Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Worker Injured in Grain Bin Accident

July 17, 2014 | By Dave Abels

Employees face certain risks every time they go to work. The risks vary depending on the occupation of an employee, the work setting, and the conditions during working hours, making some professions more dangerous than others. Among all workers, construction workers, nurses and nurses’ aides, airline employees, and factory line workers are particularly prone to damaging injuries while on the job.

But those workers are not the only ones who can be hurt while on the clock. An injury can occur to anyone, regardless of the profession, and it can occur at any time. Even low-risk employees like office workers sometimes become injured and may require medical treatment. When an on-the-job injury happens in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois, the worker is entitled to certain benefits and protections under the applicable laws, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. In most cases, a worker can receive proper medical care, compensation for lost wages, and even payment for injuries through the use of a workers’ compensation claim. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago may help you understand your ability to recover if you have been injured while working.

Officials were called to the site of a workplace accident in Lisbon Township shortly after 3:00 pm yesterday. The incident took place on Helmar Road and involved an employee that became trapped in a grain bin with his leg stuck. The worker reportedly was conscious through the incident and crews were able to free the man from the bin. He was transported by air ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital where his current condition is not known.

Officials have not released what caused the accident to occur at this time.
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Driver Arrested After Striking Pedestrian in Chicago

July 16, 2014 | By Dave Abels

In 2012, 76,000 pedestrians were injured in traffic accidents across the county. Many of those injuries occurred in Chicago, a busy city with a large pedestrian population. With many residents walking for transportation and even more utilizing public transportation, pedestrians are a constant site in Chicago, whether downtown or elsewhere.

When walking, pedestrians are at risk for collisions with bicycles, motorcycles, cars, trucks, vans, and buses, to name a few. Though pedestrians have a legal right to walk along sidewalks and to cross the street at pedestrian crosswalks, others in the area do not always acknowledge or respect the rights of pedestrians, leading to dangerous situations where an accident may occur. Common injuries sustained in a pedestrian accident in Chicago include broken or fractured bones, open and closed head injuries, bruises, scrapes, and lacerations, and internal injuries. In the worst accidents, a pedestrian may lose his or her life in an accident.

When negligence or a mistake on the part of someone involved causes an accident to occur, the victims of that crash may be entitled to financial relief for their losses, including any medical and rehabilitative expenses incurred. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago who has experience representing pedestrian victims may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a collision.

Police were alerted to a collision involving a hit-and-run driver and a pedestrian shortly after midnight this morning in Logan Square. Witnesses reported that a driver struck a pedestrian in the area of the 2700 block of North Hamlin Avenue before speeding off from the scene without stopping to report the incident or checking on the condition of the pedestrian. Authorities in the area noticed a vehicle matching the description of the suspected at-fault driver and pulled over the vehicle, apprehended the driver, and arrested him for his involvement in the crash.

Emergency crews responded to the scene of the impact and assessed the pedestrian’s condition. The individual, whose name and age have not been released, was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where physicians tended to all injuries. At last report, the pedestrian was in stable condition.
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Chicago Crash Between Horse Drawn Carriage and SUV Injures 5

July 15, 2014 | By Dave Abels

Children in Chicago are at risk for injuries from a car accident anytime they ride in a vehicle, whether it is a parent’s car, a school bus, or even a city train. Common injuries can range from bumps and bruises to concussions and broken bones. In the worst accidents, a child may even lose his or her life.

When children are involved in car accidents, the impact can be devastating and the entire family may suffer. But the suffering may be lessened if a financial recovery is possible to compensate a child and his or her family for their injuries. A personal injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options if your child has been injured, including whether a claim is possible, and if so, what types of relief may be available to you.

Car accidents can be caused by a number of factors, some of which may be unavoidable. But the majority of collisions occur due to an error, mistake, or negligence on the part of a driver involved. Whether a driver is speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or even driving while distracted by a cell phone, a motorist who errs places not only the safety of those in the driver’s vehicle at risk but also the safety of all others on the road.

