Articles Posted in Auto Accident

Hundreds of thousands of car accidents occur in Illinois every year, with a large number of those accidents taking place in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Many of these collisions are minor and do not cause injuries, but thousands of drivers and passengers are hurt in accidents every year.

Accidents can be caused by a number of factors ranging from driver error to poor weather conditions to a mechanical failure in a vehicle. Some accidents are unavoidable; but when negligence or a mistake causes a collision to occur, the laws in Illinois enable the victims of those crashes to seek relief for their injuries. Speaking to a personal injury lawyer may help you understand whether you have a valid claim, and if so, what type of relief may be available to you.

Police in Chicago were called to respond to the scene of a single car accident yesterday on Chicago’s Northwest side. The vehicle, driven by an 85-year-old man, was traveling in the area of the 6400 block of North Nagle Avenue shortly after 3:00 pm. For reasons that are not clear, the driver lost control of his vehicle and left the road’s surface, striking a pole in the area.

Emergency medical personnel responded and transported the driver to a hospital in Park Ridge where physicians attended to him. Unfortunately, the man’s injuries were too severe and he was pronounced dead yesterday afternoon.

Officials are still conducting an investigation into the crash and trying to determine what caused the victim to lose control of his vehicle. No other cars were involved and no other injuries were reported due to the collision.
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According to experts, speeding is believed to be a factor in nearly 50 percent of car accidents across the nation. Some believe these estimates are low because speeding often requires drivers to self-report their actions after a crash, and many at-fault drivers are unwilling to admit traveling faster than authorized by law. Additionally, many accidents do not have independent witnesses to help police determine exactly what happened, leading to the possibility of a “he said, she said” situation between the drivers involved.

Officials in Chicago have attempted to address speeding drivers in several different ways. Patrols in areas known for speeding have been increased and attempts have been made to enforce posted limits. Recently, the city has turned to the use of speed cameras at some intersections. These cameras can monitor the speed of individual vehicles traveling in the camera’s visual field and determine which drivers are breaking the speed laws. Photographic evidence of the car and/or the driver can then be used by local police to issue tickets, where appropriate.

So far, the presence of speed cameras have been fairly limited. Today, though, additional speed cameras will go live, marking a remote starting point for speed enforcement in a number of areas, including high-traffic locations.

Some residents have been critical of speed cameras because many believe that the cameras are designed to raise revenues for the City of Chicago through the use of traffic citations, instead of being focused on increasing safety and decreasing collisions. But if the cameras function as intended, safe, law abiding drivers should benefit from greater safety as speeders are punished.

Speed limits are determined by the design of a given street, the traffic in the area, the nature of the intersections, as well as the type of buildings surrounding the road. Driving faster than authorized means that a driver will need a greater distance to slow or stop a vehicle for a red light, stop sign, or other traffic hazard. Additionally, speeding reduces the time a driver has to react to a change in traffic conditions like an accident ahead of them or a lane that is closed due to construction. In turn, this can cause a collision.
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Chicago and the surrounding suburbs boast a population of nearly three million. Some are too young to drive and others may not drive though they may be authorized to do so, yet even with many non-drivers, most people in the area travel by car on occasion. Whether it is part of a daily commute or a trip to school or simply a rare ride in a taxi cab, those in Chicago are likely to be a driver or a passenger in a vehicle at some point in time.

Even the safest operators can become the victims of a Chicago car crash if another driver in the error fails to pay attention to traffic or otherwise acts in a negligent manner, leading to a collision that may result in injuries. While you may not be able to control the actions of other drivers, the law is on your side if you end up hurt in a crash. The laws of Chicago and Illinois enable the victims of the mistakes of another the right to seek a recovery for their damages. In the case of an automobile collision, often that means a victim can obtain compensation to cover the medical expenses they incur, the wages they miss earning while they are unable to work, and proper payment for things like pain and suffering. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who has experience representing the victims of car accidents may help you understand the legal implications of your collision and whether you have a valid claim for your damages.

