Driving in Chicago can be intimidating. Like any city, there are many factors to take into account at all times—street signs, signals, pedestrians, cyclists, and heavy traffic. While streets are well-marked and GPS directions are pretty reliable in our city, there are still some things you’ll need to know before getting behind the wheel in Chicago.

While you should always pay attention while driving,  in cities you should be even more aware of your surroundings. There are so many moving parts and things going on that you need to be more alert. Don’t let that stress you out, though! Try to stay as calm as possible so that you make good decisions and do not make a mistake or succumb to road rage.

We’ve all been told to look both ways before crossing the street, but that doesn’t always guarantee that we will make it across safely. Just last year, the Illinois Department of Transportation reported nearly 3,000 crashes involving pedestrians in Chicago alone, and 43 of those were fatal.

You might think those accidents were a result of bad weather or poor lighting, but the majority of accidents occurred on dry roads and in broad daylight. On top of that, over 70% of drivers were reported to be in normal condition, which means they were not impaired or fatigued.

We can’t control the world around us, but we can practice extra caution in an attempt to avoid serious injury. In order to stay as aware of your surroundings as possible, you should know which intersections in Chicago are the most dangerous for pedestrians.

Flying in the wintertime can seem like a hassle. Trudging to the airport in the snow and slush in a heavy coat and winter gear while toting luggage is difficult enough. The situation can seem even worse if you arrive at the airport to learn your flight has been canceled.

While canceled flights cause stress, more often than not the right decision is being made. There’s no reason to take a risk in the air in the event of inclement weather. When a commercial airline fails to necessarily cancel a flight or a pilot is unaware of how to properly operate the aircraft in poor weather conditions, the consequences can be devastating and result in serious injuries or death to passengers on the plane. It’s important for pilots, flight crews, airlines, and passengers to be aware of the risk of flying during winter weather, so airplane accidents can be prevented.

There are a number of new laws going into effect in 2020 in Illinois. The list below contains some of the biggest changes our state will see, which includes a number of new employment laws. At Krzak Rundio Law Group, we pride ourselves on ensuring our clients understand the laws that apply to their personal injury cases. That’s why we educated ourselves on any and all new laws and amendments.

Winter and all the chills that come with it are quickly approaching. In Chicago winter brings plenty of snow that may or may not be cleared from the roads. When a serious storm arrives and you have somewhere you need to be, sometimes your only option is to drive through the snow.

Of course, snow isn’t the only bad weather that can affect the roads. Heavy rain, hailstorms, and strong winds can also make driving more difficult and dangerous. But the good news is that you don’t have to be unprepared to drive in those conditions. We’ve put together a list of safety considerations for you to keep in mind while driving in inclement weather:

In the winter season, drivers need to be aware of the weather conditions that can affect their driving. Icy roads and inches of snow make the roads slippery and can lead to accidents. Treating and clearing the roads helps make them safer. The main vehicles that provide this essential service are snow plows. When you encounter a snow plow while driving, it’s important to keep some safety tips in mind so you know how to share the road.

The loss of a loved one is one of the most challenging things a family can endure. When the death was the result of someone’s negligent actions, it compounds things. Families often question whether legal action can be taken or should be taken against the responsible party. While it’s understandable for families to have reservations about the legal process, it is sometimes the only means of holding those who wrongfully caused a loved one’s death responsible and securing a comfortable future for those who have been left  behind.

If your family is considering filing a wrongful death case, you may be wondering how the amount to be awarded is determined. The process of establishing the amount to be awarded in a wrongful death case is complicated. There are a number of factors to consider. At the end of the day, it is important to remember that the compensation awarded is meant to hold the at-fault party responsible for the value of the lost income/wages/earning capacity (known as pecuniary damages) as well as the value of the loss of love, companionship, guidance, consortium and the grief and sorrow (known as non-pecuniary damages) caused by the wrongful conduct of the responsible party.

If there is evidence that the individual who died had conscious pain and suffering before their death, there may also be damages for their pre-death pain and suffering. These pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages must be fully evaluated and developed in a way to ensure that the maximum compensation can be obtained for each element of available damages.

Krzak Rundio Law Group is pleased to announce that Michael S. Krzak has been recognized in the 26^th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America by his peers for his exceptional work in the practice of Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. This is the third consecutive year that Michael has received this honor.

“Inclusion in Best Lawyers is based on a rigorous peer-review survey comprising more than 8.2 million confidential evaluations by top attorneys. Our founding principle remains unchanged since 1983 and forms the basis of our transparent methodology: The best lawyers know who the best lawyers are.”

For more information on the methodology used in the award selection, please see here.

Krzak Rundio Law Group, LLC proudly welcomes Attorney Terence Naughton, who goes by “Terry”, to our team. A Chicago native, raised in the South Side, Terry has always called our city home, and now he protects its injured citizens as a personal injury trial attorney.

Terry’s past work as a defense attorney is an asset to our clients in injury cases. He has spent time working on the opponent’s side, so he understands how the defense operates and any potential tactics they might utilize. With him on our side and in our client’s corner, our firm is further strengthened in the fight for the rights of those who have been wrongfully injured.

As part of our law group, he represents victims of serious injuries in wrongful death, product liability, construction negligence, workplace accidents, and transportation negligence cases. Not only does it help us that he was a defense attorney prior to working with us, but it also helps that he specifically worked with construction companies and other similar businesses. His in-depth knowledge of both sides of these cases will help us better serve victims of these types of accidents.

In cities like Chicago, bicycle commuters have increased by 150 percent between 2000 and 2012. In that same timespan, there were over 9,000 bicycle crashes that resulted in injuries in Chicago, alone. With more people riding bicycles to exercise, save money or be environmentally friendly, bicycle safety is more important than ever.