Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Alcohol Suspected in Chicago Crash that Claimed Man’s Arm, Then His Life

October 13, 2014 | By Dave Abels

Illinois laws against drinking and driving are clear and strict: if you operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08 or greater, you will be presumed to be under the influence and you may face traffic and/or criminal penalties. Punishments for drunk driving accidents often include fines, fees, community service, loss of a driver’s license, house arrest, probation, or even incarceration. In some cases, the punishments faced become more serious when an accident occurs and one or more individuals involved are injured or killed.

But the laws against drunk driving in Chicago and across the state are broader than what is described above. In addition to motorists with a BAC of .08, anyone can be guilty of operating under the influence if they have consumed a drug or alcohol that inhibits or decreases their ability to drive. This can include smaller amounts of alcohol, prescription drugs, street drugs, or even over-the-counter medications. Additional, drivers who are under the legal age to consume alcohol of 21 years in Illinois are not allowed to have any alcohol in their systems.

The laws are designed to keep the roads safe for everyone who uses them by discouraging drivers from drinking before taking the wheel. Despite the strict laws and serious possible punishments, though, thousands of drivers continue to take to Chicago roads every year, causing accidents and leaving injured victims in their wake. These victims may not be able to undue the harm done to them but they may be entitled to seek financial payment for their damages if a drunk driver caused their injuries, including payment for any medical bills incurred and pain and suffering endured. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your rights if you have been involved in a Chicago car accident.

Police in Chicago have reported that two individuals were riding in a vehicle on the city’s South Side on Saturday when a crash occurred, and they suspect that alcohol may have been a factor. The 37-year-old driver was traveling in the 8200 block of South Chicago Avenue around 1:00 p.m. when the motorist lost control of the vehicle, struck a light pole, and then collided with a parked car. The driver sustained serious injuries in the accident and was transported to an area hospital where the nature of the injuries have not been revealed, but police have indicated that the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol prior to the impact.

In addition to the driver, a 44-year-old male front seat passenger was involved in the crash. The incident reportedly amputated one of the man’s arms but emergency crews were able to tend to the victim and transport him to a hospital. Doctors attempted to save the man’s life but he died in the early evening hours of the injuries sustained in the collision.
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Bicyclist Critically Injured in Hit-and-Run Crash with Semi-Tractor

October 10, 2014 | By Dave Abels

Bicycle accidents happen in Chicago in numerous ways and involve many types of motorists, drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and others. The typical view of a bicycle crash may trigger an image of two bicyclists colliding but when it comes to riding in Chicago, that is not the most common type of crash that occurs. Often, cyclists and drivers of cars, trucks, or vans collide at intersections when one fails to yield the right-of-way to another. In other cases, a car passing a cyclist on the left may fail to leave enough room to pass safely, resulting in a side-swipe bicycle accident that can leave a rider seriously injured. Another common type of collision involves a stopped vehicle and an oncoming bicyclist. Failing to make sure no oncoming traffic is present may lead a driver or a passenger to open a car door and possibly to force a cyclist to strike the door, an accident appropriately referred to as “dooring.”

These are merely three common examples of why bicycles and vehicles collide on Chicago streets but they are far from inclusive. Other actions by those involved in collision cause accidents every year and may leave victims behind with injuries. While nothing can erase the damage from these collisions once they take place, but the victims of these crashes may be entitled to seek financial compensation to help cover their monetary and other losses and return them to their pre-injury state. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand Illinois laws as they apply to your collision, including whether you have a valid claim, and may also help you understand who may be held at-fault. In some cases, an at-fault driver may not receive a traffic ticket or a citation but may still be found responsible for the damages caused to a victim if a civil case is initiated.

According to Chicago police, a 47-year-old was riding a bicycle in the area of the 3600 block of South Ashland Avenue on Tuesday afternoon when a semi-tractor approached and struck the cyclist, causing a crash. The bicyclist was left with critical injuries and was taken by ambulance to an area hospital where the victim’s current condition remains unclear.

