Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

A lawsuit has been filed over a suburban Chicago school bus accident by a mother who claims her child was injured when the driver fell out of the bus while trying to vomit, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

With the school year set to begin, school bus safety will be back in focus. The causes of school bus accidents can include new or inexperienced drivers, faulty or poorly maintained equipment, unruly passengers, distracted driving, driving under the influence or the driving behavior of another motorist on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that school buses remain among the safest modes of transportation, with an average of just 19 deaths reported each year.

However, many others are injured in school bus accidents and school-related transportation crashes each year. And the fall brings increased risk as motorists get used to watching for buses and students as the school year begins.

In this case, a mother of a child who was injured has filed suit in Cook County Circuit Court, claiming the driver of the Illinois Central School Bus opened the door to vomit, and then fell out of the bus. The bus continued on and crashed into a nearby ditch. The crash reportedly occurred as the bus approached an intersection in Pembroke Township in Kankakee County.

The personal injury lawsuit reports that the child was injured; it does not say whether other students on the bus were also hurt.

The Illinois Central School Bus company would not comment on the lawsuit but said safety was a top priority. Based in suburban Montgomery, the bus company claims to be the 7th largest school bus transportation company in the United States.

Just last week a Chicago injury lawyer at Abels & Annes entered into an agreement to represent a bike rider that was injured on the Lakefront Trail. She was struck by a taxicab that failed to stop at a stop sign near Soldier Field.

Authorities hope the first comprehensive study of Lakefront Trail in more than a decade could reduce the number of serious Chicago bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents that occur during peak congestion, the Sun-Times reported.

Safety advocates are looking to determine the busiest times and spots on the trail. More than 100 Active Transportation Alliance volunteers counted pedestrians, in-line skaters and cyclists at 30 trail locations last week, including entry points along Lake Shore Drive.

"We all know it's busy," said Gia Biagi, the Chicago Park District's director of planning. However, "we wanted to really establish quantitatively, 'What is the usership?' "

As officials determine how the path is utilized by commuters and recreational users, they will be seeking strategies to make the path safer and more efficient. Last summer, the Sun-Times reported that crashes on the path occur quite frequently but are not specifically tracked.

Chicago pedestrian accidents killed 52 and injured more than 3,200 in 2008, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Five cyclists were killed and more than 1,700 were injured in Chicago bicycle accidents.

City leaders say the analysis is not motivated by safety issues, but rather the need for maintenance and improvements, including trail widening.

Continue reading " Study of Lakefront Trail could reduce congestion, Chicago bicycle and pedestrian accidents " »

A Chicago car accident claimed the life of a cab driver early Monday morning after colliding with a motorcycle and then slamming into a utility pole, WGNTV reported.

The motorcycle rider was among two other accident victims that were transported to Resurrection Medical Center for treatment. The Chicago Breaking News Center reported that the rider was reported to be in good condition. It's unknown whether the other victim was a passenger in the cab.

The accident pushed the utility pole into a garage, which collapsed from the impact.

Also early Monday, a motorcycle rider was killed in an accident with a semi in Chicago. The 33-year-old rider was killed on the Dan Ryan Expressway about two blocks from 35th Street. The accident happened shortly after 1:30 a.m. and closed the expressway's inbound lanes for about three hours.

Riders are expected to be out in force through the remainder of summer, hitting the roads through the long Labor Day weekend and into fall as long as weather permits. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation reports that more than half of all motorcycle accidents involve another motorist who is usually at fault in the crash.

In 2008, a total of 5,290 riders were killed and more than 96,000 were injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Illinois motorcycle accidents killed 121 riders.

The Foundation offers safe driving tips for avoiding motorcycle accidents.

Safety advocates are challenging teenagers to create a public service announcement aimed at reminding young drivers of the dangers of using cell phones or text messaging while driving.