The worst accidents can claim the life or lives of those involved, turning a car crash into something much more serious than simply an accident. In those cases, the victim’s surviving family members may be entitled to bring a claim for the loss of their loved ones to help ease the financial burden left behind, even though no amount of compensation can ever fully compensate for a family member’s life.

Police in Chicago were called to the scene of a fatal crash on Thursday morning that claimed the lives of four individuals while leaving a fifth person seriously injured. The crash occurred in the Montclare neighborhood in an alley behind a home improvement store around 3:00 a.m. At this time, officials believe that a BMW was speeding and the driver lost control, leading the BMW to strike a concrete wall.
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Car accidents can affect any person regardless of what they do for a living. Unfortunately the popular comedian and actor, Tracy Morgan, reportedly learned that earlier today as a bus he was riding in was involved in a six vehicle collision, leaving one dead and leaving Morgan in critical condition.

Details are still emerging regarding the collision that took place in New Jersey around 1:00 a.m. and reportedly involved six vehicles, including a party bus carrying Morgan and others. At this time it appears that a semi-truck traveling on the Turnpike in Mercer County failed to notice slowing traffic and failed to slow his truck in response, leading the semi-truck to strike the rear of the party bus and causing the party bus to roll onto its side. Officials have reported that the suspected at-fault semi-truck was owned and/or operated by Wal-Mart; the driver of that truck has been charged in the crash and is currently free on bail.

One person inside the bus was killed in the collision and at least four others, including Morgan, were injured. Morgan and two other injured passengers are in critical condition at this time and Morgan’s status is not expected to change throughout the day. The impact between the semi-truck and the bus spilled over and involved another four vehicles though no injuries have been reported.

Morgan, a New York native, is best known for his role as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and for his portrayal of Tracy Jordan, a fictionalized version of himself on the scripted comedy series 30 Rock. He is believed to have performed a stand up comedy show in Delaware on Friday night before this collision took place.
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In 2011, there were 281,788 car crashes in Illinois and 84,172 injuries resulted in those accidents. Those injuries ranged from minor bumps and bruises to permanent conditions that will plague their victims for the rest of their lives. Many of these injury victims incurred medical and surgical bills necessary to treat their injuries in addition to other financial expenses, like time missed from work.

Car accidents can result when a driver makes a mistake or an error behind the wheel. When that happens and a driver’s error leads another to become injured, that victim may be entitled to financial relief under the laws of Chicago and Illinois. Speaking with a lawyer who represents the victims of accidents may help you understand if you are entitled to relief if you have been involved in a collision and you sustained injuries.

Police in Chicago have reported a four vehicle collision took place around 12:30 pm yesterday on West Jackson Boulevard. Officials believe that a robbery suspect fleeing the scene started a collision that involved four vehicles and sent six people to area hospitals for treatment.

According to police, a robbery occurred earlier in the day near the 1700 block of West 35th Street. The victim informed police of the incident as well as a description of the vehicle driven by the suspect. The description was heard by police in the area of 200 West Jackson who identified a vehicle of interest and attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver reportedly did not stop but rather tried to flee, causing a collision involving four cars, including the robbery suspect. The suspect then allegedly attempted to run away on foot but was apprehended by police officers.

In addition to the suspect driving the car, two other passengers in that vehicle were injured and were transported by emergency medical crews to area hospitals for treatment. The driver of a second car involved in the crash was also hurt as were two other people, though their roles in the collision are not clear at this time.
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Car accidents in Chicago and the surrounding areas can turn anyone into a victim on any given day. Routinely, safe and responsible drivers are still involved in collisions due to the negligent actions of another driver or motorist on the road. When even the safest driver cannot be guaranteed a ride free from an accident, it emphasizes the importance of understanding the legal implications of a crash, especially if you are injured.

