Articles Posted in Auto Accident

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.
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The blizzard that struck Chicago earlier this week and caused havoc to those who drive managed to move east and hit Michigan before traveling out of the Midwest. While hovering over Michigan, ice and snow accumulated on several interstates and led to dangerous conditions, primarily in the western Michigan city of Kalamazoo. New video has surfaced of a massive pileup that happened in that area on I-94 yesterday and involved somewhere between 150 and 200 cars.

Local authorities believe that poor driving conditions stemming from a mix of snow, wind, and low visibility combined to lead to initial collisions and that once several vehicles were involved, those approaching the area were unable to stop and crashed as well. The current vehicular estimate of 150 to 200 cars includes several semi-trucks that crashed, one of which reportedly was hauling fireworks and caught on fire after the impact. Witnesses in the area reported the sounds of fireworks exploding as the fire spread to the trailer of the truck and ignited the cargo.

Both the westbound and eastbound lanes of I-94 between mile markers 92 and 88 were affected but the westbound lanes had many more vehicles than the eastbound. The initial collisions began at approximately 1:00 p.m. Friday and continued until authorities closed down the area due to the crashes and the interstate remained closed into Saturday. At this time, officials report that it will be at least 6:00 p.m. Saturday before any of I-94 is opened in the area because of the time it has taken to remove disabled vehicles and clear them from the road’s surface.In addition to damage to every vehicle involved, one fatality has been confirmed with several others reported but unsubstantiated at this time. Additional injury victims were in need of medical treatment and multiple ambulances reported to the area to help those in need.
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Some in Chicago were hoping that winter weather would skip the city in 2015 and would wait until next year to return, but the storms that have been blanketing the city recently have put that hope to rest. Storms have brought snow, cold weather, ice, and some reported sleet to Chicago and have made it treacherous to get around the city by any means. Those that drive have been particularly sensitive to this change in weather as the stormy conditions have brought extra danger to the roads and expressways of Chicago.

Winter weather accidents can happen whenever the weather turns poor as it has this week. Combining cold and slippery conditions with fast moving vehicles increases the risk of a crash happening and can increase the severity of a collision if one does occur. The fortunate victims of these collisions are not hurt and can walk away with nothing more than the frustration that comes with a typical accident but not all are this lucky. Many will be hurt in collisions over the winter season and will be in need of medical help that can range from emergency treatment to follow up care and a rehabilitative regime. While these victims cannot erase the damage done to them, they may be able to recover financially for their expenses and suffering through the use of a civil claim. Personal injury lawyers in Chicago specialize in these claims and may be able to help you figure out your rights if you have been involved in a car accident or if your loved one was injured.

The blizzard that hit Chicago yesterday came right before the start of rush hour and made the drive hazardous for almost every driver on the street. In addition to the new snow that fell, high winds caused a lot of blowing that led to whiteout conditions in some areas and led to several car accidents in the greater Chicago area. Two semi-trucks collided on I-74 near Danville when a wind gust and ice on the road caused one truck to blow into the other and jackknife, injuring at least one of the drivers and limiting traffic in the area for some time. In a separate incident, a pickup truck left the road’s surface on I-57 and rolled over on the shoulder and into a ditch. The driver of that truck was hurt in the incident and was taken to an area hospital but was expected to survive.

The City of Chicago deployed numerous plow trucks to combat the weather conditions and to clean up the roads as much as possible but their actions were limited by the continuing snowfall and the blowing conditions. While plows did improve the roads significantly, authorities caution that road conditions may still be threatening during Friday’s morning rush hour and that drivers should be prepared for both snow and ice on the road surfaces.
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Chicago drivers were fortunate in the late part of 2014 with few winter storms hitting the city. Without the normal blanketing of snow and ice, few winter weather accidents were reported and fewer people than average were injured as a result.

Now that the year has turned to 2015, though, drivers across Chicago awoke to new snow and wintery conditions across the city’s roads and expressways, leading to some dangerous conditions and an increase risk for crashes. As the morning progressed, the snow gave way to freezing rain, trapping some of the previously accumulated snow on the roads and causing other areas to become very slick.