As we reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, a new study by Seventeen Magazine suggests that teenagers understand the dangers but ignore the risks. Officials hope speaking to them in their own language will help reduce the risk of Chicago car accidents and traffic crashes caused by teen drivers throughout the country.

The "National Two-Second Turnoff Day Video Challenge" will encourage young drivers to take two seconds to turn off their cell phone before climbing behind the wheel -- about the same amount of time it takes to get into an accident by taking their eyes off the road.

The challenge runs from Aug. 2 to Sept. 10 and the winning video will be aired during National Two Second Turnoff Day on Sept. 17. The video will also be part of the national Distracted Driving Summit scheduled for Sept. 21.

A teen driver entry form is available here.

“One in four teen drivers say they’ve texted behind the wheel, and that’s a trend we’ve got to confront head on,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This contest is an innovative and fun way to get teens involved in spreading the word about the importance of keeping their eyes on the road – and off their phones.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 6,000 motorists are killed and more than 500,000 are injured each year in accidents caused by distracted drivers.

“Eighty-Six percent of teens know that distracted driving is dangerous—and they do it anyway,” says Ann Shoket, editor in chief of Seventeen Magazine. “This contest helps teens hammer the real danger of driving while distracted to prevent accidents and save lives.”

A total of 164 motorists were killed in Illinois car accidents involving young drivers in 2008, according to government statistics.

Continue reading " Teen challenge could reduce the number of Chicago car accidents involving teen drivers " »

Driving with a pet in your vehicle is fun, but not a good idea. As a distracted driving habit, it ranks right up there with using a hand-held cell phone and can increase your risk of being involved in a serious or fatal Chicago car accident.

The Breaking News Center reports a new survey by AAA has found that two out of three dog owners routinely drive with their pets in the car.

An 80-pound dog exerts more than one ton (2,400 pounds) of force during a 30 mph accidents. "As about 40 percent of Americans own dogs. We see this as an increasingly big problem,'' said Beth Mosher, spokeswoman for AAA in Illinois.

The Humane Society of the United States estimates there are more than 77 million dogs in the United States -- or about one dog for every four people.

While the site of a dog hanging its head out a car window is nothing new, the behavior of drivers with pets has grown increasingly dangerous, including drivers who keep a dog in their lap or who feed or water their pet while driving through traffic. Additionally, emergency crews report that dogs can become aggressive in protection of an owner in the wake of an accident. The Illinois State Police reports dogs have had to be shot in order to get medical aid to a vehicle's occupants.

A survey sponsored by AAA and Kurgo, a company that makes pet restraint systems, found that 55 percent of owners who travel with their dogs admit to petting them while driving. One in five drivers held a dog in their lap.

Other dangerous habits included feeding or watering a dog or playing with a dog while the vehicle was in motion. Fewer than 1 in 5 travelers used a restraint system to limit distractions and ensure pet safety.

Continue reading " Dogs can be a danger when it comes to Chicago car accidents caused by distracted driving " »

A Chicago car accident on the Northwest Side resulted in the death of a 4-year-old boy on Sunday morning, ABC7 reported.

The car in which the boy and a 2-year-old were riding was eastbound on Fullerton Avenue at Kilbourne Avenue when it rear-ended another car. Both cars then went careening into other vehicles. The driver of the car the boy was riding in was taken into police custody. The 4-year-old North Saint Louis Avenue boy was taken to Children's Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after 2 p.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

The 2-year-old passenger and the driver of one of the other vehicles were also transported to the hospital. The Major Accident Investigation Unit is investigating.

While our Chicago accident attorneys spend a lot of time talking about teenagers and the dangers of auto accidents, car accidents are also the leading cause of death for children ages 3 to 14, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Every day in the U.S. an average of 4 children are killed and 529 are injured in auto accidents. In 2008, a total of 1,347 children under the age of 14 were killed in traffic accidents and more than 193,000 were injured.

-20 percent were killed in pedestrian accidents.

-11 percent were killed in bicycle accidents.

