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Bicycling has experienced a dramatic increase in popularity on the streets of Chicago in the last decade. Many cyclists take to the roads to commute to and from work every day with others riding simply for pleasure or exercise. Though the reasons bicyclists are riding may vary slighting, the effect remains constant; as more bikers being to ride, more bicycles are on the roads and bicycle traffic becomes heavier on the streets.

An increase in the amount of bicycle traffic should not pose a problem to the riders and to motorists in Chicago. After all, bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities when it comes to riding that any other driver of an automobile possesses. Bicyclists can legally occupy a lane of traffic or a bicycle lane, when one is present, and ride according to the rules governing the roads. But problems unfortunately arise as drivers fail to act in a safe and responsible manner when bikes are near, leading to thousands of bicycle accidents in Chicago and Illinois annually. Too often, these bicycle collisions lead a rider to become injured, and often those injuries are severe.

When a bicycle crash is caused by a driver or operator who acts in a negligent or reckless manner, an injured cyclists may be entitled to relief for his or her injuries. Relief can be sought to cover damages that result including medical and surgical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, among others. A personal injury lawyer who has experienced representing the victims of these accidents may be able to help you understand if you have a valid claim after your accident.

The increase in bicycle riding has not been due solely to those who own a bicycle, though. With the start of Divvy, Chicago’s bike share program, thousands of additional riders have been able to rent a bicycle for a trip, a day, or even to use as often as they want throughout the year. Divvy rentals set back-to-back records this weekend for the number of rides taken with 12863 rides on Saturday and 16,259 rides on Sunday. Sunday’s record ridership likely was due to the summer weather in Chicago combined with the city’s annual event, Bike the Drive, where Lake Shore Drive is closed to vehicles for several hours as cyclists take to the street.
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The sexual abuse lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C., working with co-counsel, have represented several alleged victims of former Father Daniel McCormack, a man once employed by the Archdiocese of Chicago. During his time with the church, allegations began to surface of sexual improprieties between McCormack and multiple children, all of whom were minors and all of whom had regular, unsupervised interactions with McCormack.

The allegations began during McCormack’s days as a seminarian but no action against McCormack was taken for years. In 1994, McCormack was ordained a priest and began his ministry services as such with the church, a position he maintained until 2006. He served many roles in several churches including assignments at Holy Family Parish and Saint Agatha’s Parish. At times during his employment, McCormack coached the boys’ basketball team.

Years after allegations of sexual misconduct initially arose, McCormack was arrested and criminally charged with committing crimes against several minor boys. In 2007, McCormack pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of children under the age of 13, crimes that led to a prison sentence. Since 2009, McCormack has been confined to the Illinois Department of Human Services’ facility in Rushville, Illinois as a petition to keep McCormack detained indefinitely under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act is being considered in court.

On Wednesday, a judge issued an arrest warrant for McCormack in relation to a 2005 incident with a 10-year-old boy. Authorities are charging McCormack with aggravated criminal sexual abuse in response to the alleged event and McCormack is expected to appear in court today on that charge.

Incidents involving former Father McCormack have been covered heavily in recent years as more and more alleged victims continue to step forward and make claims of abuse against McCormack. In addition, many have claimed that the Archdiocese of Chicago and Cardinal George knew or should have known of the alleged abuse yet they took no actions to stop or prevent it, allowing the abuse to continue over decades and exposing numerous additional victims as a result.
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The number of registered motorcycles in Illinois has increased approximately 76 percent since 1999, an indication that riding is becoming an increasingly popular means of transportation, as well as entertainment throughout the state. Many of these bikes can be found in Chicago because their owners either live in, work in, or visit the city on occasion. Motorcycle riders are legally authorized to have the same access to the streets as any other vehicle and all other drivers are required to operate in a manner that is safe for bikers. But despite the large number of riders and their legal rights, too often drivers ignore motorcycles and cause collisions.

When a motorcycle accident happens in Chicago, an injured rider may be entitled to financial relief. A personal injury lawyer can help a victim understand the legal ramifications of an accident including whether a claim for damages is available. These claims can help a rider recover for the medical expenses he or she has incurred as well as other damages like lost wages, pain and suffering, and the permanency of the injuries that result from the crash.