Police are looking for help from the public as the driver, operating a tractor that hauls a trailer but without a trailer attached, allegedly fled the scene after striking the cyclist without speaking to authorities or checking on the condition of the victim. The driver is believed to be a white male with blonde hair and a beard, possibly in his 30s. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chicago Police Department.
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Police Pursuit of Teens Ends in Fatal Car Crash

October 8, 2014 | By Dave Abels

Hundreds of thousands of car accidents occur in Illinois every year with a large number of those collisions taking place in Chicago and across Cook County. With the large population in the city comes a large number of potential drivers, and unfortunately, potential victims of car crashes. Many of these accidents are minor and may be described as fender benders by the motorists involved, meaning that the damage done to vehicles may be minimal and that no serious injuries may result. However, in a large number of car accidents, the drivers and passengers involved may sustain injuries that require medical treatment and may incur significant financial damages as a result.

When a crash produces injuries, those victims may be entitled to seek financial compensation for their damages, including the medical bills they incur. The right to seek relief belongs to the victims in these cases and cannot be prevented by an at-fault driver or an at-fault owner. However, claims must be brought within a time period specified by law so victims may want to consult with a personal injury lawyer to ensure that their rights are protected.

Police in Chicago have confirmed that an attempt at a traffic stop this morning turned into a chase and ended with a vehicle crashing, leaving one teen dead and another seriously injured. Police began following a Toyota on the city’s southwest side for reasons that are not yet known. The Toyota allegedly did not stop but continued driving in the area of West 32nd Street and South Central Park Avenue shortly before 2:00 a.m. At some point, police officers report that they backed off the Toyota but that the Toyota continued on West 32nd Street until it struck and collided with a concrete barrier.

Emergency crews responded to the scene and evaluated two 17-year-old males that were in the Toyota. One was pronounced dead at the scene and the second was taken by ambulance to an area hospital with unspecified injuries. He reportedly is in serious condition.

Authorities investigated on the scene for some time and are continuing their investigation at this time. It is not clear whether the victim who lost his life was the driver or a passenger in the car, nor is it clear whether any traffic tickets will be issued in this case.
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Semi-Truck Collision on I-94 in Indiana

October 7, 2014 | By Dave Abels

Semi-trucks are ever present on Illinois roads, winding their way through Chicago and on the expressways that border the city limits. Many drivers find trucks to be annoying because they operate at lower speeds, take longer to get up to speed, and require greater distances to stop than a typical passenger vehicle. But trucks serve a vital purpose as they continue to provide some of the most cost-effective means of moving goods over a distance.

While trucks are everywhere, they are involved in fewer collisions per mile traveled than the average driver. Yet when a semi-truck accident occurs in Chicago, the results are more likely to be severe. Trucks are disproportionately responsible for fatal accidents and for accidents that result in serious or permanent injuries because they are often several times larger than other vehicles involved in a crash.

Victims of truck accidents may feel like they are the least lucky drivers in the Chicago area. Not only were they involved in a traffic collision, but they were struck or hit by a semi-truck or other large vehicle. While victims are dealing with the fallout, insurance companies often get to work to try to limit their liability or eliminate any payments that may be owed to a victim. Under the laws of Illinois, victims have the right to seek relief for their damages, including financial compensation for injuries and medical expenses. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer can make sure that you have an advocate on your side, fighting for your rights so that an insurance company cannot take advantage of you.

Shortly before 4:00 a.m. today, police in northwest Indiana were alerted to a semi-truck accident on I-94 near State Road 249. When they responded, police were able to determine that a semi-truck collided with a barrier wall while traveling in the westbound lanes. The impact from the crash caused the truck to block much of the expressway and led officials to close the interstate to westbound traffic for more than three hours while the investigated and cleared the wreckage.

