Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

Eleven people have been injured in two separate Illinois auto accidents on the southbound Dan Ryan that occurred on Sunday morning, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The crashes occurred only around 30 minutes apart, leaving police asking what caused the accidents, as the road conditions were good.

The first crash occurred just after 8:30 AM around 33rd St. in the express lanes. Five people were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

The second collision occurred just after 9 AM in an area between the local and express lanes near 26 Street. Six people were taken by ambulance to the hospital and the collision involved nine vehicles.

Five ambulances responded to the scene of the second crash. Two of the injured were taken to Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, two were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and another was taken to St. Anthony Hospital. Nine others involved refused medical care.

According to Illinois State Police, the accident in the area of 26th Street occurred when a driver traveling too fast for conditions rear-ended another vehicle.

It has not been reported if Chicago injury attorneys are involved in either accident yet.

Chicago injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, working as co-counsel with the Elman law group, have filed a lawsuit against a drunk driver for his involvement in an April, 2009 auto accident. The collision took place in the 9100 block of S. Jeffery Blvd. in Chicago.

The plaintiff was driving southbound on Jeffrey when the defendant, who was traveling northbound in a Mercury Tracer, crossed the centerline and struck our client's Ford Explorer. The accident was witnessed by a Chicago Fire Department Battalion Chief who verified the above version of events.

After the accident, the Chicago Police Department came to the scene. They charged the defendant was driving under the influence of alcohol.

The plaintiff was taken by ambulance to Jackson Park Hospital for back, neck, shoulder and left knee injuries sustained in the accident. She later had additional medical treatment at a family health center in Chicago.

The DUI driver was taken by ambulance to Northwestern Memorial hospital. At that time blood was taken from the defendant which showed he had a .324 blood-alcohol level, over four times the legal limit.

If you've been injured in an accident involving an intoxicated driver, contact the Illinois personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes for a free, no obligation consultation. Call 312-924-7575. There is no attorney's fee unless you win.

A potentially deadly Illinois auto accident was avoided by Chicago police officers when they stopped a sleeping DUI driver early Wednesday morning at the intersection of Cermak Road and Marshall Blvd., this according to the Chicago Breaking News Center.

Police had been notified of a slow moving vehicle by another motorist in the area. Officers responded and found a red 2000 Oldsmobile Alero going around 5 mph in the center of the road. They approached the vehicle on foot and were able to stop it.

When police tried to talk to the driver they realized his eyes were closed. They woke him up and immediately saw signs of intoxication. The DUI driver admitted that he was out celebrating a recent divorce. The motorist was charged with aggravated DUI, no valid driver's license, driving under the influence, no seatbelt, driving left of center and driving too slow for conditions.

Continue reading " Police prevent Chicago car crash - pull over sleeping DUI driver going 5 mph " »

Abogados de accidentes pedestres de Abels & Annes en Chicago han contratado para representar una mujer que fue golpeada por un taxi el 12 de febrero de 2011 adelante de 3209 N. Halsted. El taxista nunca paró para ayudarla y huyó la escena del accidente.

La víctima pedestre, una mujer del norte, había sido dejada por otro taxi en el momento. A medida que su taxi se alejó, fue golpeada inmediatamente por otro taxi que pasaba en color blanco. Aunque hubo varios testigos del accidente, nadie fue capaz de escribir el número de vehículo o la placa de licencia.

Nuestro cliente no recuerda nada inmediatamente después del accidente, quedó inconsciente y despertó más de tres horas despues en Illinois Masonic Medical Center. Ella sostuvo golpes a la cabeza, el cuello y lesiones en la espalda en el accidente. Ella también esta teniendo fuertes dolores de cabeza, contusiones faciales, y inflamación en la pierna izquierda. Fue mantenida en el hospital durante dos días después del incidente.

Nuestro cliente espera que los testigos del accidente de Atropellado a la fuga en Chicago se puedan contactar con el Departamento de Policía de Chicago Illinois, o con su abogados de heridas personales en el 312-924-7575.

