Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Skateboarder Killed by Suspected Drunk Driver

September 11, 2014 | By Dave Abels

Children of all ages may become the victim of numerous types of accidents, many of which will result in injuries or possibly even the death of a child. When an injury to a child or minor occurs, the impact can stretch to every member of a family and can last for years or decades, depending on the nature of the injury and the extent of the harm that results.

In some cases, children are the innocent victims of the actions of adults, yet it is these children that are forced to endure injuries, the suffering and pain that accompanies the injuries, and even the life changes that may result due to the permanency of damages. Once an accident takes place, nothing can reverse time and return that victim to normal. But a child and his or her family may be entitled to seek relief for the personal damages done in a crash through the use of a civil claim for damages. These claims are separate from any criminal or traffic charges that may be issued by local officials and the right to seek monetary compensation belongs to a victim. The laws in Chicago and in Illinois require that these claims be brought within a time period specified by statute so it is a good idea to speak with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer if you or your child has been hurt in a crash.

A Tuesday night accident in McHenry County turned tragic when a 17-year-old involved in the collision lost his life. According to local officials, the victim was riding a skateboard in the 4200 block of West Crystal Lake Road when a driver in a pickup truck approached shortly after 9:00 p.m. The truck allegedly struck the victim and knocked him from his skateboard, causing serious injuries to his head, neck, and body. Emergency medical crews were called to the scene and rushed the victim to an area hospital but his injuries were too severe and he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

The driver of the truck involved, a 21-year-old male, allegedly was operating his vehicle while impaired, leading to charges this week against the man for driving under the influence. Officials have reported that the driver was not hurt in the crash.
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Pedestrian Killed in McHenry Car Accident

September 10, 2014 | By Dave Abels

When walking along a sidewalk in Chicago, pedestrians often feel like they are safe from the threat of an accident because they are physically separated from vehicular traffic. But unfortunately, as thousands of pedestrians every year can attest, that is not necessarily the case. Drivers sometimes operate in a reckless manner and place their vehicles in the path of walkers at intersections, at crosswalks, in alleys, and even while a pedestrian is on a sidewalk. A number of incidents between cars and pedestrians occur when cars are exiting driveways or parking lots and cross a designated pedestrian walkway.

Pedestrian accidents in Chicago are often serious and many cause devastating injuries including broken bones, head injuries, injuries to the back or neck, cuts and lacerations, or even death. These victims and their surviving family members may be forced to incur extensive medical bills as treatment continues and may suffer other financial losses like missed income if a victim is unable to work for a period of time. Forcing the victim to bear these losses when the victim is not to blame in a collision is not what the legislature in Illinois intended; rather, the laws in Chicago and across the state are designed to hold a responsible party liable for the damages suffered by a victim, including medical bills, but only if the victim seeks such a recovery. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in the Chicago area who has experience representing pedestrians may help you understand your legal options following a collision.

Shortly after 9:00 p.m. last night, a collision occurred between a pickup truck and a pedestrian in McHenry on West Crystal Lake Road. All of the details have not been released at this time but police confirmed that the pedestrian was killed in the crash. The driver of the truck appeared to be uninjured.

Authorities believe that the driver of the truck may have been under the influence at the time of the collision though those suspicions have not yet been confirmed. Officials are still investigating the collision and trying to determine each individual’s actions prior to impact so that they can understand the precise nature of the crash.
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2 Children, 2 Adults Injured in Chicago Car Crash

September 9, 2014 | By Dave Abels

Innovation takes place every year in the manufacturer of vehicles with the intention of making cars, trucks, and vans safer for those who rely on them for transportation. Whether it is the integration of a back-up camera in a vehicle’s dash, the inclusion of side curtain airbags, or even an automatic braking system in the event that a collision is anticipated, modern vehicles have made great strides in increasing safety among those inside a vehicle.

Yet regardless of the safety features involved, those who are part of a collision may still sustain injuries in a crash. The truth of the matter is that the most cautious and responsible driver in the entire Chicago area cannot guarantee that she will not be hurt in a collision as the actions of other drivers on the road are often what cause a crash. When these accidents happen, innocent victims may face serious injuries and steep medical bills without any means to address their losses. Fortunately, the government in Illinois and the laws in Chicago enable these victims to obtain a monetary settlement in many cases against an at-fault driver to cover their losses. Even passengers inside a car who are injured due to the driver of that car’s actions may be entitled to relief. Speaking to a personal injury lawyer following an accident may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a Chicago car accident, including whether you have a valid claim for your losses.

