Articles Posted in Auto Accident

A series of storms that may bring thunderstorms are set to move into Chicago this evening. In anticipation of the storms and due to last week’s fire at the Aurora radar center, nearly 800 flights out of O’Hare and Midway have been cancelled for today.

It is easy to understand how inclement weather, especially that which involves heavy cloud cover and the threat of lighting, would affect air travel in a city. But fewer people consider the impact that a major storm will have on their ground transportation. Reality means that the majority of those who live in, work in, or visit Chicago will use some form of ground transit, whether it is a private car, a taxi cab, a public city bus, or a city or suburban commuter train. Each of these forms of transit can be affected when a storm hits.

As evening rush hour begins today, drivers will face an increased risk of travel due to the storms. Heavy rains are anticipated and winds may reach up to 55 miles per hour. When the weather hits, the visibility on city streets and on expressways and interstates likely will decrease. The roads will become slick and the ability to stop in a short distance will be decreased.

If you drive in Chicago, you may be alert while behind the wheel tonight, but that does not mean that all other motorists in your area likewise will be paying attention or adjusting their driving as necessary. While poor weather is a contributing factor in a number of Chicago car accidents every year, it is rarely the sole case. Instead, poor weather generally combines with speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, or failing to yield the right-of-way to cause a collision.

A driver who acts negligently during a storm may be held liable for any collisions that result. In addition to traffic tickets, that driver may face a civil claim for damages by any or all of the victims who are hurt in a crash because the right to bring a civil claim belongs to each victim individually. If you have been hurt in an accident, speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand whether you have a valid claim for your injuries.

It is always best to avoid or prevent a collision when possible, so before you take to the road in a storm, consider the following:

– Slow down: Speed is believed to be a factor in 50 percent of all accidents across the nation as well as 1 out of 3 fatal collisions. When weather is bad, slow down and be prepared to decrease your speed further if conditions or traffic require it.

– Increase the distance between your car and the car in front of you: Following too closely can turn deadly when it begins to rain. As soon as the rain begins to fall, a road’s surface can become slick and slippery, meaning that it will take more time than normal to bring a car to a stop. To prevent a rear-end accident, make sure you leave extra space between your own car and the car in front of you so that you can slow or stop if necessary.

– Stop if necessary: Some storms are too dangerous to risk driving through them. In addition to heavy rain that may obscure vision, lighting strikes or heavy winds can bring down trees in the area and can cause a collision. If the weather makes it unsafe to drive, pull over and find a safe place to stop until the weather passes.
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Any type of car accident can produce injuries in Chicago and any type of collision can be severe. But statistics continuously show that certain types of crashes, including head-on collisions, are more likely to result in injuries to the drivers, passengers, and others involved than some other types of accidents. The reasons that head-on crashes are so prone to injuries vary but include that many of these accidents happen at a high speed. The typical head-on accident occurs when a driver crosses a center line while traveling on a road, street, or highway that is not divided, meaning that crossing a center line places vehicles traveling in opposite directions in the same path.

Any type of car accident in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois is distressing for those involved but the emotions and the fallout from the crash are often most severe when injuries occur. The victims of these collisions may not know their legal rights or whether the law provides them with any type of protection. In many cases, a victim may be entitled to seek monetary relief for his or her losses through the use of a civil claim; speaking to a personal injury lawyer who handles car accidents may help you understand your options if you have been hurt, including whether you are entitled to damages.

At approximately 7:00 a.m. yesterday, a two car collision occurred in Elgin that left one driver dead and the second in serious condition. Police believe that the two vehicles were traveling in opposite directions on Highland Avenue when one vehicle, a Nissan, crossed the center line and collided with a Honda. The impact was significant and caused damage to both vehicles.

Police and emergency personnel responded to the scene and evaluated both drivers. The 20-year-old driver of the Nissan was killed in the accident but the 28-year-old driver of the Honda survived. The Honda driver was assessed and transported by ambulance to Advocate Sherman Hospital where the nature of her injuries and her current condition are not clear.

Police began their investigation while at the scene and are continuing the review of all relevant facts at this time. It remains unclear why the Nissan driver crossed the center line but officials hope to learn more as their investigation unfolds.
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In most collisions, the actions of one or more drivers involved lead to a dangerous situation where a crash occurs. These car accidents can lead to injuries sustained by an at-fault driver, a passenger in a driver’s vehicle, or even another person in a separate car.

Car accidents are responsible for millions of dollars’ worth of damages in Chicago and across Illinois every year in the form of medical expenses, rehabilitative care, property damage to a vehicle, lost wages, and other losses like pain and suffering. Following a collision, a victim may be forced to bear these expenses even if a collision was not his or her fault. Yet Illinois recognizes that is it unfair to cause these burdens to be borne by a victim and instead enable victims to seek financial compensation for their losses through the use of a civil claim. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand whether you have a valid claim for your damages, and if so, what types of relief may be available to you.