At this time, it is not clear what caused the driver of the truck to lose control of the vehicle or whether the driver was injured as a result. Officials have not reported whether the driver will receive citations in the crash but they have stated that their investigation is ongoing at this time.
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Multi-Vehicle Crash in Oak Lawn Leaves 3 Dead

October 6, 2014 | By Dave Abels

Every year, nearly 300,000 car accidents occur across the state of Illinois. These accidents take place in the most populated areas as well as the most rural, meaning that no driver, no passenger, or even no pedestrian is guaranteed safe from a possible crash. Unlike many activities in life, driving combines one motorist’s actions with the actions of all other drivers in the area to determine how safe conditions will be. The safest driver in the state or in the Chicago area may still be injured if another driver in the area fails to yield the right-of-way or otherwise acts negligently.

When a car accident occurs, victims may be left to wonder why they were injured or whey they must bear the financial burden of a crash that was not their fault. Fortunately, the laws in Illinois are designed to protect those who have been hurt by allowing them to seek financial compensation for their damages, including the medical bills they have incurred. As the facts and circumstances surrounding every collision vary, it may be helpful to speak with a personal injury lawyer to learn about the implications of your accident and whether you may be entitled to relief.

Around 4:30 p.m. yesterday, a serious collision involving 11 vehicles occurred in Oak Lawn that left three people dead and 11 others injured. According to local authorities, a speeding driver traveling west on 95th Street allegedly ran a red light at the intersection with Cicero Avenue and collided with a line of stopped traffic waiting to travel east. The eastbound traffic was not moving because all motorists were at a red light, witnesses reported.

Including the westbound motorists, 11 vehicles were involved in the impact and three individuals lost their lives due to this collision. Another 11 people were injured with two reportedly in critical condition, eight with minor injuries, and one with an unspecified condition. It is not clear whether those victims in critical condition are facing life-threatening injuries or whether they are expected to survive. Some reports have indicated that the suspect driver who was traveling westbound was among the three people killed in the crash and it is possible that the alleged at-fault vehicle flipped and rolled over in the collision.
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Freight Train Strikes, Kills Woman in Illinois

October 3, 2014 | By Dave Abels

On your daily trip through Chicago, you might not realize how many trains you see. Train travel and train traffic is so common throughout the city that many residents look past the large number of trains that hit the tracks daily, accepting them as standard as the taxi cabs that take to city streets. Yet if you take the time to notice trains, you will realize that between public “L” trains in the city, Metra commuter trains from the suburbs, Amtrak trains for longer trips, freight trains hauling product, and other trains that may be passing through, it is hard to move around Chicago without the possibility of encountering a train.

You may be one of the millions that take a trip on a train every year in the greater Chicago area or across the state of Illinois. When you do so, you probably assume that everything will be safe and that you should have no worries while on board. Unfortunately, though, numerous train accidents occur in the state annually and many of them take place within the city limits of Chicago. Some of these accidents involve only one train while others may take place when multiple trains collide. Some of the most deadly train-related crashes involve either a passenger vehicle, like a car, or a pedestrian who may be walking in the area of train tracks. While a train is large, heavy, and may be difficult to stop, a person, in comparison, is small and unprotected, making it clear why these accidents can easily turn deadly.

When a pedestrian is injured or killed by a train, that victim or the victim’s surviving family members may be entitled to seek financial compensation for their damages, though no amount of money can ever be considered adequate when a loved one is killed. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in the Chicago area may help you understand your legal rights, including whether you have a valid claim for your damages.

Shortly before 11:30 p.m. last night, a collision between a pedestrian and a freight train in Maywood left a woman in her 60s dead, according to local authorities. The incident happened near First Avenue and Main Street and resulted in the closure of the area while an investigation began.

Officials have not indicated what may have caused the crash or whether anyone involved may have acted negligently but they indicate that they are still reviewing the facts at this time. It does not appear that anyone on board the train was injured in the incident and the victim has not yet been identified.
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Chicago Thunderstorms May Lead to Car Accidents Today

October 2, 2014 | By Dave Abels

A series of storms that may bring thunderstorms are set to move into Chicago this evening. In anticipation of the storms and due to last week’s fire at the Aurora radar center, nearly 800 flights out of O’Hare and Midway have been cancelled for today.

