Wrongful Death

3 deadly car crashes in the Chicago area overnight

November 5, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Three separate Chicago area auto accidents resulted in three deaths late Thursday evening and early Friday morning, according to WGN TV. The crashes all occurred just hours apart.

The first accident occurred on Interstate 65 just South of Interstate 80 around 11:45 PM. A tow truck driver was changing a tire on a semi truck when a Land Rover rear-ended the tow truck. The tow truck driver was crushed between his truck and the semi truck.

The tow truck driver was a highway service worker employed by a service company that was called out by the driver of the semi truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene and his identity has not been released.

Bolingbrook, Illinois car versus motorcycle accident results in fatality

October 19, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A 38-year-old Bolingbrook resident was killed in an Illinois motorcycle accident on Friday, according to Tribune local. The collision occurred just before 3:30 PM on Route 53. The motorcyclist was rushed by ambulance to Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital and was pronounced dead at 4:07 PM.

The Chicago area accident occurred when a northbound Saturn on Route 53 struck the motorcycle rider while turning left to get onto North Beaconridge Drive. The Bolingbrook Police Department is handling the crash investigation, and police representatives indicate charges could be filed when the investigation is complete.

The driver of the Saturn and a passenger, who are also Bolingbrook residents, were both injured and take to Bolingbrook Hospital. They were both treated and released.

Residente de Chicago murio en accidente de auto en Illinois

October 5, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Un accidente de auto en el sur del estado de Illinois reclama la vida de un residente, 28 años de edad de Chicago, según el Herald Review. El accidente sucedió temprano el sábado por la mañana cerca de Mattoon, Illinois cuando otro conductor cruzó la línea central en Interstate 57.

El conductor que causó el accidente fue dirigido supuestamente con rumbo al sur en un Chevy Aveo y cruzo la línea central después de desviarse por no pegarle a un animal en el camino, y luego golpeó la víctima que iba hacia el norte en un Chevy Lumina. Inmediatamente después de que el Aveo golpeó el Lumina, un camión transportando dos remolques le choco por detras al Lumina.

De algúna manera el impacto causó que la puerta del lado del conductor se separara del vehículo. La víctima con sinturón, fue expulsado de su vehículo. El entonces fue desbordado por otro camión.

Chicago resident killed in Illinois car crash

October 4, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A downstate Illinois auto accident as claimed the life of a a 28-year-old Chicago resident, according to the Herald Review. The accident happened early on Saturday morning near Mattoon, Illinois when another driver crossed the centerline on Interstate 57.

The driver that caused the accident reportedly was headed southbound in a Chevy Aveo and crossed the centerline after swerving to miss an animal in the road, and then struck the victim’s northbound Chevy Lumina. Immediately after the Aveo hit the Lumina, a semi truck hauling two trailers rear-ended the Lumina.

The impact somehow caused the driver side door to detach from the vehicle. The victim, who was seat belted, was ejected from his vehicle. He was then run over by a second semi truck.

Illinois pedestrian accident seriously injures Berwyn resident – driver on cell phone blamed

September 25, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A 52-year-old man has been hurt in a Chicago area pedestrian accident after being hit by a driver who was on her cell phone, according to the Chicago Tribune. The pedestrian, David Paradiso of Berwyn, sustained a fractured leg, scalp injuries and a broken collarbone.

The accident happened on Monday around 7 PM at the intersection of Harlem Avenue and Longcommon Road, which is on the border of Berwyn and Riverside. The driver, also of Berwyn, was southbound on Harlem when she ran a red light at the intersection. Witnesses reportedly saw her on her cell phone.

As she went through the red light and struck an eastbound vehicle, and then hit the pedestrian. The investigating police officers charged the defendant with aggravated reckless driving, and she was released on $5000 bond on Wednesday.

Chicago motorcyclist killed in suburban crash with truck

September 23, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A 32-year-old man from Chicago lost his life on Tuesday when he was involved in an Illinois truck vs. motorcycle accident, according to the Chicago Daily Herald. The crash occurred in Elk Grove Township around 11:40 AM.

