Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Elderly Pedestrian Killed by Fleeing Car in Morton Grove

January 13, 2015 | By Dave Abels

Pedestrians are at risk for collisions anytime they are near the drivers of automobiles. While the laws in Illinois are strict regarding who has the right-of-way and who must yield in instances when pedestrians and cars cross paths, too often, those laws are ignored by drivers and pedestrians suffer the consequences when a crash takes place. A staggering 19 percent of all pedestrian fatalities caused in traffic accidents were the result of hit-and-run drivers in the nation in 2012, a reminder that pedestrians are not only at risk for a crash but also at a serious risk of being ignored by an at-fault driver if a collision occurs.

Pedestrian accidents affect thousands in Chicago and in Illinois every year and cause many victims to suffer financial hardships in addition to the pain and suffering that comes with the injuries they sustain. When a hit-and-run driver is involved, victims may not understand whether they have a valid claim or whether they can obtain relief for their losses, but in Chicago, relief often is possible. Speaking with a personal injury attorney may help you further understand what options are available to you, regardless of whether a fleeing driver was later apprehended.

Police in Morton Grove have confirmed that a collision occurred on Monday night between a pedestrian and a hit-and-run driver and that the pedestrian lost his life as a result. The incident occurred near the intersection of Shermer Road and Harlem and caused officials to close the area to traffic in the area while they began their investigation on site; however, the area was reopened a short time later.

Emergency medical personnel were also on hand Monday and they evaluated the pedestrian, described as an 86-year-old male. His injuries were extreme and he was transported to Lutheran General Hospital for treatment but the victim died a short time later. At this time, police have not yet identified the driver or the owner of the vehicle that was involved in the crash and they are looking for help from the public or from anyone with information on this incident. Authorities believe that the suspected vehicle may have significant front-end damage caused by the crash and that anyone who believes they have information should call the Morton Grove Police Department.
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Alleged Wrong Way Driver Caused Fatal Car Accident in Forest Park

January 12, 2015 | By Dave Abels

High speed collisions often have tragic results. When one or more vehicles involved is traveling at a high speed before a crash, the forces involved in the impact are higher than they would be in a lower speed accident and therefore more damage can result. As damage becomes greater, there is an increased chance that the people inside those vehicles will sustain injuries or even lose their lives, though harm can come to victims in any Chicago car accident, regardless of the damage done to a car, truck or van.

Crashes with high speeds are most likely to occur on expressways and interstates like those that wrap their way around Chicago and lead to the suburban cities where so many dwell. For this reason, the laws in Illinois recognized that interstate accidents are very serious and they are designed to hold at-fault drivers liable for all the consequences that occur. From the possibility of a traffic citation or a ticket to financially liability for injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages suffered by a crash victim, this damage can be substantial and can accumulated quickly. Fortunately, this means that victims may not be forced to pay for the actions of a negligent driver and instead may be entitled to payment by that driver or an insurance company when injuries result in a crash. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand the implications of your collision and whether your claim for help is valid if a crash has affected your life or left your loved one hurt.

Prior to 5:00 a.m. on Sunday, a three vehicle collision on I-290 in Forest Park left at least three people hurt and one person dead, according to police who responded to the scene. The incident occurred on the eastbound side of I-290 near the Des Plaines Exit and forced Illinois State Troopers to close all lanes of eastbound traffic while they investigated and cleared the scene.

At this time, officials believe that a 22-year-old male driver may have been under the influence of alcohol when he drove his vehicle westbound in the eastbound lanes of traffic, causing a head-on crash that involved two other cars. While unclear how many people were inside those three vehicles, authorities have confirmed that a 29-year-old male passenger in one car lost his life and that at least three other people sustained injuries. Emergency crews responded to the scene and were able to help the surviving victims by transporting them to area hospitals for treatment and relief but their injuries remain, though none were believed to be facing fatal damages.

The results of any preliminary testing of the suspected wrong-way driver have not been released yet but officials assert that charges against the man are pending; the nature of any blood tests and the results may determine whether additional or increased charges are levied in this case.
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Winter Weather Causes Massive 150 Car Pileup on I-94

January 10, 2015 | By Dave Abels

The blizzard that struck Chicago earlier this week and caused havoc to those who drive managed to move east and hit Michigan before traveling out of the Midwest. While hovering over Michigan, ice and snow accumulated on several interstates and led to dangerous conditions, primarily in the western Michigan city of Kalamazoo. New video has surfaced of a massive pileup that happened in that area on I-94 yesterday and involved somewhere between 150 and 200 cars.

