A 22-year-old man was rollerblading in Lombard last Tuesday evening when he was hit and killed by a van. The victim, a resident of Lombard, was at the intersection of Roosevelt Road and Highland Avenue around 9:00 p.m. when he began to cross. Police say that the man was crossing from the north to the south and was traveling at an angle when a van approached.
The van, driven by an unidentified female, approached the intersection and struck the rollerblader. Police say the driver clipped the victim, sending him flying over the hood of the van and landing on the ground. Emergency crews responded to the scene and transported the man to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove where he received emergency treatment. Unfortunately, the man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead the next morning by hospital staff.
Police describe the intersection at issue as having poor visibility. It is illuminated but the lighting may not be adequate. The crash happened during nighttime hours and police believe that the combination of the dark and the layout of the intersection caused the driver to be unable to see the victim. At this time, police are continuing their investigation but they do not expect any charges to be filed against the driver of the van, calling the incident a horrific accident.
Regardless of whether the driver is criminally charged in the crash, the family of the victim may still have a claim against the driver for causing the young man’s death. It is the duty and responsibility of every Illinois driver to operate a vehicle with care and caution towards others on the road. This does not only include other drivers but also pedestrians, bicyclists, and in-line skaters, as in this case. When a driver is careless or negligent and causes an accident, that driver can be held financially liable for any injuries that result, including death.
Even if it was dark outside and police describe the intersection of the crash as having limited visibility, it does not excuse a driver from her duty to watch for others crossing the road. If the driver failed to meet her duty, the surviving family members of the victim may have a valid claim for their monetary damages. This is a civil claim and the right to bring it is held by the family of the victim and therefore it is possible to bring such a claim even if criminal charges are never filed.
If you have been hurt in an accident with a car or if your loved one has been hurt or killed, it is important to know that you have legal rights that may entitle you to compensation. Call the Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today for a free telephone consultation regarding your accident and your right to a recovery. We have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day to take your call at (312) 924-7575 and we never charge a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf. At Abels & Annes, P.C., we put our clients first and we fight for the maximum recovery possible in each case. If you want to meet with us in person but are too injured to travel to our office, we offer free in-home and in-hospital consultations so that you can focus on your physical recovery while we handle the rest. Call us today and let us provide you with the representation you deserve.
Prior Blog Entries:
Possible Hit-And-Run Leaves Motorcyclist Injured, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published August 13, 2013.
Minivan Hits School, Injures Boy, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published August 8, 2013.
Resources:
Lombard man, 22, dies in in-line skating accident, by Annemarie Mannion, Chicago Tribune, published August 8, 2013.