Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

The government has released a report detailing a half-century of safety initiatives as part of the reason for the historic decline in serious and fatal car accidents. However, as our Chicago injury lawyers have reported, the economic downturn has also played a significant role in the reduction. And, as the economy slowly recovers, the number of fatal Illinois car accidents is again on the rise.

Car accidents and traffic fatalities have been declining steadily since reaching a peak of 43,510 in 2005. Most recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that traffic fatalities declined from 37,423 in 2008 to 33,808 last year -- a level not seen since the 33,186 deaths that occurred on the nation's roads in 1950.

Safety officials are quick to point toward the success of enforcement efforts aimed at increasing seat belt use and reducing drunk driving.

“Today’s numbers reflect the tangible benefits of record seat belt use and strong anti-drunk driving enforcement campaigns,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland in announcing the record-low fatalities. “But we are still losing more than 30,000 lives a year on our highways, and about a third of these involve drunk driving. We will continue to work with our state partners to strictly enforce both seat belt use and anti-drunk driving laws across this nation, every day and every night.”

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers have frequently reported the drastic decline in traffic crashes. But recently that trend has changed. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that 746 people have died in Illinois car accidents thus far in 2010, compared to 742 during the same period a year ago.

That increase could be linked to the (albeit slow) economic recovery -- many cite the sagging economy as a primary reason for the reduction. To counter this argument, the government points to an overall increase in miles traveled. However, it does not report whether a significant reduction in peak congestion (due to high unemployment and less holiday and vacation travel) could be partially responsible.

Additionally, not every category bears good news: Motorcycle accidents and bicycle accidents have continued to increase over a three-year moving average.

Recently, the government completed a study that does offer some insight into where the reductions are occurring, even if the reasons why remain a mystery.

-Crashes involving young drivers declined 17 percent between 2007 and 2008.

-Fatalities involving children under the age of 16 decreased by 20 percent.

-Multiple-vehicle fatalities decreased by 13 percent.

-Fatalities involving large trucks decreased by 12 percent.

-Weekend fatalities decreased by 11 percent.

The government cites a number of safety milestones along the historic downward trend in traffic fatalities that began in the 1970s:

1968: Front-seat lap and shoulder belts are required for all vehicles.

1970: NHTSA is formed by an act of Congress.

1971: Standardized training for EMTs.

1974: Nationwide 55mph speed limit enacted by Congress in response to energy crisis.

1978: First child safety-seat law enacted.

1980: Mothers Against Drunk Driving is formed.

1984: First seat-belt law enacted by New York.

1987: Passive restraint rules (airbags) began with the 1987 model year.

1988: All 50 states have raised minimum drinking age to 21.

1990: NHTSA begins providing crash worthiness tests.

1996: Safety campaign to move children to rear seats.

1998: All 50 states have zero tolerance alcohol policy for drivers under 21.

2002: First nationwide "Click It or Ticket" campaign.

2005: All 50 states have .08 legal limit for alcohol.

2008: Seat belt use up to 83 percent as states continue to enact primary enforcement laws.

Continue reading " Government touts half-century of safety initiatives for reduction in traffic fatalities even as fatal Illinois car accidents are on the rise " »

Chicago injury attorneys have resolved a case that stems from a deadly 2008 truck versus car accident that took place in Huntley, Illinois, according to the Northwest Herald. The accident involved a semi truck driver was under the influence of drugs. A woman was killed in the Illinois truck crash, and her husband and son were severely injured.

The accident happened back on October 31, 2008. The family was stopped in their pickup truck on Route 47 in the area of Interstate 90 waiting to make a turn. At that time their vehicle was rear-ended by a semi truck that was being driven by a 32-year-old driver from Spring Grove.

The truck was reportedly going around 60 mph at the time of impact. The crash pushed the family's pickup truck into an Illinois Department of Transportation dump truck.

The Father was hospitalized for a month with a spinal fracture, facial fractures and respiratory issues. The son suffered two fractured legs, a laceration across his forehead and other head injuries.

The trucker is currently incarcerated, having been sentenced to 45 months in prison. The driver allegedly had smoked marijuana within 12 hours of the accident and there was enough drugs in his system to cause impairment.

The civil lawsuit further alleged that the truck was overloaded, it's left rear turn signal was not working, half of its brakes were out of adjustment, and some brake pads were unsafe due to oil or grease. Also, the suit alleged the trucking company failed to comply with federal regulations by not performing random drug screens on it's drivers and not performing background checks or obtaining copies of each of their driver's driving records.

The lawsuit settled for a total of $6.5 million, which included 4.7 million for the death of the mother, 1.5 million to compensate for her husband's injuries, and $300,000 for injuries to her son. The plaintiffs were represented by John Perconti of Levin & Perconti in Chicago.

A Chicago suburban pedestrian accident has left to teenagers seriously injured, according to Tribune Local Aurora. The Aurora Police Department is now seeking help to find the hit-and-run driver that was involved in the October 22 crash.

The teenage boys that were injured in the accident are ages 15 and 16. They were hit by a Dodge Ram pickup truck in the 700 block of Fifth Avenue while they were crossing the street in a marked crosswalk. The collision reportedly knocked 16-year-old pedestrian about 15 feet in the air and the 15-year-old was dragged by the vehicle for approximately 100 feet.

Accident witnesses stated that the driver stop for second, and then fled the scene westbound on Fifth Avenue.

The pedestrian accident victims were taken by ambulance to an area hospital. Their injuries are supposed to be non-life-threatening, including fractures, cuts scrapes.

The Aurora Police Department is asking anyone with information about the hit-and-run accident to call police officers handling the investigation at 630-256-5333, or anonymously call crime stoppers at 630-892-1000.

As far as a civil claim is concerned, unfortunately hit-and-run drivers are usually not caught by police. Once a Chicago area pedestrian accident attorney gets involved in the case, they will most likely look to set up hit-and-run / uninsured motorist claim on the teenagers' (or their family member's) own auto insurance policy. The fact that the teens were not in a motor vehicle the time of the accident is irrelevant, and they should have coverage for the accident from their own insurance carriers.

