In Chicago, no one is endowed with the right to infringe on the safety of others, regardless of who that person is. Yet every day, drivers seem to forget this clear and simple fact when they take to the roads in a negligent or reckless manner, threatening a collision that may leave their passengers, those in other cars, and even pedestrians and cyclists injured or killed. When this happens, local authorities may step in and bring criminal or traffic charges against an errant driver but those charges only work as a punishment after the fact – nothing can ever erase the damage that is caused once a car accident takes place.
The injuries and the pain and suffering that must be endured by a victim or that victim’s surviving family members likewise cannot be eliminated overnight but that does not meant that there is no help available. Rather, the laws of Illinois and of Chicago guarantee victims with certain protections, including the right to seek and obtain financial compensation for their damages. If you have been the victim of a traffic accident in Chicago, speaking with a personal injury attorney can help you realize your legal options and can help you obtain the payment that you deserve.
Among those who might be involved in a car accident or traffic collision, some types of victims are at a higher risk for injuries than others. The very young and the very old are prone to harm as are pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists. Bicycling accidents have received an increase in coverage in local media in recent years because cycling is increasing dramatically in popularity annually and, unfortunately, significant collisions involving bikes continue as well.
In fact, another bicycle accident happened in Des Plaines on Monday night and tragically, this one claimed the life of the man who was riding the bike. Authorities report that a 25-year-old male was riding his bicycle on Algonquin Road near Mount Prospect Road before 10:00 p.m. when a vehicle approached. Allegedly, that vehicle was operated by a 54-year-old male employee of United Airlines, who owned the car, and the driver collided with the cyclist, causing a serious collision.
Officials report that the driver of the car fled the scene without stopping to check on the victim or without speaking to authorities. However, the car’s license plate was found at the scene, enabling officers to track down the owner and from there, the alleged driver. At this time, police have alleged that the suspect admitted to striking the cyclist in the crash.
Anyone can be the victim of a bicycle accident or other traffic crash if they utilize the roads of Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois and a victim’s life can change in just a moment. If your life has been affected or if your loved one was injured or killed, know that the personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. are here to help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
You can call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 where we have a licensed lawyer waiting to speak with you. We offer all injury victims and their families a free case consultation without obligation and if we represent you in your case, we will never charge you a fee unless we are successful on your behalf.
There is nothing to lose by speaking with us so please do not hesitate – call Abels & Annes, P.C. now.
Prior Blog Entry:
Pedestrian Hit by Metra Train in Elgin, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published July 13, 2015.
Resource:
United Airlines Worker Charged In Des Plaines fatal Hit-And-Run, by Steve Miller, CBS Chicago, published July 14, 2015.