There is no denying that an argument between two people may escalate to violence when alcohol is involved. These types of physical altercations can take place between spouses or family members in private, such as someone’s home. In other scenarios, they can occur in public places between strangers, such as at a bar or a restaurant. A simple misunderstanding can turn violent if individuals are intoxicated or impaired after drinking too much. Typically, a person is liable for injuries if he or she assaults another person. However, if a dining establishment intentionally over-serves a patron who is already clearly intoxicated, then they too could also be liable for injuries suffered in a bar fight under the Illinois Dram Shop Act.

Physical and Psychological Damage

Any traumatic event that results in harm, such as a car accident or an attack, can lead to both physical and emotional damage to the victim. Suffering injuries after being punched, kicked, or attacked in any way can make someone very anxious or fearful of going out again, especially if the incident occurred at a public place.

A few of the most common types of injuries suffered in a bar fight include:

Studies from the National Safety Council (NSC) have reported some surprising news regarding car accidents. Fatalities from motor vehicle collisions increased 11 percent in the first quarter of the year in Illinois despite the fact that was when stay-at-home orders went into effect due to COVID-19. Although some restrictions have been lifted, many people are still working from home so the roads are significantly less congested than they typically would be during the summer months. Unfortunately, many drivers are taking to these open roads with a blatant disregard for traffic laws. Reckless driving has been a major concern for safety experts since the statistics show a jump in serious injuries and fatalities.

Dangerous Driving Behaviors

There are many actions behind the wheel that can be cause for concern. Negligent driving behavior seems to have increased on the empty roads. The reason for this may be the fact that motorists have a false sense of safety or security since there is not much traffic on the streets today. They might think that it is OK to speed or that law enforcement is busy with other duties and not out patrolling the somewhat deserted highways.

Distracted driving may also be a contributing factor to the rise in vehicle fatalities during the pandemic. Since there are fewer cars on the road, motorists may believe that it is safe to text while driving. However, even glancing at a phone for a few seconds greatly reduces a driver’s reaction time, which could result in a rear-end collision if a car ahead suddenly stops and he or she cannot stop in time. In other cases, a driver may simply be worried or concerned if a family member is sick with the virus, which can contribute to distracted driving.

There are many different ways that someone can get hurt. Accidents can occur in various environments, including the home, public places such as parks, restaurants, or stores. Injuries can range from minor bumps and bruises to serious and even life-threatening conditions. In some cases, they can affect the rest of someone’s life. Slip-and-fall accidents might not sound like they would be that severe, but they can cause significant injuries to people of all ages. Although they are fairly common in inclement weather, especially in snowy or icy conditions, slip-and-falls can also occur in warm weather. Property owners have a responsibility to properly maintain their buildings and grounds; otherwise, visitors may suffer injuries.

Premises Liability Act

According to the Illinois Premises Liability Act, business and property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe and secure in order to prevent guests from any harm. If owners or managers fail to take reasonable care to maintain the property, they may be held accountable for damages that occur as a result. However, this law does not apply to individuals who are trespassing and get hurt on the property.

Injuries that are a result of the negligence of a property owner can be due to damaged sidewalks, staircases, hand railings, faulty elevators, or poorly maintained swimming pools. We all know that slipping on ice in the winter can be a common occurrence. However, swimming pool surfaces can be extremely slick due to all the water that splashes from the pool. In addition, restaurant floors or patios can be slippery if drinks or food spills and they are not cleaned up by staff members in a timely manner. In other cases, rotted wood can break apart, causing patrons or visitors to lose their footing or balance and fall.

There are many working parents in the United States. Finding child care options can be a daunting task, since parents are entrusting their child’s well-being with someone else. That is why it is important to find licensed facilities to ensure your child’s safety. Bruises, cuts, or scrapes can be the result of typical childhood roughhousing. However, not all injuries are unintentional, and they could be an indication of a serious accident. They can be caused by negligence or even abuse on behalf of a childcare provider. In Illinois, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) issues licenses to daycare centers to make sure they meet a set of standards for care. When these standards are not met, parents may be entitled to a personal injury claim if their child suffered while in their care.

Negligent Actions Can Lead to Tragic Accidents

Most children who go to a daycare center are typically there for eight or more hours if their parents work full time. This means they may eat, drink, and nap at the facility. An appropriate number of adults to kids ratio must be met to ensure proper supervision. Unfortunately, inadequate staff or maintenance are a few of the reasons that many accidents occur at childcare facilities. In other instances, failure to perform a thorough background check on employees may mean staff members who are not trained or qualified to care for infants or toddlers.

A few of the leading causes of accidents and the resulting injuries that children can sustain while at a daycare facility include:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most eating establishments were closed except for takeout or drive-thru service. This was done to help prevent the highly contagious virus from spreading. The good news is that restaurants throughout the state of Illinois are now opening up for dining outside on patios or spaced apart inside the establishments. After being under a stay-at-home order for the past several months, many Illinois residents are flocking to their favorite restaurant or bar for a night out. However, a fun outing can have an unexpected outcome if an accident occurs. There are several ways that a dining patrol can be injured. In the majority of cases, a negligent owner or operator may be to blame. That is why it is essential that you consult with a skilled personal injury attorney to learn your options for seeking damages.

Types of Accidents That Can Occur at a Restaurant

Some of the most common injuries sustained at a restaurant are the result of slip and fall accidents. Slippery surfaces can cause patrons to slide and lose their balance. Similarly, customers may trip on debris or objects on sidewalks or aisles. The causes of these conditions can include the following:

• Spilled food or liquid on flooring or hand railings
• Uneven pavement
• Poorly lit parking lots

Under the Illinois Premises Liability Act, all property owners in Illinois are responsible for keeping their premises clean and safe for those who visit, or at least provide a warning if they cannot keep the area free from hazards. Restaurant and bar owners or managers can be held accountable for injuries that occur within the dining area in addition to the walkways, patio, and parking lot. In order to prove negligence, accident victims will need to show that the restaurant created the hazard, knew of the hazard, or should have known of the hazard. These rules do not apply to people who are trespassing.