Articles Posted in Auto Accident

Children may be at a particularly high risk for being injured in a car accident because they rely upon the actions of others. Young children may be unable to properly restrain themselves or even understand the purpose of seat belts, car seats, and boosters in keeping them safe in the event a collision occurs. That is why it is up to adults operating a vehicle to ensure that all children are properly restrained while riding in a car in Illinois. Failure to use safety devices, like car seats, with children in a vehicle may lead to charges being brought against an adult and punishments that may include fines, fess, loss of a drivers’ license, or worse.

Unfortunately, the actions of adults also determine whether or not there will be children injured in car accidents. The actions of drivers, whether the driver of a car containing children or another vehicle in the area, can lead to collisions if one or more drivers errs or acts in a negligent manner. Though these children may be at the mercy of adults and may be unable to prevent collisions, they may be entitled to seek and obtain financial relief if they are hurt in an accident. Additionally, the children’s parents or legal guardians may also be entitled to compensation if the child requires medical attention or sustains other damages. Speaking to a personal injury lawyer in Chicago who has experience representing children and their families may help you understand your options if your child has been hurt in an accident.

An early Sunday morning collision in Englewood left a one-year-old and two-year-old children in critical condition, according to local authorities. Police responded to the scene of the crash near the 400 block of West 74th Street around 6:00 a.m. and determined that one vehicle was involved in a collision with a pole that was near the road but off the driving surface. At this time, police believe that a 25-year-old woman was behind the wheel prior to the collision and that the driver fell asleep, leading to a loss of control of the car and a crash with the pole. The driver was reportedly uninjured in the collision as was a 29-year-old male passenger but two children in the car were critically injured. Emergency medical crews transported the children to a Chicago hospital for treatment where their current conditions remain unknown.

The driver has allegedly been charged in connection with the crash and faces counts of negligent driving and failing to properly restrain both children, among others. It is not clear when the woman is expected to appear in court to answer these charges and authorities have noted that their investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Continue reading

Car accidents are the largest cause of accidental death among older teens in the nation. But teens are not the only ones at risk of death or an injury in a car accident as adults, young children, and the elderly are all injured every year. Many of those injuries occur in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs as Illinois experiences hundreds of thousands of car accidents annually.

When an accident occurs and it is caused by an error or mistake on the part of one or more individuals involved, the victims of that crash may be entitled to seek financial relief for their damages. This can be obtained through the use of a civil claim for damages which can be available to victims regardless of whether an at-fault driver received a citation or ticket in the accident. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options, including whether you have a valid claim, if you have been involved in a car accident.

A car accident occurred in Park Manor shortly before 1:00 a.m. yesterday. Police responded to the scene of the crash near the 300 block of East 71st Street and found several people injured after a Scion and another car collided. Officials are still investigating the crash but they believe that the Scion was traveling southbound on South Calumet Avenue when it collided with a car heading eastbound on East 71st Street. At least three males were inside the second car at the time of the crash and were critically injured during the accident. Emergency medical crews assessed the men and transported them to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County where their current conditions are not known.

Officials claim that the driver of the Scion tried to run away from the crash scene but the driver was stopped by police. That driver was reportedly injured as well in the collision and was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where the extent of the driver’s injuries are unclear.

Police have not yet confirmed why the collision occurred or whether negligence on the part of either driver played a role. Further, they have not reported whether any traffic tickets will be issued in response to this collision but note that the investigation is ongoing at this time.
Continue reading

The Chicago car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. recently settled a case on behalf of one of their client for the policy limits of $50,000.

Our client was parked on the side of Grey Avenue in Evanston, Illinois as another vehicle approached the area. As our client opened the driver’s door to exit his car, the second vehicle turned onto Grey Avenue and struck our client’s driver’s door and front portion of the car, causing a collision. Our client was taken from the scene of the collision to St. Francis Hospital’s Emergency Department where he was examined and treated for shoulder and arm pain. Follow up medical treatment determined that our client had a tear in his rotator cuff that led to two cortisone injections and additional treatment. He also underwent a conservative course of physiotherapy to attempt to return his shoulder to its pre-injury state and to reduce the discomfort he felt as a result of the accident.

Through the use of a civil claim for damages, our personal injury lawyers brought a claim on behalf of our client and against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. We fought for and obtained an offer of settlement for the insurance limits available, $50,000, to compensate our client for his damages and for his pain and suffering.

Car accidents occur every day in Chicago and many result in injuries to those involved. In 2011 alone, 281,788 accidents took place in Illinois and 84,172 personal injuries resulted. Many of those who were hurt required medical treatment and were forced to miss time off work while they recuperated from their injuries. The damages caused by a car accident in Chicago do not end the day of the accident; rather, they can last for months, years, or even a lifetime if an injury results.
Continue reading

Distracted driving is an increasing problem in Chicago and across Illinois. To address the issue, lawmakers in Illinois have banned hand-held cell phones while driving, an attempt to get motorists to put down their phones and to focus on the roads. Hands-free cell phones are still permitted though experts argue that the conversation alone on a phone is distracting, regardless of whether the phone is being held or not.