The laws in Chicago are designed to hold those responsible for car accidents as liable for the injuries that result. This means that the victims of a crash may be entitled to seek relief for their damages through the use of a civil claim. These claims are separate and distinct from any traffic or criminal charges brought by the State of Illinois and often are available even if a driver was not ticketed in the crash. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who has experience representing the victims of accidents in Chicago and the suburbs may help you understand your legal rights if you have been hurt, including whether you may be entitled to financial relief.

Police in Morton Grove received notice of a collision between two vehicles on Wednesday afternoon. When they responded to the scene of the crash, they determined that two vehicles collided in the intersection of Greenwood Street and Schermer Road shortly after 1:00 pm. The cause of the collision has not yet been determined but police have confirmed that one vehicle was eastbound on Greenwood while the second was northbound on Schermer.

The impact of the collision sent one vehicle into a residential garage and the second into a light pole near the intersection. The eastbound vehicle was driven by an 85-year-old woman while the northbound vehicle was driven by a 71-year-old woman with no passengers in either car.

Both drivers were injured in the accident and were treated at Glenbrook Hospital after being transported by emergency medical personnel. The extent and nature of their injuries is not clear but both women were expected to survive. Fortunately, no one inside the home associated with the garage and no pedestrians in the area of the light pole were injured.
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Among all the types of car accidents that occur in Chicago every year, head-on collisions make up only a small proportion. But though they may not be as common as other forms of crashes, they are very dangerous and are responsible for a disproportionately large number of fatal accidents.

Head-on accidents can be proceeded by a number of errors or mistakes on the part of one of the driver’s involved. Often, a driver operating his or her vehicle in the wrong direction on an expressway or one-way street can cause a head-on crash. In other cases, a driver who drifts over the center line may put his or her vehicle in a path that will cause an impact with another. One of the most common places a head-on crash occurs is at an intersection where traffic moving in opposite directions can cross paths.

In some instances, a car accident is simply that: an accident where neither driver bears the blame. But in the majority of collisions, one or more individual involved acted in a negligent or reckless manner, leading to the crash and causing any injuries that result. When a collision occurs due to the fault of someone involved, those hurt in the crash may be entitled to relief. These claims can be brought in civil court and are separate and distinct from any traffic tickets or criminal charges brought by the local authorities. Speaking with a lawyer who regularly handles personal injury cases may help you understand whether you are entitled to relief if you have been hurt in an accident.

A Sunday morning accident left two drivers injured after their vehicles collided in Long Grove, according to local police. Authorities were called to the scene of an accident on Hicks Road, north of Lake Cook Road, just after 8:00 in the morning. When they arrived, officials determined that two minivans were the only vehicles involved and that they collided in a head-on crash. Both vehicles were seriously damaged and the drivers of both vehicles reported injuries.

The drivers were transported to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital for evaluation and treatment of their injuries. At this time, it is not clear what caused the collision or whether either driver erred prior to the impact. Authorities are continuing their investigation at this time.
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Every driver is charged with the duty and the responsibility to operate his or her vehicle in a safe and lawful manner. This means that anyone driving in Chicago or across Illinois must adhere to local and state rules and regulations covering things like the speed limit, yielding the right-of-way, and the direction of travel on any given road. Failing to abide by the rules of the road may be negligence or reckless and may lead to a ticket by any offending motorist.

But a traffic ticket is often not the end of legal liability when a driver causes a car accident. In those incidents, an at-fault driver may also be civilly liable to any victims of the crash for the full amount of damages incurred by all the victims. This can include medical bills, surgical and nursing expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering as well as any other damages that result from a collision. These claims are the right of a victim and may be available even if a driver is found not guilty in traffic court or even if the at-fault driver does not get a ticket. Each accident is different and the facts are unique so speaking with a personal injury lawyer who has experience representing the victims of a car accident is a good way to learn about your legal rights if you have been involved in a crash.

