Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

Many residents will be cracking open a cold one for the start of the big game on Sunday -- Super Bowl XLVI. Unfortunately, many of these residents will continue to crack them open through the entire game and then they'll get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle and increase the risks of a drunk driving car accident in Illinois.

Officials in Kane County and elsewhere throughout the state are preparing. They recently announced that they will be practicing a "no-refusal" drunk driving enforcement crackdown all day on Sunday, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Our Chicago drunk driving car accident lawyers understand that Super Bowl Sunday is an unofficial American holiday. Unfortunately, it's also known as one of the most dangerous times to be on our roadways. To help combat these dangers, officers will be out conducting no-refusal sobriety stops, which is supplemented by prosecutors and judges who are on call to draft and serve warrants that force those who officers believe to be intoxicated to take a Breathalyzer test or a blood sample if they refuse. The department has recruited a phlebotomist to help with the enforcement efforts to draw blood on the spot.

The warrants are used to try to speed up the booking processes on those who are suspected to be intoxicated behind the wheel. The effort is targeting repeat offenders as well, who try to avoid prosecution by refusing to offer incriminating evidence. Refusing to take a Breathalyzer test is in fact illegal, but refusing to take one can often work to a repeat offender's advantage. With a second conviction of drunk driving, a person faces a five-year driver's license revocation instead of just a three-year suspension for refusing to take the test.

Don't get your hopes up. Those who refuse to cooperate after they've been issued a warrant can face even tougher sentences and a contempt charge.

This is the eighth no-refusal enforcement effort for Kane County. Officials felt that it was necessary to hold one of these enforcement efforts on Super Bowl Sunday because the week before is one of the biggest annual period for alcohol sales -- it's also one of the biggest time for drivers to get behind the wheel after drinking.

"We want people to have fun, to watch the Super Bowl, to rate the commercials and to enjoy the camaraderie of family and friends," said Joseph McMahon, Kane County State's Attorney. "But when the game is over, safety and responsibility are in order. Impaired driving is not an option."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that about 175,000 people across the country have pledged to be a designated driver during the upcoming Super Bowl. We would like to remind residents to either pledge to stay sober or to commit yourself to a friend or family member who agrees to be your designated driver.

Continue reading "Officials Increase Enforcements to Reduce Risks of Drunk Driving Accidents in Illinois on Super Bowl Sunday" »

According to the state's recent statistics, the number of drunk driving car accident in Illinois has seen a significant reduction in previous years. From 2007 to 2010, the number of people arrested for drunk driving decreased by nearly 20 percent, and the number of fatalities caused by these types of accidents fell nearly 35 percent, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Some believe the decrease is a result of societal shifts; others say it's because of tougher DUI laws and the enforcement for these laws. Still, some think the decrease is the result of the economic downturn.

Our Chicago drunk driving car accident lawyers understand that the tougher penalties for drunk-driving charges contributed to the decrease in these types of arrests in the 1980s and the 1990s, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). In 1997, Illinois lowered its legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit from 0.10 to 0.08. Still, with the holidays here, we can expect to see a significant increase in the number of these accidents. The National Safety Council (NSC) is predicting roughly 600 deaths from car accidents over the New Year's and Christmas holiday periods.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the number of drivers who admit to driving while intoxicated has decreased by about 30 percent from 2006 to 2010.

Kane County has previously enacted a "no refusal" policy to help bust drunk drivers. This policy allows arresting officers to get court orders on the spot to draw blood from drivers who are suspected of drunk driving and refuse to submit a breath test.

Ever since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its new traffic accident statistics, the country was awarded for lower numbers of drunk driving-related fatalities for the year. According to these nationwide statistics, the number of drunk driving-related fatalities dropped by nearly 5 percent from 2009 with nearly 11,000 fatalities to less than 10,300 in 2010.

"More than 3,200 fewer people were killed last year than in the previous four years," said Jan Withers, MADD president. "That's 3,200 families who did not receive that terrible, life-changing call or visit from law enforcement letting them know their loved one wasn't coming home again."

MADD continues to reiterate the fact that drunk-driving accidents are 100 percent preventable. As the holiday season is in full swing, drivers are asked to not get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol. There are a number of options available for a person who has been drinking. They can call a family member or a friend to come pick them up, they can designate a sober driver for the night to take the intoxicated individuals home, they can use With a conscious effort, we can all do our part to continue this decreasing trend in the number of unnecessary fatalities caused by drunk driving.

Continue reading "Fatalities in Drunk-Driving Accidents in Illinois Drop Over the Years" »

Illinois has been recognized for its efforts to combat drunk driving car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere in the state. According to the Belleville News-Democrat, Mothers Against Drunk Driving has named our state "as a national leader in the fight against drunk driving." Jesse White, the Illinois Secretary of State says he couldn't be more thrilled about it.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that car accidents involving alcohol-impaired drivers have decreased by about 40 percent since White stepped into office. State records report that there were more than 700 alcohol-related accident in 1999 and fewer than 400 in 2010. Because of the decrease, Illinois has been recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving for the last five years.

Our Chicago drunk driving accident attorneys understand there's not one particular way to target drunk drivers. State officials have to engage in a number of efforts and campaigns to spread the word and to crackdown on these irresponsible drivers. Mothers Against Drunk Driving uses a specific rating system to determine which states are most effective. These efforts include drunk driving campaigns, sobriety checkpoints and stricter penalties for those who drive drunk with children in the vehicle. Although these efforts seem to be helping in getting drunk drivers off of our roadways, we're still experiencing far too many drunk driving accidents. Until we clear our streets of every single one of these accidents, there are too many occurring. Drivers are urged to be extremely cautious for intoxicated drivers throughout the remainder of 2011. The end of the year and the holiday season brings out alcohol-impaired drivers everywhere. By keeping a cautious eye on others on the roadway and being responsible behind the wheel, we can all contribute to a safer holiday season.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, nearly 40 percent of roadway deaths were drunk driving-related last year. Compared to 2009 statistics, the number of drunk driving-related fatalities decreased by 10 percent in 2010. Still, these accidents cost nearly $2 million.

In the last five years, there were more than 2,000 people killed in drunk driving-related accidents. All of these fatal crashes cost nearly $11 billion.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and the remainder of 2011, alcohol-related accidents are expected to increase. The holidays are unfortunately a deadly time on our roadways. Mothers Against Drunk Driving reports that there were about 900 people who died from car accidents with a drunk driver from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day in 2009.

The recent recognition comes as Mothers Against Drunk Driving celebrates the fifth year anniversary of its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. Illinois and four other states were recognized for receiving five stars for efforts to halt drunk drivers. Utah, Nebraska, Kansas and Arizona were also recognized.

These states were recognized for adopting the following preventative measures:

-License revocations.

-Harsher punishment for refusing a sobriety test while under arrest.

-Stricter penalties for driving drunk while a child in the vehicle.

-Sobriety checkpoints.

-Ignition interlock devices for drunk drivers.

Continue reading "State Receives Recognition for Combating Drunk Driving Accidents in Illinois" »

We can now say goodbye to the summer season. Unfortunately the risks of drunk driving car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere will not diminish as we head into football season and the year-end holidays. With the holiday season approaching, more and more drivers head out to local hot spots to celebrate good times with friends and family, according to KTTC.

To help reduce the risks of these drunk driving accidents, Pete McMurray, the morning show host for Chicago's 97.9 The Loop and NBC Chicago's "24/7" television show, uses his time on the air to raise awareness in drivers of the effects of driving while intoxicated. He uses his shows to educate his listeners about the dangers and the consequences that motorists face when sharing the roadways with an irresponsible and intoxicated drivers.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys understand that a large number of motorists are injured and killed by intoxicated drivers every year. To help combat this number, the Illinois State Police recently conducted a "Wet Lab Experiment." As we recently discussed on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, a wet lab experiment requires participants to consume an amount of alcohol that would place them at a legally drunk level (.08 blood alcohol concentration). They are then asked to complete a number of tasks that a normal drunk driver would if they were stopped by an officer, including a DUI arrest and Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). McMurray was also a part of the demonstration.

McMurray participated in a wet lab experiment live during The Pete McMurray Show on 97.9 The Loop. The experiment took place late last month.

"It is important for people to know what effect even a single drink can have on your abilities and judgment. Even at 6am when we're starting the show and certain third shift socialites are just hitting their favorite pub," said McMurray.

Jane Monzures, the host of "Living Healthy Chicago" of WGN, also joined McMurray for the drunk driving awareness demonstration.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were more than 300 people that were killed because of traffic accidents that involved an intoxicated driver in 2009 in Illinois. Our state reports that about 50,000 people are arrested every single year for driving while intoxicated.

After the experiment, members from the Chicago, Police Department, The National Transportation Safety Administration, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the media personalities and a number of other state officials participated in a press conference to discuss the findings of the wet lab.

It's no surprise that drinking and driving is a dangerous habit, yet far too many motorists continue to endanger innocent motorists on our roadways. With increased enforcement efforts and more conscious driving habits, we can all contribute our efforts to help make our roadways safer during the upcoming holiday season and year round.

Continue reading "Local Celebs Participate in Demonstration to Raise Awareness of Drunk Driving Accidents in Illinois" »

Many residents use the Labor Day holiday weekend to celebrate one last time before saying goodbye to summer. This is also a time when we see an increased number of drunk driving accidents in Illinois. To help combat the problem and to keep motorists safe, the Illinois Department of Transportation and law enforcement agencies across the state will be on the hunt for intoxicated drivers. To help get the word out about the dangers and the potential consequences of drunk driving, law enforcement conducted a "wet lab" demonstration. The demonstration is all a part of the state's “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign for the upcoming holiday. Officers will be on the lookout for all impaired drivers from now through the first week of September.

“The demonstration today illustrates how devastating alcohol impairment is on a person’s judgment, control and ability to operate a vehicle,” said Acting Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that most residents will be using the long Labor Day weekend to get out of the house and to have some fun with friends and family. Unfortunately, what's not factored into weekend plans are the dangers motorists who are expected to be on our roadways. To help reduce these dangers, police across the state will be enforcing traffic laws and busting motorists who fail to consider the safety of others.

Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Hiram Grau says that he just wants everyone to make it to where they're heading safely this weekend. He warns motorists that there will be a number of areas that will be targeting speeders, distracted drivers, motorists not wearing a seat belt and those who are driving drunk. Officers are targeting these four violations because ISP says that they are the four riskiest driving behaviors. If you're busted for violating any of these laws, you could face a number of fines and potentially wind up in jail.

During a wet lab demonstration, a person is asked to consume an amount of alcohol that would make them legal drunk. Those watching the demonstration can get a feel for exactly how alcohol affects a person's ability to drive and their judgment. They get to see how the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) work and how an arrest for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) goes down.

They also get to see what an ignition-interlock device is and how it works. Illinois was one of the first states in the country to require that first-time DUI offenders install an interlock device on their vehicle. These systems require that a driver pass a breath-alcohol test before the vehicle can be turned on. The device also requests random tests throughout a drive to ensure that it's the driver who is interacting with the system.

In the two and a half years since the state started installing these in the vehicles of first time offenders, the number of participants has jumped from just 3,000 to approximately 12,000 annually.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys would like to ask everyone to be safe over the holiday weekend and to avoid drinking and driving at all costs. If you spot a driver that you believe to be intoxicated, you're urged to contact local authorities. Your phone call can help to save someone's life.

Continue reading "Officers Crackdown on Intoxicated Drivers to Prevent Fatal Car Accidents over the Labor Day Weekend" »

Illinois personal injury lawyer Gary Annes has reached a $100,000 policy limits settlement on behalf of a client who suffered painful injuries in a car accident caused by woman who had smoked marijuana and consumed alcohol prior to the incident.