Local authorities believe that poor driving conditions stemming from a mix of snow, wind, and low visibility combined to lead to initial collisions and that once several vehicles were involved, those approaching the area were unable to stop and crashed as well. The current vehicular estimate of 150 to 200 cars includes several semi-trucks that crashed, one of which reportedly was hauling fireworks and caught on fire after the impact. Witnesses in the area reported the sounds of fireworks exploding as the fire spread to the trailer of the truck and ignited the cargo.

Both the westbound and eastbound lanes of I-94 between mile markers 92 and 88 were affected but the westbound lanes had many more vehicles than the eastbound. The initial collisions began at approximately 1:00 p.m. Friday and continued until authorities closed down the area due to the crashes and the interstate remained closed into Saturday. At this time, officials report that it will be at least 6:00 p.m. Saturday before any of I-94 is opened in the area because of the time it has taken to remove disabled vehicles and clear them from the road’s surface.In addition to damage to every vehicle involved, one fatality has been confirmed with several others reported but unsubstantiated at this time. Additional injury victims were in need of medical treatment and multiple ambulances reported to the area to help those in need.
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Winter Storm Leads to Car Accidents across Chicago

January 9, 2015 | By Dave Abels

Some in Chicago were hoping that winter weather would skip the city in 2015 and would wait until next year to return, but the storms that have been blanketing the city recently have put that hope to rest. Storms have brought snow, cold weather, ice, and some reported sleet to Chicago and have made it treacherous to get around the city by any means. Those that drive have been particularly sensitive to this change in weather as the stormy conditions have brought extra danger to the roads and expressways of Chicago.

Winter weather accidents can happen whenever the weather turns poor as it has this week. Combining cold and slippery conditions with fast moving vehicles increases the risk of a crash happening and can increase the severity of a collision if one does occur. The fortunate victims of these collisions are not hurt and can walk away with nothing more than the frustration that comes with a typical accident but not all are this lucky. Many will be hurt in collisions over the winter season and will be in need of medical help that can range from emergency treatment to follow up care and a rehabilitative regime. While these victims cannot erase the damage done to them, they may be able to recover financially for their expenses and suffering through the use of a civil claim. Personal injury lawyers in Chicago specialize in these claims and may be able to help you figure out your rights if you have been involved in a car accident or if your loved one was injured.

The blizzard that hit Chicago yesterday came right before the start of rush hour and made the drive hazardous for almost every driver on the street. In addition to the new snow that fell, high winds caused a lot of blowing that led to whiteout conditions in some areas and led to several car accidents in the greater Chicago area. Two semi-trucks collided on I-74 near Danville when a wind gust and ice on the road caused one truck to blow into the other and jackknife, injuring at least one of the drivers and limiting traffic in the area for some time. In a separate incident, a pickup truck left the road’s surface on I-57 and rolled over on the shoulder and into a ditch. The driver of that truck was hurt in the incident and was taken to an area hospital but was expected to survive.

The City of Chicago deployed numerous plow trucks to combat the weather conditions and to clean up the roads as much as possible but their actions were limited by the continuing snowfall and the blowing conditions. While plows did improve the roads significantly, authorities caution that road conditions may still be threatening during Friday’s morning rush hour and that drivers should be prepared for both snow and ice on the road surfaces.
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Semi-Truck Burst into Flames after Brakes Catch Fire on I-80

January 8, 2015 | By Dave Abels

Semi-trucks often get a bad reputation when it comes to driving in the Chicago area. They are present on all of the major expressways including the Eisenhower, the Stevenson, the Kennedy, and the Bishop Ford Freeway. While drivers may view these trucks negatively because they tend to drive slower, on average, semi-truck accidents are less common per mile traveled than collisions involving personal vehicles like cars. However, when trucks are involved in crashes, the results tend to be more severe than car accidents because trucks are large, heavy, and capable of causing devastation.

In addition to collisions that may result by driver error, though, truck accidents can be caused by problems with the vehicle itself. Mechanical failures, blown tires, or an improper design of the truck may lead to a situation that cannot be handled by a driver in a manner that prevents a collision. These accidents can threaten the safety of numerous people in the area including the truck driver, others in the truck, or people in nearby cars.

The laws in Chicago are designed to protect those who get hurt in traffic accidents by allowing them to recover financially for their losses. In the event that a faulty condition leads to a collision, relief may be possible against the manufacturer or a truck, a company that performed maintenance on the vehicle, or anyone who service individual components on the truck itself. Further, drivers may have an additional claim under workers’ compensation laws that may be brought against an employer. With so many possibilities, victims cannot be fully informed of their options and rights without consulting with a knowledgeable expert like a personal injury attorney if they have been hurt.

