Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
The weather in Chicago can be unpredictable at best. In some years, March arrives and ushers in periods of warmer weather coupled with sunshine and chirping birds. This year, as Chicago residents turned their calendars to March, they were met with bitter cold temperatures and, today, winter weather that is plaguing area expressways and surface roads, threatening the safety of those who commute by car, truck, or van.
When weather strikes, car accidents and winter weather collisions are more likely to occur because the conditions of the roads may be less than ideal. Ice, snow, sleet can blanket streets and cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles which may lead to a collision involving one or dozens of cars. While common opinion suggests that the weather causes these accidents to happen, the truth is that the weather generally combines with one or more other factors to increase the likelihood of a crash but not to be the sole factor in its creation.
The laws in Illinois and in the city of Chicago acknowledge the serious nature of car accidents and attempt to hold responsible drivers liable for their actions and the resulting fallout. To do this, victims possess the right to seek financial compensation for their losses and their suffering against an at-fault driver or insurance company and they may receive monetary payment to cover expenses like medical bills. If you have been involved in a car accident in Chicago, you may learn more about your options by speaking with a personal injury attorney.
Police in Illinois issued warnings this morning about the road conditions in the greater Chicago area. Recent precipitation led to icy roads and slick conditions that extended beyond Chicago to other areas of the state. Early this morning, multiple collisions along I-57 between Manteno and Chebanse led authorities to close the expressway temporarily as the wreckage of the accidents was cleaned and removed and as conditions along the roadway began to improve.
A winter weather advisory remains in effect in the Chicago area at this time which has been spared any serious collisions so far. Multiple spin outs have been reported and minor crashes have occurred but as of early Tuesday morning, no critical collisions or devastating injuries were being blamed on the icy conditions.
Motorists who are driving this morning are encouraged to take extra time to reach their destination and to be prepared for slippery, icy conditions on the roads.
If you have been involved in a winter weather accident or if your loved one was injured or killed, make sure you understand your legal rights and options following the crash, including whether you have a valid claim for your losses. The personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. are standing by now and always toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575. At Abels & Annes, P.C., we understand that accidents can happen at any time of the day or night so we have a lawyer available 24 hours a day to take your call and provide you with a free case consultation whenever you need one.
When tragedy strikes, do not let your rights get ignored. Call Abels & Annes, P.C. and let us fight for the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Pedestrian Accident Blamed on Alleged Drunk Driver, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published March 2, 2015.
Resource:
Snow and ice glaze morning commute, I-57 closed by accidents, by Alexandra Chachkevitch, Chicago Tribune, published March 3, 2015.