The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently announced a plan to evaluate forward collision avoidance and mitigation (FCAM) technology. Depending on the result of that evaluation, the NHTSA may move to require FCAM devices on commercial trucks. The Truck Safety Coalition, Center for Auto Safety, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety and Road Safe America […]
Chicago Business Leaders Learn the Benefits and Rewards of Hiring People With Disabilities
David Rapoport was pleased to attend the morning program presentation by ADA25 Chicago hosted by the Economic Club of Chicago. The topic — what businesses can do for people with disabilities and why they should do it — was both informative and inspiring. The three-member presentation panel included Kareem Dale, Director and Senior Counsel, Discover […]
When Safety Fits, Part Three
Agenda for NTSB Aviation Forum Released
When a pilot loses control of an aircraft in flight, the results can be catastrophic. Preventing loss of control in flight in general aviation is on the 2015 Most Wanted List of safety improvements for the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB recently released the agenda for its upcoming general aviation safety forum, to be […]
A Call for Tighter Regulation
A scandal uncovered by one agency has led another to consider cracking down on the auto industry. The Environmental Protection Agency recently discovered that Volkswagen carefully engineered software to skirt U.S. emissions standards. VW diesel vehicles were programmed to run differently when being tested than during normal operation. After an EPA investigation, Volkswagen could be […]
Lawsuit Filed After Dangerous Utility-Task Vehicle Rolls Over and Shatters Teenager’s Leg
Rapoport Sims Perry & VanOverloop recently filed suit against numerous adults who handed over the keys to a dangerous piece of farm equipment to two teenagers without driver’s licenses, one of whom was seriously injured after the vehicle rolled over at high speeds. The lawsuit alleges that the adult defendants encouraged the two teenagers to […]
Rapoport Sims Perry & VanOverloop, P.C., Lends a Helping Hand to the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago
At Rapoport Sims Perry & VanOverloop we are committed to helping people and the community both inside and outside of the courtroom. As part of that commitment, the firm spent the day gathering and donating supplies for the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago. A Ronald McDonald House provides a comfortable place for families to stay […]
The Push for Automatic Brakes
Automatic emergency braking systems are a technological solution to a common type of car accident, the rear-end collision. Distracted, fatigued, impaired or infirm drivers may apply brakes too late or too softly to avoid an accident. AEB systems provide automatic braking or supplemental braking to reduce the severity of a crash or avoid it altogether. […]
Lawsuit on Behalf of Family of a Chicago Road Worker Killed at Worksite
Attorneys David Rapoport and Matthew Sims filed a lawsuit this morning in Chicago on behalf of the wife of a 48-year-old man who was killed as a result of a worksite accident that occurred on September 12, 2013, at a road resurfacing project on the Southside of Chicago on the 6200 block of South May […]
Focus on Rail Safety
Illinois Rail Safety Week runs from Sept. 13-19. During the week, safety agencies, railroads, law enforcement agencies and private corporations will coordinate to emphasize the importance of rail safety. Illinois is among the nation’s leaders in rail injuries and fatalities. In 2013, Illinois saw the third most grade grossing deaths and the second most trespasser […]
Bike Injuries on the Rise
A recent study confirmed that there was a sharp increase in the number of adult bicycling injuries between 1998 and 2013. The study involved data gathered in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, combined with U.S. Census information. It revealed that the increase is driven, in part, by rising injuries in bicyclists older than 45. […]
David Rapoport Presents at Lunch and Learn Webinar: You Wouldn’t Use a Doctor Who Wasn’t Board Certified, Would You?
Attorney David Rapoport of Rapoport Sims Perry & VanOverloop in Chicago was honored to be the first presenter in the new Lunch and Learn webinar series hosted by the Injury Board. During the webinar, titled “You Wouldn’t Use a Doctor Who Wasn’t Board Certified, Would You? The Importance of Board Certification in the Legal Profession,” […]
Bigger, Bolder Dashboard Displays in Demand
The majority of U.S. states have banned texting while driving. In an effort to attract new buyers, automakers are introducing larger and more advanced dashboard displays, some of which allow drivers to read text messages. Lawmakers and safety experts are concerned about the potential for increased levels of distracted driving based on the latest trends […]
FAA Study Shows Fatigue Problems Among Air Traffic Controllers
Fatigue can have a substantial impact on your ability to complete a task successfully. In the aviation industry, studies on fatigue have often focused on pilots. Fatigue is also a potential safety hazard for others in the aviation industry, including air traffic controllers. A study of controllers completed in 2011 shows that the typical work […]
When Safety Fits, Part Two
Choosing a Motorcycle Helmet According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, wearing a helmet improves your chances of surviving a motorcycle crash by 29 percent. NHTSA studies have demonstrated that wearing a helmet does not hurt a rider’s ability to see or respond to traffic. There is no valid safety reason not to wear […]
Emotional Support Animals and Aviation Safety
For many reasons, a certain percentage of travelers choose to bring their pets with them on airline flights. While traveling with a pet can be soothing, a new phenomenon has taken the practice further. Flight attendants are noticing an increase in the number of passengers bringing emotional support animals onto flights. The flight attendants worry […]
When Safety Fits, Part One
Chicago Among 10 Worst Cities for Drivers
In a ranking of the 100 most populated cities in the U.S., Chicago finished 93 in terms of the best cities to be a driver. The rankings were based on 21 metrics including things like road conditions, safety, costs of vehicle ownership, traffic and more. Chicago’s ranking as the 8th worst city in which to be […]
Child Safety on Airplanes Targeted in Canadian Investigation
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada recently concluded an investigation into a 2012 plane crash in which a 6-month-old child was killed. The investigation led the TSB to recommend that specially designed seat belts be made mandatory for children and babies on commercial flights. That recommendation is in line with a number of groups concerned […]
Medical Testing Carries Risks
Medical testing equipment is a significant investment. Hospitals and clinics purchasing this equipment face substantial pressure to justify the expense by keeping the machines busy. This requires a steady stream of patients getting tested for various health conditions. Some clinics have responded to this pressure by advertising the tests directly to the public, without waiting […]
