Preventing Accidents on Illinois Railways

 Posted on August 28, 2014 in Personal Injury

While car accidents may be unfortunately common in the United States, another major concern is present, especially in the state of Illinois. Accidents involving trains and on railways happen all too frequently in Illinois, due in part to the fact that the state has so many miles of track. According to a recent news article, preventing these devastating accidents has become a top concern for railway safety experts.

Rail-Safety Issues

Illinois is one of the few states across the country that must address rail-safety issues due to the numerous crossings present in the state along its many miles of train tracks. Illinois is among the top five states for most railway accidents and related deaths, according to a coordinator from Illinois Operation Lifesaver. Railway safety experts are focusing their efforts on Illinois since there is a higher chance of accidents happening involving trains within the state. They recently met to talk about risks posed by Illinois railways as well as discuss potential solutions for the thousands of railways crossings in Illinois that are located on private property.

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What Is Notario Fraud?

 Posted on August 27, 2014 in Immigration

Many immigrants, documented or undocumented, are in vulnerable positions when trying to come to the United States. Some are too poor for an attorney, but seek other ways to get help to stay legally. It is this situation that is ripe for exploitation by scam artists who call themselves notarios. It is important, if you are seeking immigration help, to not fall for their tricks, and to only pay or give information to people who have the authority to help you.

What Are Notarios?

While in Europe and Latin America the term “notary public” applies to a person who is qualified to represent individuals before a government, that is not the meaning of the term in the United States. Notarios use that linguistic confusion to prey upon immigrants who need help. They are people who lack any kind of legal authority in the U.S., but hold themselves out as “immigration consultants” or “visa consultants” in order to project an air of authority. They are, not to put too fine a face on it, con men who make a living preying on desperate immigrants. Sometimes, their lies can have long-term consequences, including damaging a potential immigrant’s prospects for genuine applications to be approved.

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If it’s a Boy, We Get Married? Babies, Gender Preference and Divorce

 Posted on August 27, 2014 in Family Law

A married couple finds themselves constantly fighting. They are unhappy with each other and unhappy with their relationship. Though they have considered a divorce, the wife is pregnant and the couple wants to try to stay together for the sake of their unborn child.  Just a few months later, the child is born. Will the gender of the baby have an impact on whether the couple stays together?

Just a few months ago, the answer might have been yes. In 2003, researchers found that parents of girls were more likely to divorce than parents of boys. The findings set off a firestorm, igniting debate about whether parents prefer boys and why a parent might choose to stay in a relationship for one child and not another. But recently, more data has come to light that seems to suggest that the gender of a baby does not cause a divorce­—the stress of an unhappy marriage causes the gender of the child born to the marriage.

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Back-to-School Safety Precautions for Motorists

 Posted on August 26, 2014 in Personal Injury

As summer draws to a close, one thing is for certain: back-to-school season is here in Illinois and in states across the country. While the summer months present unique safety concerns of their own, back-to-school time can be a particularly frustrating adjustment for motorists, who likely did not have to navigate roadways filled with buses or small children for the past few months. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) issued a comprehensive guide on motorist safety with regards to school buses and other traffic issues presented by back-to-school time. Read on for tips on how to navigate some common scenarios.

Passing a School Bus

According to the ISBE, children are at the greatest risk when boarding or exiting the school bus. Children may become distracted, cross the street without warning, fail to ensure the road is clear before crossing, and may even be blocked from view by the bus as they attempt to navigate around it. In addition, many students likely expect traffic to stop for them while crossing the street at a bus stop.

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What to do When Injured in a Car Accident

 Posted on August 22, 2014 in Personal Injury

Being involved in a car accident is often a scary experience, especially in the first moments after the crash. This is usually true no matter the severity of the accident. However, when car accidents result in significant injury, feelings of anxiety and stress can be amplified. Not only is the time immediately following a car accident a critical one for the injured's well being and safety, but it can also be important for the future of any case that can be made against the at-fault driver.

Advice Following an Accident

Although it is often an emotional and confusing time, the minutes following a car accidents are also often crucial for the injured. While car accidents happen under different circumstances and sets of factors, it helps to be prepared with the following advice if you ever find yourself the victim of an accident.

Assess your injuries. If you are seriously injured in a car accident, do not attempt to move since trying to do so could make your injuries worse. It is usually a good idea to avoid much movement before your injuries can be evaluated by a paramedic, since some injuries may be harder to identify than others. However, it is important to always remove yourself from a dangerous situation that poses a risk of greater harm or death despite the extent of your injuries. Report all injuries to those on scene. This may include injuries sustained by passengers, the other driver or witnesses. If you are unsure about injuries, request an ambulance for an evaluation by a paramedic. Let the paramedics know about any and all pain you are experiencing when they arrive. Seek medical assistance. Go to the emergency room as soon as possible if you feel you are injured. Refusing to do so can not only affect your health, but may also affect your ability to successfully recover damages in the event of a lawsuit. Following up with your doctor about your injuries, as well as following his or her advice about any medical treatment, is equally as important. Be sure to complete any recommended treatment plan. Cooperate with police. Be sure the police are contacted after an accident and cooperate with them when they arrive on scene. Provide them with information about the accident and your injuries, but avoid saying anything incriminating. Report the accident to your insurance company. Do this as soon as possible, regardless of fault, to be sure your policy will cover your claim. Consult with an attorney before giving any formal statement to the opposing side or an insurance company.