Icy roads over the last 24 hours have resulted in a large number of Illinois auto accidents, according to the Chicago Tribune. These accidents included a crash near Schaumburg that resulted in the death of a pedestrian from Round Lake.

Ice started covering the roads around 8 PM, causing accidents from the Northwest suburbs down to Joliet. Illinois state police reported close to one hundred accidents, stating there were lots of cars losing control, driving off roadways and into ditches.

The fatal accident occurred on Route 53 near Interstate 90 in close proximity to Schaumburg. Around 7:45 PM a driver hit a center divider traveling northbound and then exited his vehicle to look at the damage. As he did this, another vehicle rear-ended his vehicle and then struck him as a pedestrian. The victim was knocked over the divider and into the southbound lanes of Route 53, where he was struck and dragged by another vehicle. He reportedly died at the scene.

The deadly Illinois accident is still being investigated.

Illinois car crash lawyers from Abels & Annes, working in conjunction with the Elman law group, have filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County stemming from an accident that occurred back on April 14, 2009. The accident occurred at the intersection of Division Street and Leamington in Chicago, Illinois around 10 PM.

At that time, the plaintiff was driving a 2005 Mercury Sable eastbound on Division Street. As he was passing by Leamington, the defendant failed to yield coming out of a stop sign and caused a collision in the intersection. The plaintiff had no stop sign, and therefore had the right-of-way.

Our driver sustained low back and left knee injuries in the accident. He was seen shortly after Rush Oak Park Hospital.

Over the next several days the plaintiff's pain only increased. He sought follow-up treatment with a physician in Chicago. The doctor prescribed a course of physical therapy that our client attended over the next several months.

A lawsuit was filed in this matter to maximize the value of the case on behalf of our client.

If you've been injured in a Chicago auto accident, contact the Illinois personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes for a free consultation. There is no attorney's fee unless a recovery is made on your behalf. Call 312-924-7575 to speak directly to a lawyer now.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers strongly support Illinois House Bill 231, which could increase minimum liability coverage to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident.

Current limits of $20,000/$40,000 are woefully inadequate in the event of a serious Chicago car accident. A trip to the hospital in an ambulance and the emergency room bill alone may exhaust coverage. The bill would also increase the property damage minimum to $100,000 from $15,000. Think about the price of a new car today and you will quickly realize who antiquated and woefully inadequate Illinois' insurance minimums have become.

Back in July 2009, we wrote on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog
when Chicago Injury Lawyer Dave Abels was interviewed about a new law making it a criminal offense not to carry auto insurance. That law makes it punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine to not carry the required auto insurance. At the time, Abels said the current minimums were hopelessly outdated and did little to protect motorists in the wake of a serious accident.

The proposal is being sponsored by Rep. David R. Leitch, R-Peoria.

The issues has been particularly critical during the economic downturn; a study by the Insurance Research Council found 15 percent of those surveyed had either reduced coverage or increased their deductible in order to reduce the cost of premiums. Another nine percent canceled or did not renew policies for economic reasons.

Continue reading " Proposed law would mandate more insurance coverage; benefit victims of Chicago car accidents " »

For the second year in a row, Illinois has recorded fewer than 1,000 fatal car accidents, a two-year mark not seen since the 1920s, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

However, as our Chicago personal injury attorneys expected, the number of overall fatalities in Illinois has increased as the economy began its tentative recovery in 2010.

As we reported on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, there were a dozen fewer fatal Chicago car accidents recorded last year, but the overall number of fatalities statewide increased for the first time in recent years.

IDOT reports 923 people were killed on Illinois roads last year, compared to the 911 killed in crashes in 2009.

