For the second time in recent weeks a Chicago car accident lawyer at Abels & Annes has reached a personal injury settlement on behalf of a local resident who was injured by his or her own spouse’s negligence. When our office handles this type of case I always feel it is important to call attention to the matter. This is because when an accident is caused by a husband or a wife and his or her spouse is injured, many people believe that there is no claim to be made. This is not true.
If you are injured in an accident due to the negligence of your husband or wife, our office can present an uninsured motorist claim on your behalf. Over the last several weeks our office has recovered $35,000 in one case and $80,000 in another.
In one of the claims, we reached a $25,000 insurance policy limits settlement for a wife who was injured by her husband’s negligence in a collision. In addition to the $25,000, we were able to collect $10,000 in medical payments under the insurance policy.
The collision occurred back on January 29, 2011 at approximately 8:22 AM in Melrose Park, Illinois. Our client was injured while riding as a passenger in a vehicle driven by her husband. At the time of the accident she was seven months pregnant.
The Melrose Park Police Department responded to the scene of the accident. Investigating officers determined that the husband was at fault for the collision and issued him a traffic citation for failing to yield the right-of-way when making a left turn.
The plaintiff incurred back injuries in the accident. She was taken by ambulance to the Loyola University Medical Center emergency room. Over the next several months she had follow up treatment with a medical doctor due to back injuries sustained in the accident.
When the client initially contacted our office she had no idea that she had a potential case. Luckily for her, a friend of hers told her that she might have a claim and that she should contact an injury lawyer.
The case was handled by David Abels, a law partner at Abels & Annes.
In a very similar case, car crash attorney Gary Annes reached an $80,000 settlement on behalf of one of our clients. A husband was hurt in a March 29, 2011 accident that occurred at approximately 1:37 PM.
He was riding as a front seat passenger in the family vehicle being driven by his wife. They were proceeding northbound when his wife tried to make a left turn into a gas station. Oncoming, southbound traffic had the right of way. In turning left she failed to yield to oncoming traffic. She turned left into oncoming traffic, resulting in a collision with a southbound vehicle on the front passenger side of their vehicle, right in the area where the husband was sitting.
The plaintiff had an immediate onset of right shoulder and right arm pain following the collision. He went to a local Emergency Department for evaluation and treatment.
Upon arrival at the Emergency Department a history was taken, he was examined and diagnostic tests were performed. He complained of severe right shoulder and arm pain and had limitations in the range of motion of his shoulder. He was initially diagnosed with a right shoulder contusion, prescribed pain medication, muscle relaxants, given a sling to wear and instructed to seek follow up treatment after discharge.
An MRI in October, 2011 revealed a full thickness rotator cuff tear.
We alleged in the uninsured motorist claim that his wife failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to yield to oncoming traffic when making a left turn, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area, including her passenger.
The case settled without having to go to court or arbitration.
In the unlikely event that you are injured by your spouse’s negligence in a car crash, contact our office for a free, no obligation consultation. There is a good chance we can present an uninsured motorist claim on your behalf. Call 855-LAW-CHICAGO.