Through the early morning hours, several weather-related car accidents were reported on the expressways in and around Chicago but fortunately, none had caused serious injuries. There were several spin-outs and several other instances of vehicles leaving the road’s surface due to the conditions. Some motorists involved in these instances needed medical assistance but none was believed to be in critical condition or facing life-threatening injuries.

Today’s weather is a reminder that winter comes to Chicago every year, even if it may seem like it is delayed. This weather can complicate many aspects of daily life but commuting and traveling are two that are at the forefront of the minds of many – bad weather and incoming storms can make travel hazardous and can cause anxiety to those who drive. While common belief indicates that the weather can cause accidents, the truth is that winter conditions often contribute to a collision but rarely are the sole cause. Instead, snow, icy, and sleet may combine with the actions of a negligent driver to cause a car accident in Chicago or across Illinois.

Any time a collision happens, those involved are at risk for injuries that may range from the minor to the severe. It is unfortunate that those who make no mistakes while driving may be the ones who suffer and even worse that nothing can take away that victim’s pain. Nonetheless, relief may be possible through the use of a civil claim for damages, a type of relief that is the right of a victim to bring and that can enable that victim to obtain financial compensation. Relief may cover the cost of medical bills incurred, future medical expenses necessary, lost wages, rehabilitative care, pain and suffering, and other damages that you incurred. As each case and each accident is unique, you may want to speak with a personal injury attorney if a collision has affected your life or claimed your loved one.
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How many car accidents do you notice in a typical month as you drive the streets of Chicago? If you are like most motorists, crashes are so common of an occurrence that you may not give them a second thought, as long as you are not involved in one. With several million people living in, working in, and visiting Chicago each week, the potential for heavy traffic and the resulting accidents in high, meaning that any street or intersection in the city can experience a collision.

Though the word “accident” is most commonly used to describe these incidents, rarely is it an accident that they occur. Instead, an error, mistake, or negligent conduct on the part of one or more drivers involved is the most likely cause of a crash. Studies suggest that one of the most common factors that lead to a crash is speeding with approximately half of all collisions involving at least one driver traveling over the posted speed limit or too fast for conditions. Despite the risks, a large number of motorists in America continue to admit they speed on a regular basis and believe that their actions do not pose a threat to others.

Late Saturday night to early Sunday morning, a car accident occurred between a marked Chicago Police Department squad car and a second vehicle near the intersection of Irving Park Road and Melvina Avenue. The crash of the city’s Northwest side is believed to have occurred when the police car, carrying two officers, was traveling eastbound with its lights and sirens activated when a southbound vehicle collided with the squad car. The impact was described as a “t-bone” collision by witnesses and it left both officers injured and in need of medical help.

Both officers were taken to area hospitals by emergency medical crews who responded to the scene. At this time, it has been confirmed that one of the officers suffered serious injuries, including broken bones, while the second officer’s injuries were believed to be less severe. The driver of the second vehicle did not sustain life-threatening injuries and reports indicate that the driver will be ticketed for speeding and for causing the crash.

Incidents between civilian cars and marked emergency response vehicles, whether they are squad cars, ambulances, or fire trucks, can be very difficult to sort through and to determine the legal implications of the accident. In some cases, the right-of-way may belong to the emergency vehicle while other cases may mandate that those vehicles yield.
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Teenagers are more likely to cause car accidents than more mature drivers who have greater experience behind the wheel. The reasons for this are complex and varied but they include the fact that teens have less real world experience than others, they are more likely to drive while distracted, and they have less developed judgment skills when it comes to operating a car. In fact, car accidents continue to be the greatest cause of unintentional death among teens ages 15-19 in the country. Unfortunately, teens in Chicago and in Illinois follow this trend.

Teen car accidents can take many forms. The teenage driver or drivers involved may be to blame for the accident or they may be an innocent victim of another’s actions. Regardless of the facts surrounding a crash, these teenage accident victims may have a valid claim for their injuries and their families may also have claims for relief. A civil claim can enable those who have been hurt with the ability to recover for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages that exist due to the crash and due to a teen’s injuries. Speaking with a lawyer in Chicago who handles personal injury cases may be a good place to begin if your family has been affected by a car accident, bike accident, or pedestrian accident in the city.

On Thursday evening, police in Orland Park were notified of a crash near 104th Avenue and San Luis Lane prior to 8:00 p.m. Upon arrival, police confirmed that a teenage driver struck a 71-year-old pedestrian in the area, leaving the pedestrian with significant injuries.