On August 2, 2008, the defendant was driving northbound, at an excessive rate of speed, in the leftmost lane of IL-53 in Rolling Meadows when she lost control of her vehicle, improperly crossed over all lanes of traffic to her right and the shoulder, impacted with the metal guardrail, swerved back left, and crashed into the passenger side rear quarter panel of the plaintiff’s 2000 Subaru Forrester.

The woman admitted to paramedics that she had been drinking, and the drug screen at the emergency room was positive for marijuana, cocaine, and valium. She later admitted to smoking marijuana on two separate occasions that day, including approximately 45 minutes before the incident.

The woman had a prior DUI conviction from less than a year prior to that date, as well as other prior arrests related to drugs and alcohol. She was issued several tickets for the incident and pled guilty to failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision, improper lane usage, and driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol. The accident was investigated by the Illinois State Police.

After impact, the victim’s car began to spin out of control, causing her to hit her head on the driver’s side window, hit her left arm, elbow, shoulder, knee, and ankle against the driver’s side door, and her right knee against the center console. When the paramedics arrived, she complained of headaches and hyperventilation.

Shortly after the accident she was treated at the Glenbrook Hospital emergency room. There, the woman complained of pain in her neck, left shoulder, elbow, arm, knee, and was suffering from a headache. Tests were performed and an MRI revealed that she had multiple disc protrusions. The pain and discomfort then worsened over the next couple days. Her primary care physician recommended a course of physical therapy.

On November 10, 2008, the victim followed up with her primary care physician as she was still experiencing pain, primarily in her head and neck. She was referred to a chiropractor and underwent physical therapy treatment from then until June of 2009. Despite these treatments, the plaintiff’s condition continued to worsen, especially with regard to her knees and ankles.

Her doctor ordered MRI’s for her knees, which revealed meniscus tears in both. The doctor related both injuries to her car accident and recommended bilateral knee arthroscopies with debridement. He then performed the surgery at Weiss Memorial Hospital in July 2010, which he reported was needed as a result of the motor vehicle collision. She was prescribed a course of treatment consisting of twenty-five physical therapy sessions.

As her knee problems became more manageable, she sought treatment for the pain in her foot and ankle. Bilateral MRI’s were performed, and showed sprain or partial tear of the distal posterior tibial tendon in both feet and an avulsion injury of the synchondrosis of the naviculare in the left foot. The doctor reported that the condition was caused by the motor vehicle accident and recommended surgery for both the foot and ankle, which the woman plans to undergoe in the near future.

As a result of the injuries caused by the intoxicated driver, the victim was unable to engage in many of the activities she enjoyed prior to the collision. In addition, most activities of her daily life, such as sitting, standing, cooking, shopping, cleaning, walking stairs, and going to work, were impossible for a time, and then later caused her pain when she did attempt to accomplish them.

She hired the lawyers our law firm shortly before the two-year statute of limitations, and we immediately began working to secure the maximum compensation possible for the life-altering injuries she sustained at the hands of a negligent driver. We obtained the defendant's insurance policy limits. And we continue to work on the case, however, as the $100,000 is not adequate to compensate the victim for all the pain and suffering she has endured. We are now seeking additional monetary damages in the form of an underinsured motorist claim against her own insurance provider.

Continue reading "Chicago injury lawyer settles DUI accident lawsuit for $100,000 policy limits" »

Two women have been killed in separate Chicago area car crashes this month, with alleged DUI drivers being responsible for both accidents.

On July 3, a 39-year old Carol Stream man was driving in the early hours of the morning with a 30-year old woman when he failed to stop at a train crossing in Itasca, Illinois, drove through the lowered gate, and struck the engine of a passing train. According to the Chicago Tribune, the man had a blood-alcohol content of .183, more than twice the legal limit of .08. His passenger died of her injuries soon after the crash.

The man has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, and is being held on $500,000 bail.

A week later, a 43-year old woman returning home from her job as a 911 dispatcher when a 16-year old driver, who was drunk and high on drugs, plowed into her car. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the young driver, who was an honors student and two-sport athlete at his high school, was being pursued by police at the time of the accident.

The youth had just left a party near Old Town, where he got “drunk and high,” when he saw a man leave his SUV idling on North Michigan Avenue while he went to pay for parking. The youth stole the car and fled police after they attempted to pull him over after he ran a red light. During the pursuit, the youth ran a stop sign at the intersection of Armitage and Hoyne Avenues in Bucktown and hit the 911 dispatcher, causing her to careen into a fire hydrant. The youth escaped on foot, but was soon apprehended. Police say the teen had a blood-alcohol content of .186 and was also high on marijuana and ecstasy at the time of the crash.

The youth has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder, felony burglary, misdemeanor DUI, and two traffic citations. His bond is set at $1 million.

Drunk driving is incredibly dangerous for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike. Each year, thousands of innocent people are killed in alcohol-related crashes. A brief look government statistics from 2009 illustrate this grim reality:

• Out of the 33,808 driving fatalities nationwide, 10,839 of them were alcohol-impaired driving fatalities (32%) – That is roughly 1 every 48 minutes

• 1,077 teens died drunk driving crashes

• 70% of drivers involved in fatal drunk driving crashes had blood-alcohol levels above .15, and the median level was .17

• 44% of the drivers involved in fatal crashes had at least 1 prior DWI conviction

• 1.4 million people were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

• Out of the 911 driving fatalities in Illinois, 319 of them were alcohol-impaired driving fatalities (35%)

Sources:
- 2009 NHTSA Traffic Report
- NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)
- 2009 Century Counsel Report- Drunk Driving Fatalities in America
- CDC Stat sheet

Continue reading "Pair of fatal auto accidents in the Chicago area highlights dangers of drunk driving" »

Traffic fatality statistics for 2010 will be released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration later this summer. Meanwhile, the agency has recently released comprehensive state-by-state data for 2009. Statistics show car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois declined 13 percent. Still, Illinois experienced more than 900 fatalities resulting from traffic accidents in 2009.

As that number is still relatively high, law enforcement and safety advocates continue their push to urge drivers to drive safer on our roadways and to abide by driving laws during the busy summer driving season and throughout the remainder of the year.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys believe that through a conscious effort from all residents we can maintain a significant decrease in these numbers. This decrease will have to result from more alert driving, less distracted driving, the monitoring of drunk driving and more awareness for on-foot travelers and cyclists.

In our state, nearly 1 death occurs for ever 100 million vehicle miles traveled. It is also estimated that there are almost 9 deaths for every 100 million registered vehicles or nearly 11 deaths for every 100 million licensed drivers.

Illinois has witnessed a numbers of years in which the number of fatalities resulting from car accidents has decreased. The steepest decrease occurred from 1975 to 2009 when we saw a decreased of 55 percent. In 1975, we saw more than 2,000 traffic accident fatalities, compared to 911 in 2009. During these 34 years, we experienced a 76 percent decrease in the number of fatalities per vehicle miles traveled.

The numbers aren't all positive, however. From 2000 to 2009, we saw a near 5 percent increase in fatalities from car accidents that involved a drunk driver. During 2009 alone, nearly 40 percent of all fatal traffic accidents involved a driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher.

Speeding was also a common factor in many of these accidents. Of the 911 traffic fatalities in 2009, 325 of them were the result of an accident that involved a speeding driver. Most of these accident occurred in an area with a set speed limit of 55 mph.

Passenger cars suffered the most fatal accidents as they accounted for nearly half of all deadly crashes. Light trucks followed behind, accounting for 32.9 percent of all fatal crashes.

In an attempt to reduce these numbers, Illinois enact a seat belt law for all front seat passengers. If you're busted not wearing your seat belt, you could face an immediate $30 fine. This law went into effect back in 2003. Consequently, more than 90 percent of motorists wear their seat belt. More recently, the state has enacted a law banning drivers from text messaging or using a cell phone in school zones and construction sites.

Just by looking at this data, there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of being in an accident. It may not seem like rocket science, but believe it or not, many residents refuse to follow these few precautionary steps. Residents are urged not to drink and drive as it greatly increases your chances of being involved in an accident. All motorists are urged to wear their seat belt, not only because it's the law but to help save your life in the event of an accident. And lastly, you're urged to abide by the speed limits. Increasing your speed increases impact upon a collision which increases the severity of injuries.

Continue reading "NHTSA Releases Stats for Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere" »

A female motorist that was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on Monday lost control of her car and crashed, resulting in the death of a baby and injuring three other kids, according to the Chicago Tribune. She reportedly was picking up a chip when she lost control of her vehicle on the Dan Ryan Expressway.

The DUI driver, 47-year-old woman who resides in the 5200 block of S. Paulina Street, is now facing reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence charges, both felonies. A judge set her bail at $350,000, according to a spokeswoman from the state's attorney's office. Prosecutors allege the defendants blood-alcohol level was .164, over twice the legal limit in Illinois.

The at fault driver had seven passengers in the 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass that she was driving. The accident took place around 6:30 PM on Memorial Day. The incident closed the expressway for around two hours, causing a significant holiday traffic on Monday night. The vehicle is only built to accommodate five occupants, so none of the children were in seatbelts or car seats at the time of the crash.

She stuck a guard rail in the area of 75th St., causing the vehicle to spin multiple times and roll over. The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that children were ejected from the vehicle.

Investigating Illinois state troopers stated the driver smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot, glassy eyes. She also admitted that she drank a lot of beer at a barbecue, and there were several open cans of beer inside the vehicle. Witnesses also saw the car swerving.

An 11-month-old boy lost his life in the accident. He was just a week away from his first birthday.

Another passenger, an eight-year-old boy, is in critical condition with a lacerated liver. He was rushed by ambulance to University of Chicago’s Comer Children’s Hospital. Two other passengers, a three-year-old girl and a four-year-old girl, sustained skull fractures. A six-year-old boy was also seriously hurt, but the nature of his injuries were not stated. All of the injured children were taken to Comer.

Two adults were also critically injured in the crash. One was taken by ambulance to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County and the other was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

The Tribune further reports that according to the Illinois Secretary of State's office, the DUI motorist at a good driving record and a valid license.

Is was not reported if an Illinois personal injury lawyer is involved in the case or if a negligence lawsuit is been filed.

While our hearts go out to the victims and their families in this accident, this is a good example of the dangers of distracted driving. It's not just texting and cell phones that can cause a driver to take their eyes off the road. It can also be something as simple as leaning over to pick up food or coffee, or even adjusting the car stereo.

Illinois motorists should be aware that losing that fraction of a second of reaction time can be the difference between life and death. It's better to wait until you are at a safer location.

Further, when you combine distracted driving with a motorist under the influence of alcohol, that is an especially dangerous combination.

Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Tom Byrne was given strict orders from Mayor Rahm Emanuel earlier this week to tighten up city enforcement of road laws, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. This order comes after a pedestrian accident in Chicago, allegedly caused by a city employee driving drunk.

We previously reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog that eight people suffered injuries after a city worker allegedly lost control of his truck in the Gold Coast community. The city worker is being accused of driving under the influence at the time of the accident.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that intoxicated motorists are frequently responsible for the serious and fatal accidents that occur on our roads. It's particularly egregious that a city employee is involved.

“One of the things I said to Commissioner Byrne was I want to know what steps need to be taken so, in the future, this does not occur again — both at the level of management and at the level of employees,” Emanuel said.