Shortly before 6:00 a.m. today, a car was involved in a crash near Kostner Avenue and Fullerton Avenue in Chicago, sending two adults to the hospital and leaving two children in serious to critical condition. According to authorities who responded to the scene, one of the children involved was thrown from the vehicle upon impact, leading the child to land outside of the car and sustain serious injuries. It is unclear whether that child or a second child, who remained inside the vehicle, were restrained as required by Illinois law.

Authorities have not released details on the nature of the relationship between the adults and the children involved in the crash. At this time, it appears that the children sustained injuries more severe than the adults but all four victims were taken to hospitals in Chicago for treatment of unspecified injuries.

Officials are still reviewing the facts of the accident and trying to determine what led to the collision, including whether the driver involved or any other individual acted negligently or recklessly in the moments prior to impact. No charges have been issued at this time.
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Suspected Drunk Driver Hit Trooper, Van in Crash

September 8, 2014 | By Dave Abels

You may not realize it, but drunk drivers are all over the roads in Chicago and across the rest of the state. Their numbers are staggering and the damage they cause devastating. Yet when the dust settles, it is often the innocent victims of these accidents that remain to pick up the pieces, whether the damages are medical expenses, lost wages, or even pain and suffering.

The victims of drunk driving accidents in Chicago may be able to seek relief for their losses through the use of a civil claim, a type of action that belongs to a victim and can be brought against an at-fault driver. This holds true when a responsible driver is drunk or under the influence of drugs at the time a crash occurs and can be possible whether or not that driver was ticketed in the accident. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago may help you understand your legal options if you have been hurt or if your loved one has lost his or her life in a traffic collision.

An accident yesterday on I-294 left a trooper in critical condition and seven other people injured, according to police. Officials have reported that a 59-year-old woman approached a trooper who was out of his vehicle conducting a traffic stop in the area of Berkeley when the woman reportedly swerved off the road and onto the shoulder, striking the trooper. The full nature of the trooper’s injuries are not clear but it has been reported that he sustained several fractures, including a broken shoulder blade, vertebrae, knee, and ribs. He is still receiving medical treatment at this time.

But the trooper was not the only casualty. According to witnesses, the female driver was operating erratically prior to the initial impact, and following that crash, she struck a divider and continued for approximately two miles before colliding with an SUV with seven people inside, leading to a rollover crash. All seven people inside sustained injuries and were transported to area hospitals where the extent and the nature of their injuries are unknown.

Yet the most shocking part of this collision is what officials have now stated about the driver’s history. The suspected at-fault driver reportedly pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence just last week in an Illinois court. The charge stemmed from an incident early in 2014 and it appears that the driver did not have a valid license as a result, though it is not clear when her license was revoked or whether she never had a valid license. A record search has revealed that the suspect had a DUI conviction in 2008 as well.
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Hit-And-Run Driver Seriously Injures Pedestrian in West Chicago

September 5, 2014 | By Dave Abels

In 2012, there were just under 3,000 pedestrian accidents in the City of Chicago alone. When added to the pedestrian collisions that occur in other parts of the state, the impact of these crashes cannot be understated. Pedestrians are likely to suffer serious injuries or even to lose their lives when a crash with a vehicle occurs because the pedestrian is particularly vulnerable when compared to a large, heavy car, truck, or van.

These accidents can require victims to seek medical treatment. They may need help at a hospital, through follow up surgery, or even through rehabilitation to recover from injuries and to return to their pre-injury state. But the expenses caused by medical treatment or by time missed from work can be burdensome to those who were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. To protect victims, the laws in Chicago and Illinois enable injury victims to seek financial relief for their losses through the use of a civil claim, an option that is separate and distinct from any charges that may be brought by local authorities. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options if you have been hurt in a pedestrian accident or if your loved one was killed.

A pedestrian was left with serious injuries after a Wednesday night accident in West Chicago. Shortly before midnight, a pedestrian, who has not been identified, was walking near the area of Fair Oaks Road and Trieste Lane after getting out of a car. Another vehicle in the area, reportedly driven by a 57-year-old woman, approached the pedestrian and collided with her, leaving the walker with serious injuries. According to witnesses, the suspected driver of the vehicle involved fled the scene without checking on the pedestrian or informing authorities.