The truck was headed in a westerly direction on Higgins Road, just west of Landmeier, where it was in the left lane while turning right turn into a parking lot. The motorcycle rider was in the right lane and hit the side of the truck as it was turning into the lot.

The motorcyclist suffered severe head and chest injuries. He was rushed by ambulance to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge where there is a Level I trauma center. Physicians were initially able to revive him, but he passed away around 1:30 PM.

Illinois bike accident claims life of 55-year-old woman

September 22, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A female bicyclist was killed Monday morning in an Illinois car vs. bike accident that occurred in Gibson City, according to the News Gazette. The victim, Jeanne C. DeWall, was using her bicycle to deliver newspapers for the News-Gazette at the time of the crash.

The bike rider was moving eastbound on Illinois 9 when she was hit by an eastbound car that was being driven by a 73-year-old man from Paxton. The collision occurred around 6 AM in the area of Ford Country Road 905 East. She was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

The Illinois State Police responded to the accident. Their investigation reportedly showed that the driver did not see the bicyclist, and that he may have been affected by headlights from oncoming traffic.

Illinois truck vs. pedestrian accident claims life of Chicago construction worker

September 18, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A Chicago area pedestrian accident has resulted in the death of a construction worker in southwest suburban Forest View, Illinois, according to CBS News. The accident occurred on Friday afternoon when a semi-truck exiting the Stevenson Expressway (Interstate 55) made an illegal right turn and struck the worker on the Harlem Avenue off-ramp.

The construction worker was employed by Midwest Fencing, who was working a project for IDOT. The victim was making repairs to a barrier fence at the time of the accident, according to IDOT spokesman Guy Tridgell.

Because of the construction, there were reportedly no right turn signs for trucks at the bottom of the off-ramp, but for reasons unknown, the trucker still made the right turn.

Fire prevention effort highlights Chicago apartment injuries, landlord liability

September 16, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Gov. Pat Quinn has proclaimed September to be Campus Fire Safety Month in Illinois, urging students, schools and landlords to ensure fire safety as the new school year begins.

More than 100 students have died in off-campus fires in the last decade and many more have been injured, according to the Illinois State Fire Marshal. Illegally divided apartments or campus-area apartments without adequate fire protection or emergency exits are a common danger. A Chicago injury lawyer or wrongful death attorney can assist students and families in the wake of a serious or fatal fire.

Landlords have an obligation to provide secure properties; adequate fire protection is just one example. Safe porches and stairways are another. As we reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, several people were injured over the weekend in accidents involving collapsing porches.

In making the announcement, the governor pointed to the case of Tanner Osborn, a 22-year-old college student who died along with two other classmates in a 2005 Chicago apartment fire. The apartment had no working smoke detector. Tanner’s mother started “LOOK UP! Pay it Forward” as a way to remind students to look up for working smoke detectors in all student housing. Once a year, the program focuses on one university to get the word out.

This year’s effort will be at Western Illinois University in Macomb on what would be Tanner’s 28th birthday. Volunteers will join the Macomb Fire Department and students in passing out smoke alarms and fire prevention material.

Fire Safety Tips

-Test windows and doors to ensure they open.

-Practice alerting other members of an apartment or home.

-Install working smoke detectors.

-Post emergency numbers near telephone.

-Make sure you have a safe method of escape in all situations.

-Keep portable heaters at least three feet away from anything.

-Remain vigilant with smoking materials; never smoke in bed or while sleepy.

-Be careful while cooking — have a working fire extinguisher.
Continue reading

Chicago injury lawyers hired to represent husband of trainer killed in Sea World whale attack

August 27, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A Chicago personal injury and wrongful death law firm has been retained by the husband of the SeaWorld trainer who was killed by a whale in February, according to NBC2 in Orlando.

Dawn Brancheau was pulled into a pool and drown by a whale named Tilikum. Some media reports indicated the animal had a history of aggression.Earlier this week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced a $75,000 fine against SeaWorld in connection with the trainer’s death. OSHA is the federal body charged with investigating serious and fatal work accidents. The government agency found SeaWorld committed a “willful” violation, meaning the company demonstrated indifference and intentional disregard for the safety of employees.

When a worker is injured, a Chicago injury attorney should always be consulted to ensure that your rights are protected.