The 61-year-old city worker reportedly had a blood alcohol concentration of more than twice the legal limit. Termination proceedings have already been started by the city against that employee. The mayor wants more done though. He says firing the worker isn't enough to suffice for these types of tragedies that affect the lives of the injured and cost the city millions.

Prosecutors report that the city worker plowed through the group of pedestrians in a city vehicle, a Ford F-150, with a bottle of brandy in his cab. The driver is being held of a $400,000 bond and is facing charges including four counts of felony aggravated DUI and two counts of misdemeanor DUI. He was also cited for negligent driving, failing to reduce speed and transporting open alcohol in a vehicle.

“You take these moments, you deal with them and there are lessons learned for future. And I’ve directed Commissioner Byrne to come back with recommendations,” said Emanuel.

Currently, city employees that hold a valid driver’s license are subject to random drug and alcohol tests. The employee that took out several pedestrians earlier this week was not a part of these random screenings. He was a worker assigned to empty garbage cans and to collect stray debris throughout the city.

“Streets and Sanitation is conducting its own internal review into all aspects of this incident, including supervision, to determine if any policies and procedures should be changed to prevent such incidents in the future,” Smith said.

Employees that have jobs similar to this city employee are only subjected to drug and alcohol tests after being involved in an accident. This worker was tested earlier this year, in March, after an on-the-job accident that resulted in property damage. His previous test came back with negative results.

“Random drug [and alcohol] testing for laborers would have to be negotiated with the union. The city cannot implement the tests unilaterally,” Smith said in an e-mail response to the Chicago Sun-Times.

All motorists are asked to both keep a watchful eye out for pedestrians and to refrain from drinking and driving. This city worker reportedly had neither in mind and in turn injured a number of innocent residents. The city reports to have upped its efforts to keep an eye on their employees to reduce the risks of such accidents in the future.

Continue reading "Mayor Calls For Stricter Rules after City Employee allegedly caused Chicago Pedestrian Accident" »

A Chicago area car crash that occurred in March, 2011 and caused the death of a 56-year-old Lake Barrington woman has now resulted in reckless homicide charges being filed against a 40-year-old man from downstate Illinois, according to Tribune Local.

The victim was getting into her vehicle at a car wash back on March 24 when a car being operated by the defendant southbound on US Route 12 left the roadway in the area of Honey Lake Road and crashed into the woman and a second vehicle. The second vehicle was then knocked into a third parked in front of it.

The victim and two other people were taken by Lake Zurich Fire Department ambulances to Good Shepherd Hospital. She later died from injuries sustained in the accident.

The defendant has been charged with reckless homicide and three counts of driving under the influence of drugs, all felonies. He allegedly had cannabis in his system at the time of the accident.

The defendant was arrested by the Lake Zurich Police Department last Thursday and is being held on a $1 million bond. Both the Lake County State's Attorney's Office and the Major Crash Assistance Team of Lake County assisted in the investigation. The state's attorney's office approved the criminal charges.

The Carmi Times is reporting that the defendant was traveling around 67 mph at the time of the accident. Further, police recovered marijuana from within the vehicle.

It was not reported if a civil lawsuit has been filed or if an Illinois personal injury lawyer is involved in the case.

Click here to read the story as reported by the Republic.

Criminal charges have been filed against an driver that allegedly caused a Chicago area DUI car crash involving for vehicles, according to the Northbrook Star. The collision took place on Wednesday at 4:45 PM on the Edens spur ramp near Northbrook and left the at fault driver and three others injured.

There was a traffic backup on the expressway and the motorist, who was driving a red 1999 Honda Accord, was reportedly speeding and did not stop. He rear-ended the vehicle in front of him, causing a chain reaction crash involving four vehicles in total.

The occupants of the vehicle initially rear-ended were the most seriously injured. The driver sustained a spinal fracture and the passenger has a ruptured spleen. Both were taken by ambulance to Evanston Hospital.

The at fault driver was also seriously injured and taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. Another driver involved was also injured and taken to Highland Park Hospital.

The defendant, a 24-year-old Chicago resident, has now been charged with DUI drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Seven ambulances went to the scene of the accident, and a flight for life helicopter was on standby but not used. Firefighters from Northbrook, Glenview, Northfield, Glencoe, Highland Park and Skokie all responded to the accident.

The Illinois State Police handled the accident investigation.

A head-on collision on the West Side of Chicago has claimed the life of two people and injured nine others, according to the Chicago Tribune. The collision occurred in the 1200 block of S. Kostner Ave. in the Lawndale neighborhood on early Saturday morning.

Reportedly a 2003 Mazda SUV that was northbound on Kostner crossed the centerline and struck a 1995 Ford Probe. The impact caused the Mazda to flip over, injuring all 11 people inside. Two of those occupants died. The victims were a 19-year-old Chicago resident and a still unidentified woman in her 40s. One of the victims died at the scene, and the other passed away a short time later at a hospital. Two others remain in critical condition at Mount Sinai Hospital.

The driver of the SUV, a 39-year-old Chicago woman, has now been charged with several counts of aggravated DUI. The specific evidence of intoxication was not reported. The driver was charged with a total of 10 felonies.

Click here to read the story as reported by ABC news and the Chicago Sun-Times.

A Chicago area accident has resulted in the death of a woman, and criminal charges against an alleged drunk driver, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting. The accident occurred on Monday just after 5 AM at Balmoral Park Racetrack in Crete, Illinois.

Will County prosecutors allege a 41-year-old man was intoxicated when he drove his truck into a horse on the track, killing a woman that was riding it. They allege the motorist drank approximately five or six shots while at a barn at the track prior to the collision.

The victim, age 25, died from head injuries, while another woman riding on the horse, age 21, sustained a fractured leg which required surgery to repair.

The driver allegedly had a blood-alcohol level of 0.147, almost twice the legal limit. He has been charged with four counts of aggravated DUI. A Will County Judge set the defendant's bond at $500,000 and he faces up to 14 years in prison.

It is also being reported that the defendant may have been engaged to the victim, however the victim's family has stated that is not true.

Click here to read the story as reported by the Chicago Tribune and NBC News in Chicago.

It has not been reported if a civil lawsuit is been filed or if a Chicago personal injury lawyer is involved in the case yet.

Thursday is St. Patrick's Day and the beginning of a long three-days of celebrating with friends for many. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers urge you to celebrate responsibly, designate a driver, and avoid drinking and driving.

A public holiday in Ireland and an official religious holiday since the 17th Century, the Irish don't seem to have much on the Americans when it comes down to some serious celebrating. The Chicago River was dyed on Saturday during the 56th Downtown Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade, according to the Chicago Tribune, leaving little doubt that the celebration will be a week-long event this year.

St. Patrick -- who legend has it used the Shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish -- died in 461. While once largely a religious holiday, St. Patrick's Day has become a secular celebration of Irish culture.

Few know that the original color of St. Patrick's Day was blue. However, the use of green and of shamrocks dates back at least to the 17th Century. By 1991, the U.S. Congress had proclaimed the entire month of March Irish-American Heritage Month.

And, getting to our point, it is one of the leading days for alcohol consumption in the United States and is one of the busiest days of the year for bars and restaurants. As a result, state and local authorities are prepared for extended celebration and an increased risk of Chicago car accidents during the upcoming three-day weekend.

“We hope the St. Patrick’s Day holiday continues to be the popular and joyous celebration it has become, without being spoiled by impaired drivers,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “For those thinking about drinking and driving, the message is clear. Don’t do it. Designate a sober driver before the party begins or risk arrest, a DUI charge or even worse. Nothing good can come from drinking and driving.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 10,839 people were killed in drunk driving accidents in 2009 --or about one death every 45 minutes. Alcohol was involved in 381 of the 911 people killed in Illinois car crashes.

The Naperville police are among those reporting an increase in enforcement, according to the Naperville Patch.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reports 15 people have died and 1,261 have been injured in St. Patrick's Day car accidents in Illinois during the last 5 years.

"The Illinois State Police and local law enforcement will increase patrols during the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in an effort to prevent alcohol-related tragedies," said Interim Illinois State Police Director Patrick Keen. "Individuals who drive impaired will be arrested. If alcohol will be part of your celebration, designate a sober driver. As always, motorists are also reminded to buckle-up to ensure safe travel."

From March 11 to March 17, officials will use about $800,000 in highway safety dollars to conduct roadside safety checks in Illinois, as well as saturation patrols and other impaired driving countermeasures.

Party Hosts:

-You can be held liable and prosecuted for serving alcohol to someone who is involved in a drunk driving crash.

-Make sure all guests have a sober ride home.

-Serve lots of food as well as non-alcoholic drinks.

-Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy and take the keys from anyone who is thinking about driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

For Partygoers:

-Designate a sober driver before the festivities begin.

-If you don't have a sober ride home, ask a friend, call a cab, or stay where you are.

-Never let a friend drive impaired.

-Always wear your seat belt.

Continue reading "St. Patrick's Day celebrations increase risks for Chicago accidents" »

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" »

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.

An Illinois car accident has left a 17-year-old Iraqi refugee dead, according to the Chicago Tribune. A Chicago resident has been arrested and charged with a felony after his involvement in the early Sunday morning collision.

The at fault motorist was driving north on Artesian Avenue near North Shore Avenue in an SUV when he allegedly failed to obey a stop sign, according to Chicago police. The SUV hit a Nissan Maxima traveling west on North Shore Avenue. The SUV continued north, struck two parked cars and hit a tree before coming to a stop.

The passengers included the 20-year old driver, 17-year-old victim, and four other teenagers. All of the passengers in the SUV had to be removed from the vehicle by responders to the scene and all were injured.

The teen fatally injured was pronounced dead at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge a short time later. The driver of the Maxima was not hospitalized after the car crash.

The SUV driver was charged with one felony count of aggravated driving under the influence/accidental death as well as a misdemeanor DUI charge. He also received a citation for failing to stop at a stop sign.

The teenage victim, an Orthodox Christian, fled from Iraq to America with her family to avoid religious persecution about five years ago.

It has not been reported if a Chicago accident lawyer is involved in the case yet or if a civil lawsuit has been filed.

Read the story as reported by ABC News and WGNtv here.

An Illinois auto accident has been caused by a Chicago man that allegedly drove his vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .425, approximately 5 times the legal limit of .08, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The driver was traveling north on McCormack Boulevard near Oakton Avenue in Skokie on January 14. He allegedly crossed the double yellow center line and crashed head on into a southbound Toyota.

The driver of the Toyota reported that he saw the other vehicle, an Audi, coming at him and not slowing down. He said that all he could do was brake and wait for an impact because there was no way to avoid the collision.

The Audi driver was arrested at the scene and charged with driving under the influence and other traffic violations. He was transported to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston for treatment where allegedly he was combative and had to be restrained. The driver of the Toyota was also injured.

The at fault driver is due in traffic court on February 24, 2011 at the Skokie Courthouse. The arresting Skokie officer reportedly stated at the scene that “if you drink and drive you’re going to be caught.”

It has not been reported if a Chicago injury lawyer is involved in the case or if a civil claim is being pursued.

About one-eighth of the driving public drove drunk last year and 1 in 25 drove high on illegal drugs, according to a new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Our Chicago car accident lawyers continue to report on the dangers of accidents involving drivers under the influence, which were responsible for 42 percent of all fatal crashes in Illinois last year, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The USA Today reports more than 30 million drivers drove under the influence of alcohol. Another 10 million drove under the influence of drugs.

“Thousands of people die each year as a result of drunk and drugged driving, and the lives of thousands of family members and friends left behind are forever scarred,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. “Some progress has been made in reducing the levels of drunk and drugged driving through education, enhanced law enforcement and public outreach efforts. However, the nation must continue to work to prevent this menace and confront these dangerous drivers in an aggressive way.”

