How many times have you felt exhausted after a late night out at a party, concert, sporting event, or after pulling a double shift at work yet drove yourself home? You may have even found yourself in such a predicament because an emergency occurred, or you ventured out to render aid to a friend or family member in need of your help. Some people even stay out longer on the road than they probably should in hopes of reaching a certain landmark on schedule as they drive somewhere.

No matter your reason for being out on the road, most of us probably wouldn’t want to find ourselves out there beyond the point we’re feeling our best. Sadly, some people allow themselves to constantly run on empty and then get behind the wheel of their cars regularly, endangering their lives and everyone else who is in their car or in their path on the road.

Whether you drive a box truck, like those available for rent at U-Haul or Penske, or an 80,000 pound 18-wheeler, there will invariably come a time when you will find yourself driving in inclement weather. While you might want to keep your foot heavy on the gas pedal in such weather conditions to minimize the chances of reaching your destination late, doing so is ill-advised.

Multiple studies show precisely why that is the case, one of which comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to data compiled by the government agency, wet roads and careless driving contribute to some 70% of weather-related vehicle accidents. But the reality of what happens on American roadways in poor weather conditions does not end there.

Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP is pleased to announce partner Michael Krzak’s recent appointment to the Aviation Law Committee of the Chicago Bar Association. While this isn’t Attorney Krzak’s first time being named Chair of this committee, but instead his third, his plans for how to forward the committee’s objectives are even stronger now than ever after his previous appointments.

Attorney Krzak noted in his acceptance of the appointment that he aims to do his best to “continue carrying on the Aviation Law Committee’s long tradition of providing his fellow Chicago Bar Association members who are interested in aviation law with the contacts and other resources needed to ensure they can properly tackle the aviation law cases they undertake.”

The law firm of Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP was honored to serve as Gold Sponsor for the 2022 Illinois Valley Building Trades Charitable Trust Golf Outing on June 10^th. The event raised $22,000 for the non-profit organization the United Way of the Illinois Valley in Peru, IL.

The SGKR-sponsored hole was dubbed the “Beat the Lawyer” hole. We were proud to be able to raise over $600 for the United Way on our sponsored golf hole alone. Our law firm also donated raffle prizes that were awarded to one of the foursomes that successfully “Beat the Lawyer.” Prizes included a 36-inch Blackstone Grill and four Garmin Bushnell Wingman GPS Golf Speakers. In total, Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP donated roughly $1,900 to the event.

Big trucks are a necessary part of modern-day life. It can be a little scary to drive near large automobiles like 18-wheelers, though. These vehicles weigh significantly more than standard passenger cars and can cause a lot of damage in a truck accident.

For the time being, tractor-trailers are still a staple feature of most interstates, so just how many truck drivers are in Illinois alone?

One of our firm’s attorney founders and a preeminent aviation litigator, Michael Krzak, is slated to speak at the upcoming National Institute on Aviation Litigation on June 9. The conference, which was originally to take place in person in Chicago, will now be a virtual event. Anyone interested in attending the institute can register online. Registration is open until June 8 at 5 p.m. (Eastern).

Among the topics that will be discussed at this year’s institute include:

• Pilot shortages as it relates to the implementation of the 1500 hour rule
• The intersection of aviation incidents and the criminal justice system
• In-flight liability concerns, including intoxicated passengers, improperly stowed baggage, etc.
• The ins and outs of the Montreal Convention
• Future product liability lawsuit filings in light of the Sikkellee Saga
• An analysis of emergent litigiousness associated with the COVID-19 pandemic

Pedestrian travel does not guarantee safe arrival.  There are dangers wherever we walk or get out for exercise.  Between navigating cracked sidewalks, searching for crosswalks, and dodging cars in areas with little to no pedestrian infrastructure, a leisurely stroll can lead to danger while you are on your way to your intended destination.

With advances in vehicle technology and heightened pedestrian safety awareness, you might think that anyone traveling on foot, in a wheelchair, or with the use of a mobility aid would at least face better conditions than in the past. Unfortunately, this is not the case. In a troubling trend, pedestrian fatalities are on the rise in Illinois and across the rest of the country.

As midwesterners, many of us look forward to the spring season as the beginning of warmer weather days after a long, bitterly cold winter. We also eagerly anticipate this time of the year because it marks the kickoff of baseball season. Here at Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP (SGKR), we’re proud to announce our sponsorship of the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp baseball team for the 2022 season.

The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp is a collegiate summer league that plays home games at Schweickert Stadium at Veterans Memorial Park in Peru, IL. Appointment to this Prospect League Eastern Conference team allows top-tier college athletes to gain a unique insight into how the professional baseball industry functions without it impacting their National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) qualified status.

One of Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP’s founding partners, Michael Krzak, is representing Alejandro Perez, a male motorist. He was unexpectedly struck by an Amazon delivery driver while waiting at an Evanston intersection two years ago during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Perez continues to face significant functional impairments, including difficulty kneeling and standing, despite undergoing lower back surgery for his injuries soon after the accident.

When news stations show winter weather accidents, you’ll often see your fair share of crashes involving trucks. Many times you’ll see trucks that flipped over as they attempted to pass another motorist or round a circle turn when transitioning from one interstate to another. On some occasions, you’ll catch a glimpse of a rare phenomenon that is a jackknife incident.