Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
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.
If you have been a victim of a car accident in Chicago, it may seem like you have no one on your side and no where to turn for accidents. But that does not have to be the case. At Abels & Annes, P.C., we are personal injury lawyers who believe that all those hurt by the negligence of another deserve relief and deserve answers. We offer a free case consultation to all injury victims who call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and there is no obligation on your part for speaking with us. We have a licensed lawyer standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year so that you can get the information you deserve, whenever you need it.
If you have been hurt in a car accident, do not continue to suffer without help. Call Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us help you seek the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Semi Truck Crash in Bensenville Leaves 1 in Critical Condition, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published May 1, 2014.
Resource:
4 hurt when wrong-way driver hits cab on Lake Shore Drive, Chicago Tribune, published May 2, 2014.