High speed collisions often have tragic results. When one or more vehicles involved is traveling at a high speed before a crash, the forces involved in the impact are higher than they would be in a lower speed accident and therefore more damage can result. As damage becomes greater, there is an increased chance that the people inside those vehicles will sustain injuries or even lose their lives, though harm can come to victims in any Chicago car accident, regardless of the damage done to a car, truck or van.
Crashes with high speeds are most likely to occur on expressways and interstates like those that wrap their way around Chicago and lead to the suburban cities where so many dwell. For this reason, the laws in Illinois recognized that interstate accidents are very serious and they are designed to hold at-fault drivers liable for all the consequences that occur. From the possibility of a traffic citation or a ticket to financially liability for injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages suffered by a crash victim, this damage can be substantial and can accumulated quickly. Fortunately, this means that victims may not be forced to pay for the actions of a negligent driver and instead may be entitled to payment by that driver or an insurance company when injuries result in a crash. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand the implications of your collision and whether your claim for help is valid if a crash has affected your life or left your loved one hurt.
Prior to 5:00 a.m. on Sunday, a three vehicle collision on I-290 in Forest Park left at least three people hurt and one person dead, according to police who responded to the scene. The incident occurred on the eastbound side of I-290 near the Des Plaines Exit and forced Illinois State Troopers to close all lanes of eastbound traffic while they investigated and cleared the scene.
At this time, officials believe that a 22-year-old male driver may have been under the influence of alcohol when he drove his vehicle westbound in the eastbound lanes of traffic, causing a head-on crash that involved two other cars. While unclear how many people were inside those three vehicles, authorities have confirmed that a 29-year-old male passenger in one car lost his life and that at least three other people sustained injuries. Emergency crews responded to the scene and were able to help the surviving victims by transporting them to area hospitals for treatment and relief but their injuries remain, though none were believed to be facing fatal damages.
The results of any preliminary testing of the suspected wrong-way driver have not been released yet but officials assert that charges against the man are pending; the nature of any blood tests and the results may determine whether additional or increased charges are levied in this case.
When driving or when riding in a car, you should be able to travel to your destination without the actions of another motorist causing you harm. Unfortunately, for hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents and visitors, that is not the case each year as car accidents continue to take place and harm the innocent.
The personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. cannot remove the harm that has been done to you if you have been involved in a collision but we may be able to help you get the relief you deserve. To enable you to get help, we offer a free case consultation without any obligation to those who have been hurt and who call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and we have a lawyer standing by at all times of the day and night to help you.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we believe that victims should not have to suffer when they did nothing wrong and we fight for that belief every day. If a crash has harmed you, call us now and let us help you seek the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Winter Weather Causes Massive Pileup on I-94, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published January 10, 2015.
Resource:
Wrong-way crash on I-290 kills 1 in Forest Park, Chicago Tribune, published January 11, 2015.