The law is now clear: drivers who use their cell phones in a non-hands-free manner may be ticketed as breaking the rules of the road. The idea is to increase the safety for everyone on the roads, including those who choose to use their phone, but also the passengers, drivers, and pedestrians in the area of cell-phone using motorists.

The victims of distracted driving car accidents may not be able to erase the accident but they may be able to obtain relief for their damages. A civil claim can enable a victim to recover for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering in addition to any other financial and non-economic damages incurred due to the collision. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options if you have been victimized, including whether you are entitled to seek relief.

Police in suburban Lombard have noticed that cell phone usage has been linked to a number of collisions in their area. In fact, officials have estimated that 1/3 of all accidents in the area are contributed to by cell phone usage. To combat this hazard, officers are starting an enforcement campaign scheduled to begin this Friday, August 1, 2014. Officers will be looking for violators who use hand-held cell phones while driving and will be issuing citations as appropriate. The campaign is scheduled to run through the end of August but tickets will continue after that point as officers continue to enforce the new ban.

Drivers in Lombard are being encouraged to refrain from using their cell phones while driving or to use a hands-free method that complies with the new Illinois law if they wish to avoid a ticket.
Continue reading

Car accidents in Chicago are responsible for thousands of injuries every year. Those inside the car as well as others in the area, like bicyclists and pedestrians, are at risk when a collision occurs. Any driver can be involved in an accident even if that driver is cautious behind the wheel because unlike some other aspects of life, the safety of those on the road depends on the actions of every single driver in the area.

Yet some types of drivers are more likely to be involved in a collision than others. Drivers with less experience, including teens, may not have the necessary skills to avoid a collision when an incident presents itself. Teen car accidents impact the entire state due to the physical toll and financial expenses that result from these collisions. Not only that, but in 2012 alone, 71 teenagers were killed in car accidents in Illinois and teen drivers were involved in more than four percent of all fatal accidents in the state.

Teenagers should not have to worry about things like car accident but unfortunately in Chicago, the reality of these crashes means that it must be of concern to teenagers and parents alike. Though nothing can undue a collision once it has occurred, the victims of these crashes may be entitled to seek legal relief for their injuries, including payment for any and all medical expenses incurred. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago may help you understand your legal options if you or if your teenage son or daughter have been involved in a crash.

Police in Chicago were called to the scene of a crash in the Loop last night, shortly after 8:00 p.m. The crash occurred in the 200 block of South Lower Wacker Drive and involved two vehicles, a Chevrolet Equinox and a Mercedes. Officials believe that a 16-year-old male was behind the wheel of the Equinox when the Equinox made an illegal turn in the area, putting the vehicle in the path of the Mercedes, which was traveling southbound. The two vehicles collided and one rolled over the crash.

Emergency medical crews responded to the scene and transported the driver and four passengers in the Equinox to area hospitals for treatment. Three of the occupants were teenagers and the fourth was 20-years-old, according to police. All suffered serious injuries but are expected to survive. The other driver, a 61-year-old male, reportedly was uninjured in the accident.
Continue reading

Drivers are at risk for an accident every time they get in their car and begin driving. Most of those threats come from other motorists, defects in the road, or fixed objects like light poles. But debris in the road also poses a threat to safety and is responsible for numerous collisions every year.

Chicago car accidents cause thousands of injuries every year. Cook County is home to more car accidents than any other county in the state due in part to the large population and the large number of motorists on the streets every day. In 2011 alone, more than 280,000 traffic accidents caused more than 84,000 injuries and over 900 deaths. That averaged to more than two fatalities a day.

Those who are injured in car collisions in Illinois are not without help. They are often entitled to seek relief for their damages including monetary compensation to cover financial losses. This can help victims pay for their needed medical treatment and surgical expenses as well as provide compensation for lost wages. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a crash.

Officials in Illinois have confirmed an unusual accident that left one driver dead on on Wednesday morning. Though it is early in their investigation, officials believe that a driver in a Chevrolet Blazer was traveling southbound on the I-94 near 130th Street when a tire came off from the vehicle. The tire reportedly crossed into the northbound lanes and struck the windshield of a vehicle, causing a serious collision that left the driver critically injured. Emergency medical crews tended to the victim and transported her to Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn but her injuries were too severe and she was pronounced dead shortly before 7:00 a.m.

Officials closed portions of I-94 in the area as they investigated at the scene and removed debris from the collision. The driver of the Blazer reportedly was not injured in the incident but was cited by police for driving with unsafe tires, driving without insurance, and driving without a valid vehicle registration. As the investigation continues, more charges may be brought.
Continue reading

If you have been fortunate enough to never be involved in a car accident, consider yourself lucky. But even if that is the case, chances are that you know a friend, family member, neighbor, or co-worker who has been involved in a collision or who has had their life affected by a crash. There were over 280,000 traffic-related accidents in Illinois in 2011 alone and many of those collisions involved more than one individual.

Car accident can lead to financial distress among victims who are suddenly faced with mounting medical bills. The expenses felt by these victims may be exacerbated if they are unable to work and therefore are unable to bring in the funds necessary to support themselves and their families. When you have done nothing wrong but are injured by the actions of another, it may seem unfair that the burden rests on your shoulders. It does not have to, though, as victims of car accidents in Chicago are entitled to seek relief for their damages through the use of a civil claim. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a crash, including whether you have a valid claim for your injuries.