-Nearly half of those killed were unrestrained. The use of appropriate safety seats reduces the risk of injury by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers.

Illinois traffic accidents claimed the lives of 44 young motorists in 2008, including 23 who were under the age of 7.

A 16-year-old has been killed in a hit-and-run Chicago car accident during a police pursuit and the child's father is questioning the report of the incident by the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

Police are still looking for the driver of the gray Hyundai Sonata, the Chicago Breaking News Center reported. The car reportedly swerved off Greenwood Avenue near 154th Street and struck the 16-year-old as he was riding his bike. The impact of the bicycle accident launched the teen into oncoming traffic.

On Monday, the victim's father questioned why the driver was traveling more than 70 mph if deputies behind the vehicle were never going faster than 35 mph, as authorities contend. He believes a high-speed chase was responsible for his son's death.

Authorities report the car was traveling at a high rate of speed when it passed an unmarked police cruiser on the Bishop Ford Freeway shortly before 8 p.m. The sheriff's office said officers did not give chase, but did exit the freeway and remain behind the vehicle. The vehicle reportedly sped away when officers hit the emergency lights.

A Dolton police squad car attempted to box in the fleeing car as it sped south on Greenwood. The car then hit another vehicle and swerved off the road, where it struck the victim, Kenyatta Brack.

The victim and a friend had been riding bicycles to meet the victim's mother, who was getting off the bus after work just a few miles from the crash scene.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers frequently talk about the dangers faced by teen drivers on the road. But it is our ever-growing population of older drivers who are the fastest-growing at-risk category.

The Washington Post reports that drivers over the age of 75 were more likely than any other age group to be involved in a fatal crash. They were also twice as likely to say they planned to drive into their 90s than those ages 65 to 74.

Meanwhile, the percentage of those over 75 who remain licensed to drive has increased in the last decade, from 73 percent to 78 percent. And the 30 million senior drivers on the road could double in the next two decades as the Baby Boomers hit the road to retirement. The resulting conversation about when it's time to hang up the keys "is happening all across the United States in families up and down the streets every day," said Elinor Ginzler, a senior vice president of AARP. "It's a huge issue."

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that 4,268 motorists over the age of 70 were killed in car accidents in 2008 -- significantly more than the 3,775 who died in 1975. The elderly population has also doubled during that time, from 14.5 million to 27.5 million.

Drivers are living longer and they are dealing with debilitating illnesses -- including heart disease, Parkinson's, dementia, Alzheimer's and diabetes -- which can make driving an increasingly dangerous proposition.

"In the old days, or even 20 years ago, people just did not live long enough for this to be a problem," said Elin Schold-Davis, head of the American Occupational Therapy Association's Older Driver Initiative, who notes that some older drivers are taking potent medications that fog concentration. "People are living with a level of impairment that is unprecedented."

A total of 163 drivers over the age of 65 were killed in Illinois car accidents in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The federal government offers driving resources for older adults and families. Topics include:

-Safe driving for older adults
-Driver transition education
-Talking with older drivers
-Screening and evaluation
-Medication and older drivers
-Adapting the vehicle for older adults
-Understanding and influencing older drivers
-Driving safely and aging gracefully
-Family and friends concerned about an older driver

Continue reading " Senior drivers an increasing safety issue -- older motorists at greater risk of a Chicago car accident " »

Family members who lose loved ones in Chicago car accidents or traffic accidents elsewhere in Illinois will be allowed to buy official memorial markers under a new state law, the Herald-Review reported.

The program would permit the markers to then be installed by the Illinois Department of Transportation near the scene of the accident. Technically, such memorials were not permitted under previous law, although road crews often left them alone if they were small and not distracting to passing motorists. The new program, which was signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn, is similar to a program already in place for the victims of drunk driving accidents.

In addition to a traditional burial plot, families frequently wish to commemorate the spot where a motorist was last alive. In Australia, a study suggested that as many as 1 in 5 highway fatalities have been honored with a roadside memorial.