Police in Chicago responded to a collision Monday night in the Fulton River District. When they arrived at the area of North Des Plaines Street and West Grand Avenue, officials determined that an SUV in the area struck a horse-drawn carriage. Four children inside the SUV, ranging in age from one year to 10 years old, were injured and were transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for treatment. The operator of the carriage was also injured and taken to Northwestern for help though she was expected to recover. The condition of the driver of the SUV is not known.

Officials are still trying to determine what led to the collision and whether anyone involved acted in a negligent or reckless manner. At this time, no traffic citations have been issued though the investigation is ongoing.
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Fatal Car Crash on I-80

July 14, 2014 | By Dave Abels

The state of Illinois is home to over 10 million registered vehicles including cars, trucks, vans, and buses. Any one of those 10 million vehicles may be involved in a collision, and many of those collisions will result in injuries or even death to the drivers and passengers involved.

Some car accidents in Chicago are due to factors beyond the control of those drivers involved. Yet contrary to popular belief, the majority of collisions take place due to an error or negligence on the part of one or more driver, whether the negligence stems from speeding, failing to pay attention, or even driving while distracted. If negligence is to blame for an accident that causes injuries, the victims of that crash may be entitled to relief. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who has experience representing car accident victims may help you understand whether you have a valid claim for your accident, and if so, what types of relief may be possible in your case.

Illinois State Troopers were alerted to a multi-vehicle crash on Friday on eastbound I-80. Though early in the investigation, police believe that an eastbound SUV rear-ended a Dodge which caused a chain reaction crash involving two other vehicles. The crash caused the driver of the SUV to lose control of his vehicle, which rolled at least once before coming to a rest on its roof.

Emergency medical personnel responded to the crash and evaluated all four drivers involved. The driver of the SUV suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital. The driver of the Dodge, a 50-year-old man, was transported to South Suburban Medical Center where he died shortly thereafter. The drivers of the other two vehicles were taken to hospitals as well but it was believed to be for precautionary measures and both are expected to recover.

The collision caused all lanes of eastbound I-80 to be shut down beginning at approximately 1:30 pm while police investigated and crews worked to clear the debris. Traffic was restored slowly to the area with all lanes reopening by 4:30 pm.
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Actor Tracy Morgan Sues Wal-Mart Over Truck Accident

July 13, 2014 | By Dave Abels

Truck accidents cause devastation across the nation every year. The large size, weight, and design of a semi-truck means that smaller passenger cars rarely fair well when a collision occurs and the drivers and passengers of these vehicles may be injured as a result.

Truck accidents can be complicated to understand if you have been involved in one. In addition to the standard rules of the road that apply to all vehicles, commercial truckers have additional regulations that must be complied with for the driver and the vehicle to be legally allowed to travel. Federal laws and many state laws may come into effect, leaving a victim in the difficult position of trying to sort through the complex interplay of different laws when trying to determine if legal relief is possible.

Victims of semi-truck collisions may choose to speak with a personal injury lawyer who specializes these incidents to gain a better understanding of their own legal rights and options if a crash has occurred. In the truly tragic case where a victim loses his or her life, the right to seek a financial recovery for the damages incurred may belong to that victim’s surviving family members, even though no amount of compensation can ever properly compensate a family for this loss.

Media outlets have confirmed that actor and comedian Tracy Morgan, known for roles on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, is suing Wal-Mart, the owner of a semi-truck that allegedly caused a collision with Morgan’s limo bus in early June. The crash left several individuals, including Morgan, with serious and critical injuries; one passenger in the limo bus was killed in the accident.

Morgan seeks to recover for the damages he incurred as a result of the crash and is using a personal injury suit in federal court to seek that relief. In it, Morgan reportedly alleges that the driver of the semi-truck was working for Wal-Mart, that he had been awake for over 24 hours straight at the time of impact, and that the driver had commuted more than 700 miles before beginning his shift that day.

