Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
Every year, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day bring a large number of auto accidents to the city, leaving numerous families affected by injuries or even death to a loved one. While some of the drivers involved in these crashes are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, others are doing nothing wrong but still become a victim due to the negligence of others on the road. When a driver is impaired or distracted, that driver places not only his or her own safety at issue but also the safety of everyone in the vehicle, those in other vehicles, or even pedestrians walking on sidewalks or in an intersection.
Police are still investigating a New Year’s Day crash to determine what caused the accident and to understand why two people lost their lives and a third was injured. The crash occurred on Lake Street in West Garfield Park around 4:40 a.m. when a car struck a support beam for Chicago’s elevated trains. Three people were in the car at the time of impact, a 26-year-old man, a 29-year-old female, and a second woman whose age is not yet known. A male and female passenger were trapped in the car after the crash and remained in the car as it caught fire. Both of those individuals were pronounced dead at the scene.
One of the females in the car was ejected upon impact and landed outside and away from the car. She sustained critical injuries and was transported by ambulance to Mount Sinai Hospital where her current condition remains unknown.
Some car accidents are not the fault of any driver involved and may be caused by factors beyond control. But in some other crashes, the cause of an accident may be negligence on the part of a car’s driver, owner, or even the manufacturer of the vehicle. Injury lawyers have also seen cases where poor repair and maintenance work has led to a collision or where a city or municipality is to blame for a crash. With so many potential factors to consider, it is a good idea to speak with a lawyer after a collision to learn if you have a claim for your injuries.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we believe that all accident victims deserve to learn about their legal rights and options with a free, obligation-free telephone consultation and we provide that to all injury victims who call us at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575. If you prefer to meet with us in person but you are too injured to travel to our offices, we also offer a free in-home or in-hospital consultation so that you can get the answers you need.
After an accident, the law may entitle you to bring a civil claim for your damages but if this relief is available, it must be sought within a specified period of time from the date of your accident. Contacting a personal injury lawyer can help ensure that your rights are protected. Do not hesitate to seek the justice you deserve; call us today and let us help you get the best possible result in your case.
Prior Blog Entry:
Chicago SUV Crash Leaves 2 Dead, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published December 30, 2013.
Resource:
2 dead, 1 hurt when car hits “L” support on Lake Street, by Peter Nickeas, Chicago Tribune, published January 1, 2013.