An automobile accident can happen at any time and in any place. A crash can involve only a single vehicle or, as this winter has proven, dozens of cars and trucks. Regardless of what causes an accident or the external factors involved, any type of crash can lead to injuries to those involved, whether they are drivers or passengers. Some of the most vulnerable individuals involved in car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere across the nation are children who tend to be passengers merely in the wrong place at the wrong time when a crash happens.
The safety devices that come standard in most modern cars are designed for passengers the size and weight of an adult. Some safety devices, like airbags, are actually dangerous to children and therefore manufacturers often caution parents to keep children away from protected areas. But this can leave kids in a part of the car with less protection and greater risk, potentially increasing the odds that a child will be injured in the event of a crash.
When a collision occurs, those who are hurt in the accident may be entitled to seek relief for their damages. This relief can be sought through the use of a civil claim which is separate and distinct from any charges brought by the State of Illinois or any local township. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who represents the victims of car accidents is a good way to learn about your legal options following a crash.
Unfortunately, a tragic accident occurred on Monday evening in Elwood, south of Joliet. Police have confirmed that a collision between a van and a semi occurred in the area of Route 53 and Mississippi Avenue. According to reports, a 36-year-old woman was driving the van with her 15 and 8-year-old daughters as well as two family friends as they traveled home from dinner. The father of the two girls was following behind the van in a separate vehicle. At this time, police believe that the female driver attempted a left turn at the intersection at the same time a semi was approaching, causing the semi to strike the rear of the van and causing a serious collision.
The 8-year-old daughter was in the third and final row of the van at the time of the crash, and unfortunately, that was the area of the car that received the majority of the force during impact. A passerby attempted CPR on the girl until paramedics arrived and transported her to Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center in nearby Joliet but her injuries were too severe and the 8-year-old died as a result of the car accident.
The 15-year-old girl suffered broken ribs, a broken pelvis, and a punctured lung and also was transported by emergency crews to a Joliet hospital. At the last known status, the girl’s condition remained critical.
The driver of the van and the two family friends were all injured and needed medical treatment though none of their injuries appeared to be as serious as those suffered by the sisters. The driver of the semi was not injured in the accident and is not expected to face any charges. Though early in the investigation, police believe that the van’s driver may have pulled out in front of the semi truck on Monday evening.
Accidents can happen in an instant but their effects can last a lifetime. If you have been a victim of a car accident and you were injured, call the injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us provide you with a free, no obligation case consultation regarding your injuries and your legal options. We are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and all information discussed will remain confidential.
Prior Blog Entry:
Plan Ahead Before Indulging During March Madness, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published March 19, 2014.
Resource:
Girl, 8, killed and sister, 15, seriously hurt in Elwood crash, by Rosemary Regina Sobol, Chicago Tribune, published March 19, 2014.