Children of all ages may become the victim of numerous types of accidents, many of which will result in injuries or possibly even the death of a child. When an injury to a child or minor occurs, the impact can stretch to every member of a family and can last for years or decades, depending on the nature of the injury and the extent of the harm that results.
In some cases, children are the innocent victims of the actions of adults, yet it is these children that are forced to endure injuries, the suffering and pain that accompanies the injuries, and even the life changes that may result due to the permanency of damages. Once an accident takes place, nothing can reverse time and return that victim to normal. But a child and his or her family may be entitled to seek relief for the personal damages done in a crash through the use of a civil claim for damages. These claims are separate from any criminal or traffic charges that may be issued by local officials and the right to seek monetary compensation belongs to a victim. The laws in Chicago and in Illinois require that these claims be brought within a time period specified by statute so it is a good idea to speak with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer if you or your child has been hurt in a crash.
A Tuesday night accident in McHenry County turned tragic when a 17-year-old involved in the collision lost his life. According to local officials, the victim was riding a skateboard in the 4200 block of West Crystal Lake Road when a driver in a pickup truck approached shortly after 9:00 p.m. The truck allegedly struck the victim and knocked him from his skateboard, causing serious injuries to his head, neck, and body. Emergency medical crews were called to the scene and rushed the victim to an area hospital but his injuries were too severe and he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
The driver of the truck involved, a 21-year-old male, allegedly was operating his vehicle while impaired, leading to charges this week against the man for driving under the influence. Officials have reported that the driver was not hurt in the crash.
Drunk drivers and drivers under the influence of drugs are a threat to the safety of all those in the area and unfortunately, this often includes children. Pedestrians, bicyclists, rollerbladers, skateboards, and other individuals who are outside of a vehicle are particularly likely to sustain injuries in the event of a crash as little surrounds these potential victims to absorb an impact from a vehicle.
The lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. are dedicated to fighting for the rights of accident victims, including the rights of children and minors, and we are ready to fight for you. We offer a free case consultation to all those who have been hurt in accident and who call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575. At Abels & Annes, P.C., you can speak with a licensed lawyer regardless of when you call and there is no obligation on your part for taking advantage of our free consultation.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we understand the devastation caused when a child is injured and we want to help you and your family toward a path of recovery. If an accident has altered your lives, call us today and let us help you seek the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Pedestrian Killed in McHenry Car Accident, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published September 10, 2014.
Resource:
Skateboarder killed in McHenry crash identified, by Rosemary Regina Sobol, Chicago Tribune, published September 10, 2014.