Read more about Illinois uninsured motorist claims here.

Illinois accident attorneys at Abels & Annes have entered into an agreement to represent a Shorewood resident that was injured in a Will County truck versus car crash. The collision occurred on Interstate 80 near Larkin Road in Joliet, Illinois.

Our client was driving his 1994 Pontiac Bonneville eastbound in the right lane of the highway. At that time a semi truck was in the eastbound left lane. The truck driver moved his vehicle to the right Lane and failed to observe our client, striking the Pontiac on the driver's side of the vehicle. This caused the plaintiff's vehicle to fishtail. The Pontiac was heavily damaged in the crash.

The Illinois State Police handled the accident investigation. After interviewing the parties involved, they issued the truck driver citation for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. The trucker admitted to police that he never saw the plaintiff's vehicle.

Our client sustained low back and neck injuries in the accident. He was seen a short time later at St. James Hospital where he was examined by physicians and prescribed hydrocodone for pain.

Over the days following the accident his pain worsened. He is now undergoing treatment with a medical doctor.

If you have been hurt in a Chicago area trucking crash, call the Illinois injury attorneys at Abels & Annes for a free case evaluation. Call 312-924-7575.

The USA Today reports that parents are increasingly turning toward the low-tech teen-driving contract amid the decidedly high-tech world faced by teen drivers.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys recently reported on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog that the State of Illinois is debuting a new website aimed at helping parents keep their teen drivers safe behind the wheel.

Tougher laws and better training have led to a 50 percent reduction in fatal Illinois car accidents involving teenagers in recent years, from 146 in 2007 to 71 last year. However, car accidents remain the leading cause of death among teenagers nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Illinois Secretary of State's Office offers a Teen Safe Driving Contract here. Similar contracts are offered through AAA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Such contracts have several things in common, including a modification of restrictions as drivers gain experience and demonstrate responsibility, and clearly defined penalties for violations.

"It's a way for parents and teens to engage with each other and agree on what the consequences are," Arlene Greenspan, of the CDC's Injury Center, told the USAToday. "Writing it down clarifies for everybody what the rules are."

Some automobile insurers also offer discounts for parents and teenagers who sign contracts.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that 6,107 drivers ages 15 to 19 were injured in accidents last year. When the occupants of young drivers are included, more than 10,000 people were hurt in traffic crashes -- or about 1 in every 8 injuries.

Statistics show the homecoming season and the Christmas and New Year's holidays are among the most dangerous on the road for young drivers. The increased risk also coincides with the start of winter driving season. We encourage you to spend some extra time with your teen drivers to talk about the expectations and responsibilities associated with climbing behind the wheel.

Continue reading " Parents focus on helping teens avoid Chicago car accidents as homecoming and holiday seasons begin " »

An Illinois school bus crash that happened on Friday on the Kennedy Expressway has injured four people, according to WGN TV. The collision involved a school bus and a car, and occurred in the evening hours.

There was an EMS Plan 1 response from the Chicago Fire Department which sent five ambulances to the scene around 5:40 PM. The accident took place in the southbound lanes around Division Street.

Due to the accident, two of the injured were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. One was in serious to critical condition and the other was in fair to serious condition. Two others were taken by ambulance to St. Mary Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

All the passengers on the bus were adults, and it is not been reported what caused the crash.

In other Chicago area bus accident news, the Chicago Breaking News Center is reporting that a school bus in Skokie crashed into a building on Monday afternoon. Only the driver was on the bus and no one inside the building was hurt.

School bus driver was taken by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver told police that the brakes failed as she was pulling out of a parking lot at 3412 Touhy Ave. She was a driver for the Illinois Central Bus Company.

Whether the brakes failed or not, if the driver was injured she will have the right to make an Illinois workers' compensation claim. Work comp is a no-fault claim in the State of Illinois.

A Chicago area hit-and-run pedestrian accident has resulted in the death of a woman and another person being injured, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center. The accident happened early Monday morning in North Aurora.

Police responded to an accident near State and Grant Streets just after 2 AM involving two vehicles and 2 pedestrians. By the time police arrived, the driver that caused the accident had fled the scene.

It was reported to police that two victims, a man and a woman, were found lying in the street. The male victim was age 22 from North Aurora, and the female was also age 22, from Cicero. The couple was reportedly standing outside the female victim's 1997 Chevy Cavalier when the hit-and-run driver sideswiped a parked vehicle and hit the two pedestrians.

The two injured victims were taken by North Aurora Fire Department ambulance to Provina-Mercy Hospital. The female pedestrian was pronounced dead a short time later and the male is still hospitalized.

Just after 5 AM, a 30-year-old man from Aurora went to the Aurora Police Department and turned himself in for his involvement in the accident. The driver was then transported to the North Aurora Police Department for questioning. His vehicle, 2004 Dodge work van, is being held by police. The name of the hit-and-run driver has not been released.

Anyone with additional information regarding this accident is being asked to call the North Aurora Police Department at 630-897-8705 and ask for traffic investigator Dan Cyko.

A good Samaritan has been injured in a Chicago pedestrian accident on the Stevenson Expressway, according to WGN news. The incident occurred around 12:45 AM on Friday at Interstate 55 and Damon Ave.

The good Samaritan was Daniel Vasquez, 28, who was scheduled to graduate from the Chicago Police Academy next month. He was heading home from work when he saw that a vehicle had just crashed and he stopped to assist. When he got out of his car he was struck by another vehicle.

He reportedly sustained serious head injuries and was rushed to Stroger Hospital in critical condition. At the ER it was discovered that he suffered internal bleeding in his brain and had to be sedated.

The 26-year-old motorist that struck the pedestrian was issued citations by the Illinois State Police for failing to yield to a pedestrian, improper lane usage, driving without a license, and failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident. NBC news is reporting that the at fault driver told police he had fallen asleep at the wheel.