Shortly after 12:00 a.m. on Thursday, a semi-truck traveling on I-80 near Mokena was forced to stop after an incident occurred and the truck’s brakes caught fire. The driver of the vehicle was able to exit the cab shortly before the fire spread from the brakes to the main vehicle, leaving the truck engulfed in flames.

Emergency crews and police were alerted to the incident and they responded at the scene. Crews were able to extinguish the fire and others cleared the wreckage of the crash but several lanes of eastbound I-80 had to be closed during the clean-up. Fortunately, no one was injured in this instance and I-80 was fully functional before morning rush hour began.
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Bears Cornerback Tim Jennings Arrested for DUI, Reckless Driving

January 7, 2015 | By Dave Abels

Driving drunk or under the influence of alcohol is so dangerous to the safety of motorists that it is a crime in all 50 states, including Illinois. In this state, motorists are presumed to be under the influence when they have a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher but can be guilty of driving under the influence even with a lesser concentration of ethanol in their system. If a driver is intoxicated, it is enough to lead to potential charges.

Alcohol is far from the only substance that is banned in the systems of drivers who take to the roads in Illinois. Drugs, including some over-the-counter and prescription medications, can lead to criminal charges if the effects of the drugs impair a driver’s ability to function behind the wheel. Most drivers who are cited for operating under the influence will face charges that may result in fines, fees, loss of a driver’s license, community service, or even incarceration, but what many don’t realize is that the criminal charges may not be the end of their legal saga. Rather, if a collision occurs and a victim is injured due to the actions of a drunk driver, that motorist may be held liable for the full extent of the damages sustained by the victim or victims involved, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It is the victims’ right to seek this relief and no action by a drunk driver can prevent this. Victims who have been hurt may choose to speak with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago to learn whether they have a valid claim and if so, what relief may be possible.

Cornerback for the Chicago Bears Tim Jennings reportedly was arrested while driving in Georgia today and is now facing charges including driving while under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, and speeding. According to local police, Jennings was stopped shortly before 12:00 p.m. today while driving on I-85 in the state of Georgia after an officer supposedly noted Jennings’ speed at 99 miles per hour, which was 34 miles per hour over the posted speed limit in the area. Reports indicate that once the officer stopped Jennings, he approached the vehicle and detected a smell of alcohol coming from the football player, leading to Jennings’ arrest. Jennings was booked into a Georgia jail and released later in the afternoon. At this time, there has been no report on the blood alcohol content, of any, possessed by Jennings at the time of his arrest or whether any other charges may be pending.
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Teenage Pedestrian Hit by Car in Chicago

January 6, 2015 | By Dave Abels

Children and teens are the victims of many types of accidents across Chicago every year. Many of them are caused by a driver in a vehicle, including some car accidents, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents, and these may lead to legal rights for relief possessed by that child and that child’s family.

Victims of these incidents may incur damages including medical expenses, rehabilitative and nursing care, property damage, and pain and suffering. But beyond these damages, the results of an accident can cause havoc to an entire family who must suffer due to the actions of another. In Illinois, lawmakers understand that children and their parents should not be forced to bear the financial burden caused by drivers who make mistakes and therefore the laws of the state enable victims to seek relief. This is the right held by the victims and is separate from any traffic or criminal charges that may be brought by local officials, enabling these children and teens to make a full recovery after an accident strikes. If your child or your loved one has been involved in a collision, you may want to speak with a personal injury attorney in Chicago to fully understand what options may be available to you and whether your family has a valid claim for help.

At approximately 1:00 p.m. on Monday, police were alerted to a collision in the Chinatown neighborhood of Chicago between a car and a teenage pedestrian. When officials arrived on the scene in the 2200 block of South Wentworth Avenue, they were able to determine that the pedestrian, an 18-year-old female, was in serious condition with injuries sustained in the crash. Emergency medical crews tended to the teen and transported her by ambulance to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County for further treatment where the nature and extent of her injuries remains unclear.

Police began their investigation at the scene while speaking with at least one person involved. The investigation is still ongoing and no preliminary information has been released as to the cause of the crash or whether negligence played a role.
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CTA Train Strikes, Kills Pedestrian in Chicago

January 5, 2015 | By Dave Abels

The CTA, the major public transit system within the city of Chicago, provides rides to approximately three million people every year. Split primarily between a system of trains and buses, these riders embark on a journey from Point A to Point B and likely give little thought to their personal safety. The reasons are obvious: when you take public transit, you relinquish control of your trip to another, and you place your trust in that other to act in your best interests, following the rules and putting passenger safety first.

