Articles Posted in Auto Accident

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Mothers Against Drunk Driving has issued a warning to parents that our Chicago personal injury attorneys urge you to take to heart: The next 100 days are the deadliest of the year for teen drivers.

We frequently report the risk young people face when it comes to Chicago car crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that car accidents are the leading cause of death for those ages 15 to 20.Put another way, it’s a statistic that bears repeating: Your child is most likely to die in a traffic accident this summer. Your child. This summer. Our Illinois wrongful death attorneys are all too familiar with such tragedies. Dealing with the death of a young person in a car accident is among the most horrific cases a law firm can handle.

In 2009, about 3,000 teenagers were killed and more than 350,000 were treated in emergency rooms as a result of traffic accidents. Nine of the 10 deadliest days for teens are between the months of May and August.

Please speak to your child early and often this summer.

-MADD reports 28 percent of Illinois teens between the ages of 12 and 20 report using alcohol within the past month and 20 percent — or 1 in 5 — admit to binge drinking in the last 30 days.

-Teens are among the worst offenders when it comes to distracted driving. MADD recommends banning the use of electronic devices, including cell phones, while behind the wheel. The government’s Distracted Driving Website reports that 16 percent of those under 20 are distracted at the time of a crash.

-Limit night driving.

-Limit the number of passengers your teen is permitted to have in the vehicle.

-Set clear consequences for violating the rules.

-Consider using an Illinois teen driving contract with your teenager — which will outline the expectations and penalties for violations.

-Set firm rules about seat belt use. Statistics show teens are among the worst offenders when it comes to not buckling up.

-Invest in insurance. While teen car insurance premiums can be a shock in their own right, buy a policy with limits as high as you can reasonably afford. Basic policies or mandatory minimums are a joke in the event of a serious accident — you can spend $10,000 or more before the ambulance even gets you to the hospital.
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A new 2011 pedestrian safety report was recently released with updated figures. The statistics aren’t pretty. The Transportation for America report stated that there were nearly 47,000 pedestrians killed, and another 668,000 pedestrians injured on our nation’s streets from 2000 to 2009. A new plan, Dangerous by Design 2011, looks at way to solve this deadly epidemic of pedestrian accidents in Chicago and elsewhere in the United States.This newly released data includes a detailed report and a fact sheet with references to all 50 states. The website provides a detailed and interactive pedestrian map illustrating accidents on your city’s streets and allows you to see just how unsafe your area may be.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers understand just how dangerous it can be to travel our local roads by foot or bicycle. We’ve repeatedly asked that motorists practice caution and common sense behind the wheel. While maps, statistics and safer street construction may help to compliment safer pedestrian travel, it is ultimately up to us as travelers to be cautious and considerate of others on our roadways.

According to this new interactive map, a majority of these pedestrian fatalities happen along “arterial” roadways that are dangerous by city design, nationally speaking. These streets have been engineered solely for speedy traffic with virtually no provision for pedestrians, those in wheelchairs or travelers on bicycles.

Ironically, a lump of our federal tax dollars are meant to be distributed to promote pedestrian safety on our streets. Yet, Congress is currently considering eliminating all funding for these types of projects. Not that they would be eliminating much. Currently. less than 2 percent of federal funds for these types of projects are being used to preserve the safety of pedestrians.

Nearly 70 percent of U.S. roadways are aided by federal funds, and highway-only lobby continue to insist that increasing safety measures on these roads is a local government responsibility. Federal programs just continue to encourage state departments of transportation to keep their focus on speedy traffic roads instead on pedestrians.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were more than 4,000 pedestrian fatalities from traffic accident involvement in 2009 in the United States. Another 59,000 pedestrians suffered injuries from these accidents. This equals an average of a pedestrian killed every nine minutes and one being killed every two hours.

Illinois saw nearly 2,000 pedestiian fatalities between 2000 and 2009. These fatalities cost the state more than $7 million. The rate of pedestrian fatalities in the state ranks 27th our of all 50 states, according to the Dangerous by Design 2011 fact sheet.

The Chicago, Naperville and Joliet areas saw nearly 1,500 pedestrian deaths in this time period and the Champaign-Urbana areas saw nearly 30. These two areas made up more than 20 percent of all of the pedestrian fatalities in the state.
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A Chicago area auto accident has reportedly been caused by a motorist who was texting while simultaneously driving under the influence of drugs, according to the Orland Park Patch.