Accident Injury Attorney

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Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: A Primer

 Posted on August 21, 2014 in Immigration

Much ink has spilled recently over the presence of thousands of undocumented children along the U.S.’s southern border. However, discussion seems to be focused on their right to be in the United States at all, and very few people are familiar with the path taken to stay here. A portion of these undocumented children will not have grounds to stay in the United States, but those who do may very well do so under Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status.

The SIJ program was originally designed to assist foreign children in the United States who had been abused, neglected, or abandoned by their caregivers (regardless of the citizenship of their caregivers). The program was passed in 1990 and revamped in 2008. Under the program, children who meet certain standards may be able to remain in the U.S. as Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs).

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Pet Custody: A Bone of Contention

 Posted on August 21, 2014 in Family Law

A Carol Streams couple has been trying to divorce for two years. What is holding them up? It is not a dispute over who gets the house or whether spousal support should be paid. No, this dispute is all about their black Labrador, and who gets custody of him.

With 91 percent of pet-owning Americans agreeing that their animals are members of the family, it should come as no surprise that a bone of contention for some divorcing couples will be who gets the family pet. Unfortunately for animal lovers, family law courts do not seem to have the same feelings about Fido. Therefore, pet parents need to understand how the courts view pet custody, and must also learn what they can do to prepare themselves for a dispute.

How the Courts View “Petimony”

In the eyes of most courts, animals are not family members—they are pieces of personal property that should be equitably distributed along with the rest of the marital estate. Because personal property (like a toaster) does not have feelings and courts do not order visitation for this type of property, many judges have traditionally ruled the same way when it comes to pets.

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High Incidence of DUIs in Chicago Suburbs

 Posted on August 19, 2014 in Personal Injury

In addition to the criminal charges and penalties a driver who is convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) may face, he or she may also face additional consequences if involved in an accident that caused damage or injury. Along with being charged with the crime of DUI, a criminal defendant may face additional and more serious criminal charges for causing harm to another, be ordered to pay restitution when being sentenced, and face civil penalties should they be sued for their actions. Under circumstances where those charged with a DUI were involved in or caused an accident, he or she risks liability for potentially significant damages owed to the victim or victims of their actions, should a civil lawsuit be brought against them.

DUIs in Chicago Suburbs

Some information suggests that DUI arrests may be especially prevalent in the Chicago suburbs. According to a recently published news article, four western suburbs of Chicago rank in the top ten Illinois communities for highest number of DUI arrests in the year 2013. The article said the community of Rockford was ranked first out of the top 10, with a total of 556 DUI arrests made last year. The suburb of Naperville came in second place, with 553 arrests having been made for DUI. The remainder of the notable Chicago suburbs on the list were Carol Stream, ranked at number five on the list with 392 arrests for DUI, Elmhurst came in sixth place with 300 DUI arrests, and Aurora rounded out the top 10 in tenth place across the state of Illinois, with officers in that area having arrested a total of 256 people for DUI. Other notable Chicago suburbs that were ranked in the top 25 for DUI arrests included Wheaton and Lombard.

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Lesser Known Safe Driving Tips for Teens

 Posted on August 15, 2014 in Personal Injury

According to a recent article, two men from Naperville are about to publish a book for teen drivers. While teens are sure to get their fill of safe driving tips from parents, teachers, and driving instructors when preparing to get their license, the book focuses more on unwritten rules of the road; a topic about which many teens may not be as familiar.

What Teenage Drivers Do Not Know

The book is composed of tips for teens about various topics, such as driving in poor conditions, parking, maintaining a vehicle, and dealing with the unexpected. It even contains information about the court system should they find themselves there. The authors' goal was to teach teen drivers the things they may not be taught in driver's ed class, and to focus on sharing information they personally gained through years of experience.

Not only does the book reportedly go into more detailed information than the instruction teens would receive in driver's ed, but it shares "not-so-common-knowledge" about safe driving and about situations that drivers may not encounter every day.

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Visa Application Denied: What's Next?

 Posted on August 14, 2014 in Immigration

When you file a petition for an immigrant or non-immigrant visa, it goes to the desk of a U.S. consul. The petition may be approved, and it may also be denied. If your petition is denied, it can completely upend your plans, as well as many factors in your life. It is important not to give up hope though, and to do your research into what you need to do to appeal.

Why Petitions Are Denied

There are a host of reasons why visa petitions are denied, but the most common reason is a lack of persuasive evidence showing that the eligibility requirements have been met. In simpler terms, not enough documentation is provided. There are other reasons as well; for example, certain criminal convictions, like crimes of moral turpitude, will almost certainly get your petition denied. Crimes of moral turpitude are crimes which involve intent to cause great bodily harm, defraud or deceive and include fraud, human trafficking, and murder. However, eligibility is the main reason; for a non-immigrant, the consul may be unconvinced that you have ties strong enough to return to your home country, which is a major criteria for the visa to be granted. Or, you may have insufficient evidence of financial support.

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