Police in the Archer Heights neighborhood of Chicago learned of a two car accident on Monday that left one driver dead. According to officials and witnesses, it appeared that one driver may have been traveling in excess of the speed limit near the area of Pulaski Road and 41st Street around 4:00 a.m. The driver is believed to have struck part of a second car in the area, leading the first driver to lose control and leave the road’s surface. The first car then collided with a pole in the area, causing the vehicle to come to a rest.

Emergency medical crews responded to the scene and transported the driver in the first car to Mount Sinai Hospital where doctors tended to him. Unfortunately, the man’s injuries were too severe and he died as a result of the crash. It did not appear that the second driver involved in the crash was seriously injured though his current condition remains unknown.
Continue reading

Children in Chicago are at risk for injuries from a car accident anytime they ride in a vehicle, whether it is a parent’s car, a school bus, or even a city train. Common injuries can range from bumps and bruises to concussions and broken bones. In the worst accidents, a child may even lose his or her life.

When children are involved in car accidents, the impact can be devastating and the entire family may suffer. But the suffering may be lessened if a financial recovery is possible to compensate a child and his or her family for their injuries. A personal injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options if your child has been injured, including whether a claim is possible, and if so, what types of relief may be available to you.

Car accidents can be caused by a number of factors, some of which may be unavoidable. But the majority of collisions occur due to an error, mistake, or negligence on the part of a driver involved. Whether a driver is speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or even driving while distracted by a cell phone, a motorist who errs places not only the safety of those in the driver’s vehicle at risk but also the safety of all others on the road.

Police in Chicago responded to a collision Monday night in the Fulton River District. When they arrived at the area of North Des Plaines Street and West Grand Avenue, officials determined that an SUV in the area struck a horse-drawn carriage. Four children inside the SUV, ranging in age from one year to 10 years old, were injured and were transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for treatment. The operator of the carriage was also injured and taken to Northwestern for help though she was expected to recover. The condition of the driver of the SUV is not known.

Officials are still trying to determine what led to the collision and whether anyone involved acted in a negligent or reckless manner. At this time, no traffic citations have been issued though the investigation is ongoing.
Continue reading

The state of Illinois is home to over 10 million registered vehicles including cars, trucks, vans, and buses. Any one of those 10 million vehicles may be involved in a collision, and many of those collisions will result in injuries or even death to the drivers and passengers involved.

Some car accidents in Chicago are due to factors beyond the control of those drivers involved. Yet contrary to popular belief, the majority of collisions take place due to an error or negligence on the part of one or more driver, whether the negligence stems from speeding, failing to pay attention, or even driving while distracted. If negligence is to blame for an accident that causes injuries, the victims of that crash may be entitled to relief. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who has experience representing car accident victims may help you understand whether you have a valid claim for your accident, and if so, what types of relief may be possible in your case.

Illinois State Troopers were alerted to a multi-vehicle crash on Friday on eastbound I-80. Though early in the investigation, police believe that an eastbound SUV rear-ended a Dodge which caused a chain reaction crash involving two other vehicles. The crash caused the driver of the SUV to lose control of his vehicle, which rolled at least once before coming to a rest on its roof.

Emergency medical personnel responded to the crash and evaluated all four drivers involved. The driver of the SUV suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital. The driver of the Dodge, a 50-year-old man, was transported to South Suburban Medical Center where he died shortly thereafter. The drivers of the other two vehicles were taken to hospitals as well but it was believed to be for precautionary measures and both are expected to recover.

The collision caused all lanes of eastbound I-80 to be shut down beginning at approximately 1:30 pm while police investigated and crews worked to clear the debris. Traffic was restored slowly to the area with all lanes reopening by 4:30 pm.
Continue reading

In this record year of vehicle recalls, Chrysler is adding to the numbers with a 900,000 vehicle recall covering some of their SUVs manufactured between 2011 and 2014. In total, nearly 33 million vehicles have been recalled so far in 2014, shattering all prior records even though less than seven months of the year have passed.

This Chrysler recall covers certain Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango models from the affected years and will address faulty wiring. The wiring in the vanity mirrors in the sun visors has the ability to short circuit, potentially posing a fire hazard. Chrysler has acknowledged three injuries related to the wiring issues and has reported that in all three incidents, the vehicles involved had previously been serviced. Though Chrysler is not aware of any similar incidents with these vehicles that had not previously been serviced, all the affected cars are being recalled to be safe. More than 70 percent of the recalled vehicles are in the United States.

Safety hazards in a vehicle can lead to personal injuries, especially if the hazard increases the odds of a car accident occurring. Recent incidents that have garnered attention have included faulty ignitions, malfunctioning transmissions, and airbags that fail to deploy.

Auto manufacturers in the United States are required to meet national standards when it comes to safety. Failing to do so puts the lives of American drivers and passengers at risk unnecessarily, leading to injuries and even deaths. When that happens, applicable laws may entitle the victims of these crashes to relief.
Continue reading