I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again. It is more important than ever to protect yourself with a good auto insurance policy with uninsured motorist coverage before you hit the roads in Chicago. This is due to the fact in part that so many drivers are driving without insurance. The attorneys at Abels & Annes handle UM claims on a regular basis.A perfect example is the case below, where our client was hit by negligent driver who had no insurance. The plaintiff luckily had an auto insurance policy with protection if he was ever injured by an uninsured driver, and due to this fact we were able to obtain a $50,000 settlement on his behalf.
This claim arises out of an automobile collision which took place on January 9, 2012 at approximately 9:48 p.m. Our client was driving southbound on Harlem Avenue in North Riverside, Illinois. He was stopped at a red light at the intersection of Harlem Avenue and 25th Street. The uninsured driver was also traveling southbound on Harlem Avenue when she failed to stop as she approached 25th Street, and struck the rear-end of the plaintiff’s vehicle with significant force. As a result of being struck by the uninsured driver, his head flipped forward and hit the steering wheel. This also caused his head to snap backwards after impact.
After the accident, investigating police officers determined that the other driver was at fault for the accident.
Following the collision, the client immediately began experiencing pain. He hoped this pain would resolve, but when he awoke the next morning his pain was even worse. He sought treatment at Swedish Covenant Hospital’s Emergency Department.
In the emergency room, he complained of dizziness, nausea, and pain in his head, neck, back, and shoulders. A history was taken, he was examined and diagnostic tests were performed. He underwent a CT scan of his head. He was diagnosed with a concussion, and muscle strain. He was prescribed pain medication and muscle relaxants, and was instructed to seek follow up care.
The plaintiff initially sought follow up treatment from a doctor in January, 2012. At that time he continued to complain of dizziness and pain in his upper and lower back. He had tenderness to his cervical and lumbar spine and muscle spasms. His doctor diagnosed him with cervical brachial syndrome, muscle spasms, lumbar facet syndrome, cervical, thoracic and lumbar segmental dysfunction and sacroiliac joint (S.I.) dysfunction.
He began a course of conservative physiotherapy treatment to include neuro-electrical muscle stimulation and manual therapy to the cervical, lumbar and thoracic spine and S.I. joints. The doctor gave the opinion that injuries were caused by the motor vehicle collision at issue.
He also was having severe headaches and visited a different physician for that issue. The doctor took a history and examined him. He complained of headaches, dizziness, nausea, and neck and back pain. The physician administered a sphenopalatine ganglion nerve block to treat the severe headaches. This lessened the pain, and the doctor administered a second nerve block a few weeks later.
Part of the time while the case was pending our client was residing out-of-state. He was still experiencing back pain, and sought further treatment with a doctor in Ohio. That physician examined him and took a history. He diagnosed the plaintiff with lumbar somatic dysfunction and a lumbar strain/sprain. He was to undergo physical therapy to include physical manipulation and electrical stimulation. He underwent seven therapy sessions before returning to Illinois in April 2012.
Once our client returned to Illinois, he resumed treatment with his doctors here starting in April, 2012. He continued to complain of persistent pain in his lower back, and he also began experiencing pain in both ankles and feet. An MRI was taken at that time. The MRI revealed disc bulges at L4-L5 and L5-S1.
The plaintiff also sought treatment at a foot and ankle clinic in June, 2012. He complained of pain in both feet and tightness in his legs. He underwent x-rays of his feet and ankles. That same day x-rays were taken of his left foot, left ankle, right foot and right ankle. The x-rays revealed no fractures or abnormalities, but he was diagnosed with bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral Achilles’ tendonitis, and bilateral ankle pain. The doctors recommended that he seek additional physical therapy for his legs and feet. In the doctor’s medical opinion, these injuries were due to compensation from the lower back pain.
He met with a physical therapist in July, 2012 and complained of pain in his heels, ankles, feet, S.I. joint and calves. The therapist diagnosed him with ankle pain, Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis. The initial phase of treatment was focused on his foot and ankle pain. He underwent twelve (12) therapy sessions that included electrical stimulation, iontophoresis, physical exercises, and a vasopneumatic pump.
Eventually with treatment, the plaintiff’s pain was reduced significantly and he was discharged from treatment. The case settled without having to go to an arbitration hearing, which sometimes occurs when pursuing an uninsured motorist claim.
If you have been injured in a car accident that was caused by an uninsured driver, give our office a call for free consultation. Our accident attorneys are standing by 24/7 to take your call and answer your questions. Call us toll-free at (855) LAW-CHICAGO, or locally at 312-475-9596.