Illinois car accident lawyers from our office recently reported that research shows the use of a handheld cell phone while driving can delay the reaction time of a motorist to the equivalent of a drunk driver. So it would be fair to say that the combination of driving under the influence and texting would be considered especially dangerous.

Last week Orland Park police responded to report of a reckless driver in the area of 151st Street and 94th Ave. By the time police arrived at the location a crash had already occurred.

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Illinois personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes have entered into an agreement to represent 2 Chicago area women were hurt in a La Porte, Indiana auto accident. The traffic collision occurred in May, 2011 on US Highway 35.

The women were traveling in a Northwest direction on US 35 in a 2000 Toyota Camry. At that time the defendant, who was driving at 2007 Yukon in a Southeast direction on Highway 35, turned left into our clients’ vehicle, failing to yield to oncoming traffic.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Department investigated the collision. After interviewing the parties involved in a witness, the deputy found the defendant to be at fault.

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Illinois auto accident attorneys at Abels & Annes signed on to represent a Wheaton woman that was injured in a collision in December, 2010. The incident occurred in the southbound lanes of Interstate 355 in Itasca, Illinois just north of Lake Street.

The crash took place when the driver of a Toyota pickup truck became distracted by a vehicle changing lanes in front of him, did not notice traffic slowing down, and rear-ended a Pontiac Grand Am in front of him. This caused a multiple vehicle accident involving 5 cars in total. The Toyota turned sideways in the collison and struck our client’s Chevy Malibu.

Illinois State Police and Addison Rescue responded to the scene of the accident. After interviewing the parties involved, the investigating trooper issued the Toyota pickup driver a ticket for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

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Chicago car crash lawyers at Abels & Annes have signed on to represent a South Side woman that was injured in a March, 2011 traffic collision. The accident occurred in the 1800 block of 71st Street around 7:30 AM.

The plaintiff was driving her 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee on 71st in the left eastbound lane. The defendant, who was also driving eastbound on 71st, was in the far right lane. At that time the defendant, who was driving a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am, attempted an illegal left turn from the far right lane, striking our client’s vehicle.

The plaintiff’s car was knocked off the road, sideswiping a pole, and then came to a rest on some railroad tracks next to the street.

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Illinois is currently experiencing flooding in various regions and that water is posing serious danger to many residents. The Illinois Department of Transportation continues to offer logistical support and assistance by delivering thousands of sandbags and other supplies to affected regions. They’ve also made heavy equipment and trucks available for even more support. The agency is supporting road closures and various traffic control alterations in the flood-impacted areas to help reduce the risks of preventable Illinois car accidents during this wicked weather.

Our Illinois personal injury lawyers urge residents to be careful and cautious through spring as officials are doing all that they can to ensure that everyone makes a safe and quick recovery from the flooding.Much of the flooding is in the southern part of the state.

Officials report that it’s the worst case of flooding they’ve seen in about 80 years. Gov. Pat Quinn is aggressively seeking federal aid for flooded areas of the state. More than 10 Illinois counties have been hit by high water and are currently seeking outside aide. More than 450

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The “Start Seeing Motorcycles” campaign was recently launched by State Police, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) in an attempt to help reduce the risks of a motorcycle accident in Chicago and elsewhere in the state.

The agencies are now urging motorists to watch for motorcyclists as the spring season signals the start of the riding season in Illinois.Our Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers urge residents to join the cause not only in the month of May but year round. It is important to use caution when sharing our roads with motorcycles through the spring and summer months.

“Under the leadership and vision of Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois experienced an historic and record breaking two-year low in traffic fatalities in 2009 and 2010,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “IDOT continues to stress the importance of motorcycle safety and understands the need for proper attention, dedication and commitment by all motorists and motorcyclists in Illinois. Motorists share equal responsibility for motorcycle safety and are strongly encouraged to share the road and start seeing motorcycles.”

Statistics show more than half of all motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle are the fault of the other driver — not the rider.

“The Illinois State Police is committed to the safety of all motorists, and we are proud to partner with IDOT in an effort to raise awareness and reduce motorcycle related crashes,” said Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau. “Inclement weather, road conditions, traffic congestion, and limitations of protective gear, make motorcycle riders susceptible to serious or life threatening injuries, regardless of their experience or skill level. We can all help make this summer safe and enjoyable by practicing safe driving habits and staying focused on the road.”