In the worst accidents, a rider is killed, and no amount of compensation can ever cover those losses. But the right to seek a recovery in those cases may still be available to the victim’s family members and can ease the financial burden enacted by the loss of a loved one.

Chicago police were alerted to a motorcycle accident this morning in the Budlong Woods neighborhood. The incident, which occurred on North Lincoln Avenue shortly before 1:00 a.m., involved only the motorcycle. At this time, officials believe the rider struck a curb, leading to the rider’s ejection from the bike. Emergency personnel responded and transported the 28-year-old male rider to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center but the man’s injuries were too severe and he was pronounced dead this morning.
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Chicago is an area with a lot of seasonal motorcycle riding. The cold and wet winters make riding an uncommon means of transportation but the seasonal temperatures in summer bring out riders by the hundreds. Annually, this catches some motor vehicle drivers by surprise when a significant increase in motorcycles hit the road. But it should be no surprise as every driver is charged with the duty to take note of traffic around them, including motorcycles if they are present in an area.

Drivers who fail to operate in a safe manner may be guilty of negligent driving, a term that encompasses nearly any kind of unintentional error made behind the wheel. Whether that driver is on a cell phone, failing to pay attention to slowing traffic, or even speeding, a negligent driver is likely to cause a collision. When a biker is hurt in a motorcycle accident in Chicago, that biker may be entitled to legal relief for his or her injuries, including compensation to cover any medical bills that must be incurred. Speaking with a lawyer who has experience representing victims of motorcycle accidents may help you understand whether you have a valid claim, regardless of whether the other driver involved received a traffic ticket in the crash.

Indiana State Police officers received notice of a motorcycle accident that took place on Interstate 80 on Monday night. It appears that a 36-year-old man was riding eastbound from an entrance ramp when he came upon a semi truck in front of him. For reasons that are still being investigated, the biker collided with the back of the semi truck, sending the biker off his motorcycle and crashing to the ground. The driver of the semi truck was not injured and did not even realize that his trailer had been struck, leading the driver to continue eastbound.

The incident took place around 10:30 p.m. and garnered a response from emergency medical crews who evaluated the driver and transported him to an area hospital. A short time later, the man was again transported to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County where doctors attempted to save him. Unfortunately, the victim’s injuries were too severe and he was pronounced dead shortly before 1:00 a.m. on Monday.
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Among all the types of car accidents that occur in Chicago every year, head-on collisions make up only a small proportion. But though they may not be as common as other forms of crashes, they are very dangerous and are responsible for a disproportionately large number of fatal accidents.

Head-on accidents can be proceeded by a number of errors or mistakes on the part of one of the driver’s involved. Often, a driver operating his or her vehicle in the wrong direction on an expressway or one-way street can cause a head-on crash. In other cases, a driver who drifts over the center line may put his or her vehicle in a path that will cause an impact with another. One of the most common places a head-on crash occurs is at an intersection where traffic moving in opposite directions can cross paths.

In some instances, a car accident is simply that: an accident where neither driver bears the blame. But in the majority of collisions, one or more individual involved acted in a negligent or reckless manner, leading to the crash and causing any injuries that result. When a collision occurs due to the fault of someone involved, those hurt in the crash may be entitled to relief. These claims can be brought in civil court and are separate and distinct from any traffic tickets or criminal charges brought by the local authorities. Speaking with a lawyer who regularly handles personal injury cases may help you understand whether you are entitled to relief if you have been hurt in an accident.

A Sunday morning accident left two drivers injured after their vehicles collided in Long Grove, according to local police. Authorities were called to the scene of an accident on Hicks Road, north of Lake Cook Road, just after 8:00 in the morning. When they arrived, officials determined that two minivans were the only vehicles involved and that they collided in a head-on crash. Both vehicles were seriously damaged and the drivers of both vehicles reported injuries.