As we reported recently on our Chicago Injury Lawyer Blog, the government is growing increasingly vocal about the risk of impairment caused by drugs, whether illegal narcotics, prescription medication or over-the-counter products.

“While we have understood for some time the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, much less is known or discussed about drivers under the influence of other drugs,” said Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy. “This new data adds to other emerging research revealing that there is an alarmingly high percentage of Americans on our roadways with drugs in their system. At a time when drug use is on the rise, it is crucial that communities act today to address the threat of drugged driving as we work to employ more targeted enforcement and develop better tools to detect the presence of drugs among drivers.”

Among Illinois drivers over the age of 16, some 14.7 to 16.9 percent have driven drunk in the past year, according to the study. That puts Illinois and nine other states in the second-worst category. About one-fourth of drivers in 10 other states admitted to driving drunk during the past 12 months.

The report did find the overall rate of drunk driving declined slightly during the last decade, from 14.6 percent to 13.2 percent. Drugged driving declined from 4.8 percent to 4.3 percent.

"We can be pleasantly surprised that the numbers are going down," says Peter Delany, director of the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. "That doesn't mean that they're great, but the numbers are going in the right direction. But it's not where we can rest on our laurels."

Continue reading "Holidays bring high risk of Chicago car accidents involving drugs or alcohol" »

The Chicago Police Department issued a press release last week stating that to try to reduce Illinois auto accidents, it's DUI strike force patrol would hit the streets over the weekend for the second time in recent weeks. The patrol was to take place in the Ogden District from 8 PM on Friday until 4 AM on Saturday.

Police say the intention of the program is to saturate an area of the City with police officers constantly monitoring traffic for signs of intoxicated drivers. They were to look for speeders, seat-belt violators, and alcohol-related violations. The Chicago Police Department also stated they would be patrolling with a portable breath alcohol testing unit to expedite the process of charging a driver with DUI.

The DUI strike force patrol worked the Jefferson Park (16th) District on November 19-20, 2010. At that time they issued the following numbers of citations:

DUI: 1
Open Liquor: 2
Insurance Violations: 15
Occupant Protection: 4
Drivers License Violations: 12
City Sticker Violations: 11
Speeding: 0
Traffic Violations (other): 14

If you have been injured by an impaired driver in Illinois, contact a Chicago auto accident attorney at Abels and Annes for a free consultation. Contact us online or call 312-924-7575 to speak directly to an Illinois injury lawyer.

Click here to read the December 2, 2010 Chicago Police Department press release.

A Cook County Circuit Court Judge has set bond at $200,000 for a defendant due to his alleged involvement in a fatal Chicago area DUI auto accident, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center. The accident occurred early Saturday morning by the westbound Arlington Heights Road exit ramp on the Jane Addams Tollway.

The defendant, 21-year-old man from Hoffman Estates, has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI after he was released from Northwest Community Hospital. The accident resulted in the death of his passenger, a 20-year-old man who was also from Hoffman Estates.

The defendant appeared in Rolling Meadows branch court. Assistant State's Attorneys said that witnesses to the crash observed the defendant driving a Toyota Camry at a high rate of speed and then roll over as it approached the off-ramp. The victim, a former Conant High School athlete, was pronounced dead a short time later at Northwest Community Hospital.

It is not been reported if Illinois personal injury attorneys are involved in the case yet or if a civil lawsuit is been filed on behalf of the victim.

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.

For the first time in recent history, the number of fatal accidents declined in all categories nationwide in 2009, including fatal motorcycle accidents, which broke an 11-year string of annual increases, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Our Chicago injury lawyers will be examining the data as it is released. A total of 33,808 were killed in car accidents nationwide, the lowest number since the 33,186 recorded in 1950. A total of 37,423 people were killed in accidents in 2008.

One-third of all highway fatalities are still alcohol related. While fewer Illinois drunk driving accidents were reported in 2009, the percentage of alcohol involvement actually increased. Last year, 35 percent of Illinois traffic fatalities involved drunk drivers, or 319 of 911 deaths. In 2008, 34 percent of the state's traffic deaths were linked to alcohol -- 356 of 1,043.

So far in 2010, Chicago car accidents are responsible for about 15 percent of all Illinois traffic fatalities, accounting for 95 of 601 road deaths.

Fatal motorcycle accidents declined by 850, accounting for 24 percent of the overall drop in traffic fatalities. And passenger car occupant fatalities declined for the 7th year in a row and are now at the lowest level since NHTSA began recording them in 1975.

Among the findings:

Total Traffic Fatalities: 33,808 -- down 9.7 percent from 37,423
Passenger Vehicles: 23,382 -- down 8.2 percent from 25,462
Large Trucks: 503 -- down 26 percent from 682
Motorcycles: 4,462 -- down 16 percent from 5,312
Pedestrians: 4,092 -- down 7.3 percent from 4,414
Bicyclists: 150 -- down 12 percent from 188

Injuries were also down across the board:

Total Injuries: 2.217 million -- down 5.5 percent from 2.346 million
Passenger Vehicles: 1.976 million -- down 4.6 percent from 2.072 million
Large Trucks: 17,000 -- down 26 percent from 23,000
Motorcycles: 90,000 -- down 6.3 percent from 96,000
Pedestrians: 59,000 -- down 14 percent from 69,000
Bicyclists: 51,000 -- down 1.9 percent from 52,000

Continue reading "Chicago injury lawyers review 2009 accident stats; percentage of Illinois drunk driving accidents increases slightly" »

A new study found that 17 million motorists a year drive drunk despite 80 percent of drivers who cite drunk driving as a serious threat to the health and welfare of their family.

The study found that 8 percent of motorists admitted to driving drunk at least once in the past year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As our Chicago injury lawyers have frequently reported, drunk driving crashes are a leading cause of Illinois car accidents -- 434 of 1,043 fatal accidents that were reported in 2008 involved alcohol.

The news has Mothers Against Drunk Driving redoubling its efforts as we head into the heart of the 2010 holiday season.

“The survey makes one thing very clear: drunk driving remains a primary threat to the American family,” said Laura Dean-Mooney, MADD National President. “This means that MADD’s work won’t be done until cars are turned into the cure, eliminating drunk driving forever.”

Still, there is good news: MADD says drunk driving fatalities have declined nationwide by 44 percent in the 30 years since the organization's inception. And the survey found support for ignition interlock devices and sobriety checkpoints, two of the enforcement actions most promoted by MADD and other safety advocates.

Like many poor driving decision, the study found that teenagers are among those most at risk; particularly young men under the age of 24. A full one-fourth of all young males admitted to driving drunk or riding in a car with someone who had too much to drink at some point during the last year.

“We know that the younger kids start drinking alcohol, the more likely they are to become drunk drivers,” said Dean-Mooney. “This data reiterates that point and makes it clear that parents need to talk to their kids about the dangers of drinking underage early, and often.”

Continue reading "Progress not perfection: Advocates vow to continue fight against Chicago car accidents caused by drunk drivers" »

Officials will be out in force through the Fourth of July weekend, looking for drunk or impaired drivers and monitoring the heavy holiday traffic in an effort to reduce the number of serious and fatal Chicago car accidents.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that it will attempt to keep lane closures in construction areas to a minimum, but urges motorists to drive sober and allow extra time to reach their destination safely.

“While we want everyone to enjoy their holiday weekend, we must put safety first and remind motorists to not drink and drive and to be conscious of work zones,” said IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig. “We will limit lane closures where possible to provide some relief to those traveling over the holiday weekend, but some areas will still have workers present, so please obey the posted speed limits and drive cautiously."

While New Year's gets all the attention when it comes to drunk driving and fatal traffic accidents, Fourth of July and Thanksgiving have proven to be the deadliest holidays on the nation's roads in recent years. And Fourth of July was the most dangerous holiday in Illinois in 2008, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Nearly 2,700 crashes killed 15 and injured 805 motorists.

Fatal Holiday traffic accidents nationwide in 2008:

New Year's: 104

Memorial Day: 370

Fourth of July: 437

Labor Day: 423

Thanksgiving: 439

Christmas: 364

New Year's Eve: 37

Fatal Holiday Car Accidents in Illinois in 2008

New Year's: 10 fatalities/ 575 injuries

Memorial Day: 8 fatalities/726 injuries

Fourth of July: 15 fatalities/805 injuries

Labor Day: 15 fatalities/ 803 injuries

Thanksgiving: 9 fatalities/961 injuries

Christmas: 8 fatalities/841 injuries

Of particular concern will be combating drunk driving. Our Chicago injury attorneys continue to report the high number of Illinois traffic accidents caused by drunk driving. Nationwide, someone is killed in a drunk driving accident every 45 minutes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2008, alcohol was involved in more than one-third of all fatal Illinois traffic accidents, accounting for 434 of the state's 1,043 road deaths.

Continue reading "Aggressive enforcement aimed at reducing the risk of Chicago car accidents over Fourth of July weekend" »

A mother has hurt her own daughter in a Chicago car crash, and it is alleged she was driving drunk at the time, according to the Chicago Tribune. The car accident happened on Thursday night in the 1400 block of South Pulaski Road.

Chicago police officers actually witnessed the accident. They were in the middle of a traffic stop when the 25-year-old defendant drove by going Northbound in a 1997 Chevy. She hit a 1994 Buick, then a truck before coming to a stop.

The mother was charged with aggravated DUI, driving on a suspended license, no insurance, leaving the scene of an accident, and a no seat belt violation for both her and her daughter.

Both mother and daughter were taken by ambulance to Mt. Sinai Hospital. There injuries have not been reported.

Click here to read the story from the Chicago Breaking News Center.

A teenager has been sentenced to six months in jail on drunk driving charges stemming from a fatal Chicago car accident that claimed the life of a friend and critically injured two passengers, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The teenager will serve 120 days in jail this year, 30 days in jail next year and 30 days in 2012 after pleading guilty in March to aggravated DUI and reckless homicide.

The June accident killed a 17-year-old West Chicago teenager. Police say the defendant's blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit when he lost control of his SUV and struck a tree at about 3:30 a.m. on June 14.

The teens had been partying at the home of the teenager killed in the wreck; his parents were out of state at the time. Witnesses testified that the defendant aggressively refused suggestions that he not drive. Prosecutors had requested a 10-year prison sentence.

As part of the judge's order, the teen will also have to give four talks at schools about the dangers of drunk driving. The judge also said he would reduce the sentence by one day for every additional speech the defendant makes to a school or victim impact panel.

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers 15 to 20 years old, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2008, 5,864 teenagers were involved in fatal accidents -- 2,739 were killed and more than 228,000 were injured. One-third of young drivers killed in crashes had alcohol in their system at the time of the accident.

In Illinois, 164 people died in accidents involving young drivers in 2008, including 80 young drivers and 39 young passengers.

Click here to read the Kane County Chronicle article.

Click here to read the Chicago Daily Herald article.

A 21-year-old man has been criminally charged for allegedly driving drunk when he slammed into a Chicago police officer during a traffic stop, the Sun-Times reported.

It is the latest in a string of Chicago car accidents that have injured law enforcement officers conducting traffic stops.

As we reported last month on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, a trooper was struck on I-80 while conducted a traffic stop involving a suspected drunk driver.

The accident happened early Thursday morning on the Northwest Side. The officer had a vehicle stopped in the 5600 block of West Foster Avenue when he was struck by another vehicle. Police report the at-fault vehicle had turned onto Foster from Central and was on the wrong side of the street traveling at a high rate of speed.