The origin of roadside markers in the United States can be traced to the early Hispanic settlers of the Southwest; they were used to mark the place where a coffin was set while pallbearers rested during a funeral procession from the church to the graveyard.

The legality of the memorials varies in the United States. In California, residents must pay a state fee of $1,000. In Colorado, Massachusetts and Wisconsin, the memorials have been banned.

In 2008, a total of 1,043 people were killed in Illinois traffic accidents.

The Chicago Daily Herald is calling for tougher punishment for those caught leaving the scene of a Chicago car accident.

The paper said it was raising the issue after two high-profile cases: The son of the Elk Grove Village mayor was fined $195 for leaving the scene after striking a parked car; and a DuPage County judge was fined $500 after leaving the scene of an accident involving a parked car in Glen Ellyn.

But hardly a week goes by that our Chicago car accident lawyers are not reporting serious or fatal injuries caused in a hit-and-run accident.

The newspaper questions whether the law is tough enough, since a driver is likely to suffer less punishment for leaving the scene of an accident than for DUI; and research suggests an offender convicted of DUI is much more likely to have their driver's license suspended.

While the penalties are much more severe for leaving the scene of serious or fatal accidents, the media continues to report almost daily occurrences. Often a driver panics, but the decision can be life-threatening for a victim, especially in cases involving a cyclist or pedestrian who is left on the ground, often in the dark, usually with very serious injuries.

The law requires that you stop and offer assistance to an injury victim; that you trade basic information with other drivers involved; and that you notify authorities, according to the Illinois Secretary of State's Office. Those caught leaving the scene can be fined up to $2,500 and sentenced to up to one year in jail. If a driver fails to report a crash for over 30 minutes after it occurred, they may be fined up to $25,000 and sentenced to up to three years in prison.

Common reasons that drivers do not stop at the scene of a crash include impaired driving, speeding, and driving without a license or proper insurance. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that 86 unlicensed drivers have been involved in the state's 459 fatal crashes so far this year.

Continue reading " Hit-and-run drivers increase risk of serious or fatal injuries for victims of Chicago car accidents " »

A suburban teenager has abruptly pleaded guilty to charges in connection with a Chicago pedestrian accident that critically injured a fellow New Trier High School student.

ABC7 reported that the 18-year-old woman pleaded guilty to one felony count of leaving the scene of an accident and one count of misdemeanor DUI for driving with marijuana in her system. She was sentenced to two months probation with drug treatment and will not be permitted to go to college out of state. She also must complete 120 hours of community service at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, where the teenager she struck is in rehab.

The 16-year-old girl suffered a brain injury in the May 14 hit-and-run accident in Winnetka. She is now in out-patient rehabilitation and goes several times a week. We first reported this case on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog in May, when an anonymous donor posted the teenager's $500,000 bail.

The defendant was accused of striking the victim outside the New Trier High School at Green Bay and Winnetka roads. She was stopped by police and arrested about a half an hour later.

The Sun-Times reported that the victim has undergone two brain surgeries and is facing extensive rehabilitation. Her prognosis is uncertain.

The Chicago Tribune report is available here.

Two people were killed in a suburban Chicago car accident on Sunday night when a Porsche flipped over and caught fire after side-swiping a van near Naperville, the Chicago Breaking News Center reported.

The Porsche was westbound on I-88 when it struck the Dodge Caravan shortly after 11 p.m., according to Illinois State Police. The vehicle flipped at least twice before landing in a ditch and catching fire. Both occupants of the Porsche were killed. No one in the van was injured.

Two people were killed in an Illinois semi accident involving three tractor-trailers early Monday morning, WQAD reported.

The chain-reaction crash on I-70 near Highland happened after traffic began to slow due to another crash on the highway. Three semis and a pickup were involved. The two victims were inside a tractor-trailer that caught fire as a result of the impact. The first accident happened after a trailer lost its load and the cab and trailer separate from each other on the highway.

