Every year, nearly 300,000 car accidents occur across the state of Illinois. These accidents take place in the most populated areas as well as the most rural, meaning that no driver, no passenger, or even no pedestrian is guaranteed safe from a possible crash. Unlike many activities in life, driving combines one motorist’s actions with the actions of all other drivers in the area to determine how safe conditions will be. The safest driver in the state or in the Chicago area may still be injured if another driver in the area fails to yield the right-of-way or otherwise acts negligently.
When a car accident occurs, victims may be left to wonder why they were injured or whey they must bear the financial burden of a crash that was not their fault. Fortunately, the laws in Illinois are designed to protect those who have been hurt by allowing them to seek financial compensation for their damages, including the medical bills they have incurred. As the facts and circumstances surrounding every collision vary, it may be helpful to speak with a personal injury lawyer to learn about the implications of your accident and whether you may be entitled to relief.
Around 4:30 p.m. yesterday, a serious collision involving 11 vehicles occurred in Oak Lawn that left three people dead and 11 others injured. According to local authorities, a speeding driver traveling west on 95th Street allegedly ran a red light at the intersection with Cicero Avenue and collided with a line of stopped traffic waiting to travel east. The eastbound traffic was not moving because all motorists were at a red light, witnesses reported.
Including the westbound motorists, 11 vehicles were involved in the impact and three individuals lost their lives due to this collision. Another 11 people were injured with two reportedly in critical condition, eight with minor injuries, and one with an unspecified condition. It is not clear whether those victims in critical condition are facing life-threatening injuries or whether they are expected to survive. Some reports have indicated that the suspect driver who was traveling westbound was among the three people killed in the crash and it is possible that the alleged at-fault vehicle flipped and rolled over in the collision.
Car accidents in the Chicago area do not end when the dust settles. While the physical damage may be done, the path toward recovery begins once the impact subsides. Depending on the injuries sustained, a victim may require medical treatment, surgical care, rehabilitative training, or other help as he or she moves toward a physical and emotional recovery.
The financial impact of a crash can be staggering and it can make a victim suffer for months or years after the day of a collision. But the laws are clear: those who cause accidents due to negligence or recklessness may be held financially responsible for the financial toll enacted.
The legal team at Abels & Annes, P.C. is focused to helping those who have been hurt by the actions of others and we want to help you as well. If you have been injured or if your loved one has been injured or killed, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your damages if your accident occurred in the Chicago area. We offer a free case consultation to those who call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and we provide it without any obligation on your part.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we strive to help victims while holding negligent drivers responsible for their actions. If you have been hurt, call us today and let us help you seek the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Freight Train Strikes, Kills Woman, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published October 3, 2014.
Resource:
3 dead, 11 injured in Oak Lawn crash, Chicago Tribune, published October 5, 2014.