The car crashed into the woman's car and her open car door slammed into the officer, throwing him to the ground. He was transported to Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center. The drivers of both vehicles were also taken to Resurrection for treatment.

The defendant was charged with DUI, negligent driving, driving without a license and failure to keep in the lane, according to Chicago police.

As we reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, Scott's Law requires motorists to move over or slow down for stopped emergency or construction vehicle's with activate lights.

Violators face a mandatory court appearance, a license suspension and a fine of up to $10,000. The law is named for a Chicago Fire Department lieutenant who was working an accident scene on the Dan Ryan Expressway when he was struck and killed by a drunk driver.

The law also applies to road crews, as authorities work to reduce the number of serious and fatal Illinois road construction accidents through the upcoming summer construction season.

A 32-year-old man is facing reckless homicide and other charges after a deadly Chicago car accident that is being blamed drunk driving, The Sun-Times reported.

The accident occurred last Friday at a busy Southwest Side intersection, where the defendant allegedly crashed into three vehicles and struck three pedestrians, killing a 25-year-old Chicago resident.

The driver is charged with reckless homicide, driving under the influence of alcohol, operating a vehicle without insurance, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, reckless driving, not using due care for a pedestrian in the roadway, and driving without a valid license, according to police.

Police report he was driving an SUV in the 4300 block of South Archer Avenue about 3:30 p.m. Friday when he crashed into the vehicles and pedestrians.

At least 8 people were injured, including three pedestrians who were walking in the intersection. One of the pedestrians was pronounced dead at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. A small child was also taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The Chicago Breaking News Center reported that the defendant was speeding Northeast on Archer Avenue in a Lincoln SUV when it sideswiped a vehicle sitting at the red light at Kedzie Avenue. The SUV then struck three pedestrians as it ran the red light, before crashing into another vehicle and causing a chain-reaction collision.

The alleged drunk driver who killed a 5-year-old boy in a Chicago car accident, was given the keys to the vehicle by police less than an hour before he slammed into a tree with the child sleeping in the back seat, the Breaking News Center reported.

Chicago Heights police took the man's girlfriend into custody for driving without a license before reportedly handing him the keys and allowing him to drive away in the 1998 Chevy Cavalier. Forty minutes later, he veered off Steger Road and slammed into a tree, killing the child.

Police say he had marijuana in his system and a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit. He was charged with felony driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless homicide.

Family and friends say the boy's mother had been the designated driver. Friends say the defendant had spent most of Sunday night drinking before being joined by his girlfriend and her son.

The couple left the party at a friend's house shortly after 2 a.m. The girlfriend was stopped at 2:35 a.m. after police report she made an improper turn without a signal. The officer arrested her for driving on a suspended license and handed the vehicle and her son over to the defendant, according to the Chicago Heights police chief.

Police report the vehicle was registered to him and he had a valid driver's license. The chief said the officer did not detect any signs that the man was intoxicated. He was about half a mile from his house, and just 2 1/2 miles from where police gave him the car, when he drove off the road and into the tree. The accident happened about 3:15 a.m., about the time the child's mother was being processed and released from custody.

The officer who made the stop had been on the force for two years.

WGN-TV reports on the story.

Click here to read the report from NBC Chicago.

Illinois auto accident attorneys from Abels & Annes have reached a $200,000 on behalf of a Bellwood, Illinois woman for injuries sustained in a Chicago DUI car crash. The collision took place on May 31, 2009 at approximately 3:15 a.m. Our client was driving westbound on I-290 near Racine, and the defendant was also westbound on I-290 near Racine. The at fault driver was racing and speeding, swerved out of his lane of traffic and struck the plaintiff’s vehicle. The force of the impact caused our client to lose control of her vehicle and hit a third car.

After causing the accident the DUI driver attempted to flee the scene of the collision but was apprehended. He was issued citations from the Illinois State Police for driving under the influence, driving too fast for conditions/failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision, leaving the scene of an accident and failure to give aid or information. The criminal case is still pending in Cook County.

Our client had an immediate onset of neck pain with paresthesia in her right arm following the collision. She was transported by ambulance from the site of the collision to Stroger Hospital’s Emergency Department.

Due to ongoing and increasing pain, the plaintiff sought follow up medical care on the following day at the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department. She complained of worsening neck pain radiating into her right arm with tingling and numbness in her face and arm, bilateral shoulder pain, back pain and pelvic pain. A history was taken, she was examined and additional diagnostic tests were performed. A neck strain was diagnosed and she was prescribed more pain medication and muscle relaxants and told to follow up with a physician.

Her pain continued to worsen. On June 3, 2009 she followed up with her physician. She complained of neck pain with numbness, back pain, left leg and hip pain following the motor vehicle collision. The pain was so bad that it was interfering with her ability to take care of her everyday needs such as getting around, bathing and shopping. Her doctor prescribed more pain medication, muscle relaxants and recommended that she see a specialist.

Continue reading "Chicago injury lawyer settles DUI car accident case for $200,000" »

Authorities say drunk driving was likely involved in a deadly Chicago car accident last Monday night on the Stevenson Expressway, ABC7 reported.

The fatal two-vehicle accident occurred in the outbound lanes near Throop when the driver of a pickup truck lost control, veered across three expressway lanes, and crashed into a car parked at the side of the freeway in an emergency area, killing the 56-year-old driver of that vehicle.

The drivers of both vehicles were transported to Stroger Hospital. The driver of the pickup truck was injured but is expected to recover. He is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to the Breaking News Center. He was detained by police but charges had not yet been filed. A 56-year-old South Mozart Street man was declared dead at 10:38 p.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

Fox Chicago reported that speed may also have been a factor in the crash and that charges were expected to be filed against the 28-year-old driver. Illinois State Police report the 1998 green Buick LeSabre had pulled into the breakdown area for an unknown reason and was waiting to enter the right lanes of southbound I-55 when it was struck by the pickup.

Witnesses report the driver of the 1991 GMC pickup was traveling in the left lane at a high rate of speed before losing control and driving across traffic. The truck collided with the driver's door of the LeSabre. FOX reports a blood test on the pickup's driver revealed the presence of alcohol in his system and that he admitted to drinking six beers earlier in the evening.

One in three fatal Illinois car accidents are caused by a drunk driver; drunk driving accidents claimed the lives of 362 motorists in Illinois in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Chicago injury lawyers at Abels & Annes urge everyone to enjoy Cinco de Mayo in a responsible manner and to do your part in preventing Chicago car accidents caused by drunk driving.

WJBC Radio reports that local law enforcement agencies will be working with the Illinois Department of Transportation to increase patrols targeting drunk driving from Wednesday through the weekend. As we reported earlier this year on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, one-third of Cook County car accidents are linked to drunk driving.

In 2008, 362 Illinois traffic fatalities involved a drunk driver, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In recent years, Cinco de Mayo has increasingly become a party holiday. Spanish for the "fifth of May," the holiday commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory at the Battle of Puebla, against French Forces on May 5, 1862. The day has become a day of celebrating Mexican heritage and pride. In the United States, it has become a day to celebrate Americans of Mexican ancestry, in much the same way St. Patrick's Day celebrates Irish heritage.

The Illinois Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report the deadliest time on the road is 3 to 6 a.m.

The NHTSA provides safe event planning for the Hispanic Community, available by clicking here.

Drunk driving prevention programming is available by clicking here.

Continue reading "Help prevent Chicago car accidents; celebrate Cinco de Mayo responsibly" »

A Chicago area hit & run pedestrian accident has seriously injured a construction worker in the Chicago area, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center. The accident took place in Porter County, Indiana on westbound Interstate 94.

The construction worker injured on the job was rushed to a hospital in Valparaiso, and later helicoptered to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois. The worker is in critical condition and is having head and leg surgeries.

The victim was filling cracks in a well marked construction area when the defendant made an illegal U-turn and hit him, and then carried the worker for over 30 feet before he was thrown off the car.

The defendant, an East Chicago resident, was only caught because his mother called police the next morning after she saw that his car appeared to have been involved in an accident. When the Illinois State Police arrived at the driver's home, he was passed out on the couch. He admitted to police he had drank a lot and then drove home. He said he thought he had hit a construction barrel in the work zone, not realizing he had hit a person.

As police interviewed the defendant, he smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech and bloodshot eyes. He was taken to a hospital for a blood draw, and his BAC level was 0.12. The driver has been charged with leaving the scene of an injury accident and DUI.

Click here to read the story as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.

A judge has ruled that key evidence against a police officer accused of causing a deadly drunk driving accident cannot be used against him in court, the Sun-Times reported.

The fatal Chicago car accident occurred on Thanksgiving Day in 2007 and claimed the lives of two young men. The officer had been videotaped drinking a lot alcohol just minutes before the crash. However, a judge ruled this week that the evidence was illegally seized and cannot be used, severely weakening the case against him.

The victim's family and anti-drunk-driving advocates are enraged by the ruling as safety advocates continue to warn the public about the dangers of drinking and driving. As we reported earlier this year on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, one-third of all fatal Cook County traffic accidents are linked to drunk driving. In all, more than 2,000 of the 6,000 fatal accidents that have occurred in Cook County over the past 15 years have involved a drunk driver.

The mother and two sisters of one of the victims were arrested outside the courtroom after allegedly confronting Cook County sheriff's deputies. The officer was charged with four counts of aggravated DUI and two counts of reckless homicide. Videotape from the Martini Ranch Bar showed him consuming large amounts of alcohol just minutes before the crash in the early morning hours of Nov. 22, 2007.

His attorneys challenged his arrest because two fellow officers and a paramedic said he did not appear intoxicated and did not give him a breathalyzer test until several hours after the accident. The judge ruled there was not probable cause to arrest because a lieutenant who testified he believed the officer was drunk was not a credible witness.

Prosecutors said they will decide by the next hearing, scheduled for May 25, whether to continue with the case. The victim's relatives fear it will now be impossible to win a conviction.

A Libertyville woman faces up to 14 years in prison after admitting in court that she was driving with drugs in her system when she caused a fatal suburban Chicago Motorcycle accident.

The 26-year-old woman pleaded guilty to aggravated driving under the influence in Lake County Circuit Court, according to the Daily Herald.

Authorities contend that she was driving a Dodge minivan east on Cage Road in Wauconda Township at about 10:30 p.m. last June 9, when the van crossed the centerline and struck a westbound Harley-Davidson driven by a 49-year-old McHenry man.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. The defendant was taken to the hospital for blood tests, which revealed the presence of heroine and a generic form of the anti-anxiety drug Xanax in her system.

She was also charged with possession of a controlled substance after drug paraphernalia in the van tested positive for cocaine. In addition to a potential for 14 years in prison, she will be eligible for local jail time and probation at her sentencing, scheduled for May 26.

She remains in Lake County Jail on $250,000 bond.

As we reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, spring is an especially dangerous time for Illinois motorcycle accidents as motorists get accustomed to watching for riders on the road. In 2008, a total of 121 riders were killed in Illinois. Almost 100,000 motorcycle riders are seriously injured in traffic accidents on the nation's roads each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A motorist has been charged in connection with a fatal Chicago drunk driving accident involving a semi on the near West Side, the Sun-Times reported.

The car's driver was charged with two counts of drunk driving this week, in connection with the crash, which occurred shortly after 2:30 a.m. last Thursday at the intersection of Roosevelt Road and Canal Street. The 2005 Ford Taurus crashed into the cab portion of the UPS semi.