Emergency crews evaluated the elderly man and transported him to Silver Cross Hospital for treatment, but unfortunately, the man’s injuries were too severe and he died a short time thereafter. The driver, a 16-year-old, was also injured in the crash as was a 16-year-old passenger and both victims in the car received treatment of injuries believed to be minor.

The suspected cause of the collision has not been revealed at this time but police have confirmed that they began an investigation at the scene and that their investigation is ongoing at this time. The results of any factual review of this case may determine whether any traffic or criminal charges are brought, but at this time, no charges have been levied.
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Car accidents are an unfortunate part of life if you live in or drive near Chicago. While most motorists will be involved in few, if any, collisions in their lifetimes, each one is devastating and each crash a driver notices is a reminder of how dangerous it can be to drive. Some of these collisions not only cause distress but also leave drivers and passengers in need of medical treatment and in need of help that can continue long after the crash ends. Victims may take weeks, months, or even years to recover and in the worst cases, a victim may suffer forever or may lose his or her life in an accident.

Elderly drivers often are a target of complaints among other motorists on the roads because sterotypically these drivers may lack certain skills or actions that others possess. In reality, the skill set among older American motorists varies from person to person like it does with drivers of any age. While some may suffer from decreasing eyesight, others are as sharp as those decades younger than them. Car accidents involving elderly drivers can be the fault of the older motorist or they can be part of another driver involved; regardless, elderly Americans are more likely to suffer injuries when a crash occurs and in many cases, the injuries they sustain are more severe.

Victims of these accidents may realize that officials investigating the crash are there to help the State of Illinois and not to enforce the rights of a specific victim. Instead, if a victim is injured and wants to seek relief, it is up to the victim to bring a claim for damages against those responsible, whether they are the drivers, owners of cars, companies, or municipalities involved. Often, claims are complicated and it can be impossible for a typical driver to understand all available options for help, so speaking with a personal injury lawyer may enable you to grasp your options and the possibility of your claim.

While many people in the greater Chicago area were celebrating the holiday season last night, the evening turned tragic for several people in Northbrook as two cars collided near the intersection of Sanders and North Mission Hills at approximately 7:00 p.m. Police have not yet released specifics on the nature of the accident but they have confirmed that a 91-year-old woman died as a result of the incident. A 93-year-old man was also killed and was believed to be a passenger in the vehicle driven by the elderly woman. Three other people were injured and left in critical condition but it is not clear whether they were all in the same car or spread between the two cars involved. Emergency crews transported all victims to area hospitals for treatment where their current conditions are not known.
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High population areas are more likely than others to experience a large number of car accidents every year. Unfortunately, with the fifth highest population in the nation, Illinois have a very high number of collisions and many of those crashes are concentrated in Cook County. New data has been released by the Illinois Department of Transportation for 2013 and 2014 and the results are startling.

In 2013 alone, collisions increased four percent from those that occurred in 2012 and there were approximately 782 accidents every day. The fact that collisions are increasing poses a threat not only to drivers in the state but also to passengers of all vehicles, whether those are cars, trucks, buses, or taxi cabs. Many may not realize but collisions involving motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians also happen with frequency in Chicago and therefore these people are additional groups of potential victims.

When a crash happens, the relief available may vary depending on the facts and circumstances of the accident. Things like the conduct of another driver, whether that driver was working at the time of the crash, or whether a motorist fled the scene may alter the options that present themselves. Nonetheless, many victims have the right to seek a financial recovery for the damages they incur in a car accident and they can obtain compensation for expenses like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your accident and your rights if you have been injured.

The new data did show some positive information as well. While the number of car accidents may be on the rise, the number of fatalities caused by those crashes are decreasing. To this point in 2014, just under 900 people have lost their lives in traffic accidents in the state, an indication that the total fatalities will be under 1,000 for the fifth year in a row. This number indicates a decrease from 2013 at this point in the year and there is reason to expect that to continue now that the weather forecast reveals promising conditions for holiday travel.