Yellow banners and yard signs illustrating the “Start Seeing Motorcycles” message will be displayed throughout Illinois this month in hopes of effectively informing the public about the increased number of motorcyclists expected to hit the road this spring. Motorists are asked to be on the lookout for motorcyclists and to be considerate of all motorists when behind the wheel.

IDOT and partners will also be continuing their new “Gear Up” campaign. This campaign is geared towards motorcyclists and their responsibilities as drivers. The campaign urges riders to keep their bikes in good running condition, make sure licensing and insurance are current, never ride impaired, wear protective clothing and increase their visibility.

“When you ride, be aware of your surroundings, others may not see you. Whenever there is a motor vehicle versus a motorcycle accident, most of the time the operator’s comment is, ‘I did not see the bike” said Larry Kolling, GWRRA’s Illinois District Motorist Awareness Coordinator.

During the “Gear Up” campaign, free Cycle Rider Safety Courses will be available statewide so that motorcycle riders can acquire proper safety knowledge and training.

The courses expect about 20,000 riders to participate and are coordinated through Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and University of Illinois-Campaign,

Motorist tips to help keep our motorcyclists safe:

-Be sure to look twice when entering traffic, switching lanes or passing through an intersection as motorcyclists are oftentimes overlooked.

-Because of their small size, motorcycles appear to travel faster than they actually are.

-Motorcyclists will sometimes slow down or attempt to stop by downshifting instead of using their brakes. This move does not activate their brake lights. Do not follow too closely.

-Their small size may make them seem farther away than they actually are. Assume bikes are close and pose potential threats. Be extra cautious when driving near these motorists.

-Some blinkers on motorcycles are not self-canceling like they are on other motor vehicles. Make sure that a motorcyclist’s signal is real when traveling nearby.

-Bike drivers will swerve within a lane to avoid debris and the effects of winds. Don’t assume they’re just showing off or being reckless.
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Every May, teens across the country join together for National Youth Traffic Safety Month to focus on traffic related accidents among their age group; accidents continue to be one of the leading causes of death for the youngsters, according to the National Organization for Youth Safety (NOYS).

National Youth Traffic Safety Month aims to reach out to young drivers to help them make safer decisions behind the wheel, which in turn can reduce the risks of car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere across the United States.Our Chicago personal injury lawyers urge friends and family to join the campaign to help raise awareness among teen drivers and to help educate them with the proper habits for safe driving. The spring prom and graduation season is the most dangerous time of year for young drivers.

National Youth Traffic Safety Month offers traffic safety education projects for young drivers and supports legislation and law enforcement activities aimed at promoting safe driving among teens.

National Youth Traffic Safety Month offers these ideas to help you get involved in raising awareness this month:

-Encourage everyone you know to get involved. Try speaking with local law enforcement, auto sales establishments, stores that teens frequently shop, schools, radio stations and all local media. Encourage these places to help spread the word locally about the importance of safe teen drivers.

-See if you can suggest gubernatorial and mayoral proclamations proclaiming National Youth Traffic Safety Month. Steps to request a proclamation can be found on the NORS website.

-Pick a specific issue that can positively impact your community. It could be suggesting stronger enforcement of current laws, buckle up reminders or even visual projects to show the impact of distracted driving or other safety issue. Take an idea that is specific to your area and create something that will fit the need of your community. Try working with local officials to spread the word and effect change.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, of the more than 208 million licensed drivers in the United States in 2008, teen drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 counted for more than 6 percent, or 13.3 million drivers.

Nearly 2,500 teen drivers were killed and roughly 196,000 were injured because of car accidents in 2009. The statistics show a decrease of roughly 15 percent from the previous year. Nearly 150 teen deaths were killed in Illinois in 2009 as a result of car accidents involving a teen driver.
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The Chicago Tribune is reporting that two motorists were hurt in a Chicago car crash early Tuesday morning, with one of the cars striking a Dunkin’ Donuts in the Loop.

This is the second time in a matter of days that a driver has crashed into a Chicago restaurant. As our Illinois auto accident lawyers reported recently, a motorist crashed into Manny’s Deli this past Saturday, leaving a large hole in a restaurant wall.

This crash involved a Toyota SUV and a taxicab. The cause of the accident was not reported.

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