Click here to read the story as reported by ABC news.

Chicago auto accident lawyers are set to represent a Wisconsin resident that was injured in an Illinois car crash. The accident took place back in July of this year.

The plaintiff was driving her 1999 Honda Accord eastbound on Montrose Avenue. In the 4900 block of Montrose she put her turn signal on and slowed to make a left turn. At that time a woman driving a 1994 Pontiac Grand Prix rear-ended her.

Over the next several days the plaintiff developed neck pain and headaches due to the accident. She then sought treatment with a medical doctor in the north suburbs of Chicago. The physician also referred her for a course of physical therapy.

Since the date of the accident, our client been trying to deal with a large insurance carrier without the help of an attorney. After "spinning her wheels" for several months and not getting anywhere, she decided to retain counsel.

Chicago car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes will be looking to recover money damages for the plaintiff to pay for her medical bills, time off work due to the accident, pain and suffering, and loss of her everyday normal life.

If you've been hurt in an Illinois accident and believe you are being treated unfairly by an insurance carrier, contact the Chicago injury lawyers at Abels & Annes for a free consultation.

I should also add that I believe it is important to start working with an injury lawyer as soon as possible after being involved in an accident. There are many issues that come up early on in a claim where the advice of counsel is needed.

A trucker from Chicago, Illinois is been given a sentence of 30 days in jail for his role in an accident that occurred in Ohio, according to the Washington Post. His truck was involved in a collision with a special needs bus during a snowstorm. Four people were killed.

The 60-year-old Chicago resident apologized in court on Wednesday to the families of the victims. Three special needs adults and the bus driver died in the accident that occurred in January, 2010 on Interstate 70 in the area of Springfield, Ohio.

The Illinois truck driver pleaded no contest to four counts of vehicular manslaughter back in August. He was released yesterday after the hearing in court, pending appeal.

Investigating police officers gave the opinion that the truck driver was driving too fast for weather conditions when the truck lost control and struck the bus. The Springfield News-Sun reports that the special needs vehicle was moving eastbound on Interstate 70 near US Route 40. At that time the westbound tanker truck being driven by the defendant lost control and went into oncoming traffic. Roads were very slick at the time of the accident and the trucker was going 57 mph.

Today's newspaper reports do not state whether truck accident lawyers are involved in the case or if civil lawsuits have been filed.

A Chicago area truck accident has resulted in six people being taken by ambulance to area hospitals, according to Trib Local. The multiple vehicle accident occurred after the driver of the construction truck crossed over the center line on route 30 in the area of Heggs Road in Plainfield around 6:30 PM on Monday.

The truck hit a car and a pickup truck, and then struck a semi truck. The semi truck then burst into flames, and the construction vehicle also caught on fire.

The driver of the semi and one of the occupants in the pickup truck were taken by ambulance to Rush Copley Hospital in Aurora. Both were reportedly in critical condition. Two others riding in the pickup, and the driver of the car involved, were also injured and taken to Rush Copley.

The construction truck driver was taken to Loyola Medical Center in Chicago in critical condition. He had to be extricated from his burning vehicle.

Route 30 between hundred and 11th St. and Heggs Road were closed for a period of time. Firefighters and ambulances from multiple jurisdictions such as Oswego responded to the accident.

The Illinois State Police are handling the crash investigation. What caused construction truck to cross the center-line has not been reported.

In a case like this, is a good bet that Illinois truck accident lawyers will get involved in the case and lawsuits will be filed. The reports indicate that several parties were significantly injured, and a commercial vehicle caused the accident. Typically, commercial vehicles that are involved construction work have larger liability insurance policies of $1 million or more.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers urge parents to speak to their teens about the dangers of distracted driving during National Teen Driver Safety Week this week, Oct. 17 to 24.

As we reported recently on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, parents can have a dramatic impact on a teenager's safety behind the wheel. Car accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers ages 15 to 20, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Teenagers are at high risk of virtually every poor driving decision imaginable, including drunk driving, speeding, not wearing seat belts, distracted driving, poor night driving and riding with too many young passengers in the car.

The Chicago Breaking News Center reports that AAA and the Illinois Department of Transportation is launching a new website aimed at teenage drivers, www.illinoisteendriving.com/

The Chicago Tribune reports that Allstate Insurance, Verizon Wireless, BMW and Liberty Mutual Insurance are among the organizations designing and implementing safety programs aimed at teaching teenagers about the dangers of distracted driving.

Authorities cite tougher laws and better driver training for a 50 percent reduction in teen driving fatalities, form 146 in 2007 to 71 last year. But there is still much work to be done. A separate study we reported on recently found that teens largely understand the risks of distracted driving, they just ignore them. As a parent, we urge you to speak to your teen driver early and often about the need to stay safe behind the wheel.

The dangers are real; the statistics don't lie:

-In 2008, about 20 percent of all crashes involved some form of driver distraction.

-More than 5,000 people a year are killed in distracted driving car accidents; about 450,000 are injured.

-Drivers under the age of 20 are most at-risk for being involved in a serious or fatal accident caused by distracted driving. Drivers ages 20 to 29 are the group with the next-highest risk.

-Those using hand-held devices while driving are four times more likely to get into a serious accident.

-Drivers using a cell phone -- whether hand-held or hands-free -- impair their reactions as much as someone driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08, the legal limit for drunk driving in the United States.

A report by Allstate Insurance found that texting is a teen's greatest distraction behind the wheel. More than 4 in 5 teens admitted to using a cell phone while driving -- fewer than 1 in 4 admitted to drinking and driving.

Continue reading " New website aims to help teens avoid Chicago car accidents as Teen Safe Driver Week begins " »

Chicago personal injury lawyers from Abels & Annes, working with co-counsel from the Elman Law Group, have obtained a jury verdict at trial in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The lawsuit stems from a Chicago car crash that occurred several years ago at the intersection of Clark Street and Oakdale on on the North Side.

