Auto Accident

26 Killed In Israeli Bus Crash

December 17, 2008 | By Dave Abels

In Eilat, Israel, at least twenty six Russians were killed on Tuesday when a bus crashed down a steep ravine, according to several news outlets, including the Associated Press. There were 60 passengers on the bus who had all just arrived from St. Petersburg, Russia.

The bus reportedly crashed when it passed by another bus at a high rate of speed in a no passing zone, lost control, broke through a guard rail and rolled down a steep hill. Many passengers were thrown from the bus as it rolled.

24 people were reportedly died at the scene, and 2 more past away later at Eilat’s hospital. Several more are at the hospital in critical condition. Forty ambulances and six Israeli military helicopters rushed to the accident site.

Chicago Resident Killed By DUI Driver

December 16, 2008 | By Dave Abels

In Chicago, Illinois a Hoffman Estates woman has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol stemming from an auto accident that took place this past Sunday, according to the Chicago Tribune. The car accident happened on the northwest side on Milwaukee Avenue near Devon. The DUI driver rear-ended another vehicle, killing the other driver.

The Victim, Sergio Correa, 35, of Chicago was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois and pronounced dead early Sunday morning. The at fault driver was also taken to Lutheran General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Chicago Police Department investigated the crash. The defendant was also charged with misdemeanor DUI and several other moving violations. The defendant is reportedly still in the hospital, and police plan on taking her into custody when she is released, according to the Daily Herald.

Chicago Car Accident Causes 1 Death, 2 Others Seriously Injured

December 14, 2008 | By Dave Abels

Early Sunday morning a car crash in Chicago, Illinois has resulted in the death of one person, and two others have been critically injured, according to WBBM News Radio 780. Chicago Police Department officials are stating that the accident happened at 111th Street and Western Ave. around 3:20 am. The auto accident involved multiple vehicles.

The person who was killed in the collision was pronounced dead at the scene. The two people that were seriously injured were taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers in Evergreen Park.

The Chicago Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Unit is handling the investigation. The cause of the accident has not yet been reported.

Evanston Alum Receives Bicycle Accident Settlement — Chicago Injury Law Firm

December 10, 2008 | By Dave Abels

Accident Attorneys from Abels & Annes, P.C. have resolved an automobile vs. bike accident case for Aaron Eiger, a former classmate of Dave Abels from Evanston Township High School. The collision took place on October 17, 2007 on the North Side of Chicago.

Aaron was riding his bicycle northbound on Southport in a marked bicycle lane. The defendant was driving her SUV southbound on Southport and began to make a left turn to turn into an alley. The driver failed to look to ensure that it was safe to make this maneuver and struck Aaron on his bicycle. The force of the SUV hitting Aaron on his bicycle threw him on through the air into a parked car.

Following the collision Aaron had an immediate onset of pain and discomfort. Aaron was taken from the scene of the collision by ambulance to Illinois Masonic Hospital. At the time of his arrival he complained of left knee pain and shoulder pain. A history was taken, Aaron was examined and diagnostic tests, including x-rays were preformed. Aaron was prescribed pain medications. Upon discharge he was diagnosed with a left knee contusion and multiple abrasions. Aaron was instructed to follow up with a physician.

In DuPage County, Illinois, Witnesses Sought In Near Fatal Pedestrian vs. Car Accident

December 8, 2008 | By Dave Abels

In West Suburban Lisle, Illinois a pedestrian was hit and severely injured as he crossed Ogden Avenue at Center Avenue on November 6, 2008. He was crossing to get to the First Congregational Church parking lot that is used for Metra train parking. The accident happened in the early evening at a location that is marked with warning signs for pedestrian crossing. The victim was a commuter on his way home from work.

The pedestrian suffered severe injuries, including a broken left arm, multiple pelvic fractures, right eye injuries, a fractured skull, internal bleeding and multiple lacerations. He had to undergo multiple surgeries and was in intensive care for over a week before being transferred to long term care & rehab.

One witness stayed at the scene until Lisle police officers responded, but there may have been others. If you were a witness to this accident, or if you know of a witness, please call (312) 924-7575 or email accidentwitness@yahoo.com.