The 21-year-old driver of the Taurus was traveling West on Roosevelt Road at a high rate of speed when it collided with the truck as it attempted to turn across traffic, police reported. A 25-year-old passenger in the car was transported to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where he was pronounced dead at 3:35 a.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

The driver was charged with two counts of misdemeanor driving under the influence and cited with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, as well as driving a vehicle without insurance.

Police said the driver's blood-alcohol level was .16 -- twice the legal limit in Illinois.

The Chicago Fire Department was called to the scene, where emergency crews had to extricate some of the victims from the wreckage.

Two other victims were taken in serious to critical condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital; three were taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital, Rush University Medical Center and the University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago.

The police Major Accident Investigation Unit continues to investigate.

A 28-year-old man was sentenced to 8 1/2 years in prison on Friday for a Chicago drunk driving accident that killed a local woman and seriously injured two others, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The man pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated driving under the influence in connection with the crash last year in Riverside. He crossed into oncoming traffic and struck an SUV head-on. It was his third DUI conviction.

Test results found he had a blood-alcohol level of .24 -- three times the legal limit in Illinois -- and cocaine in his system. The accident happened about 10:40 p.m. last March 29, when he slammed into the SUV at First Avenue and 31st Street.

A 57-year-old woman was killed. Her 63-year-old sister and 45-year-old brother were both seriously injured and required multiple surgeries and physical therapy after the crash, according to the State Attorney's Office.

Members of the victims' family told the media that the sentence was not nearly enough for the pain caused to the family.

"It's ridiculous," a daughter of one of the victims said. "It's nowhere near enough time to justify what he did."

The defendant must serve 85 percent of the 8 1/2-year sentence. If he had been found guilty at trial, the maximum sentence could have been 14 years.

As we reported last fall on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, someone is killed in a drunk driving accident every 45 minutes nationwide.

In Illinois, 1 in 3 fatal accidents involves a drunk driver; In 2008, a total of 362 motorists died in fatal drunk driving accidents of the 1,043 Illinois traffic fatalities recorded that year, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

A Hammond man is facing serious criminal charges for a car accident that claimed the life of a construction worker 30 minutes south of Chicago in northwest Indiana.

The victim was working on a night road crew, filling potholes, when a car slammed into him in the construction zone on I-80. The victim flew through the windshield and landed in the front seat of the car. The accident happened so fast a coworker was left standing next to the victim's yellow construction vest in a pool of blood, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center.

Both Indiana and Illinois have tough laws aimed at protecting road construction workers from serious or fatal work accidents. The National Work Zone Awareness Week is coming April 6 to 10, and will include a safety awareness campaign conducted by Illinois Work Zone Safety Partners.

In this case, the victim's co-worker barely escaped injury.

"My hand to God, I don't know why I'm not dead," the co-worker said in a media interview. "I was standing close enough to him to hold his hand."

In 2008, there were 7,813 Illinois road construction accidents, which killed 31 people and injured 1,985, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Of those, 7,360 occurred in urban areas, primarily Chicago.

Employees who are seriously injured in road construction accidents in Illinois may be entitled to workers' compensation and other benefits.

The 35-year-old driver, a Calumet City native, was charged Friday with reckless homicide and failure to stop at a fatal crash. He faces up to 16 years in prison if convicted. He was charged the same day as the funeral for the victim, who was a father of two.

The defendant's drivers license has been suspended four times since 1998, including once for refusing to take a breath test, state authorities reported.

The victim's friend and co-worker said he stood in front of the car in an attempt to stop it from fleeing the scene. He said the defendant began fleeing on foot and the car started to roll into the traffic lane. The construction worker stopped the car, while watching the driver flee on foot.

Indiana State Police found the driver 21 hours later, hiding in an alley just miles from the scene of the crash. Several beer containers were found in the 1993 Mercury Cougar and authorities say he admitted to drinking before the crash.

A woman faces drunk driving charges after a Chicago car accident Tuesday night that killed one woman and seriously injured a 9-year-old girl who was ejected from the vehicle, the Sun-Times reported.

The accident happened about 10:15 p.m. on Interstate 57 on the city's Far South Side.

A Ford Escort was northbound near Halsted Street when the female driver loss control, crossed several lanes of traffic, and drove off the right embankment into a light pole, according to Illinois State Police.

A 9-year-old girl, who was sitting in the back seat, was ejected from the vehicle and landed in the grass, where the light pole fell on top of her.

The driver of the vehicle was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn with "non-life threatening" injuries, police reported.

The woman riding in the front passenger seat of the Escort was transported to Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers in Evergreen Park where she was pronounced dead at 10:24 p.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

The driver, who is reportedly the mother of the 9-year-old girl, was charged with DUI and those charges could be upgraded, according to state police.

During the crash investigation, an intoxicated motorist attempted to pass the accident scene and was arrested for violating Scott's Law.

Scott’s Law increases the penalties for drivers who don’t yield or move over for stopped emergency vehicles.

Drunk driving was responsible for one-third of the nearly 6,000 fatal Cook County traffic accidents that have occurred in the past 15 years, according to an analysis by the Chicago Sun-Times.

The report found similar statistics in the collar counties around Chicago.

The Chicago drunk driving accident attorneys at Abels & Annes have closely followed the issue of deadly drunk driving accidents in Illinois, both here and on our sister site, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog. As we reported earlier this year, the Illinois Department of Transportation will spend $11 million dollars to combat drunk driving accidents in Illinois this year.

The Sun-Times report lists Cook County's portion of I-94 as the 11th most-dangerous road in the nation, with 301 fatal traffic accidents reported between 1994 and 2008.

"People still don't understand that drunk driving is a violent crime," Susan McKeigue, state executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving-Illinois, told the Sun-Times. "They think Uncle Ted getting snookered on Christmas Eve and driving away is funny."

MADD statistics show that half of all motorists involved in a drunk driving accident have never before been stopped or arrested for DUI.

Other dangerous Chicago-area roads identified in the study include Illinois 173 in north suburban Lake County where 30 people have been killed and Illinois 53 in Will County where another 30 motorists have died in traffic accidents.

The study looked at 562,712 fatal accidents that claimed 627,433 lives. And, while fatal traffic accidents have declined over the years, it noted that the 37,261 people killed in 2008 traffic accidents is 10 times the number who died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Besides drunk driving, authorities blame the majority of fatal traffic accidents on speeding and distracted driving, including the use of cell phones or text messaging while driving.

Continue reading "One-third of fatal Cook County traffic accidents linked to drunk driving" »

The rate of fatal Illinois traffic accidents has been cut in half over the last 25 years but officials hope spending tens of millions of dollars to combat Illinois drunk driving accidents can cut the rate further by the end of next year.

The Chicago car accident lawyers and the Illinois drunk driving accident attorneys at Abels & Annes have published a series of posts in recent months, both here and on our sister site, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, about the continued fight against drunk driving accidents.

Impaired drivers are currently involved in about one-third of all fatal traffic accidents in Illinois.

2.2 motorists were killed in fatal Illinois car accidents for every 100 million miles traveled on state roads in 1985, compared to .99 deaths in 2008, according to the state's new Highway Performance Safety Plan released for 2010.

One of the primary reasons cited for the decrease is enforcement of DUI laws and the prevention of Illinois drunk driving accidents, which have declined 20 percent in the last five years, from a rate of .56 in 2004 to .46 in 2008.

The Illinois Department of Transportation estimates it will receive more than 11 million in federal funding to combat impaired driving this year -- the most of any targeted category. By comparison, the state is set to receive $400,000 to reduce Illinois motorcycle accidents.

The goal is to reduce Illinois traffic fatalities from 1,355 in 2004 to 883 by the end of 2011. The state hopes serious injuries decline by almost 50 percent -- from 18,798 in 2004 to 10,361 by the end of next year.

As part of that goals, Illinois aims to reduce alcohol-related fatalities by about 25 percent, from 475 in 2004 to 314 by next year. Even so, more than 1 in 3 fatal Illinois traffic accidents would still involve a drunk driver.

Continue reading "State to spend millions this year to combat Illinois drunk driving accidents" »

A suspected Chicago drunk driving accident injured a woman in downtown St. Charles over the weekend, the Daily Herald reported.

The suburban Chicago pedestrian accident occurred on Helen Avenue in West Chicago. The woman was struck by a falling tree limbs while walking on the sidewalk with a group of people after the driver ran over a curb and crashed into a tree and garbage can on the sidewalk.

The 47-year-old driver was charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. The DUI charge is a felony, punishable by up to three years in prison and probation.

The accident happened shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday as the driver turned onto West Main Street from southbound North Second. The tree snapped off at the base and fell into the crowd after being hit by the Chevy Silverado, causing the 48-year-old woman to hit her head on a building.

The victim was taken to Delnor Hospital in Geneva for further evaluation.

The garbage can was thrust through a nearby window and the defendant hit another tree before coming to rest.

The drug charge was added after police found marijuana and paraphernalia in his vehicle.

The Defendant was also taken to the hospital for treatment, but was released and was no longer in custody on Monday, according to the Kane County Chronicle. He is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 9.

Bail has been set at $100,000 for an Irving Park man charged with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence in connection with a drunk driving Chicago car accident that claimed the life of a friend.

The 23-year-old man was found to have a blood alcohol level of .24 -- three times greater than the legal limit of .08, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center.

The defendant was driving a Dodge Durango, owned by a friend's parents, when he lost control while westbound in the 5100 block of Irving Park Road. The vehicle sideswiped a parked car and slammed into a light pole.

The friend was thrown from the vehicle. He was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

At a court appearance, the defendant's attorney said the man had no previous criminal record and that the victim of the Chicago drunk driving accident was his best friend.

The mother of the victim said her son was back home after completing his enlistment in the Navy, where he was a military police officer stationed at Guantanamo Bay naval base. He had planned a career in law enforcement.

Federal and state statistics show Illinois is one of the deadliest states in the nation for drunk driving accidents. Of the 1,043 people to die in fatal Illinois car accidents in 2008, 1 in 3 were legally drunk and 1 in 4 had a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit.

A Des Plaines man also accused of drunk driving could be the first area motorist to be cited for texting while driving, the Chicago Breaking News Center reported.

As reported on Abels & Annes' Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, the new law makes it illegal to text message, e-mail or surf the Internet while driving. The effort, aimed at reducing Chicago car accidents and fatal Illinois traffic accidents, also outlaws the use of cell phones in school zones or construction sites.

Violating the law will result in a $75 fine. In serious cases, such as fatal accidents, police may subpoena a driver's cell phone records if it's believed they were texting at the time the crash.

In this case, the man was spotted at about 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 2 -- one day after the new ban went into effect -- weaving across the center line in the 700 block of North River Road. Authorities reported pulling the driver over after seeing him texting on a cell phone.

The officer smelled alcohol and administered field sobriety tests to the 39-year-old man. He was charged with felony aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a suspended license, improper lane usage for crossing the center line twice in a one-block span, and illegal use of communications for texting.

Authorities reported it is his third DUI offense.

As reported on Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, someone is killed every 45 minutes by a drunk driving accident.

In 2008, 11,773 of the nation's 37,261 fatal accidents were caused by a drunk driver, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Fatal Illinois drunk driving accidents accounted for 362 of 1,043 traffic fatalities in 2008.

Winter travel is expected to be its busiest in at least three years in Illinois and across the country.

The Chicago car accident attorneys and Chicago injury lawyers at Abels & Annes wish everyone a joyous and happy holiday season. Visit our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog for tips on Safe Winter Driving , avoiding Chicago car accidents during dark winter commutes, the dangers of drunk driving, and teen driving safety.

Most of all, stay safe and enjoy time with friends and family.

