Saint Clair County Law Blog

Summer and spring driving requires preparation

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. posted in blog on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.

As the warmer months of the year march ever so slowly to the Belleville area, it is time for all drivers to get ready for the spring and summer driving conditions. Many people tend to think that getting ready for driving is a winter activity because of the snow. It might surprise you to know that there are many hazards that come with driving in the warmer weather.

The preparations that you make for driving need to start before you ever leave home. They continue when you are on the road. Here are some preparation tips to help you get started:

Most common driving distractions that don’t involve phone use

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. posted in blog on Monday, April 9, 2018.

Distracted driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. The reason for this is that distracted drivers often display the same characteristics that drunk drivers do. For instance, if drivers are distracted, they will not be focused on the road and their reaction times will be slower. While cellphone use often gets the most attention when it comes to distracted driving, there are several behaviors that can lead to distractions behind the wheel.

By understanding the leading the causes of distracted driving, not only can you avoid engaging in them, but you might also have a better chance of identifying other drivers who are distracted. These are the most common causes of distracted driving:

Burns are difficult injuries to handle

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. posted in blog on Thursday, March 29, 2018.

Being burned is a horrible accident that leads to a long recovery when the burn is a third-degree or fourth-degree burn. These burns damage tissues so healing is much more difficult. Getting the proper care quickly can make a big difference in how you fare after the burn occurs.

You should realize that not all hospitals are created equally when it comes to caring for burn patients. Ideally, patients will be admitted into a dedicated burn center that has staff members who have been trained to handle these injuries. It is necessary to take several things into account when you are dealing with a burn. Here are a few to remember:

Severed body parts and the road to recovery

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. posted in blog on Monday, March 19, 2018.

Many types of accidents can result in serious injuries. In some cases, a traumatic amputation is possible. Whether you are dealing with an amputated body part due to a car accident, malfunctioning farming equipment or some other accident, you have a long road to recovery ahead of you.

An amputation occurs when a part of the body, usually a limb or digit, is severed from the rest of the body. There are different types of amputations, but immediate medical care is vital in all of these cases.

Beware of brain injuries if you've been in a car crash

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. posted in blog on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

The force of a car crash can have a host of repercussions on the body. These effects vary based on several factors related to the crash. Brain injuries are among the most common, and potentially life-changing, consequences of an accident on the roadways.

Brain injuries are very serious matters, even if the injury is considered minor. They can have an impact on just about every aspect of your life so you must be sure that you are getting the treatment necessary to minimize potential damage.

Many treatments can come in the aftermath of a spinal cord injury

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. posted in blog on Monday, March 12, 2018.

After a spinal cord injury, the medical care you receive is likely going to seem like it is moving quickly. In the past, doctors thought that it was important to allow the spinal cord to recover before any treatments were done to it. Now, this isn't the case.

There are many aspects of care after a spinal cord injury that must be done right away. From stabilization and respiratory support to surgery, you should know what you might face after the accident.

Truckers exhibiting unsafe driving methods are dangerous

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. posted in blog on Tuesday, February 27, 2018.

The highways and interstates around Belleville are usually filled with semitrucks. Making sure that you stay safe around these vehicles is imperative. One thing that you can do is to watch these rigs to make sure that you don't spot anything amiss.

There are certain things that you might notice that indicate a trucker is driving in an unsafe manner. If you see any of these signs, make a mental note and try to stay away from the 18-wheeler.

How workers' compensation can help if your loved one dies at work

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. posted in blog on Tuesday, February 13, 2018.

When someone in your family works in a high-risk business, such as manufacturing, farming or construction, you probably worry every day about the potential for an injury at work. People get hurt on the job every day in Illinois, some much worse than others. A work-related injury can leave someone unable to return to work for a long time. For some people, however, the reality is that a work injury actually costs the life of someone they love.

If your family has experienced the loss of a loved one due to a work accident or injury, financial concerns are likely far from your mind at first. Grief is powerful, especially when your loss comes suddenly. You may find yourself swept up in the process of planning a memorial service and burial.

Common causes of distracted driving and their levels of risk

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. posted in blog on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.

Driving is probably something that you have to do every day, multiple times a day. For instance, you most likely have a round-trip commute to your job in Belleville and you may run errands after work or on the weekend.

Since you spend so much time in your car, the chances are good that you have either already been in a car accident or had a few close calls. One of the main contributing factors to many car wrecks and near misses is distracted driving.

The trauma of a brain injury: Recovery

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. posted in blog on Monday, February 5, 2018.

It was your child's first time driving on his own, and you thought everything would be fine. He learned to drive well and was responsible. What you couldn't account for was that other drivers were on the roads acting recklessly.

Your teen ended up in a serious crash, but, fortunately, he only suffered a mild-to-moderate head injury. The doctors believe he'll recover, but you want to know how soon that will happen.