In addition to the pending claim brought by Morgan, federal authorities have levied criminal charges against the driver including one count of vehicular homicide and multiple counts of assault by automobile. The driver has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.
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About 900,000 SUVs Recalled by Chrysler

July 11, 2014 | By Dave Abels

In this record year of vehicle recalls, Chrysler is adding to the numbers with a 900,000 vehicle recall covering some of their SUVs manufactured between 2011 and 2014. In total, nearly 33 million vehicles have been recalled so far in 2014, shattering all prior records even though less than seven months of the year have passed.

This Chrysler recall covers certain Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango models from the affected years and will address faulty wiring. The wiring in the vanity mirrors in the sun visors has the ability to short circuit, potentially posing a fire hazard. Chrysler has acknowledged three injuries related to the wiring issues and has reported that in all three incidents, the vehicles involved had previously been serviced. Though Chrysler is not aware of any similar incidents with these vehicles that had not previously been serviced, all the affected cars are being recalled to be safe. More than 70 percent of the recalled vehicles are in the United States.

Safety hazards in a vehicle can lead to personal injuries, especially if the hazard increases the odds of a car accident occurring. Recent incidents that have garnered attention have included faulty ignitions, malfunctioning transmissions, and airbags that fail to deploy.

Auto manufacturers in the United States are required to meet national standards when it comes to safety. Failing to do so puts the lives of American drivers and passengers at risk unnecessarily, leading to injuries and even deaths. When that happens, applicable laws may entitle the victims of these crashes to relief.
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Elderly Driver Killed in Chicago Car Accident

July 9, 2014 | By Dave Abels

Hundreds of thousands of car accidents occur in Illinois every year, with a large number of those accidents taking place in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Many of these collisions are minor and do not cause injuries, but thousands of drivers and passengers are hurt in accidents every year.

Accidents can be caused by a number of factors ranging from driver error to poor weather conditions to a mechanical failure in a vehicle. Some accidents are unavoidable; but when negligence or a mistake causes a collision to occur, the laws in Illinois enable the victims of those crashes to seek relief for their injuries. Speaking to a personal injury lawyer may help you understand whether you have a valid claim, and if so, what type of relief may be available to you.

Police in Chicago were called to respond to the scene of a single car accident yesterday on Chicago’s Northwest side. The vehicle, driven by an 85-year-old man, was traveling in the area of the 6400 block of North Nagle Avenue shortly after 3:00 pm. For reasons that are not clear, the driver lost control of his vehicle and left the road’s surface, striking a pole in the area.

Emergency medical personnel responded and transported the driver to a hospital in Park Ridge where physicians attended to him. Unfortunately, the man’s injuries were too severe and he was pronounced dead yesterday afternoon.

Officials are still conducting an investigation into the crash and trying to determine what caused the victim to lose control of his vehicle. No other cars were involved and no other injuries were reported due to the collision.
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Pope Francis Meets with Sex Abuse Victims, Begs Forgiveness

July 8, 2014 | By Dave Abels

Victims of sexual abuse associated with members of the clergy of the Catholic Church have come forward in recent decades to tell their stories and inform the public of the wrongs to which they were subjected. Though each individual story varies among the victims, several themes remain true: young children were sexually assaulted by a small segment of priests and in some cases, the actions of these priests were concealed or covered up by higher ranking officials.

The news that children have suffered at the hands of the Catholic Church is no longer new but steps taken recently by Pope Francis are, or at least his actions seem to signal a shift in the treatment of these victims by the highest ranking members of the Church.

For the first time in his papacy, Pope Francis met with six victims of Catholic Church sexual abuse on Sunday evening and again on Monday. The victims were from three European nations and took place within the confines of Vatican City. Though the prior pope, Benedict XVI, met with victims during his regin as head of the Church, those meetings took place as Pope Benedict XVI traveled. The meetings held by Pope Francis are the first reported to occur on the grounds of the Vatican.

According to Church officials, the Pope met with the six victims, who have not been identified by name or age, on Sunday evening before participating with them in a Monday morning mass. Reportedly, Pope Benedict met with each victim individually as well and discussed the abuse the victims had suffered. Officials have reported that the Pope begged for the forgiveness of the victims, both for the abuse but also for the actions of Church officials who acted to obscure or cover up the crimes.