A June collision between a Walmart semi-truck and a vehicle in June left several passengers of the vehicle, including comedian Tracy Morgan, seriously injured and it claimed the life of one man. The driver of the Walmart truck has been charged with vehicular homicide and assault by automobile and has pleaded not guilty. Due to the extent of his injuries, Morgan filed a civil suit against Walmart for his injuries and has claimed, among other things, that Walmart knew or should have known that the driver of the semi-truck had been awake for more than 24 hours prior to the incident. Morgan’s suit also alleges that the truck driver was speeding and that he falsified log records regarding his driving.

In response to the suit brought by Morgan, Walmart recently countered that Morgan is either entirely or partly responsible for the injuries he sustained because he was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. In the incident at issue, Morgan was riding in a limo bus, a vehicle that often does not offer passengers seat belts, though it is not clear whether seat belts were available for Morgan’s use. Walmart further claimed that it is not responsible for the damages sustained by those injured in the collision but note that the actions of an individual not under Walmart’s control may have caused the crash.
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When traveling with a child in Chicago, many parents worry about safety. While most parents take every precaution possible, unfortunately car accidents still happen in the city every day and many of them involve children. Advances in safety equipment and the design of vehicles have decreased the number of children who are hurt annually in collisions but these numbers are still high and the injuries that result are often devastating.

An injury to a minor may be distressing to an entire family and may leave parents with questions, including how best to protect their children’s interests and to make sure their children receive all possible relief possible. As the facts surrounding every collision vary, it is a good idea to consult with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago who has experience helping children and their families to learn about the options that may be available if a car accident has harmed your family.

The hustle and bustle of daily life means that parents are often rushing to get from place to place, taking their children with them in many cases. When running behind or traveling in a hurry, it can be easy to overlook some of the safety features that are designed to protect children. Experts recommend that all mandated safety rules and regulations be followed at all times to decrease the risk injuries in the event that a child is involved in a car accident. Before driving, consider the following:

– Always use a proper car seat or booster: Illinois law requires that all children in a car, regardless of age or location, be properly restrained with an approved child restraint system. Children under the age of two should always ride in a rear facing car seat in the back seat of a vehicle and children should remain rear facing beyond that point until their weight or height reaches the limit of the seat. Beyond that point, children should be placed in a front facing car seat until the child outgrows that seat. Current requirements and expert recommendations mean that a child too large for a front facing car seat should ride in a booster seat so that a seat belt fits properly until the child is the size of an adult as determined by the minimum height and weight requirements of the car’s seat belt.

– Do not let children ride in the front seat until after age 12: The Illinois Secretary of State’s website recommends that all parents keep children in the back seat until they are older than 12 years. But air bags, seat belts, and other safety features vary from vehicle to vehicle so it is always best to err on the side of caution and to review all relevant material before moving a child to the front seat.

– Encourage children to think safety first: Habits form at a very young age so anytime can be a teaching time for parents. Talking about the importance of seat belts, car seats, and other safety features with your children can install a sense of importance in them from an early age and help them understand why it is important to follow the rules of safety while riding in a car.
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Any vehicle can roll over in a collision which can cause its passengers to sustain injuries. Yet some types of vehicles are more likely than others to roll, placing those drivers at a greater risk for harm. The 1990s saw the rise of the sport utility vehicle and, with it, the rise of rollover crashes among SUVs. Cars, trucks, and vans can roll over at any time but the distribution of weight is a major contributing factor. Those with a higher center of gravity and/or those with a top-heavy weight distribution are more likely to roll when struck or hit.

Rollover collisions in Chicago can occur when one or more vehicles are involved in a collision. Damage to a vehicle nearly always occurs when a car rolls and often, damage takes place on the sides or even the roof of a vehicle. When compared to a front end collision or a rear end crash, there are fewer safety features to protect victims of a rollover, leading to potentially serious injuries.

When an accident occurs in Chicago or across Illinois, the victims of those incidents may be entitled to seek financial compensation against a responsible driver or another at-fault party. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal rights if you have been hurt or if your loved one has been injured in an accident, regardless of whether you were in the same car as an at-fault driver or in a separate vehicle. Further, it is possible to have a claim even if the responsible driver fled the scene or did not have auto insurance as required by law.

Shortly after 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, a one car accident occurred near the area of Erie Street and Halsted in Chicago. Officials who responded to the scene have confirmed that a car traveling in the area crashed into a barrier and ran over it, then struck a pole while rolling over. Eventually the vehicle landed off the road near a wall separating traffic from a train yard.