The drivers were transported to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital for evaluation and treatment of their injuries. At this time, it is not clear what caused the collision or whether either driver erred prior to the impact. Authorities are continuing their investigation at this time.
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The cold and snowy winter has finally receded and in its place, spring has arrived in Chicago. With the seasonal weather, more people are taking advantage of the outdoors for pleasure and for exercise. Across the city, people are walking, cycling, and running with more frequency and for a longer duration than most did when snow was on the ground. One of the most popular activities in the spring and summer in Chicago is motorcycle riding through the city, both for transportation and for pleasure. Motorcycles are a great way to get around and legal throughout the state but unfortunately they come with certain risks to the riders. Bikers are involved in a number of motorcycle accidents every year in Illinois and many of those collisions leave the biker with serious injuries.

The victims of motorcycle crashes in Chicago may be entitled to relief for their damages if they sustain injuries as a result of the accident. Often, this means that a victim can recover for expenses incurred and likely to be incurred in the future, like medical, surgical, and rehabilitative bills, lost wages, and even non-economic damages like pain and suffering. The facts of every accident are important in determining whether a victim is entitled to a recovery and speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options if you have been hurt in a crash.

In the worst accidents, a victim loses his or her life due to a mistake by another. After those accidents, no amount of relief can ever fully compensate a victim’s family for their losses. But relief may still be possible and can help to ease some of the financial burden that is left behind when a loved one is killed.

Unfortunately, a tragic accident involving a motorcyclist occurred in Chicago on Saturday afternoon on the city’s northwest side. Police were alerted to a collision in the area of Addison Street and Normandy Avenue just after 4:00 p.m. Emergency crews responded and determined that the cyclist involved in the accident was in critical condition and in need of help. That individual, a 27-year-old man, was transported to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood where doctors attempted to help him. The man’s injuries were too severe and he was pronounced dead while at Loyola.
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Every driver is charged with the duty and the responsibility to operate his or her vehicle in a safe and lawful manner. This means that anyone driving in Chicago or across Illinois must adhere to local and state rules and regulations covering things like the speed limit, yielding the right-of-way, and the direction of travel on any given road. Failing to abide by the rules of the road may be negligence or reckless and may lead to a ticket by any offending motorist.

But a traffic ticket is often not the end of legal liability when a driver causes a car accident. In those incidents, an at-fault driver may also be civilly liable to any victims of the crash for the full amount of damages incurred by all the victims. This can include medical bills, surgical and nursing expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering as well as any other damages that result from a collision. These claims are the right of a victim and may be available even if a driver is found not guilty in traffic court or even if the at-fault driver does not get a ticket. Each accident is different and the facts are unique so speaking with a personal injury lawyer who has experience representing the victims of a car accident is a good way to learn about your legal rights if you have been involved in a crash.

Shortly before 2:00 a.m. this morning, police in Chicago were alerted to a serious accident on Lake Shore Drive near Randolph Street. When they arrived, they were able to tell that a Subaru traveling southbound in the northbound lanes struck a taxi in a head-on crash, seriously damaging both vehicles and leaving four people injured. Both the driver of the Subaru and the driver of the taxi were transported to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County by emergency personnel at the scene. Two passengers in the taxi were also injured and were transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition. The current status of the four individuals hurt in the accident is not known.

Police are still investigating the crash and trying to determine why the Subaru was traveling in the wrong direction on Lake Shore Drive. Traffic in the area was halted initially after the accident so crews could clear the debris but all northbound lanes were reopened later in the morning.
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When a car and a semi truck collide in an accident, there is almost always significant damage done to the car. Often, the truck sustains damage as well but usually not as much as the car. That is because a passenger car is smaller, lighter, and lower to the ground than a semi, increasing the chances of damage to the car when a crash does occur.

But damage to a vehicle is not the only loss that results from a semi truck collision in Chicago. These crashes can cause injuries or even death to those involved and can leave victims to pick up the pieces once the dust settles. In addition to medical and surgical bills that result, a victim may lose wages while missing time from work and might suffer from significant pain while recovering from injuries. When that happens, the victim may be entitled to financial relief for his or her losses. Speaking with a lawyer who handles semi truck accident cases on behalf of those hurt in collisions may help you understand the legal implications of your case and whether you have a valid claim.