Despite these expectations, many collisions involving CTA vehicles happen every year in the city. Some are minor and those involved escape injuries; yet others are severe or even fatal and can change the lives of those involved forever, no matter what happens afterwards. Train accidents can be devastating to those passengers on board, employees working for the CTA, anyone in a car involved in the crash, or a pedestrian who may be struck. Of these, pedestrian accidents are almost always the worst as there is nothing to protect a person from the full impact of a crash. Many victims are left with injuries that will plague them for the remainder of their lives and others are killed in these crashes, permanently altering the lives of their friends, family members, and coworkers who remain.

At approximately 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning, a pedestrian at or near the Argyle CTA red line station was struck by a train in the area, causing extreme damages that led to the pedestrian losing his life. At this time, it is not clear what led to the impact between the pedestrian and the train but officials have been able to confirm that it was a northbound train involved in the crash. Red line service was stopped temporarily in the area as authorities responded to the scene and began an investigation.

The victim survived the incident initially and was taken by ambulance to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center for emergency treatment, but despite the best efforts of physicians, the man, described as a 31-year-old, died from the injuries sustained in the crash.
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Winter Weather Accidents Possible as Chicago Sees Snow, Ice

January 3, 2015 | By Dave Abels

Chicago drivers were fortunate in the late part of 2014 with few winter storms hitting the city. Without the normal blanketing of snow and ice, few winter weather accidents were reported and fewer people than average were injured as a result.

Now that the year has turned to 2015, though, drivers across Chicago awoke to new snow and wintery conditions across the city’s roads and expressways, leading to some dangerous conditions and an increase risk for crashes. As the morning progressed, the snow gave way to freezing rain, trapping some of the previously accumulated snow on the roads and causing other areas to become very slick.

Through the early morning hours, several weather-related car accidents were reported on the expressways in and around Chicago but fortunately, none had caused serious injuries. There were several spin-outs and several other instances of vehicles leaving the road’s surface due to the conditions. Some motorists involved in these instances needed medical assistance but none was believed to be in critical condition or facing life-threatening injuries.

Today’s weather is a reminder that winter comes to Chicago every year, even if it may seem like it is delayed. This weather can complicate many aspects of daily life but commuting and traveling are two that are at the forefront of the minds of many – bad weather and incoming storms can make travel hazardous and can cause anxiety to those who drive. While common belief indicates that the weather can cause accidents, the truth is that winter conditions often contribute to a collision but rarely are the sole cause. Instead, snow, icy, and sleet may combine with the actions of a negligent driver to cause a car accident in Chicago or across Illinois.

Any time a collision happens, those involved are at risk for injuries that may range from the minor to the severe. It is unfortunate that those who make no mistakes while driving may be the ones who suffer and even worse that nothing can take away that victim’s pain. Nonetheless, relief may be possible through the use of a civil claim for damages, a type of relief that is the right of a victim to bring and that can enable that victim to obtain financial compensation. Relief may cover the cost of medical bills incurred, future medical expenses necessary, lost wages, rehabilitative care, pain and suffering, and other damages that you incurred. As each case and each accident is unique, you may want to speak with a personal injury attorney if a collision has affected your life or claimed your loved one.
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Drunk Driver Arrested on New Year’s Eve Traveling at 99 MPH

January 2, 2015 | By Dave Abels

New Year’s Eve is one of the most dangerous nights to drive or to be on the road of the year, and that holds true in Chicago as well as across the nation in general. It is unfortunate but some drivers choose to drink alcohol and then drive or to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs. These drivers are not only a hazard to themselves but also to those around them, whether they are drivers, passengers, or even pedestrians.

Police in Chicago attempt to identify these drivers before tragedy strikes by looking for signs of impairment, including weaving in and out of traffic, speeding or driving much slower than expected, failing to stop at a stop sign, or general aggressiveness. But officers are not able to be at every intersection in Chicago at every moment and as a result, drunk driving accidents happen every week. These collisions affect victims at varying times of the days during the week but those associated with heavier drinking, like overnight hours and the weekends, tend to have more accidents than those during times of lighter drinking, like working hours. Holidays that may involve drinking exacerbate the prevalence of these accidents which explains in part why driving on New Year’s Eve can be dangerous.

Riverside police officers reportedly noticed a man driving 99 miles per hour on Thursday morning at approximately 1:00 a.m. Officers pulled over the driver and noticed signs of intoxication, leading to the arrest of the 20-year-old male driver while he was on 26th Street and traveling in an area with a posted speed limit of 35 mph. There are reports that the driver stated he was attempting to see how fast his car could travel when police pulled him over.

The driver allegedly admitted to officers that he was traveling home from a New Year’s Eve party and he submitted to a breathalyzer test during the traffic stop, leading to the conclusion that the suspect had a blood alcohol content of .13. The legal limit in the State of Illinois is .08, but as the driver was under the age of 21, he was legally banned from driving with any alcohol in his system.
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