Illinois Bus vs. Truck Crash Injures Over 30 Students

December 4, 2008 | By Dave Abels

In Lostant, Illinois several students were injured Wednesday night when a chartered bus was involved in a motor vehicle accident with a truck, according to the Associated Press. The accident happened on an icy highway in northern central Illinois. At least 36 people were sent to hospitals.

The truck vs. bus accident happened on Interstate 39 when the tractor-trailer jackknifed in in front of a bus carrying students and the two vehicles impacted. The students were taken to three different area hospitals. Thirteen students were taken to St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley and twenty-three students were taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru.

The bus was returning from Chicago and all the students were from Dunlap High School in Dunlap, Illinois. Dunlap is a small town located on Illinois 91 in Peoria County, Illinois, with a population of around 1,000.

Chicago Injury Lawyer Reaches Settlement In Bike vs. Car Accident Case

November 26, 2008 | By Dave Abels

Chicago Accident Attorneys from Abels & Annes, P.C. have resolved a case for a bike rider that collided with an open car door on California Avenue on August 21, 2008. The plaintiff was riding his bicycle in a northbound direction on California and the defendant was parked on the side of California facing northbound. The at fault driver suddenly and without warning opened her door into traffic.

The defendant was negligent in that she failed to look back and ensure that it was clear and safe to open her door before doing so. The door opened so suddenly in front of our client that he did not have any time to avoid it and collided with the open door.

The law in Illinois on the issue of opening a car door into traffic is as follows: Opening and closing vehicle doors. No person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.

Pursuant to this statute the defendant was negligent in opening her door when it was not reasonably safe to do so and when it would interfere with the movement of other traffic. Every person riding a bicycle on a roadway is granted all of the rights of a driver of a motorized vehicle. 625 ILCS 5/110-1502.

The defendant tried to claim that she had left her door open for an extended period of time prior to the accident and that her door did not just swing open. However, even under this possible scenario the driver was still negligent and is still at fault as under the law it is improper to leave a car door open for any period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.

The defendant was issued a citation from the Chicago Police Department for violation of § 5/11-1407 of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code.
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Chicago, Illinois Auto Accident – 2 Injured

November 23, 2008 | By Dave Abels

A driver and a passenger from Chicago were injured last Wednesday in a car accident when they were hit from behind by another vehicle. The car crash happened on the South Side at 95th and State Street. They were stopped at a red light when a car insured by State Farm slammed into the rear of their vehicle.

The driver was treated at University of Chicago Hospital Emergency Room for low back injuries. The passenger, a student at Chicago State University, was treated for back and neck injuries at Holy Cross Hospital. The accident happened on the way to campus for class.

Both the driver and the passenger are still experiencing significant back and neck pain several days after the accident, and they are both following up with Chicago area orthopaedic doctors for further treatment.

Chicago Pedestrian Injured By Car Accident While Standing In Front Of His House

November 19, 2008 | By Dave Abels

Car Accident Lawyers from Abels & Annes, P.C. have settled an injury claim for a Chicago resident who was injured after being hit by a car while standing in front of his house when a car crash occurred.

On the evening of the occurrence our client was standing in his front yard when the defendant was driving westbound on 71st Street approaching its intersection with Lafayette. The intersection of 71st Street and Lafayette was controlled by a traffic light. There was a red light for westbound traffic. The defendant ran his red light and crashed into a southbound vehicle. The force of the impact knocked the other vehicle into a fence and yard on Lafayette and into the plaintiff, who fell to the ground.

Our client was seen at St. Bernard Hospital’s emergency room right after the accident complaining of shoulder, back, hip and knee pain. He was diagnosed with a fracture to his left clavicle, acute low back sprain and left knee contusion. Pain medications and physical therapy were prescribed. Despite this treatment he continued to suffer from pain and discomfort in his left shoulder, left hip, low back and left knee. However, our client sought no follow up treatment.

CTA Bus Accident – Multiple Injuries Reported

November 18, 2008 | By Dave Abels

In Chicago, Illinois a CTA bus crash has injured several people this morning, according to chicagobreakingnews.com. The accident involved a bus and two vehicles and over 20 people were injured. The collision took place on the Near West Side near Roosevelt Road and Blue Island Avenue.

One person is in critical condition. More than 12 ambulances were on stand by.

According to a Chicago Transit Authority representative, a bus was stopped at an intersection when it was hit from the rear by another vehicle.