The plaintiff was working as a delivery driver when he stopped his 1992 Honda Civic at a stop sign. After stopping his vehicle he was rear-ended by the defendant who was driving a 1996 Saturn.

The plaintiff had an immediate onset of back and neck pain after the collision. He was treated the day after the car crash at Grant Hospital in Chicago. At the ER he was examined by physicians and prescribed pain medication.

Our client's pain did not improve over the next several days so he sought follow-up treatment with a chiropractic physician. The plaintiff went through therapy that consisted of inferential current, mechanical traction, and heat treatment. He also at x-rays and an MRI several weeks after the accident to rule out more serious injuries.

The defendant's insurance carrier would not make a settlement offer pre-litigation so a lawsuit was filed. The case eventually went to trial in front of the Honorable Shelli D. Williams. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff for $12,123.00 plus court costs. Our co-counsel, Anthony Elman tried the case.

If you have been injured in an Illinois accident, contact a Chicago car crash lawyer at Abels & Annes for a free case evaluation. Call 312-924-7575 to speak to an attorney now. There is no attorney's fee unless a recovery is made.

The Northwest Herald is reporting that the Cary Police Department is looking into an Illinois hit-and-run accident that hurt a 20-year-old Cary resident on Saturday morning. The victim was found around 4:15 AM lying in a parking lot near Walgreens at 500 Northwest Highway in Cary, Illinois.

Police went to the store after receiving a call about a fight. There, they found the victim in the parking lot who appeared to have been hit by a car. He was alert but could not move due to injuries he sustained.

Cary Fire Department emergency technicians help the victim in the parking lot and then took him by ambulance to the firehouse at 400 Cary-Algonquin Road. He was then flown by helicopter to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.

Police are reportedly still investigating, and they believe they found the car that was involved in the incident. Criminal charges are expected to be filed.

The extent of the pedestrians injuries has not been reported.

As far as a civil claim is concerned, in most hit-and-run accidents the at fault driver is never caught. And when he or she is caught, the vehicle involved is usually uninsured.

When the victim gets a Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer involved in the case, that attorney will investigate whether the offending driver was insured. If they were not insured, counsel will look to file a hit-and-run / underinsured motorist claim against the injured pedestrian's own auto insurance policy.

Daniel Green, a 36-year-old emergency crew dispatcher for the Department of Water Management became a hero on Sunday night after rescuing someone from a burning car after witnessing a single vehicle Chicago car accident, according to WGN news. Just before 11 PM Green was stopped at a red light at the intersection of Pershing Road and Western Avenue when a northbound pickup truck crashed into a support beam for railroad tracks overhead. After impact, the truck became engulfed in flames.

The City of Chicago worker and another bystander immediately rushed to rescue the driver of the pickup truck . They had to force the driver side door open and carry the unconscious driver away from the vehicle and wait for paramedics to arrive. by the time the car door was opened, several other good Samaritans arrived to help.

Green thought the driver would have died if they didn't get them out of the vehicle. Police officers that responded to the accident stated the driver was semi conscious when he was taken away by ambulance to Mount Sinai Hospital. He is reportedly in stable condition.

The other rescuers were not named in the article.

Click here to read the story reported in the Southtown Star.

State Farm has released new information that shows October is still a very dangerous month for teens being involved in Illinois car crashes, and accidents nationwide. They made this determination by looking at data collected over the past seven years, and the greatest amount of claims filed by 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds occurs in October. Claims go up around 15% compared to other months.

Approximately one out of four states have October as the most dangerous months for teen crashes, and about 70% of all states show October as being in its top three months. A State Farm spokesperson says that auto accidents are the number one killer of teens.

Research from State Farm shows that while 70% of teenage drivers say they are nervous about being involved in an auto accident or injuring someone, 57% of those teen drivers admit to texting or reading while at the wheel.

The State Farm website claims:

-Teens are nearly 10 times more likely to be an accident during his or her first year of driving.
-Nearly 2/3 of deadly teen crashes are caused by driver mistakes, from either being distracted or not knowing what to do.
-The risk of a fatal accident can increase up to five times is there our two or more passengers in the vehicle.
-That driving while being tired can affect your driving in the same way alcohol does.

The State Farm website goes on to recommend that teen drivers wear seatbelts, not talk on the cell phone or text while driving, limit the number of passengers in the car, stay within the speed limit, and avoid high-risk driving situations such as bad weather or nighttime driving.

If your teen driver has been involved in an Illinois car accident, contact the Chicago personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes for a free, no obligation consultation. Call 312-924-7575.

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that two police officers were injured on Wednesday night in a Chicago car crash. The collision occurred when the police car was struck from behind while making a traffic stop on the Northwest Side.

The accident occurred just after 9 PM in the 300 block of W. Addison St. according to a police department spokesperson. The injured officers were taken by ambulance to Mount Sinai Hospital. One officer was reportedly in critical to serious condition and the other was in serious to fair condition.

The officers were outside of their police car when the accident took place. The police spokesperson also stated that there were people arrested after the officers were injured, but no details were given.

To read the story from ABC news click here.

It is also being reported that around 20 minutes later three police officers were injured in an unrelated accident. In this case, officers reportedly discharged their weapons on several occasions while chasing the driver of a red Audi.

The police gave pursuit to the vehicle because it matched the description of a car that escaped from police in the Town Hall District after the Audi driver allegedly tried to hit two police officers on bicycles.

The Audi was stopped near the intersection of Verenice and Melvina, and when the officers approached on foot the car accelerated and hit one of the officers. Shots were fired and the driver then fled the scene.

Police again spotted the vehicle and as the officers approached the driver intentionally hit the police car and also struck one officer who was already out of the vehicle. The offender then ran away on foot and police caught him a block later.

The officers involved sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Two were taken to our Lady of Resurrection Medical Center. No one was hit by gunfire.

And believe it or not, Chicago police officers were involved in a third injury accident on Wednesday night. NBC news is reporting that just after midnight two police officers were injured after their vehicle struck the building at Ohio Street and Cicero Avenue. They were on an emergency call when their squad car was hit by another vehicle, knocking them into the building. Both police officers were taken by ambulance to Stroger Hospital. Their injuries are reportedly non-life-threatening.