The AAA Chicago Motor Club is reporting that Illinois will see an increase of more than 10 percent in the number of people traveling 50 miles or more from home this year, CBS2 reported.

AAA is projecting 87.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more during the year-end holidays -- a 3.8 percent increase from the 84.5 million who traveled over the Christmas/New Year's period a year ago.

MSNBC noted that is 3.2 million, or 3.8 percent, more than traveled over the same period a year ago.

"More Americans traveling during the winter holidays is another sign consumers are continuing to grow more confident in their personal financial situations," said Brad Roeber, AAA Chicago regional president. "The moderate projected rise in the number of air travelers is especially welcome since the airline industry was hit especially hard by the recession."

This winter, travelers will be paying nearly $1 more per gallon for gasoline than they did last year. The current nationwide average for self-serve regular is $2.59.

Continue reading "Busy roads pose danger of Chicago car accidents for winter travelers" »

Authorities in Illinois and across the country will be out in force to prevent fatal drunk driving accidents over the New Year's holiday.

Each year in Illinois, an average of more than 50,000 people are arrested for drunk driving and 3 in 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol related traffic crash in their lifetime, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

As the Chicago car accident lawyers and Illinois accident attorneys at Abels & Annes reported on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, Illinois is the eighth-deadliest for fatal drunk driving accidents.

Last year in Illinois, 1,043 people killed in traffic accidents; one in three (362) were legally drunk and one in four (252) had a blood alcohol level of almost twice the legal limit (.15) or higher.

-Each year, about 310,000 people suffer injuries in alcohol-related traffic crashes nationwide, an average of one person injured every 2 minutes.

-Fatal drunk driving accidents in Illinois are three times more likely to occur at night than during the day.

- Teenagers and young adults are at increased risk of an Illinois drunk driving accident. Although 16-24 year olds comprise only 15.52 percent of the licensed drivers in the state, they are involved in 38.85 percent of all fatal alcohol-related crashes.

-Nearly one-third of fatally injured teenage drivers (age 16-19) were drinking prior to their crash.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is pushing a nationwide crackdown aimed at drunk drivers through the New Year's holiday.

Authorities in Illinois will also be conducting sobriety checkpoints through the state, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving is encouraging motorists to drink responsibly through its Tie One on for Safety and Designate a Safe Ride Home campaigns.

Continue reading "Chicago drunk driving car accidents a concern through New Year's holiday" »

A nationwide Intensive Holiday Drunk & Impaired Driving Crackdown & Advertising Blitz has been announced by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

The Chicago car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes noted on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog that Mothers Against Drunk Driving is also increasing enforcement and awareness efforts for the holidays.

In 2007, nearly 1,500 people were killed in crashes involving a drunk driver from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In Illinois, of the 1,043 people killed in traffic accidents in 2008, one in three (362) were legally drunk and one in four (252) had a blood alcohol level of almost twice the legal limit (.15) or higher, as Abels & Annes reported in an earlier blog.

That is a a 17 percent reduction from the 439 Illinois fatalities involving drunk drivers in 2007. The reduction puts Illinois in the middle of the pack -- tied for 20th when comparing the drunk-driving fatality rate in all 50 states.

Still, Illinois' 362 fatal drunk driving accidents was eighth highest in the nation after Texas (1,269), California (1,029), Florida (875), Pennsylvania (496), North Carolina (423), Georgia (416) and South Carolina (403).

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, have launched "Over the Limit. Under Arrest" a national drunk and impaired driving crackdown involving thousands of law enforcement agencies during the holiday season.
“Drunk driving is a major public safety threat that still claims thousands of lives every year,” Secretary LaHood said. “Many states continue to step up their efforts to get drunk drivers off our roads, but the numbers tell us we have to do more. Drinking and driving is dangerous and unacceptable, and I’m asking law enforcement to stay vigilant during this busy holiday season.”

Five states have shown great reductions in alcohol-impaired driving fatality rates from 2007 to 2008. Those include Vermont, Wisconsin, Maine, Nebraska and Minnesota. The states with the least progress are Idaho, Rhode Island, Wyoming, Kansas and New Hampshire, according to government statistics.

Driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher is illegal in all 50 states. But the focus will also be on drugged driving.

“Like alcohol, drugs impair perception, judgment, motor skills and memory. These effects can be dangerously magnified when drugs are consumed with alcohol, even in cases where a driver's blood alcohol level is below legal limits,” said Director Kerlikowske. “Driving while impaired, from alcohol, drugs, or both, puts us all at risk and must be prevented.”

The campaign also reminds motorists that government research has consistently shown that more people are killed in crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver on the weekends and at night. In September, Abels & Annes also reported Illinois officials are concerned about the prevalence of weekend nighttime accidents.

In 2008 alone, 58 percent of drivers and motorcycle riders were killed in crashes that took place over the weekend and at night were alcohol-impaired.

“My message to drivers is this: if you decide to drink, find a safe and sober ride home or your chances of arrest are extremely high,” said Secretary LaHood. “Law enforcement officers will be out in full force during the upcoming holiday, especially at night and on the weekends, looking for the drunk drivers that put the rest of us at risk.”

Continue reading "Illinois eighth-deadliest state for drunk driving accidents as authorities launch nationwide holiday crackdown" »

A driver faces felony drunk driving charges stemming from a Sunday Chicago drunk driving accident that claimed the life of a 27-year-old Chicago man.

The Examiner reported that the 21-year-old driver was going the wrong way on a one-way street shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday when he struck a car at the intersection of 58th and California. The driver and his 20-year-old passenger were not injured in the crash.

ABC7 reported the at-fault driver's 1998 Chevy Lumina was traveling on 58th Street when he struck the driver's side of the victim's 1996 Buick Regal. The 27-year-old driver of the Buick was transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital by a Chicago Fire Department ambulance and pronounced dead at 3:27 a.m.

The driver is charged with Aggravated DUI in an accident resulting in death, DUI any amount of drug, Failure to reduce speed, Driving the wrong way on a one way street, Failure to yield the right of way, No insurance and Reckless driving, according to The Examiner.

Earlier this month on Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, we reported that the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police have launched Operation Save 100, aimed at reducing Illinois traffic fatalities by at least 100 before the end of the year.

A total of 781 people had died this year on Illinois roads when the campaign was announced just prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, compared to 883 during the same period last year.

However, the year-end holiday period is a particularly dangerous time on the roads, in part because of Illinois drunk driving accidents and winter weather.

Wet roads and dark commutes also contribute to fatal Chicago car accidents.

Chicago car accidents accounted for 40 percent of all traffic fatalities in Illinois last year.

A 31-year-old Soutwest Side man faces charges stemming from a Thanksgiving Chicago drunk driving car accident that claimed the life of a pedestrian, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The 21-year-old Chicago pedestrian was killed after being struck by a car about 3:10 a.m. Thursday in the 6900 block of South Cicero Avenue.

The at-fault driver was reportedly northbound when he swerved into the southbound lanes and struck a car before continuing north and striking the victim, who was standing outside his vehicle. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn on Thursday morning.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported the victim had run out of gas and had climbed out to push when the accused driver's Chevy Equinox allegedly rear-ended an Oldsmobile and kept going before striking the victim.

The driver had a blood-alcohol level nearly four times the legal limit, according to the Tribune, and was held on $300,000 bail on Saturday. He faces several charges, including felony aggravated driving under the influence.

Last year in Illinois, nine people were killed and 961 injured in serious traffic accidents over the Thanksgiving holiday, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

As reported last week on our Chicago Injury Lawyer blog, about 40 percent of holiday fatalities nationwide involve a drunk driver compared to 28 percent during the rest of the holiday season, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Chicago drunk driving accidents and drunk drivers nationwide pose a serious threat over the Thanksgiving Weekend. Nationally, Mothers Against Drunk Driving estimates we will share the roads with 2 million drunk drivers who have at least three convictions for drunk driving.

In 2007, nearly 1,500 people were killed in crashes involving a drunk driver from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. Last year in Illinois, nine people were killed and 961 injured in serious traffic accidents over the Thanksgiving holiday, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Abels & Annes reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog last week that Illinois authorities are hoping to reduce road fatalities by 100 deaths this year and are increasing traffic enforcement through the holidays period.

Through mid-November, 781 people died in Illinois traffic accidents compared to 883 during the same period last year. One-third involved a drunk driver, according to state statistics.

Last week, MADD announced progress in the third year of its campaign to eliminate drunk driving. The nationwide campign "Over the Limit, Under Arrest," will kick off December 14;and MADD reported a total of 12 states now require ignition interlocks to prevent convicted drunk drivers of driving while intoxicated.

MADD has these tips to help ensure everyone’s safety this Thanksgiving:
-Designate a sober driver before celebrations begin.
-Never serve alcohol to those under 21.
- Plan safe parties, including providing non-alcoholic drink options to guests and not serving alcohol the last hour of the gathering.
-Be prepared to get everyone home safe.

Click here for MADD's Safe Party Guide

Continue reading "Chicago drunk driving accidents a hazard to all motorists on Thanksgiving weekend" »

Illinois' 2008 traffic fatality clock logged 1,115 Illinois traffic crashes per day. Eleven people an hour were injured and 3 people a day died in fatal Illinois traffic accidents, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation's 2008 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics report.

This is the second blog looking at the newly published information. The Chicago injury lawyers and wrongful death attorneys at Abels & Annes published the first blog in the series on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog last week.

The study reported 10.1 million vehicles registered to 8.7 million licensed drivers traveled over 100 billion miles in 2008. There were 408,258 traffic accidents reported in Illinois during 2008, which caused 94,021 injuries and claimed 1,043 lives.

The Illinois State Police announced last week a campaign to reduce the number of Illinois traffic fatalities by at least 100 through the end of the year, dropping the state total below 1,000. Currently, Illinois is one of 10 states that reported more than 1,000 road deaths last year.

Breakdown of Illinois vehicles:
77 percent passenger cars
17 percent trucks, buses and recreational vehicles
4 percent motorcycles

The highest numbers of fatalities were among passenger cars (850) and pickup trucks (200). However, a high number of fatalities were reported as a result of Illinois trucking accidents (113) and Illinois motorcycle accidents (131).

The state has a good chance of dipping below the 1,000 mark -- 781 fatalities had been reported as of Nov. 10, compared to 883 in the prior year. But November and December are traditionally two of the deadliest months on the road, with holiday travel, Illinois drunk driving crashes and winter weather combining to increase road hazards.

Continue reading "More than 1,000 Illinois car accidents a day injured 11 people an hour in 2008" »

Coming soon: Public service announcements, newspaper articles, press releases, banner ads, TV commercials and increased enforcement aimed at reducing holiday drunk driving accidents.

The Chicago drunk driving accident lawyers and the personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at Abels & Annes urge motorists to enjoy the upcoming holiday season by drinking responsibly, using designated drivers and public transportation, and insuring everyone's safety by not driving while impaired.

Have a plan: Those who leave home without a plan usually end up making poor decisions.

The federal government is preparing an all-out blitz in conjunction with state and local law enforcement in preparation for the holiday driving season.

A total of 27 people were killed and 2,377 seriously injured in Illinois car accidents last year over the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's holidays, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Illinois New Year's car accidents claimed the most lives. However Illinois Thanksgiving car accidents and Christmas traffic accident injured more motorists.

And while that is down from the 48 killed and 2,919 killed in 2004, the truth is holiday accident statistics vary by wide margins, depending in part on when holidays fall, but one thing remains constant: The period between Thanksgiving and New Year's is one of the deadliest times on the road.