At least five people were inside the vehicle at the time of the crash, including four passengers. Allegedly, the driver of the vehicle was able to escape and fled the scene on foot. Police are looking for information on the driver’s identity and are asking anyone with knowledge to come forward. The four passengers were all seriously injured and needed medical help, including two who were in critical condition. The types of injuries have not been sustained and officials have not released a cause of the collision, though the investigation is ongoing at this time.
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Innovation takes place every year in the manufacturer of vehicles with the intention of making cars, trucks, and vans safer for those who rely on them for transportation. Whether it is the integration of a back-up camera in a vehicle’s dash, the inclusion of side curtain airbags, or even an automatic braking system in the event that a collision is anticipated, modern vehicles have made great strides in increasing safety among those inside a vehicle.

Yet regardless of the safety features involved, those who are part of a collision may still sustain injuries in a crash. The truth of the matter is that the most cautious and responsible driver in the entire Chicago area cannot guarantee that she will not be hurt in a collision as the actions of other drivers on the road are often what cause a crash. When these accidents happen, innocent victims may face serious injuries and steep medical bills without any means to address their losses. Fortunately, the government in Illinois and the laws in Chicago enable these victims to obtain a monetary settlement in many cases against an at-fault driver to cover their losses. Even passengers inside a car who are injured due to the driver of that car’s actions may be entitled to relief. Speaking to a personal injury lawyer following an accident may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a Chicago car accident, including whether you have a valid claim for your losses.

Shortly before 6:00 a.m. today, a car was involved in a crash near Kostner Avenue and Fullerton Avenue in Chicago, sending two adults to the hospital and leaving two children in serious to critical condition. According to authorities who responded to the scene, one of the children involved was thrown from the vehicle upon impact, leading the child to land outside of the car and sustain serious injuries. It is unclear whether that child or a second child, who remained inside the vehicle, were restrained as required by Illinois law.

Authorities have not released details on the nature of the relationship between the adults and the children involved in the crash. At this time, it appears that the children sustained injuries more severe than the adults but all four victims were taken to hospitals in Chicago for treatment of unspecified injuries.

Officials are still reviewing the facts of the accident and trying to determine what led to the collision, including whether the driver involved or any other individual acted negligently or recklessly in the moments prior to impact. No charges have been issued at this time.
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The laws do not bend to accommodate those with money, power or prestige but rather stand firm to apply to all those in the United States equally, or at least they should. Celebrities cannot ignore laws, including those that apply when operating a vehicle, and may be held liable for their actions if they violate any traffic laws. This is true in Chicago, in Illinois, and elsewhere across the nation.

In a new incident, pop star Justin Bieber reportedly was arrested again over the weekend for an incident involving his driving an ATV. The 20-year-old Bieber reportedly was driving an ATV near his childhood home in Perth County, Ontario, Canada on Friday when the ATV collided with a minivan. It has not been confirmed at this time but reports indicate that paparazzi may have been in the van and may have been pursuing Bieber and a female passenger on the ATV prior to the collision. While officials have not released the name of the female passenger, sources indicate that it was Selena Gomez, Bieber’s on-again, off-again girlfriend.

Following the impact, Bieber and one individual from the minivan reportedly engaged in a physical confrontation where no one is believed to have been seriously injured. Police officers in the area responded to the incident and arrested Bieber who now allegedly faces charges of dangerous driving and assault. He was released on a promise to appear for his initial court date which is believed to be September 29, 2014.

This is far from Bieber’s first run-in with the law or even when it comes to his driving. His neighbors in the Calabasas area of California previously complained about Bieber’s excessive speeding and erratic driving, leading to interactions with local police. Recently, Bieber was charged with driving under the influence while in Miami and in conjunction with a street racing incident. Bieber reached a plea deal in the Miami incident just last month.

Dangerous driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and reckless conduct including excessive speeding are all threatening behaviors that increase the odds of a car accident occurring. Unfortunately, these crashes can leave victims with injuries or even prove fatal in some cases.
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Tomorrow is the beginning of the Labor Day weekend and with it, the unofficial end to summer. Traditionally, many across Illinois and the rest of the nation have a long weekend off from work and some take advantage of it by traveling with their family or friends. AAA estimates that 34.1 million travelers will journey more than 50 miles from home this holiday, the largest number over Labor Day weekend since 2008.

Many of those traveling will be hitting the roads and driving, in fact, 85 percent of all travelers, according to AAA. Many will be crossing state lines and taking their families on one last trip before school becomes busy and fall starts in full swing. With these driving trips, traffic will be heavy on the interstates and vacation areas will be crowded with cars, leading to potentially dangerous situations where car accidents may occur.