It is easy to understand how inclement weather, especially that which involves heavy cloud cover and the threat of lighting, would affect air travel in a city. But fewer people consider the impact that a major storm will have on their ground transportation. Reality means that the majority of those who live in, work in, or visit Chicago will use some form of ground transit, whether it is a private car, a taxi cab, a public city bus, or a city or suburban commuter train. Each of these forms of transit can be affected when a storm hits.

As evening rush hour begins today, drivers will face an increased risk of travel due to the storms. Heavy rains are anticipated and winds may reach up to 55 miles per hour. When the weather hits, the visibility on city streets and on expressways and interstates likely will decrease. The roads will become slick and the ability to stop in a short distance will be decreased.

If you drive in Chicago, you may be alert while behind the wheel tonight, but that does not mean that all other motorists in your area likewise will be paying attention or adjusting their driving as necessary. While poor weather is a contributing factor in a number of Chicago car accidents every year, it is rarely the sole case. Instead, poor weather generally combines with speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, or failing to yield the right-of-way to cause a collision.

A driver who acts negligently during a storm may be held liable for any collisions that result. In addition to traffic tickets, that driver may face a civil claim for damages by any or all of the victims who are hurt in a crash because the right to bring a civil claim belongs to each victim individually. If you have been hurt in an accident, speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand whether you have a valid claim for your injuries.

It is always best to avoid or prevent a collision when possible, so before you take to the road in a storm, consider the following:

– Slow down: Speed is believed to be a factor in 50 percent of all accidents across the nation as well as 1 out of 3 fatal collisions. When weather is bad, slow down and be prepared to decrease your speed further if conditions or traffic require it.

– Increase the distance between your car and the car in front of you: Following too closely can turn deadly when it begins to rain. As soon as the rain begins to fall, a road’s surface can become slick and slippery, meaning that it will take more time than normal to bring a car to a stop. To prevent a rear-end accident, make sure you leave extra space between your own car and the car in front of you so that you can slow or stop if necessary.

– Stop if necessary: Some storms are too dangerous to risk driving through them. In addition to heavy rain that may obscure vision, lighting strikes or heavy winds can bring down trees in the area and can cause a collision. If the weather makes it unsafe to drive, pull over and find a safe place to stop until the weather passes.
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Head-On Collision Leaves 1 Dead, 1 Injured

October 1, 2014 | By Dave Abels

Any type of car accident can produce injuries in Chicago and any type of collision can be severe. But statistics continuously show that certain types of crashes, including head-on collisions, are more likely to result in injuries to the drivers, passengers, and others involved than some other types of accidents. The reasons that head-on crashes are so prone to injuries vary but include that many of these accidents happen at a high speed. The typical head-on accident occurs when a driver crosses a center line while traveling on a road, street, or highway that is not divided, meaning that crossing a center line places vehicles traveling in opposite directions in the same path.

Any type of car accident in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois is distressing for those involved but the emotions and the fallout from the crash are often most severe when injuries occur. The victims of these collisions may not know their legal rights or whether the law provides them with any type of protection. In many cases, a victim may be entitled to seek monetary relief for his or her losses through the use of a civil claim; speaking to a personal injury lawyer who handles car accidents may help you understand your options if you have been hurt, including whether you are entitled to damages.

At approximately 7:00 a.m. yesterday, a two car collision occurred in Elgin that left one driver dead and the second in serious condition. Police believe that the two vehicles were traveling in opposite directions on Highland Avenue when one vehicle, a Nissan, crossed the center line and collided with a Honda. The impact was significant and caused damage to both vehicles.

Police and emergency personnel responded to the scene and evaluated both drivers. The 20-year-old driver of the Nissan was killed in the accident but the 28-year-old driver of the Honda survived. The Honda driver was assessed and transported by ambulance to Advocate Sherman Hospital where the nature of her injuries and her current condition are not clear.