Un accidente de auto en Illinois ha resultado en la muerte de un hombre de Peoria, Illinois, según el Chicago Sun-Times. El accidente ocurrió este fin de semana pasado en el Condado de Will en Interstate 55.

La víctima de Peoria, de 44 años, murió poco después de que su Ford Mustang estuvo involucrado en un accidente separado con un Toyota. Poco antes de las 7AM el conductor le pego en la parte trasera a un Toyota Camry. Después del accidente su carro estuvo parado en el carril izquierdo del Interestatal.

Desafortunadamente, el residente de Peoria se quedó en su carro mientras los ocupantes en el vehículo adelante de él salieron para inspeccionar los daños. En aquel momento, otro Toyota Camry conducido por uno de 28 años de edad, residente de St. Charles le pego en la parte trasera del Mustang con gran fuerza, causando que se mueva hacia adelante y golpeara a los ocupantes del primer Camry.

El conductor sentado en el Mustang se murió en la escena. Los tres ocupantes fuera de su vehículo fueron trasladados por ambulancia al Hospital St. Joseph y Silver Cross Hospital.

La policía del estado de Illinois respondió al accidente y manejó la investigación. El conductor del segundo Camry involucrado fue multado con fracaso para reducir velocidad, conducir demasiado rápido para condiciones y operar un automóvil sin seguro.

La investigación esta en curso.

Debido al hecho que el conductor del segundo Toyota Camry no tuvo seguro, los abogados de herida personal en Illinois que se meten en el caso mirarán para establecer un reclamo sin seguro de automovilista en la políca de auto de el perjudicado.

El Sun-Times de Chicago informa que un carro de Chicago contra accidente de motocicleta ha resultado en la muerte de un residente local. El accidente ocurrió en la madrugada del lunes por el bloque 3700 Norte de la Lake Shore Drive.

La investigación de los agentes de policías informan que la motocicleta golpeó la parte trasera del otro vehículo y que ambos intentaron cambiar de carril, al mismo tiempo. El motociclista fue lanzado fuera de su vehículo y golpeó el pavimento. Fue pronunciada muerta en la escena. Ella llevaba puesto un casco.

El conductor implicado no resultó herido, y no emitió ninguna violación móvil en la escena. Sin embargo, el conductor recibió tres violaciónes de cumplimiento (No se informo de que fueron las violaciónes).

La unidad de investigación de accidentes del Departamento de Policía en Chicago esta manejando la reconstrucción del accidente. Se espera que sea capaz de determinar si el vehículo adelante utilizó una señal para cambiar de carril, y si otros factores tuvieron algo que ver en el accidente. Se ha reportado por WGN-TV que el vehículo pudo haber faltado el espejo del lado y/o espejos traseros de vista.

En el año 2009, hubo 3,846 accidentes de motocicleta en el Estado de Illinois. 130 murieron en esos accidentes.

An Illinois auto accident has resulted in the death of a man from Peoria Illinois, according to the Chicago Tribune. The crash occurred this past weekend in Will County on Interstate 55.

The victim from Peoria, age 44, died shortly after his Ford Mustang was involved in a separate accident with a Toyota. Just before 7 AM the driver rear-ended a Toyota Camry. After the accident his car was stopped in the left lane of the Interstate.

Unfortunately, the Peoria resident remained in his car while the occupants in the vehicle ahead of him got out to inspect damage. At that time, another Toyota Camry driven by 28-year-old St. Charles resident rear-ended the Mustang with great force, causing it to move forward and strike the occupants of the first Camry.

The driver sitting in his Mustang died at the scene. The three occupants outside their vehicle were were taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Hospital and Silver Cross Hospital.

The Illinois State Police responded to the accident and handled the investigation. The driver of the second Camry involved was ticketed with failure to reduce speed, driving too fast for conditions and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

The investigation is ongoing.

Due to the fact that the driver of the second Toyota Camry did not have insurance, the Illinois personal injury attorneys that get involved in the case will look to set up an uninsured motorist claims on the injured parties' own auto policies. Click here to read more about Illinois uninsured and under-insured motorist claims.

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that a Chicago car versus motorcycle accident has resulted in the death of a local resident. The accident occurred early Monday morning and 3700 block of N. Lakeshore Dr.

Investigating police officers reporting that the motorcycle hit the back of another vehicle as both attempted to change lanes at the same time. The motorcyclist was thrown off her vehicle and struck the pavement. She was pronounced dead at the scene. She was wearing a helmet.

The driver involved was not injured, and was not issued any moving violations at the scene. However, the driver was given three compliance violations (what the violations were for was not reported).

The Chicago Police Department's major accident investigation unit is handling the crash reconstruction. They will hopefully be able to determine if the vehicle in front used a turn signal to change lanes, and whether or not any other factors played a role in the crash. It is being reported by WGN-TV that the vehicle may have been missing side view and/or rear view mirrors.

In the year 2009, there were 3,846 motorcycle accidents in the State of Illinois. 130 were killed in those crashes.

The USA Today is the latest to report on the growing chorus of voices that contend the emphasis on text messaging and cell phone use while driving is coming at the expense of focusing on the many other forms of distracted driving.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys have reported extensively on the cell phone and text messaging debate -- Illinois became one of 30 states to forbid drivers from text messaging when its law took effect on Jan. 1.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently released a study that found text messaging bans were actually increasing the number of distracted driving accidents in states where they are in place -- perhaps because motorists were attempting to hide their phones in their laps, thereby taking their eyes off the road for an even longer period of time and exacerbating the problem.

The group has become increasingly critical of the government's focus on text messaging and the use of hand-held devices by drivers.

"They're focusing on a single manifestation of distracted driving and banning it," IIHS President Adrian Lund said. "This ignores the endless sources of distraction and relies on banning one source or another to solve the whole problem."