“IDOT is encouraged by this historic accomplishment, but understands that continued perseverance and hard work are essential to maintain or decrease the number of traffic fatalities in years to come,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “In recent decades, the goal of achieving fewer than 1,000 roadway fatalities in a state of this size was considered impossible, but now it is reality. We commend the efforts of our partners, as we spotlight the numerous effective programs administered by IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety and our partner agencies. We also applaud motorists’ continued efforts to drive safely and comply with highway safety laws in Illinois.”

Many believe the economic downturn and high gas prices has had a major impact on the number of serious and fatal traffic crashes in Illinois and throughout the nation. However, the state has implemented a number of safety initiatives in recent years, including a ban on text messaging by drivers, which took effect Jan. 1, 2010. Additional safety programs have targeted teen drivers, motorcycle riders, drunk drivers, work zone safety and large commercial trucks.

"The Illinois State Police is proud to continue its partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation and law enforcement agencies to help reduce traffic crash fatalities. We remain committed to improving safety on Illinois roadways, and will utilize all available resources to provide safety education programs which promote safe driving habits," said Interim Director Patrick E. Keen. "Although it is difficult to attribute the reduction of traffic crash fatalities to a single factor, there is no doubt that the combined efforts of law enforcement personnel, the Illinois Department of Transportation and our private partners have significantly contributed to saving lives. With the continued support and cooperation from the motoring public, we can help keep the momentum going for years to come.”

Safety officials also report seat-belt use reached an all-time high of 91.7 percent in 2009 and was bested in 2010 with 92.6 percent.

Prior to 2009, the last time the state recorded fewer than 1,000 traffic deaths was in 1921.

Continue reading " Fewer than 1,000 Illinois car accidents with fatalities in 2010 " »

The Ford Motor Company is investing another $1 million in the fight to prevent teen car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere, the Governors Highway Safety Association reports.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers frequently report that Illinois is at the forefront of the teen-driving issue. By utilizing a Graduated Driver's License system and other tools, the number of teens involved in serious and fatal accidents continues to decline.

Still, teenagers are at highest risk of being involved in a serious or fatal accident. More than 5,000 are killed each year in crashes and 40,000 motorists are injured. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports car accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers.

Now Ford has announced a major expansion of the program that began in Chicago. The Ford Driving Skills for Life program will receive an additional $1 million and be available to teens in 15 states. The award-winning program provides interactive tools and hands-on training to teach teens about the importance of making good driving decisions behind the wheel.

“Inexperience is the leading cause of crashes in young drivers, and this program delivers the key skill sets that will increase their knowledge, confidence and, ultimately, their safety,” said Ford Executive Sue Cischke. “Ford is passionate about helping young drivers learn the rules of the road, better manage distractions behind the wheel and help make America’s roads safer for all of us.”

This year the program will be expanded to high schools in Birmingham, Little Rock, Harford, Orlando, Tallahassee, Atlanta, Shreveport, Portland, Boston, Jackson (Miss.), Manchester, Albany, Raleigh/Durham, Providence, Charleston and Burlington.

The Ford program concentrates on driving skills in four areas, including distracted driving, speed and space management, hazard recognition and vehicle handling. Research shows those four areas are involved in more than 60 percent of all car accidents involving teenagers.

“This new commitment will bring Ford DSFL into many more communities. State highway safety offices will be able to use this program to complement ongoing laws and programs,” said GHSA Chairman Vernon F. Betkey Jr. “While teen driving safety is a key priority, too often our communities lack the resources to conduct these types of hands-on, high-tech trainings. We are grateful to Ford for helping fill these critical gaps.”

Continue reading " Ford expands teen program aimed at reducing risk of Chicago car accidents " »

The family of a man killed in a Chicago pedestrian accident blames a driver who was allegedly updating her Facebook page at the time of the crash, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers frequently write about the hazards associated with distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 5,474 people were killed and 448,000 were injured in crashes caused by distracted driving in 2009.