Police began their investigation while at the scene and are continuing the review of all relevant facts at this time. It remains unclear why the Nissan driver crossed the center line but officials hope to learn more as their investigation unfolds.
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Walmart Blames Tracy Morgan for Crash-Related Injuries

September 30, 2014 | By Dave Abels

In most collisions, the actions of one or more drivers involved lead to a dangerous situation where a crash occurs. These car accidents can lead to injuries sustained by an at-fault driver, a passenger in a driver’s vehicle, or even another person in a separate car.

Car accidents are responsible for millions of dollars’ worth of damages in Chicago and across Illinois every year in the form of medical expenses, rehabilitative care, property damage to a vehicle, lost wages, and other losses like pain and suffering. Following a collision, a victim may be forced to bear these expenses even if a collision was not his or her fault. Yet Illinois recognizes that is it unfair to cause these burdens to be borne by a victim and instead enable victims to seek financial compensation for their losses through the use of a civil claim. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand whether you have a valid claim for your damages, and if so, what types of relief may be available to you.

A June collision between a Walmart semi-truck and a vehicle in June left several passengers of the vehicle, including comedian Tracy Morgan, seriously injured and it claimed the life of one man. The driver of the Walmart truck has been charged with vehicular homicide and assault by automobile and has pleaded not guilty. Due to the extent of his injuries, Morgan filed a civil suit against Walmart for his injuries and has claimed, among other things, that Walmart knew or should have known that the driver of the semi-truck had been awake for more than 24 hours prior to the incident. Morgan’s suit also alleges that the truck driver was speeding and that he falsified log records regarding his driving.

In response to the suit brought by Morgan, Walmart recently countered that Morgan is either entirely or partly responsible for the injuries he sustained because he was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. In the incident at issue, Morgan was riding in a limo bus, a vehicle that often does not offer passengers seat belts, though it is not clear whether seat belts were available for Morgan’s use. Walmart further claimed that it is not responsible for the damages sustained by those injured in the collision but note that the actions of an individual not under Walmart’s control may have caused the crash.
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Actress Amanda Bynes Arrested Again for DUI

September 29, 2014 | By Dave Abels

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (“MADD”), the average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before being arrested for an initial charge of driving under the influence, driving while impaired, or other alcohol-related charge. Every day in America, 28 people die as a result of drunk driving accidents, a statistic that is all the more tragic when you realize that drunk driving accidents are entirely preventable and, unlike some weather-related crashes, need never happen.

Too often, it is innocent victims who are forced to suffer at the hands of a drunk driver because the drunk driver places not only his or her safety at risk, but the safety of all those on the road when driving impaired. In Chicago, drunk driving is a crime and can lead to significant punishments including fines and fees, loss of a driver’s license, and incarceration. In the event that a drunk driver causes a collision, the punishments are often more severe.

But the legal implications do not end with criminal charges. Victims of a drunk driving collision may be entitled to seek financial compensation for their damages, including their medical expenses, if they have suffered in an accident. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer in the Chicago area may help you put your accident into picture and explain your legal rights.

Actress Amanda Bynes has been no stranger to the legal systems of the United States in recent years. Known primarily for her work as a child actor and for roles as a young adult, the 28-year-old actress reportedly was arrested for driving under the influence early Sunday morning and now faces at least one misdemeanor count.

Authorities have not revealed which substance Bynes was allegedly under the influence of at the time but have confirmed that chemical tests support the accusation.

A police officer in Sherman Oaks reportedly noticed Bynes operating her vehicle westbound on Riverside Drive around 3:00 a.m. Bynes approached a red light in the area and allegedly brought her vehicle to a stop in the middle of the intersection instead of prior to where the intersection began, tipping off the officer that something may be amiss with the driver. Bynes was stopped where the responding officer suspected intoxication and put Bynes through multiple field sobriety tests, which allegedly she failed. At that time, Bynes was arrested and booked into a local jail. She was released later that day after posting a $15,000 bail.
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