We have reported on the many other forms of distracted driving, both here and on our sister site, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, including the risk of distracted driving accidents while driving with your dog or pet in your vehicle.

Other forms of distracted driving include eating, drinking, smoking, grooming, applying makeup, reading, adjusting the radio or using GPS or other in-car electronics, and talking to passengers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration blames nearly 5,500 deaths and 450,000 injuries a year on accidents caused by distracted driving. Only speeding and drunk driving are blamed for more traffic fatalities.

Continue reading " Chicago car accidents blamed on distracted driving involve more than text messaging and cell phones " »

An Illinois auto accident lawyer at Abels & Annes has signed on to represent a local resident that was injured in a collision on the West Side of Chicago. The crash occurred in early September, 2010 at the intersection of Washington & Lamon.

Our client was stopped in traffic moving westbound on Washington Street when she was caught in the middle of a four vehicle chain reaction rear-end accident. Another vehicle that was headed westbound struck a second vehicle that was behind our client, and that second vehicle smashed into the her car. The force of the impact then knocked the plaintiff's automobile into a vehicle in front of her.

At the scene of the accident she started experiencing severe low back pain. She was seen right after the accident at the Oak Park Hospital emergency room. At the ER, she was examined by nurses and physicians, and x-rays were taken.

Over the coming weeks, her pain only got worse. When the pain became unbearable, she was seen again at Rush Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago. She has since started going to treatment with an orthopedic doctor.

The accident was investigated by the Chicago Police Department. After interviewing all the parties involved, the defendant was issued several citations, including failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. The at fault driver has since pleaded guilty in traffic court at the Daley Center.

If you have been hurt in a Chicago area car crash, contact an Illinois accident lawyer at Abels & Annes for a free case evaluation at 312-924-7575. There is no attorney's fee unless we recover for you.

Si mira para evitar un accidente de tráfico en Chicago, estese fuera de la carretera o sea muy cauteloso los viernes entre 4 y 8 pm. Eso es estadísticamente el tiempo más probable para un accidente según 2009 datos de choque recientemente publicado por el Departamento de Transporte de Illinois.

Un total de 41,348 accidentes urbanos ocurrieron los viernes el año pasado; el día siguiente más alto fue el jueves, cuando 37,300 accidentes ocurrieron en áreas urbanas. Y seis veces más accidentes ocurrieron en ciudades grandes, principalmente en Chicago, que tuvo lugar en áreas más rurales de Illinois.

Sus oportunidades de un accidente aumentan diariamente entre el domingo y el viernes.

Entre 4 y 8 pm, 76,134 accidentes ocurrieron. El mediodía a 4 pm visto 72,136 seguido por 8 de la mañana al mediodía, cuando 53,022 accidentes ocurrieron.

Domingo
Rural: 6,872
Urbano: 26,346

Lunes
Rural: 6,376
Urbano: 32,222

Martes
Rural: 6,713
Urbano: 35,204

Miércoles
Rural: 6,738
Urbano: 36,764

Jueves
Rural: 6,764
Urbano: 3, 300

Viernes
Rural: 7,530
Urbano: 41,348

Sábado
Rural: 7,924
Urbano: 34,005

Mientras choques urbanos superaron en número de accidentes rurales, accidentes rurales fueron mucho más probables de ser fatal. Un total de 363 mortales de tráfico ocurrierón en 48,917 accidentes rurales, comparado a 469 fatalidades en 243,189 accidentes en áreas urbanas. Eso significa que, mientras choques rurales representaron sólo bajo 17 por ciento de los accidentes de tránsito del estado, ellos resultaron en casi mitad (43.6 por ciento) de todos muertes del tráfico.

En accidentes urbanos, si usted piensa que es más probable de morirse en el autopista, estaría equivocado.

Accidentes urbanos

Carreteras del Estado: 150 muertes/16,614 heridos

Interestatal: 79 muertes/4,159 heridos

Calles de la ciudad: 166 muertes/ 23,063 heridos

Rutas Desmarcadas: 74 muertes/8,566 heridos

Si usted o un ser querido ha sido herido en un accidente, contacte a un abogado de herida de Chicago en Abels & Annes para una consulta gratis para hablar de sus derechos. Llame a (866) 99 ABELS. No hay honorario a menos que recuperemos para usted.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys encourage those shopping for a car to make the government's new and improved 5-Star Safety Rating System a part of their review process.

The new rating system comes with more rigid safety standards, an overall vehicle rating, and the use of female crash-test dummies for the first time, in addition to the male test dummies that have been in use for years.

“More stars equal safer cars,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “With our upgraded Five-Star Safety Ratings System, we’re raising the bar on safety. Through new tests, better crash data, and higher standards, we are making the safety ratings tougher and more meaningful for consumers.”

The safety of you and your family can depend to some extent on your choice of vehicles and the emphasis the manufacturer has placed on safety. We have all seen some of the new subcompact cars and perhaps you have wondered about their ability to withstand a collision with a mailbox, let alone another car on the road. Certainly prospective owners should check their safety rating. Conversely, the periodic news about rollovers and SUVs and the news this past year about the Toyota recalls, illustrates that bigger does not always mean safer.

Nor do you have to spend a fortune to drive a car with a high safety rating: Of the cars tested thus far this year, the BMW 5 series received a 5-Star rating, but so did the modestly priced Hyundai Sonata.

The new 5-star system will rate passengers cars, SUVs, vans and pickup trucks in three areas, rollover resistance, frontal crash and side crash.

“We want consumers to embrace these new safety technologies as a way to make vehicles safer,” said National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator David Strickland. “We believe electronic stability control, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning offer significant safety benefits and consumers should consider them when buying a new car.”

Here you will find government safety ratings for new and used cars in Illinois.

Continue reading " Vehicles with high safety ratings can help keep you safe in Chicago car accidents " »

If you are looking to avoid a Chicago car accident, stay off the road or be very cautious on Fridays between 4 and 8 p.m. That is statistically the most likely time for an accident according to 2009 crash data recently released by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

A total of 41,348 urban crashes occurred on Fridays last year; the next-highest day was Thursday, when 37,300 crashes occurred in urban areas. And six-times as many crashes occurred in large cities, primarily Chicago, than occurred in more rural areas of Illinois.