While some of the statistics revealed show positive trends, overall they show that thousands of accidents continue to occur and continue to affect the lives of those involved. Whether the injuries that result are minor or severe, victims are left to deal with the fallout of these accidents which can last from weeks to months or even a lifetime.
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It is the responsibility of every driver in Chicago and across the state of Illinois to follow the rules and regulations that accompany driving on the state’s streets, expressways, and interstates. Yet despite this requirement, millions of drivers choose to act in a negligent or reckless manner annually, threatening not only their own safety but the safety of all other motorists in the area. Often, these actions lead to car accidents in Chicago and many of those collisions leave victims with serious or life-threatening injuries.

Victims may be doing nothing wrong and still find themselves at the mercy of these drivers who may not be paying attention to traffic, may be distracted by a cell phone, or may be intentionally speeding or driving erratically. While victims may not be able to prevent a crash from occurring, the laws in the state recognize that they should not be forced to bear the financial burden of their injuries when another causes that harm. Rather, Chicago victims and others in Illinois may have the right to seek financial compensation for their damages when a car accident affects their lives. Speaking with a lawyer who handles personal injury cases in the city may help you understand your options and your rights if you are looking for relief.

Early this morning, one person lost his life and at least six other people were involved in a car accident on Chicago’s Lake Shore Drive. Though early in their investigation, police have reported that a male was operating his vehicle southbound in lanes marked only for northbound traffic on Lake Shore Drive, one of the city’s most iconic and heavily used streets. The driver allegedly collided with two other vehicles near the 4100 block of South Lake Shore Drive in a violent incident, leading to injuries among several of those involved.

The crash took place at approximately 2:40 a.m. and led officials to close the area to through traffic while they investigated and removed debris. At this time, police have confirmed that the suspect wrong way driver was killed in the collision and that six other people were involved. Three of those victims required treatment at area hospitals with their conditions listed as serious-to-critical.

Officials have not yet released any preliminary information regarding the suspected at-fault driver’s actions immediately prior to entering Lake Shore Drive and it is not clear whether impairment may have been a factor.
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AAA expects a four percent increase in the number of Americans traveling this holiday season over those who traveled last year for a total of 98.6 million Americans leaving home. This is the highest projection since 2009 and it accounts for those who are expected to journey at least 50 miles from home, whether by car, train, plane, or other means. The majority of these people, nearly 91 percent, will be traveling by road at some point in their journey, an indication of anticipated congestion and possible delays along the roads of Chicago and across Illinois.

If you are one of the millions that will be driving this year, know that you are at risk for traffic-related incidents, including car accidents. The personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. wish you save journeys and want to remind you of the following tips to help increase your safety if you are traveling:

– Plan Ahead: Before you leave home, think about your trip and try to cover all your bases. Make sure you know your final destination and that you are familiar with the route ahead of time. If you are using a map, make sure your map is current and that you are aware of any potential issues, like construction, which may complicate your trip. If you are using GPS, make sure you use it as a guide. While GPS is a wonderful tool, drivers should not forget that it does not replace common sense. Rather, GPS combined with your experience and skill behind the wheel are your best bet.

– Consider Traffic Patterns: If you know where you will be heading, think about what time of day and which days of the week may be the busiest along your preferred route. In many areas, like Chicago, expressway traffic varies significantly during a typical day. This means that leaving during the middle of the day or at times other than rush hour might save drivers hours on their trip. But even if the time to travel is not your primary concern, consider that increased traffic leads to congestion and that car accidents are more likely to occur during periods of heavy traffic than they are when conditions are light.

– Check the Weather: While Chicago has not experienced a lot of snow so far this year, that may change by the time you and your family travel. As the forecast looks now, snow is a possibility as are rain and ice. Chicagoans may be used to inclement weather so it can be easy to forget the threat it poses when your mind is distracted by a family trip. If the weather is poor, consider reducing your speed and increasing the distance between your vehicle and those in front of you. Make sure to leave plenty of time to slow and stop if needed and watch out for other drivers who may lose control of their cars.

– Anticipate a Problem: No one wants to have an incident over the holidays but thousands will be the unwilling victims of such accidents, disasters, and car failures. Think through your options before a problem arises and prepare by packing your cell phone and a car charger to call for help if needed. Consider your options to split up the trip if necessary by staying with friends or family in the event of a problem. If your car is known to have any underlying issues that may make a trip unsafe, take it to a mechanic for a tune up or make any necessary repairs before you plan to leave.
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