As we reported recently on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, Illinois has recently launched the campaign "Drive Now. Text Later. You Can't Do Both." The campaign aims to remind people that texting and driving has been illegal in the state of Illinois since Jan. 1 2010. Hand-held cell phone use has been illegal for Chicago drivers since 2005.

Along with texting, the law also forbids reading or sending e-mails, surfing the Internet and, of course, updating your Facebook account while driving.

In this case, the 70-year-old was in a minor car accident on Dec. 7. His family claims he was outside his vehicle, exchanging information with the other driver, when a vehicle southbound on Ewing Avenue ran into the victim, partially severing his leg and causing him to bleed to death.

Both that driver, and the other driver in an accident with the victim, claimed sun glare was a problem.

It's not the first time Facebook has made the news in connection with distracted driving, nor will it be the last. Last fall, the USA Today reported that General Motors' OnStar system would allow drivers to dictate Facebook posts and have their text messages read aloud.

The New York Times reported such services were coming under increased scrutiny during the nation's second annual Distracted Driving Summit, held last fall in Washington, D.C.

Please note that while our law firm works on distracted driving cases, we are not involved in the case discussed in the Chicago Tribune article. Further, the lawyer representing the victim's family was not named in the Tribune article.

Continue reading " Driver on Facebook blamed for fatal Chicago pedestrian accident " »

Teens in Northbrook, Illinois are among those at 300 high schools that signed a pledge to fight distracted driving. As we continue to report, teens are at high risk of Chicago car accidents caused by text messaging, talking on a cell phone and other forms of distracted driving.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers frequently report on the risks and encourage parents to make safe driving a regular topic of conversation with their teens. As we reported recently on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, a nationwide contest aims to encourage teens to develop public-service announcements warning of the dangers.

Now the News Blaze reports the Allstate Foundation and Channel One news are sponsoring the "X the TXT" pledge last week. When all the pledges are in, the winning school will receive a $10,000 grant. Rising music star Ashlyne Huff will also perform a concert at the winning school.

"By harnessing the power of positive peer influence, these students are leading the charge against the texting epidemic to make roads safer now as well as for the next generation of drivers," said Allstate spokeswoman Joan Walker. "Public awareness campaigns like Allstate's X the TXT movement, SAVE 11 and Family Driving Challenge have helped fuel the conversation on distracted driving and educate America on the power of uniform, enforced graduated driver licensing laws to protect our youngest drivers from dangerous driving situations."

The Allstate Foundation has found that about half of teens admit the being distracted by text messaging behind the wheel. Yet 82 percent still admit to using a cell phone while driving.

This is the third year for the pledge competition.

Those seeking more information on the pledge or on teen safe driving can visit www.keepthedrive.com.http://www.daveabels.com/

Continue reading " Northbrook teens looking to reduce risk of Illinois car accidents " »

An Illinois pedestrian accident has caused serious injury to 2 women, and the Chicago Police Department is now asking for help in locating the hit-and-run driver, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The accident happened on Tuesday night in the 100 block of South State Street.

A southbound SUV struck the women as they were walking across the intersection with the right-of-way. The pedestrians were both hospitalized after the accident.

The hit-and-run vehicle is being described as a silver Mitsubishi Montero sport with an Illinois license plate of X76 5013. The SUV is registered to a woman from Sauk Village, Illinois and police in that southern suburb are now assisting in the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding the Illinois hit-and-run pedestrian accident should immediately contact the Chicago Police Department's major accident investigation unit at 312-745-4521.

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that one of the women, age 53, sustained fractures to her pelvis and a serious laceration on her left leg. The other pedestrian, age 70, sustained a fractured collarbone and ribs, and also injured a knee. One of the women is hospitalized at Northwestern and the other at Loyola in Maywood.

The at fault SUV was reportedly speeding and ran a red light. After the collision driver never slowed and fled southbound on State Street.

Is has not been reported if a Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer is involved in the case yet.