Your chances of an accident increase daily between Sunday and Friday.

Between 4 and 8 p.m., 76,134 crashes occurred. Noon to 4 p.m. witnessed 72,136 followed by 8 a.m. to noon, when 53,022 crashes occurred.

Sunday
Rural: 6,872
Urban: 26,346
Monday
Rural: 6,376
Urban: 32,222
Tuesday
Rural: 6,713
Urban: 35,204

Wednesday
Rural: 6,738
Urban: 36,764
Thursday
Rural: 6,764
Urban: 37,300

Friday
Rural: 7,530
Urban: 41,348

Saturday
Rural: 7,924
Urban: 34,005

While urban crashes far outnumbered rural crashes, rural crashes were much more likely to be fatal. A total of 363 traffic fatalities occurred in 48,917 rural crashes, compared to 469 fatalities in 243,189 crashes in urban areas. That means, while rural crashes accounted for just under 17 percent of the state's traffic accidents, they resulted in nearly half (43.6 percent) of all traffic fatalities.

As for urban crashes, if you think you are most likely to die on the freeway, you would be wrong.

Urban Accidents

State Highway: 150 deaths/ 16,614 injured

Interstate: 79 deaths/ 4,159 injured

City Streets: 166 deaths/ 23,063 injuries

Unmarked Routes: 74 deaths/ 8,566 injuries

Continue reading " Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. most dangerous time for Chicago car accidents " »

Un accidente de auto en el área de Chicago que implica un carro de policía de Evergreen Park ha resultado en la muerte de un adolescente del sudoeste, según el Southtown Star. El choque sucedió en la intersección de Central Park Avenue y 95th Street en Evergreen Park, alrededor de 9:30 P.M. el martes por la noche.

El vehículo de la policía iba con rumbo al este en 95th en la búsqueda de un vehículo con velocidad exceso cuando chocó el carro de la víctima. El conductor adolescente de Chicago iba hacer una izquierda en la calle 95th oeste de Central Park. Todavía no se ha informado a qué velocidad el vehículo del oficial movía o si luces y sirenas de emergencia fueron activadas.

El adolescente fue trasladado por ambulancia a Christ Medical Center en Oak Lawn, donde fue pronunciado muerto un par de horas despues. Un pasajero en el vehículo del conductor también resultó herido y fue trasladado a Little Company of Mary Hospital. La severidad de sus heridas no se ha informado. El policía también fue llevado a Little Company of Mary Hospital.

La Policía del Condado de Cook estará manejando la investigación del accidente. Los diputados revisarán cintas de video tomadas por el carro de policía para determinar lo que sucedió. La Calle 95 fue cerrada varias horas para una reconstrucción del accidente.

No se ha informado si hay algún abogado de herida de Chicago involucrado en el caso todavía.

A Chicago area auto accident involving an Evergreen Park police car has resulted in the death of the teen from the Southwest Side, according to the Southtown Star. The collision took place at the intersection of Central Park Avenue and 95th St. in Evergreen Park around 9:30 PM on Tuesday night.

The police vehicle was headed east on 95th in pursuit of a speeding vehicle when it hit the victim's car. The Chicago teen driver was making a left onto westbound 95th from Central Park. It has not yet been reported how fast the officer's vehicle was moving or if emergency lights and sirens were activated.

The teenager was taken by ambulance to Christ Medical Center in Oak lawn where he was pronounced dead a couple hours later. A passenger in the driver's vehicle was also injured and taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital. The severity of his injuries has not been reported. The police officer was also taken to Little Company of Mary.

The Cook County Sheriff's Police will be handling the accident investigation. Deputies will reportedly be reviewing videotapes taken by the police car to determine what happened. 95th Street was closed for several hours for an accident reconstruction.

It is not been reported if there are any Chicago personal injury attorneys involved in the case yet.

Click here to read the story as reported by NBC 5.

Abogados de accidente de carro en Illinois de Abels & Annes han firmado para representar una mujer que resultó herida en un accidente de automóvil en el Norte de Chicago en septiembre 2010. El accidente sucedió en el cruce de Greenleaf y Sheridan Road. Nuestro cliente estaba manejando hacia el este en Greenleaf con una luz verde cuando el acusado, que fue con rumbo al sur en Sheridan, corrió una luz roja y golpeó el vehículo del demandante.

El accidente fue investigado por el Departamento de Policía de Chicago. El acusado le admitió culpa al oficial investigador.

Poco después del accidente, el demandante desarrolló dolor en el lado izquierdo del cuello y del hombro. Desde entonces, ha comenzado tratamiento médico con un médico en Chicago. Ella también ha sido diagnosticada con estrés post traumático debido al accidente.

El nieto de nuestro cliente de 12 años de edad viajaba como un pasajero en su vehículo en el momento del accidente. Por suerte, él no resultó herido.

Tanto el demandante como el acusado tienen Seguro de Allstate, que pagará en el reclamo.

Casos de luz rojas pueden ser a veces muy difíciles de procesar en los tribunales. A menudo, el conductor de defecto primero se disculpa después del accidente, pero cuando la policía llega él o ella cambian su historia. Entonces el caso se vuelve un "el dijo” “ella dijo” tipo de situación. Afortunadamente, en este caso el acusado fue honesto y admitió que causó el accidente.

Si ha sido herido en un accidente de tráfico en el área de Chicago, contacte el bufete de abogados de herida en Illinois de Abels & Annes para una consulta gratís. Llame a (866) 99-ABELS

Illinois accident attorneys have filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County stemming from an accident that occurred on the movie set of Transformers 3 that left a woman with brain damage, according to the Associated Press.

The Chicago area accident took place when the victim was working on the movie set as an extra on September 1, 2010. She was making minimum wage and an additional $25 because she was using her own car.