Shortly before 2:00 a.m. this morning, police in Chicago were alerted to a serious accident on Lake Shore Drive near Randolph Street. When they arrived, they were able to tell that a Subaru traveling southbound in the northbound lanes struck a taxi in a head-on crash, seriously damaging both vehicles and leaving four people injured. Both the driver of the Subaru and the driver of the taxi were transported to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County by emergency personnel at the scene. Two passengers in the taxi were also injured and were transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition. The current status of the four individuals hurt in the accident is not known.

Police are still investigating the crash and trying to determine why the Subaru was traveling in the wrong direction on Lake Shore Drive. Traffic in the area was halted initially after the accident so crews could clear the debris but all northbound lanes were reopened later in the morning.
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Driving while distracted is not only dangerous but also illegal in most areas of the country. That is because distractions take a driver’s attention away from the road and redirect it to something else, whether that is a cell phone, another passenger, or even something outside of the vehicle. If a driver is not focused on the road and the traffic ahead, it is likely that a mistake will happen and an accident may result.

Police officers are on alert for signs of distracted driving so that the police can stop the dangerous behavior long before an accident ever happens. Officers in Evanston recently thought April would be a good time to increase patrols and initiate a step up enforcement program against distracted driving; April is Distracted Driving Awareness month. As part of the program, police performed a one day enhanced enforcement looking for distracted driving and those using cell phones behind the wheel. Between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., officers issued 120 tickets to drivers who were talking on a hand held phone, texting, or emailing in the area of the Evanston enforcement. On average, that means that a ticket was issued once every 4 1/2 minutes.

The large number of offenders spotted in a short period of time suggests how wide spread this behavior is, and it is not isolated to Evanston. Some drivers in Chicago are guilty of distracted driving and the resulting accidents on a daily basis. But those negligent drivers are not the only ones who suffer from this hazardous behavior; the accidents caused by distracted driving often involve other innocent individuals and may leave them injured, or worse, dead.

In the event that a victim is injured in a distracted driving accident, the laws in Chicago may entitle that victim to financial relief. This relief can cover the actual expenses incurred like medical bills, lost wages, and other losses including pain and suffering. These claims are separate and distinct from any charges that may be brought by local authorities and can be available even if an at-fault driver was not ticketed in the crash. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand whether you are entitled to relief and whether you have a valid claim.
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Car accidents happen every day in Chicago. Some are caused by speeding, others by ignoring a red light or a stop sign. Some are caused by poor weather conditions. In 2011 alone, the Illinois Department of Transportation noted over 281,000 vehicular accidents across the state. With such a large number of car accidents, chances are that most people who live in Illinois have either been involved in a recent collision or know someone who has.

When vehicles collide, there is almost always damage done to one or more of the vehicles or to anything, like a building, retaining wall, or guard rail that is struck by a car. But in addition to property damages, car accidents bring the very real possibility of causing serious injuries to those drivers and passengers involved. When a car accident in the Chicago area is caused by the negligence of one or more drivers involved and people suffer injuries in the crash, those victims may be entitled to relief for their damages. Often, seeking relief can help a victim pay for expenses caused by the crash including medical bills and time missed from work as well as enabling a victim to obtain the compensation deserved for things like pain and suffering. Speaking with a lawyer who handles car accident claims in Chicago may help you understand your legal rights if you have been hurt in a crash.

Police in Des Plaines responded to a report of a collision between a van and a car yesterday morning near the intersection of Wolf Road and Jarvis Avenue. Emergency crews also responded to the scene and noted that four people had been injured in the crash, with one person trapped inside a vehicle. Officials were able to remove the trapped victim with the help of tools to pry apart a portion of the vehicle which reportedly had been heavily damaged in the collision. All four victims were assessed and were transported to hospitals in Chicago, Arlington Heights, and Park Ridge for treatment.

At this time, police are still investigating why the two vehicles collided and whether negligence on the part of one or more drivers contributed to the collision. As their investigation continues, it is possible that tickets may be issued.
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