Several people were injured in a Chicago pedestrian accident on Saturday night, the Southtown Star reported.

The accident happened about 7 p.m. when a car struck several victims as they walking near Schilling Avenue and West 15th Street, according to the Chicago Heights Police Department.

Through Sunday, a total of 449 fatal Illinois traffic accidents have claimed 293 lives. A total of 553 people died in traffic accidents during the same period last year.

Four people were hurt in a Chicago car accident Sunday night when two police cruisers were injured in a police chase in the Austin neighborhood, the Sun-Times reported.

The crash occurred at about 10:15 p.m. at Central Avenue and Washington Boulevard and involved at least two police cruisers engaged in a pursuit. Two people were in serious-to-critical condition and two others were in fair-to-serious condition. The injured were taken to Mount Sinai and John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County.

NBC Chicago reports that all four injured were police officers.

Car accidents are a leading cause of Chicago work accidents and work accidents nationwide. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nearly one-fourth of all fatal work accidents in 2008 were the result of highway accidents. In the private sector, 1,044 of 4,670 fatal work accidents occurred as the result of a motor vehicle crash. The public sector trends were similar.

In fact, the government reports that about half of the nearly 100 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty thus far this year have died as the result of traffic crashes.

Those injured in a car accident while on the job should consult a Chicago workers' compensation lawyer to protect their rights.

Here is the accident report from CBS2.

Here is the crash report from the Chicago Breaking News Center.

How much you pay for auto insurance can be influenced by your behavior both on and off the road, according to a report published by Yahoo!

And, while some of the behavior can also increase your chances of being involved in a Chicago car accident, other factors insurance companies look at have nothing to do with your behavior while behind the wheel. While consumer advocates continue to push for better consumer protections, some of the industry's more questionable practices continue and many companies have grown even more aggressive in response to the economic downturn. Our Chicago injury lawyers encourage motorists to shop around when looking for auto insurance. Consider using an agent rather than an online quote, and purchase as much coverage as you can afford. The mandatory minimums will not even come close to protecting your physical and financial well-being in the event that you or a family member are in a serious accident.

Distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving and other poor driving habits are likely to result in a quick and often substantial increase in your insurance rates. "If the driver does get into an accident as a result of his behavior, his next policy renewal would reflect it," said Robert U'Ren, senior VP of Quality Planning Corp., a company that assists insurers with validating and underwriting policies.

Texting While Driving

We continue to report the dangers of texting while driving. Thirty states, including Illinois, have outlawed the practice in an effort to reduce the number of serious and fatal accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 6,000 people a year are killed and more than 500,000 are injured. Only drunk driving and speeding claim more lives. And insurance companies are paying attention to the risks. If you are issued a citation for distracted driving or for violation a cell phone or text messaging law, you can expect an increase in your insurance premiums during your next billing cycle.

Not wearing a seat belt

As we reported recently on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, Illinois continues to toughen its seat belt law and the associated enforcement. Motorists who are cited for violations could see an increase in the cost of their car insurance.

Teen Drivers

Just adding a teen to your policy will include a drastic increase in the cost of car insurance. Call it guilt by association, but car insurance companies command a heavy premium to ensure young drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that car accidents are the leading cause of death of young people ages 15 to 20. And we have reported extensively on the dangers teens face, particularly when it comes to driver distraction.

Several other variables can increase the cost of insurance premiums and have nothing at all to do with your behavior while on the road. While consumer advocates continue to decry these practices, insurance companies continue to get away with them.

Credit

Insurance companies continue to use a driver's credit score in setting insurance rates. Companies continue to claim that characteristics of a consumer's credit score can help predict the likelihood of a claim. Those with poor credit are also thought to be more likely to engage in insurance fraud or other high-risk behavior.