Some are now claiming that Pope Francis’ actions this week indicate a shift in the perception of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church and a renewed effort to put the needs of victims first. Yet for many who have suffered at the hands of those they trusted most, the Pope’s actions may be too little, too late.
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4th of July Often Brings Injuries with Celebrations

July 7, 2014 | By Dave Abels

In Chicago and across the nation, the 4th of July marks one of the biggest holiday weekends of the summer. Many people enjoy time off work and use it to spend time with family and friends. Some may go boating while others might kick back and watch the fireworks launch from Navy Pier.

Regardless of how you chose to spend your 4th of July this weekend, you may have been at risk for an injury. Perhaps even worse, your children may have been in the threat of danger. Hazards abound over a traditional holiday weekend and unfortunately, people in Illinois are hurt every year.

One of the biggest issues faced over the 4th of July is the danger posed by drunk drivers. In Illinois, it is illegal to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs because doing so limits a driver’s ability to make fast decisions behind the wheel. Driving drunk puts any driver or passenger in the area at risk of being involved in a Chicago car accident. Further, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists in the area may also be injured by the actions of a drunk or impaired driver.

Most people realize that driving a car while drunk is illegal but fewer people realize that the same laws and punishment can be applied to those operating a boat or other watercraft. If a boater is under the influence and causes an accident that leaves someone injured, that boater may face a ticket, loss of a license, fines and fees, and even incarceration. Additionally, the victims of the accident may be entitled to seek a recovery against the at-fault boater much like the victims of a car accident can seek relief against an at-fault driver. This can hold the boater responsible for medical bills incurred by the victims as well as other damages like pain and suffering, scarring, and loss of a normal life.

The hallmark for many over the 4th of July is taking part in a fireworks celebration, and most people do so without an incident. However, mistakes do happen and adults and children are injured every year by fireworks accidents. The use of fireworks are governed by law and some fireworks require users to obtain a valid license before they can be used. When those in charge of fireworks operate in a negligent manner or otherwise fail to take necessary safety precautions, injuries can result and may require medical assistance.
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New Speed Cameras Hit Chicago Streets

July 1, 2014 | By Dave Abels

According to experts, speeding is believed to be a factor in nearly 50 percent of car accidents across the nation. Some believe these estimates are low because speeding often requires drivers to self-report their actions after a crash, and many at-fault drivers are unwilling to admit traveling faster than authorized by law. Additionally, many accidents do not have independent witnesses to help police determine exactly what happened, leading to the possibility of a “he said, she said” situation between the drivers involved.

Officials in Chicago have attempted to address speeding drivers in several different ways. Patrols in areas known for speeding have been increased and attempts have been made to enforce posted limits. Recently, the city has turned to the use of speed cameras at some intersections. These cameras can monitor the speed of individual vehicles traveling in the camera’s visual field and determine which drivers are breaking the speed laws. Photographic evidence of the car and/or the driver can then be used by local police to issue tickets, where appropriate.

So far, the presence of speed cameras have been fairly limited. Today, though, additional speed cameras will go live, marking a remote starting point for speed enforcement in a number of areas, including high-traffic locations.

Some residents have been critical of speed cameras because many believe that the cameras are designed to raise revenues for the City of Chicago through the use of traffic citations, instead of being focused on increasing safety and decreasing collisions. But if the cameras function as intended, safe, law abiding drivers should benefit from greater safety as speeders are punished.

Speed limits are determined by the design of a given street, the traffic in the area, the nature of the intersections, as well as the type of buildings surrounding the road. Driving faster than authorized means that a driver will need a greater distance to slow or stop a vehicle for a red light, stop sign, or other traffic hazard. Additionally, speeding reduces the time a driver has to react to a change in traffic conditions like an accident ahead of them or a lane that is closed due to construction. In turn, this can cause a collision.
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