A nationwide contest is challenging teenagers to create a public service announcement warning of the risk of distracted driving car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers frequently report on the dangers teens face behind the wheel. Car accidents are the leading cause of death among teens ages 15 to 20, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

The Business Journals reports the contest is being sponsored by the National Road Safety Foundation and the National Student Safety Program. The winner will have his or her message played nationwide during National Youth Traffic Safety Month in May, will receive a $1,000 scholarship and will win a trip to Honolulu for the national youth conference in July.

The U.S. Department of Transportation reports more than 5,000 teenagers are killed in car accidents each year.

"A quarter of all teens admit to texting behind the wheel and, in 2009, the highest proportion of distracted drivers in fatal crashes was under the age of 20," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "We know we have to engage teens in order to put an end to distracted driving. With their help, we can educate teens and adults about making smarter choices that will save lives."

The "JST DRV" Radio PSA contest seeks 15- or 30-second entries form teens ages 14 to 18. Three runners-up will also receive $500 scholarships and Bluetooth devices.

The contest "hopes to engage young people in communicating important messages about distracted driving in their own voice," said Michelle Anderson, operations director of the National Road Safety Foundation.

Deadline for entry is March 25, 2011. More information is available at www.nrsf.org or www.adtsea.org/nssp.

Continue reading " Contest aims to warn teens of risk of distracted driving car accidents in Chicago, elsewhere " »

It is being alleged that the Clerk of Lynwood was driving while intoxicated when he caused an accident while driving the wrong way on Route 394, and now an Illinois car accident and wrongful death attorney has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a victim's family.

The defendant's vehicle reportedly struck two cars while driving the wrong direction on Illinois Highway 394 last Friday, which resulted in the death of a 32-year-old mother of 4 children from Chicago. The lawsuit alleges the clerk was careless and negligent when he drove a 2008 Ford Taurus the wrong way.

The victim's family is being represented by Attorney Joe Vitu of Chicago. The lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

The Illinois State Police have reportedly charged the defendant with DUI and disobeying a traffic control device. No additional charges have been filed yet by the Cook County States Attorneys Office, however it is very possible that the criminal charges will be upgraded to felonies.

Click here to read the story as reported by CBS News and NWI.com.

When it comes to Chicago car accidents caused by distracted driving, there are many causes. But with each new model year, the number of distractions built right into your automobile is of increasing concern.

As we reported recently on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, some safety advocates are urging the government to focus on something other than cell phones when it comes to driver distraction and motorist safety.

Some of the cases handled by our Chicago personal injury lawyers and wrongful death attorneys involve some form of driver distraction. Common distractions include eating, drinking, talking to passengers, smoking, applying makeup and, of course, using a cell phone.

But, as the USAToday reports, technology is playing an increasing role when it comes to distractions built right into your vehicle: Dashboard navigation systems, touch-screen climate control, GPS, satellite radio with 100s of channels, and even DVD systems built into headrests.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is expected to issue its first set of guidelines on the issue later this year. Meanwhile, there is no set standard. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which includes most major car makers except Honda, has its own procedures to reduce distraction caused by "information and communication systems." Meanwhile, the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers reports that its members make their own decisions.

Recently, Consumer Reports found the new touch-screen computer in many Ford models (which controls the radio, temperature and navigation) is so complicated and potentially distracting that it dropped cars equipped with the system from its recommendation list.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood took General Motors to task last year when its OnStar communications system began allowing people to verbally update their Facebook or Twitter status while driving.

When it comes to in-car technology, it's a brave new world. Regardless of new features, regulations by the government, or voluntary moves on the part of automobile manufacturers, motorists are best served by using common sense. Focus on driving, your life or the life of someone else could very well depend on it.

Continue reading " In-car distractions an increasing cause of Chicago car accidents " »

An off duty Bolingbrook police officer was killed in a Chicago area car crash this past Sunday, according to Tribune Local. The collision occurred in Oswego, Illinois while he was on the way to religious services with his wife around 8:30 AM

The officer was riding as a passenger at the time of the accident and his wife was driving. The car lost control and left the roadway, hitting a tree and rolling over. The victim was ejected from the vehicle. His wife only sustained minor injuries.