Paying insurance in installments

Motorists have always received a bit of a break for paying their insurance all at once, or in six-month installments. But companies have really ratcheted up such fees. Consumers often do not see them as a fee, because companies market them as the cost of coverage, while offering discounts to those who pay in one lump sum. Whatever you call it, making monthly payments can easily cost you an additional several hundred dollars a year.

Continue reading " Risky behavior can increase chances of a Chicago car accident, raise cost of car insurance " »

The U.S. Department of Transportation will hold a National Distracted Driving Summit in September as the federal government continues the effort to convince states to adopt measures aimed at preventing motorists from texting while driving.

The first summit was held last year and culminated in an order issued by President Obama that forbid 4 million federal employees from text messaging while driving government vehicles. As we reported recently on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, authorities believe the state's texting ban is partly responsible for the reduction in Chicago car accidents and serious and fatal traffic accidents elsewhere in Illinois.

But there is concern that the patchwork of legislation is less than desirable. Eight states ban the use of hand-held cell phones. Thirty states ban drivers from text messaging. Twenty-eight states forbid new drivers from using cell phones except in cases of emergency.

Several states, including Florida and Arizona, have no laws at all. Meanwhile, some large cities, including Chicago, have enacted their own laws. Using hand-held cell phones is illegal in Chicago but permitted elsewhere in Illinois, except in school zones and areas of road construction. Text messaging by drivers is illegal throughout the state.

Many expect the federal government to soon announce the use of federal highway dollars to induce states to fall into line with a uniform standard. A similar tactic was used to convince states to adopt uniform standards for drunk driving and seat belt compliance as the fed threatened to withhold highway funding from states that failed to comply.

Nationwide, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 6,000 people are killed and more than 500,000 are injured each year in accidents caused by distracted driving. Only drunk driving and speeding are blamed for more deaths.

“Working together, we can put an end to the thousands of needless deaths and injuries caused by distracted driving each year,” said Secretary LaHood. “By getting the best minds together, I believe we can figure out how to get people to put down their phones and pay attention to the road.”

Continue reading " Cell phone ban has reduced number of Chicago car accidents; Federal distracted driving summit may consider nationwide mandate " »

A proposal to use high-speed paid toll lanes on Chicago freeways could reduce congestion but it's unclear what impact it could have on the number of serious and fatal Chicago car accidents.

The Chicago Tribune reports the lanes are being promoted by experts as a way to reduce congestion in the nation's third-worst congested city. The Metropolitan Planning Council and the Illinois Tollway say it's time for Chicago motorists to embrace "congestion pricing."

The system would work by charging a toll, perhaps about $5 for the typical commute, to use a lane where traffic would be managed to guarantee a steady flow of traffic.

"The public understands that unpredictable traffic conditions make everyday driving like a game of roulette," said Joseph Schwieterman, an urban transportation expert at DePaul University. "Congestion pricing is about the only weapon we have in our arsenal to encourage more efficient use of our expressways."

Supporters say the system would create incentives to travel during less-congested times of day, encourage car pooling and the use of mass transit, and reduce the amount of time and money wasted by motorists stuck in traffic.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys think such a system could help reduce accidents. Rear-end collisions and distracted driving accidents are most likely to occur in slow moving, bumper-to-bumper traffic. Such accidents further snarl traffic and cause additional distractions for passing motorists.

However, accidents at higher speeds are far more dangerous. Federal studies show the risk of being seriously injured or killed doubles with every 5 mph increase in speed over 55 mph. Additionally, many are rightly concerned about instituting a system allowing authorities to begin charging to use roads -- taxpayers already own the roads; they paid to have them built.

Officials targeted three routes to study: the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) from I-355 to downtown Chicago; the Jane Addams Tollway (I-90) from I-290/Illinois Highway 53 to Elgin; and the reversible lanes of the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94).

Express lanes and high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes are being used or are being considered in 22 states.

Continue reading " Paid toll lanes floated to reduce congestion; impact on Chicago car accidents uncertain " »