Police were alerted to the crash and responded to the scene. While they investigated, emergency medical crews evaluated the victim and transported the pedestrian to a nearby hospital in DuPage County where the extent of the injuries are not clear. Officials later located the woman believed to be behind the wheel at the time of the incident and arrested her on felony charges of failing to report an accident. It is not known whether any other charges will be brought in this incident.
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Stone from Gargoyle Falls from Church, Kills Woman

September 4, 2014 | By Dave Abels

The laws in Chicago are clear when it comes to buildings: it is up to the owner, operator, or manager of an establishment to ensure that the building is safe. The areas to be occupied must be maintained and any damage must be repaired or replaced. Failing to keep a building in a safe and reasonable manner may lead to an injury and may result in legal liability on the part of the building’s owner.

Every year, people in Chicago are injured when they are on premises that are in an unsafe condition, and when that happens, the victims of these incidents may be entitled to pursue legal relief through the use of a civil claim. Recoveries may be possible to provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses that are experienced due to a premises liability accident. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who represents clients in Chicago may help you understand whether you have a valid claim if you have been hurt in an accident.

Around noon today, a 34-year-old woman was walking near the Second Presbyterian Church in the 1900 block of South Michigan Avenue when a piece of a stone gargoyle broke from the rest of the statute and fell to the ground, striking the woman in the head. The woman, reportedly a Chicago resident, was walking with her fiance at the time of the incident. Emergency crews responded and transported the woman to an area hospital. Though doctors worked to treat her, the extent of her injuries was too severe and she died a short time later.

Officials are still reviewing the incident and trying to determine what caused the portion of the gargoyle to fall. At this time, it appears that a metal piece providing decoration on the building’s exterior fell and struck the gargoyle, causing a portion of the gargoyle to break free and fall. It is not clear what caused the metal decoration to break or whether that began the chain of events.

Reports indicate that the building at issue failed several inspections in recent years, at least one of which was related to the conditions of the building’s exterior. City records reflect that some repair work occurred in 2012 but it is not clear what areas of the building underwent repairs at that time.
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Motorcycle Crash in Aurora Turns Fatal

September 4, 2014 | By Dave Abels

Freedom. Transportation. Enjoyment. Just some of the many reasons that bikers in Chicago claim they choose to ride motorcycles. And it is the right of these riders because the laws in Illinois make it legal for bikers to take to the roads just as any other driver does. While motorcyclists are required to follow all the rules of the road when they ride, they are also protected by the same coverage that the law affords to other vehicles. This means that motorists in the area of a biker must respect a rider’s right to operate a motorcycle and must act with all due safety to avoid a collision.

Too often, motorcycle accidents in Chicago take place because a driver or another biker failed to act in a safe manner. Bikers are likely to sustain serious injuries or even to lose their lives in the event a crash occurs because there is little to protect a biker from hazards, including the road, upon impact. The victims of these accidents may feel the damage not only physically but financially as well as medical bills and lost wages start to accumulate, causing amplified suffering that may extend to an entire family. Fortunately, the laws in Illinois recognize that victims should not be forced to bear the financial damages that stem from another’s negligent actions, including those that lead to motorcycle crashes. To make things right, victims in Illinois may be entitled to seek and obtain financial relief through the use of a civil claim. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options if you have been injured in a collision.

A Tuesday night collision between a motorcycle and a vehicle left one biker dead and another in serious condition. Authorities confirmed that the crash happened near Hill Avenue and Montgomery Road in suburban Aurora around 9:30 p.m. Officials believe that a 28-year-old man was operating the motorcycle with a 37-year-old female passenger on the back as they traveled southbound in the area. A passenger sedan traveling northbound allegedly attempted to turn left in front of the motorcycle and placed itself in a path that led to a collision.

Both riders on the motorcycle were thrown from the bike and landed on the ground nearby, sustaining serious injuries. Unfortunately, the 28-year-old man’s injuries were too severe and he died shortly after the crash; the female passenger survived and was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries on Tuesday where her current condition is not known.
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NFL Owner Irsay Pleads Guilty to Driving while Intoxicated

September 3, 2014 | By Dave Abels

Drunk driving and driving while impaired by drugs are a serious problem in Chicago. The actions of drivers who operate a vehicle impaired threaten their own safety but also the safety of others on the road, whether that is other drivers, passengers, or even pedestrians. Drunk driving accidents cause thousands of injuries in Chicago every year and leave a serious financial toll in their wake.

The victims of these accidents may sustain injuries that require medical or surgical care. They may need rehabilitative treatment to return to their pre-accident state or they may need occupational therapy to regain the ability to perform normal, daily tasks. When a car accident leads to personal injuries in Illinois, the victims of those accidents may be entitled to seek payment for their damages through the use of a civil claim. A civil claim is separate and distinct from any traffic or criminal charges brought by the State following an incident and the right to bring a civil claim belongs to the victim who was harmed or that victim’s surviving family members. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago may help you understand your legal options if you have been injured in a crash.

