at the scene of an accident if they are overwhelmed. Limiting collisions that require hospitalizations can reduce the amount of strain placed on the health care system and ensure the availability of medical equipment, hospital staff and intensive care beds for COVID-19 patients.

If you have been injured in a car accident, contact the lawyers at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. While we are working remotely due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we are still available to assist you.