Pedestrian Accident

Plazas could reduce risk of Chicago pedestrian accidents

July 21, 2010 | By Dave Abels

The idea of creating pedestrian plazas is back in vogue as a way to create appealing greenspace and reduce the risk of serious and fatal Chicago pedestrian accidents.

Our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog reported recently that one-third of the city’s fatal accidents in 2008 — 52 of 156 — involved pedestrians being struck by a vehicle in Chicago. And city planners recently cited reducing serious and fatal pedestrian accidents as among the most pressing goals for traffic safety within the city.A recent piece in the Chicago Tribune questioned why street closures for events like Taste of Chicago don’t occur more often. It cites New York City’s bold decision to permanently close several blocks of Broadway to create permanent plazas in Times and Herald Squares.

A recent request for opinions about possible closures in downtown Chicago brought forth a number of proposals: Monroe between Michigan Avenue and Columbus, Rush Street, Taylor Street between Racine and Ashland and East 53rd Street east of Blackstone.

While permanently closing sections of downtown streets would require unprecedented cooperation among traffic planners, city leaders, business owners and residents, the idea has its early supporters.

The Chicagoist quickly jumped on the bandwagon. As Street Fest season enters full season, pedestrians are already bemoaning the season’s end. “Who doesn’t love the respite from traffic parking and noise when the fest is in your hood,” The Chicagoist wrote. “Why not make those happy feelings permanent in places throughout the city.”

One thing seems certain: With one-third of the city’s traffic fatalities resulting from pedestrian accidents, such dynamic proposals are at least worthy of consideration.
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Weekend Chicago pedestrian accidents claim two lives; state reports drastic decline in number of Chicago traffic fatalities

June 15, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Authorities responded to a number of hit-and-run crashes and fatal car and pedestrian accidents in the Chicago area over the weekend — even as state statistics show that fatal Chicago car accidents have declined by more than 50 percent so far this year.

A hit-and-run Chicago car accident injured five people, including two police officers, in the Lawndale neighborhood on the West Side, according to the Breaking News Center.

The crash happened Sunday afternoon about 3 p.m. when a police cruiser and a civilian vehicle were stopped at an eastbound light on Roosevelt Road at Kedzie Avenue. A car traveling south on Kedzie lost control as it turned right and collided with the civilian vehicle, which collided with the cruiser.

Chicago accident attorneys urge Blackhawks fans to stay safe at parade and rally

June 10, 2010 | By Dave Abels

The Chicago injury lawyers and staff at Abels & Annes congratulate the Chicago Blackhawks and urge fans to stay safe during Friday’s Blackhawk Stanley Cup parade.ESPN reports the ticker-tape parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Wacker and Washington and will proceed east on Washington to Michigan and then to Wacker. The parade will be carried live on ESPN3.com and ESPNChicago.com. The Blackhawks beat the Philadelphia Flyers in a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory in Game 6 on Wednesday night to capture their first Stanley Cup championship since 1961.

The Chicago Tribune reported that 19 people were arrested during the post-game celebration and Friday’s celebration could get rowdy.

Allow yourself plenty of time to arrive downtown, celebrate responsibly and stay safe. Heavy traffic and enthusiastic celebration will increase the risk of Chicago car accidents, pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents in the downtown area.

Police hunting driver of SUV involved in fatal weekend Chicago pedestrian accident

May 25, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Police are questioning a suspect in a fatal hit-and-run Chicago pedestrian accident that occurred shortly before midnight Friday, according to the Southtown Star.

A 38-year-old Indiana woman was struck while crossing 95th Street after leaving a bar to buy cigarettes at a nearby gas station. Witnesses told police she was dragged 50 or 60 feet down 95th Street by a Suburban that then turned onto Ridgeland Road, the Sun-Times reported.

She was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where she was pronounced dead at 12:58 a.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Reward offered for arrest of driver in Chicago taxi cab accident that killed student

May 24, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A 32-year-old Near West Side man died on Saturday as a result of injuries sustained in a Chicago taxi cab accident, the Tribune reported.