The officer was taken by ambulance to an Aurora hospital and pronounced dead a short time later.

The incident took place in unincorporated Oswego near Stewart and Woolly roads. The Kendall County Sheriff's Department is handling the crash investigation. What caused the vehicle to leave the road and crash has not been reported.

Illinois authorities are launching a new campaign, "Drive Now. Text Later," aimed at reducing the risk of distracted car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys frequently post on the dangers of distracted driving, both here and on our sister site, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog. As we reported last January, Illinois' texting law went into effect Jan. 1, 2010, making it illegal to text while driving. The law also prohibits the use of hand-held cell phones in school zones and construction sites.

Hand-held cell phone use by drivers has been prohibited within the City of Chicago since 2005. Nationwide, an estimated 5,000 motorists are killed and 500,000 are injured each year in accidents caused by distracted driving.

However, a recent online survey indicated 4 in 10 tollway customers did not know that it is illegal to text or e-mail while driving. The new campaign is being launched by the Illinois Department of Transportation in conjunction with Illinois State Police, The Illinois Secretary of State and AAA Chicago.

“We were surprised to learn that so many of our customers were simply not aware that texting while driving is illegal in Illinois,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “This campaign is intended to remind us of the potentially deadly consequences that go along with texting while driving. Our customers need to focus on safe driving and remember that they can’t do both.”

The campaign will include posters on tollbooths, as well as at rest stops, driver's license facilities and elsewhere. Television and radio announcements are also planned along with bumper stickers and road-side message boards.

“With the increased use of technological devices, distracted driving has become a serious issue in our state and in the nation,” said Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. “That’s why in 2009 we initiated the no texting while driving law in Illinois. No driver has any business text messaging while they are driving. Additionally, we initiated the ban on talking on cell phones in school zones and construction zones. By working together, we can educate the public on these life-saving laws and make the roads in Illinois the safest ever.”

You can visit the website for "Drive Now. Text Later" TV and radio announcements, the campaign logo and posters.

Continue reading " Campaign aims to reduce Chicago car accidents, distracted driving crashes statewide " »

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers published information here about winter driving safety to start the winter driving season. Earlier this month we posted Chicago winter driving tips on our Car Accident Lawyer Blog. And in December, we posted safety tips regarding the dangers of black ice in Chicago.

This winter is shaping up to be one of the toughest in recent memory in Illinois, throughout the Midwest and on the East Coast. On Monday, the Illinois Department of Transportation issued a disaster declaration ahead of what is expected to be the worst storm yet this season.

“The entire Midwest region of the country is expected to be hit with a serious winter storm over the next few days, and it is important that we are prepared so that Illinois residents are safe and warm in the days ahead,” said Governor Pat Quinn. “We will be increasing efforts to make sure that our roads are clear and that our most vulnerable residents are staying indoors and staying warm.”

The state has activated the State Emergency Operations Center in Springfield, which will be manned around the clock for the storm's duration. Those who do not have to travel are encouraged to help reduce the number of Chicago car accidents and emergency calls by staying put and remaining indoors.

“We’re working closely with local emergency management officials throughout the state to monitor conditions and be ready to provide whatever assistance they may need,” said Joe Klinger, interim director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). “But it’s also important that people prepare themselves for this storm by stocking their homes with food, water, flashlights, radios and other necessities.”

Motorists can check the conditions of Interstates by calling 1-800-452-4368 or by visiting www.gettingaroundillinois.com and clicking on Winter Road Conditions.

Neighbors and friends are also encouraged to check on older adults. The Illinois Department of Aging and the Illinois Department of Human Services will also be working around the clock.

Continue reading " Disaster Declaration issued in advance of winter storm; high risk of Chicago car accidents " »