Car crashes range from the minor to the severe and any type of accident can result in injuries to those involved. In the worst instances, a driver or a passenger may lose his or her life due to the collision, leaving family and friends behind to suffer an inconsolable loss. While neither injuries nor loss of life can be erased once it occurs, the victims of these crashes or their surviving family members may be entitled to bring a civil claim for damages to seek financial relief. Compensation may help relieve monetary losses including missed wages and medical expenses. A personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a car accident in Chicago.

If you plan to take to the roads this weekend, consider the increased risk for car accidents that occur during heavily traveled holiday weekends. Keep the following in mind before you take to the road:

– Check your tires: Make sure your tires are properly inflated and that they have enough tread to drive safely. Tires are an often overlooked part of vehicle safety but driving on properly inflated tires increases a driver’s ability to control a car as well as increasing your fuel efficiency.

– Slow down: Experts estimate that excessive speed contributes to 50 percent of all traffic-related accidents across the nation. Simply slowing down and keeping your speed below the posted limit can decrease your chances of a crash.

– Wear a seat belt: The National Safety Council reports that seat belt usage reduces fatalities among front seat passengers by 45 percent. It also decreases the risk of being ejected in the event that a collision occurs and can limit the severity of injuries after a crash.

– Don’t drink and drive: It is illegal in Illinois and in every other state to drive while intoxicated. Not only is it illegal but drinking and driving decreases a motorist’s ability to respond to hazards in the road. It slows the central nervous system and can cause a driver to lose focus, fall asleep, or otherwise pose a threat to others in the area.
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Illinois treats drunk driving accidents and collisions caused by other intoxicants very seriously as driving while impaired is against the law in the state. Motorists who operate their vehicle while impaired may be charged with a criminal offense and/or a traffic crime and may face criminal punishments including fees and fines, loss of a driver’s license, and even incarceration.

But many drunk drivers do not realize that they can be held financially liable for any damages they cause in a crash in addition to those charges brought by local officials. The laws in Chicago and across Illinois are designed to hold negligent drivers, including those who are driving under the influence, liable for the damages they cause. This means that a driver who causes a crash may be forced to provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering endured by the victims of an accident depending on the facts surrounding the collision. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help victims understand if they have the right to seek relief and whether a financial recovery is possible in their case.

A car accident occurred on the Bishop Ford Freeway shortly after 10:00 p.m. last night and left one person in critical condition. Officials responded to the scene of the incident near Sibley Boulevard and determined that two vehicles collided while traveling southbound. The nature of the crash is not clear at this time.

The driver of one vehicle, a 28-year-old man, did not appear to sustain serious injuries in the accident but police suspect that he may have been under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested at the scene and charges against him are currently pending.

A 60-year-old man in a second vehicle reportedly was ejected from this car and landed on the ground, sustaining critical injuries and requiring emergency transportation to an area hospital.

Police spent several hours at the scene of the crash investigating the incident before cleanup crews removed debris. Traffic was diverted though the early hours of Wednesday morning while the northbound lanes remained open.
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Many of those who live in Chicago choose to get around by means other than a personal car, truck or van. Some citizens do not own a vehicle while others choose to use public transportation when possible and use a personal car as an option when public transit does not suit their needs. Though not everyone may own or even ride in a car often, most people in Chicago still are at risk for a traffic-related accident on occasion, including a car accident.

Whether you occasionally drive, catch a ride with a friend, or take a taxi cab to your chosen destination, odds are that you may travel by car at some point. Still other people may never or rarely travel in a vehicle but may use the roads to bicycle, ride a motorcycle, or even walk on the adjacent sidewalks. These people may be at risk for a collision if a driver in the area acts in a negligent or reckless manner.

Of those involved in accidents, most do not realize the legal implications of a crash, including whether they have the right to seek financial relief due to injuries that were sustained. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who practices in Chicago may help you understand your options if your have been hurt, including whether you may be able to recover for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In the tragic event that a victim loses his or her life in a collision, the right to seek a recovery may pass to that victim’s surviving family members, though no amount of compensation will ever properly cover the damages incurred by the loss of a loved one.

Police have confirmed that seven people, including five children, were injured this morning when a minivan and a car collided near Matteson. The incident took place shortly after 2:00 a.m. on Interstate 57 near route 30 and officials believe that both vehicles were traveling southbound prior to impact. Police are still trying to determine the cause of the accident and whether either driver acted in a negligent manner, causing the impact to occur.

A woman and her five children were in the van and only a driver was in the car, according to officials. The woman was ejected from the van and suffered critical injuries, requiring emergency transportation to an area hospital where her current state is unclear. Her five children reportedly were all injured in the accident but all were believed to be in stable condition. The driver of the car, identified only as a 22-year-old, also sustained critical injuries and required hospitalization.
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