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the lawsuit alleges that the victim was driving her blue Scion as part of a stunt as the movie was being filmed on a roadway in Hammond, Indiana. At that time three flatbed trucks and two stunt cars going in excess of 50 mph were moving towards her vehicle on the opposite side of the roadway. Two trucks involved were pulling cars with steel cables.

As the plaintiff's car and the other vehicles neared each other, a metal bracket attached to one of the stunt cars broke loose, went airborne, and shattered the victims windshield, hitting her on the head.

Lawsuit alleges the incident occurred because of substandard design work and welding. Further, it is stated that the same stunt was tried a day earlier and failed, causing them to hastily prepare additional stunts.

The suit alleges that the accident caused permanent brain damage, her left side is paralyzed, and her left eye had to be stitched closed. The plaintiff spent almost a month at Loyola Medical Center in intensive care, and was later moved to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

One of the defendants named in the lawsuit is Paramount pictures, who has issued a statement as already apologized for the accident and offering to help the family.

The plaintiff is being represented by Todd Smith of Powers, Rogers & Smith in Chicago

An Illinois auto accident on S. Lake Shore Dr. has claimed the life of a 22-year-old passenger, according to NBC news. The crash occurred in the area of Hyde Park just after 12 PM on Saturday.

A 20-year-old woman was driving the car when lost control and hit a light pole. The vehicle was headed northbound and the payment was wet at the time of the occurrence. Both driver and passenger were rushed by ambulance to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The passenger died a couple hours later at the hospital. The victim was a resident of the 7000 block of S. South Shore Drive.

The at fault driver was ticketed by the Chicago Police Department for driving without insurance. The major accident investigation unit is handling the accident.

As far as a civil claim is concerned, due to the fact defendant was reportedly uninsured, hopefully the victim was covered by his own policy of auto insurance. It is not been reported if the Chicago car accident attorney is involved in the case yet. When a lawyer gets involved, one thing he will look to do is set up an uninsured motorist claim on the passenger's insurance policy. He will also look to verify whether there was any insurance covering the at fault driver.

Click here to read the story as reported by WGN news.

Illinois car crash attorneys at Abels & Annes have signed on to represent a woman who was injured in a motor vehicle accident on the North Side of Chicago in September 2010. The accident happened at the intersection of Greenleaf and Sheridan Road. Our client was driving eastbound on Greenleaf with a green light when the defendant, who was southbound on Sheridan, ran a red light and hit the plaintiff's vehicle.

The accident was investigated by the Chicago Police Department. The defendant admitted fault to the investigating officer.

Shortly after the accident, the plaintiff developed pain on the left side of her neck and shoulder. She has since started medical treatment with a physician in Chicago. She has also been diagnosed with post traumatic stress due to the accident.

Our client' s 12-year-old grandson was riding as a passenger in her vehicle at the time of the accident. Luckily, he was not injured.

Both the plaintiff and the defendant have Allstate Insurance, who will be paying on the claim.

Red light cases can sometimes be very difficult to prosecute in court. Often, the at fault driver is first apologetic after the accident, but by the time the police arrive he or she changes their story. Then the case turns into a "he said she said" type of situation. Fortunately, in this case the defendant was honest and admitted she caused the accident.

If you've been injured in a Chicago area car accident, contact the Illinois personal injury law firm of Abels & Annes for a free consultation. Call (866) 99-ABELS.

Abogados de accidente de carro en Chicago de Abels & Annes han llegado a un acuerdo para representar a una mujer del Sur que resultó herida en una collision trasera en el autopista Eisenhower. El accidente sucedió en septiembre de 2010 en los carriles hacia el este alrededor de 1st Avenue en Maywood, Illinois.

Nuestro cliente estaba viajando a una velocidad normal cuando se dio cuenta de un vehículo que se acercaba atrás de ella en una tasa muy alta de velocidad. El vehículo entonces golpeó el vehículo del demandante por detrás.

La policía del estado de Illinois respondió al accidente. Después de una investigación, el policía le dio al conductor de defecto un ticket por no reducir la velocidad para evitar un accidente. El conductor le dijo a la policía que él no estaba poniendo atención en el momento de la collision.

En la escena del accidente nuestro cliente inmediatamente tuvo dolor de cuello, dolor de espalda, dolor de brazo y dolor de cabeza severo. Fue vista poco tiempo despues en la sala de emergencia de St. Bernard Hospital. Allí fue revisada por médicos y le dieron medicamentos para el dolor.

Debido a dolor severo en curso, ella ahora ve a un médico. No es sabe todavía lo que su curso de tratamiento consistirá.

El conductor de defecto está asegurado por Travelers.

Si usted ha sido herido en un accidente de auto en Illinois, contacte a un abogado de herida en Chicago de Abels & Annes para evaluación de caso gratis. Llámenos al 312-924-7575. No hay honorario de abogados a menos que recuperemos para usted.

Chicago car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes have entered into an agreement to represent a South side woman who was injured in a rear end collision on the Eisenhower Expressway. The accident happened in September of 2010 in the eastbound lanes around 1st Avenue in Maywood, Illinois.

Our client was traveling at a normal rate of speed when she noticed a vehicle approaching behind her at a very high rate of speed. The speeding vehicle then struck the plaintiff's vehicle from behind.

The Illinois State Police responded to the accident. After an investigation, the trooper issued the at fault driver a ticket for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. The driver told police he wasn't paying attention at the time of the collision.

At the scene of the accident our client immediately had an onset of neck and back pain, left arm pain and severe headaches. She was seen a short time later at the St. Bernard Hospital emergency room. There she was examined by physicians and given pain medication.

Due to ongoing severe pain, she is now seeing a medical doctor. It is not yet known what her course of treatment will consist of.

The at fault driver is insured by Travelers.

If you've been injured in an Illinois auto accident, contact a Chicago injury lawyer at Abels & Annes for free case evaluation. Call us at 312-924-7575. There is no attorneys fee unless we recover for you.