In March of 2014, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, Jim Irsay, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated when blood tests revealed prescription drugs in his system. Irsay pleaded guilty yesterday to a misdemeanor count of driving while intoxicated as part of a plea deal and in exchange for the dropping of several other charges stemming from the March incident.

Irsay was born and raised in Illinois before moving to Texas to play college football at Southern Methodist University. Following college, Irsay joined the staff of the NFL team, the Indianapolis Colts, shortly after the Colts moved from Baltimore. At the time, the Colts were owned by his father, and upon his death, Irsay took control, becoming the youngest NFL owner in the league at that time at 37.

Irsay has allegedly struggled with drugs at various times during his life and reportedly checked into rehab following his March arrest. As part of his plea deal this week, Irsay received one year probation and his actions were reviewed by the NFL, which suspended Irsay for six games this season and fined him $500,000. The cash fine was the highest possible by the NFL without the approval of the other team owners.
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Justin Bieber Arrested and Charged with Dangerous Driving after ATV Accident

September 2, 2014 | By Dave Abels

The laws do not bend to accommodate those with money, power or prestige but rather stand firm to apply to all those in the United States equally, or at least they should. Celebrities cannot ignore laws, including those that apply when operating a vehicle, and may be held liable for their actions if they violate any traffic laws. This is true in Chicago, in Illinois, and elsewhere across the nation.

In a new incident, pop star Justin Bieber reportedly was arrested again over the weekend for an incident involving his driving an ATV. The 20-year-old Bieber reportedly was driving an ATV near his childhood home in Perth County, Ontario, Canada on Friday when the ATV collided with a minivan. It has not been confirmed at this time but reports indicate that paparazzi may have been in the van and may have been pursuing Bieber and a female passenger on the ATV prior to the collision. While officials have not released the name of the female passenger, sources indicate that it was Selena Gomez, Bieber’s on-again, off-again girlfriend.

Following the impact, Bieber and one individual from the minivan reportedly engaged in a physical confrontation where no one is believed to have been seriously injured. Police officers in the area responded to the incident and arrested Bieber who now allegedly faces charges of dangerous driving and assault. He was released on a promise to appear for his initial court date which is believed to be September 29, 2014.

This is far from Bieber’s first run-in with the law or even when it comes to his driving. His neighbors in the Calabasas area of California previously complained about Bieber’s excessive speeding and erratic driving, leading to interactions with local police. Recently, Bieber was charged with driving under the influence while in Miami and in conjunction with a street racing incident. Bieber reached a plea deal in the Miami incident just last month.

Dangerous driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and reckless conduct including excessive speeding are all threatening behaviors that increase the odds of a car accident occurring. Unfortunately, these crashes can leave victims with injuries or even prove fatal in some cases.
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Truck Accident on Kennedy Expressway Injures at least One

September 2, 2014 | By Dave Abels

Truck accidents are disproportionately responsible for a large number of injuries and fatalities that occur on Chicago roads and across the nation. While trucks are involved in a small number of crashes when compared to the number of miles they travel, the accidents that result can and often do have devastating results. Victims of these crashes may be forced to suffer life-altering injuries or even permanent damages that may never lead to a full recovery.

While truck accidents cannot be erased once they occur, the victims of these collisions may be able to pursue legal relief through the use of a civil claim for damages. The right to seek this relief belongs to a victim and therefore cannot be limited by an at-fault motorists or that motorist’s insurance company. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago who has experience helping truck victims may help you understand your legal options if you have been hurt, including whether you may have a claim for compensation.

A collision occurred yesterday on the Kennedy Expressway shortly after 11:00 a.m. and led to the closing of all local inbound lanes of traffic. Authorities that responded to the scene, which was near Addison Street, determined that a semi-truck and at least one other vehicle were involved in a crash that resulted in the semi rolling over, causing an immediate closure of some lanes.

Emergency medical personnel spoke with those involved in the crash and determined that one person was injured, though it is not clear whether that person was in the semi-truck or the other vehicle involved. That victim was assessed and transported to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center for further treatment of injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

There has been no announcement yet as to what caused the collision and whether either driver involved acted negligently or recklessly prior to impact. Officials spent several hours investigating at the scene and removing debris from the crash before all inbound lanes were reopened in the early afternoon.
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