An early morning collision occurred in Bensenville this morning and left a driver in critical condition. Police in the area were called to respond to the scene of a crash between a car and a semi truck on Thorndale Avenue around 4:30 a.m. today. Upon arrival, police determined that one person was inside the car and that the driver was in critical condition following a rear-end crash. Medical personnel transported the driver to an area hospital for treatment but the driver’s current condition is not known.

The driver of the semi truck was not injured in the crash and was at the scene when police arrived. At this time, the investigation is still ongoing and police are trying to determine what led to the driver of the car striking the semi truck. It is not known whether anyone involved acted in a negligent manner or whether tickets will be issued in this case.
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At some point, everyone is a pedestrian. They must walk to a car, truck, bus or train most days. And when they are walking, pedestrians are always at a risk for being involved in an accident. In many situations, pedestrians have the right-of-way, meaning that vehicular traffic must yield to those walking. But that does not always happen and when a car fails to yield, an accident often occurs.

Unfortunately, one common factor among pedestrian accidents in Chicago is the injuries that result. When compared to other types of car accidents, those involving pedestrians are much more likely to end in serious injuries or death because pedestrians have little to no protection in the event of a crash. Unlike drivers and passengers in a car, pedestrians are not surrounding by metal and safety features like air bags which limits the pedestrian’s chances of walking away from a crash uninjured.

Yet pedestrians who are victimized in accidents are not without relief. The laws in Chicago and the rest of Illinois allow these individuals to seek a recovery for their damages, including any medical bills they have been forced to incur. Often a claim can be brought against an at-fault driver or the owner of the responsible vehicle. In other cases, the pedestrian victim may be entitled to bring a claim against his or her own insurance company. As the facts of each accident are unique, it is a good idea to speak with a personal injury lawyer experienced in pedestrian cases to learn whether you have a valid claim and whether you are entitled to relief.

Police in Skokie learned of an accident involving a pedestrian on Sunday night and responded to the scene of the crash in the 3400 block of Dempster Street. When they arrived shortly after 9:00 p.m., they determined that a 30-year-old man was crossing Dempster when a car driven by an 18-year-old man approached. The car struck the pedestrian for reasons that are not yet clear, leading to serious injuries to the walker and the need for medical treatment at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. Unfortunately, the pedestrian’s injuries were grave and he died some time later as a result of the crash.

Police are still investigating the incident and trying to determine whether anyone involved in the crash acted in a negligent manner. At this time, no citations have been issued.
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Semi truck traffic varies in the Chicago area depending on the time of day and day of the week, much like other types of traffic. But there is more consistency among semis than there are among passenger cars in terms of the constant nature of their presence. Whether it is during the day, rush hour, or the overnight commute, semis are often present on the expressways leading to and from the city, taking goods from one point to another and making sure that product reaches its intended destination.

When compared with other drivers, semi truck operators tend to be involved in fewer accidents per mile traveled. Experts believe that a combination of factors including greater training, reduced speed, and greater focus on the roads lead to this low number of crashes. But semi truck accidents still occur every day in the nation and often lead to serious injuries or even death. That is because even though these collisions may be less frequent, the forces involved in a crash and the resulting damage is often devastating due to the large, heavy size of the truck.

The victims of a semi truck collision may be entitled to relief for their damages, including any medical expenses they are forced to incur. Under Chicago laws, the victims of any car accident who become injured due to the negligence or recklessness of another may be entitled to bring a civil claim for their losses and may be entitled to financial compensation as a result. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who has experience representing the victims of truck accidents may help you understand your legal options following a collision.

The Illinois State Police Department received notice of a crash on I-290 early this morning involving a semi truck and at least one other car. When they responded, police determined that around 2:30 a.m., a semi truck traveling in the inbound lanes of I-290 near Harlem Avenue lost control and rolled over, blocking all inbound lanes and temporarily halting traffic in the area. The semi truck, which was reportedly hauling beer at the time, made contact with at least one other car during the incident. Neither the driver of the truck nor the driver of the car purportedly were injured but a passenger in the car was hurt and needed medical attention. That passenger’s current condition remains unknown but the passenger is believed to have sustained only minor injuries as a result of the crash.
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