Authorities say the victim was leaning in the window, perhaps arguing with the cab driver, when the cab took off, dragging him for more than a block and running over his legs. He was pronounced dead at 5 p.m. Saturday by the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

His parents say the victim was a full-time MBA student and a die-hard Cubs Fan. He was hospitalized at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center for more than a week before dying as a result of his injuries.

Chicago pedestrian accident victim that was dragged by cab in critical condition

May 21, 2010 | By Dave Abels

It has been a week since a Chicago pedestrian was seriously injured when he was dragged by a taxicab for 40-50 yards, according to WGN News. The accident happened in front of the victim’s residence near 1600 North Honore Street around 3:30 in the afternoon last Friday. The Chicago pedestrian was leaning into a taxi when the cab suddenly accelerated without warning.

The victim was rushed to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago. CT scans are showing he has sustained brain damage and may not recover, and may be in a permanent vegetative state if he survives.

Witnesses state that before the accident the victim and cab driver were involved in an argument right before the accident. At some point the driver attempted to leave the scene while the victim’s body was still half way inside the cab. There was reportedly a blood trail from the scene where the pedestrian was dragged.

Anonymous donor posts bail for teen charged in hit-and-run Chicago pedestrian accident

May 20, 2010 | By Dave Abels

An anonymous donor has posted bond for a North Shore teenager accused in a hit-and-run Chicago pedestrian accident that critically injured a fellow student, ABC7 reported.

The 18-year-old allegedly left the scene after striking a 16-year-old girl outside New Trier High School at Green Bay and Winnetka roads. She was stopped by police about half-an-hour later. The victim suffered a brain injury and is in critical condition.

The judge set bail at $500,000, saying the high bail reflected the fact that the accused teenager admitted that she smoked marijuana the night before the crash. Toxicology results are pending, which could affect the case.

Two elderly residents struck in separate hit-and-run Chicago pedestrian accidents

May 15, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Police are looking for two hit-and-run vehicles involved in striking elderly pedestrians crossing Cottage Grove in separate accidents on Wednesday.

An 80-year-old man has been killed after being run down in a Chicago pedestrian accident by a driver who fled the scene, CBS2 reported.

Residents near Cottage Grove and 53rd Street said the area is a dangerous crossing for pedestrians, particularly the elderly. He was killed less than a block from his apartment as he tried to cross the street. Police say the accident happened shortly before 9 p.m. Wednesday. The victim, who used a cane, was thrown onto the hood of the vehicle for a short distance before the driver fled the scene in a vehicle police believe was either gray or white.

Chicago area pedestrian accident – woman killed by minivan on sidewalk

April 21, 2010 | By Dave Abels

An Illinois pedestrian accident has claimed the life of a woman that was struck by a minivan in Lombard on Monday night, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Another pedestrian was critically injured.

The accident happened when a Jewel semi truck that was traveling eastbound on Roosevelt Road collided with a minivan that was headed northbound on Main Street. The minivan then lost control and rolled over, hitting a man and woman walking on the sidewalk.

The male pedestrian’s legs were pinned under the minivan and bystanders came to his rescue, lifting the van off of his legs and freeing him. Both victims were rushed to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. The female pedestrian died Tuesday morning.

Authorities targeting suburban railroad crossing to reduce Chicago train accidents

April 14, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Suburban law enforcement are targeting railroad crossings for increased enforcement in the wake of a fatal Chicago pedestrian accident last month in North Chicago.

Rail road crossings in suburbs, including Elmhurst, Lombard and Des Plaines, are being monitored for gate-crashers and other violators, the Breaking News Center reported.Ignoring a crossing signal or lowered gate is punishable by a $250 fine.

As we reported last month on Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, a woman and an infant were killed by a Metra train near North Chicago station.

A total of 16 non-suicide Illinois train accidents were reported last year. Commuters in a rush, kids playing on the tracks and motorists disregarding gates and warning lights are all causes of Chicago train accidents.

The Illinois Commerce Commission reports 80 collisions involving trains occurred last year — down from the 129 collisions that were reported in 2008.

In last month’s case, a woman carrying an infant in heavy fog was attempting to catch up to her family, which had already crossed the tracks; she tried to cross ahead of a train moving into the station.
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