Nationwide, last year's Thanksgiving Holiday saw an increase in fatalities: 158 were killed, compared to 139 in 2007, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Many safety advocates credit strict enforcement and awareness campaigns with reducing the number of serious and fatal accidents through the core holiday period. And, while Fourth of July and Labor Day where the deadliest single holidays last year, the trio of year-end holidays presents officials with the deadliest month-long stretch on the calendar.

Heavy traffic, impaired driving, visitors unfamiliar with roads, older drivers or younger drivers whom might not otherwise embark on lengthy or numerous trips, holiday stress, and fresh winter weather can all contribute to accidents throughout December.

Illinois Holiday traffic statistics
Memorial Day: 8 killed 726 injured in 2008, compared to 22 killed 1,098 injured in 2004
Fourth of July: 15 killed and 805 injured in 2008 compared to 6 killed and 1,148 injured in 2004
Labor Day: 15 killed and 803 injured in 2008 compared to 12 killed and 1,060 injured in 2004
Thanksgiving: 9 killed and 961 injured in 2008 compared to 19 killed and 1,117 injured in 2004
Christmas: 8 killed and 841 injured in 2008 compared to 22 killed and 927 injured in 2004
New Year's: 10 killed and 575 injured in 2008 compared to 7 killed and 875 injured in 2004

Continue reading "Chicago car accidents a serious threat to a happy holidays" »

Illinois recorded the fewest traffic fatalities since 1923, according to an exhaustive report on 2008 traffic fatalities released by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The Chicago car accident attorneys and the Chicago injury lawyers at Abels & Annes are taking a look at the report in a series of blog here at our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog and our sister site, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog.

"We believe these reductions are evident that Illinois' traffic safety efforts are working," Gov. Pat Quinn said.

While the statistics are encouraging, the simple fact remains that traffic fatalities are a leading killer both in Illinois and nationwide. For most of us, riding in a motor vehicle is the most dangerous activity in our lives.

In 2008, 1,043 people were killed and more than 94,000 injured in Illinois traffic accidents, the vast majority occurred in an around Chicago. But, perhaps because of the poor economy, fewer motorists were on the road: the state reported a 1.6 percent decrease in traffic.

Highlights of "2008 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics"

Cost
-Total estimated cost of Illinois traffic accidents in 2008 was $6.2 billion
-Each fatality was estimated to cost $1.2 million
-An incapacitating injury was estimated to cost $67,500
-A nonincapacitating injury was estimated to cost $21,800
-A property damage crash was estimated to cost $7,800

Fatal
-1,043 people were killed in 950 fatal Illinois crashes in 2008
-There was an average of 1.1 deaths per fatal crash
-25.2 percent of fatal crashes occurred at intersections
-74.2 percent of fatal crashes occurred on dry roads
-48.2 percent of fatal crashes occurred during daylight hours
-55.7 percent of fatal crashes occurred on urban roads
-29.8 percent of fatal crashes occurred with a fixed object

Alcohol
-44 percent of fatally injured drivers who were tested, tested positive for alcohol
-49.3 percent of fatally injured drivers ages 16 to 24 who were tested, tested positive for alcohol

Pedestrian Accidents
-135 pedestrians were killed in 2008 and 5,423 were injured
-About 9 percent were under 15 years old
-About 15 percent were over the age of 65
-About 40 percent had a positive blood-alcohol content

Motorcycle Accidents
-There were 4,901 motorcycle crashes in 2008, though the number of fatalities decreased by 14 percent

School Bus Accidents
-No school bus passengers were killed; 123 were injured
-No school bus drivers were killed;99 were injured

Tractor Trailer Accidents
-115 people were killed in semi accidents
-5 of the persons killed were truck drivers while 99 were occupants of another vehicle

Train Accidents
-38.5 percent of fatal train crashes happened at crossings with gates
-53.8 percent happened at crossings with control devices other than gates, including flashers and warning signs

Work Zone Accidents
-There were 31 fatal crashes in work zones in 2008 in which 31 people were killed
-Two of the persons killed were road construction workers

Deer
-There were 24,209 crashes involving deer
-Two deer crashes involved fatalities

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an accident, call the Chicago injury lawyers and Illinois wrongful death attorneys at Abels & Annes for a free appointment to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

Illinois Traffic Safety Leaders are urging motorists to use common sense through the upcoming Halloween Holiday weekend to avoid Chicago drunk driving accidents and DUI accidents on Illinois highways.

The Chicago car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes encourage motorists to have a travel plan to prevent drunk driving, including designated drivers, overnight stays, taxi cabs or other forms of transportation.

Nationwide, 1 in every 3 fatal accidents is caused by a drunk driver.

Halloween has proven especially deadly in recent years and authorities are concerned, with the holiday falling on a Saturday, excessive partying could lead to an increase in fatal drunk driving accidents.

In 2008, more than half (58 percent) of all highway fatalities involved an impaired driver or motorcycle rider, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, we want to remind revelers to be responsible by not taking the party to the roadways, putting themselves, trick-or-treaters and other motorists at risk,” said RobertBrasky, president of Illinois Traffic Safety Leaders.

ITSL also recommends these simple tips:
-Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin
-Before drinking, please designate a sober driver
-If you’re impaired, and haven't designated a sober driver, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely
-Use your community’s Sober Rides program
-If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement

Continue reading "Halloween a deadly time for Chicago drunk driving accidents" »

An August car accident that killed a Chicago motorcycle rider has resulted in felony DUI charges against the car's driver.

The 47-year-old North Ashland Avenue woman has been charged with aggravated DUI in connection with the Chicago car accident that killed a North Side motorcyclist, ABC7 reported.

The case made news after a nurse sued the city after she reported being arrested by police for failing to give a blood test to the woman charged, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Chicago motorcycle fatality happened shortly before 3:30 a.m. at the intersection of Ashland and Wilson, claiming the life of a 24-year-old North Campbell Avenue man, who died at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center six days later as a result of his injuries.

Police reported that the accused driver stated she did not see the motorcycle as she turned eastbound on Wilson from Ashland and accused the motorcyclist of running the red light.

She admitted drinking wine after officers smelled alcohol and reported she had glassy eyes, according to The Sun-Times. A motorist reported the woman's car was swerving from side to side before the accident.

Police reported she was placed in custody for driving under impairment after refusing to complete field sobriety tests.

A nurse filed a lawsuit the following Monday, alleging she was arrested for not performing the blood test. Blood ultimately was drawn at the hospital for a blood-alcohol test at 7:30 a.m., according to police.

The nurse's lawsuit claims she told police she could not perform the test until the accused driver was officially admitted as a patient and that she was unable to perform her duties as an emergency room staff member while being detained by police, according to The Sun-Times report.

An Ohio man faces charges in connection with a weekend Chicago drunk driving accident that claimed two lives.

The 27-year-old Cleveland man had a blood-alcohol level of .148 -- nearly twice the legal limit -- when the car he was driving slammed into another car, killing two South Side men, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Cook County prosecutors report the man had just gotten into another car accident before Saturday night's fatal crash. Prosecutors allege the man downed a bottle of Arbor Mist and three vodka martinis, struck a car at 62nd and Ashland, and took off at a high rate of speed after berating the victimized motorists.

Authorities reported that the man weaved in and out of traffic before running a red light at Ashland and 59th and slamming into another car. That crash claimed the lives of a 27-year-old driver and his 28-year-old passenger, both of whom were pronounced dead on arrival at Holy Cross Hospital.

A third passenger was hospitalized at Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition.

The defendant was jailed and remained in custody after bail was set at $500,000.

Authorities reported that the at-fault driver left a bar at 82nd and Ashland after twice being offered a ride to his destination, which he refused. He faces two counts of reckless homicide and two counts of aggravated DUI, according to police. He also is charged with disobeying a traffic-control signal, negligent driving and driving without insurance.

The accident occurred shortly after 2 a.m., according to the Chicago Breaking News Center.

Last Month, Illinois warned of the high number of drunk drivers out at night, particularly on the weekend. In August, a study reported 1 in 7 weekend nighttime drivers tested positive for alcohol or drug use.

Click here for more information, safety tips and other coverage of Chicago drunk driving accidents.

A Chicago man faces an arrest warrant on charges accusing him of killing a 78-year-old Indiana pedestrian in a drunk driving auto accident.

The 26-year-old faces charges of failure to stop after a pedestrian accident, reckless homicide and operating a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of more than .08 percent, according to the Chicago Tribune, which reported the charges were filed in Lake County, Indiana, in connection with the March drunk driving accident.

Authorities said the Chicago-area defendant had driven to Indiana to buy cigarettes when he caused the accident that killed Zyuajan Mitrovich.

CBS2 reported that the defendant was approaching the Indiana-Illinois line when his green pickup struck Mitrovich, who was apparently walking near the entrance to the Indiana Toll Road.

Witnesses said the defendant did not stop and was followed to a nearby Shell gas station after the accident, which occurred at about 5:30 a.m. on March 28.

A bystander at the gas station reported the defendant was wobbly on his feet. The truck was leaking fluid from the radiator and the alleged drunk driver walked around it several times before walking away after attempting to flag down several cars.

Police found him walking away from the station, where results of a blood-alcohol test were .11, over the legal driving limit of .08 in either state.

Crash records show he was traveling 63 mph in a 30 mph zone near the entrance to the toll road.

He originally faced charges in Cook County, but those charges were dismissed after it was determined Mitrovich was walking in Lake County, just over the state line, when he was hit and killed.

For more information about Chicago drunk driving cases, safety tips and legal resources, please visit Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog for previous posts provided by the Chicago drunk driving accident lawyers at Abels & Annes.

A 35-year-old man from the western suburb of Berwyn faces numerous charges after a Chicago drunk driving accident on Labor Day weekend that sent three children in his vehicle to the hospital following a Sunday crash outside Ford City Mall.

The man faces charges of felony DUI, reckless driving, failure to reduce speed, driving on a revoked license while intoxicated and causing an accident while intoxicated that causes bodily harm, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center.

A 7-year-old suffered a spinal fracture and other broken bones in the crash, according to the Chicago Tribune. The remaining children, ages 9 and 10, were also hurt.

The Tribune reported the driver was believed to have had a blood-alcohol limit more than three times the legal Illinois limit of .08. The driver of the car that was struck also suffered injury. The man charged was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center for treatment. He was also scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

The car crash happened outside the mall about 2:20 p.m., near Cicero Avenue and 76th Street. The vehicle carrying the children was headed south on Cicero when it crossed over into oncoming traffic and hit the other vehicle, police reported.

In 2007, about 1 in every 3 fatalities involved a drunk driver--more than 13,000 were killed nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For more information on Chicago DUI accidents, visit the Chicago car accident blog and Summer Safe Driving series.

Last month's 24-year prison sentence for a suburban Chicago woman convicted in a drunk driving car crash highlights a growing concern: The increase in DUI arrests and fatal DUI auto accidents among women.

The 43-year-old woman was convicted of aggravated DUI after running a stop sign last fall and slamming into 27-year-old woman, according to ABC7.

The 27 year old woman was killed in the car accident, along with her 3-year-old son and 11-month-old daughter.

According to an analysis this month by the Associated Press, Women in the U.S. are drinking more, and drunken-driving arrests among women are rising rapidly while falling among men.

Still, men accounted for roughly three times more drunk driving deaths in Illinois than did women, according to 2008 statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

But the study found DUI arrests among women have increased almost 30 percent between 1998 and 2007 while the number of men arrested declined by 7.5 percent.

"Women are picking up some of the dangerously bad habits of men," said Chuck Hurley, CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Of particular concern is the trend's impact on children riding in cars with impaired drivers.

Nearly 250 youngsters were killed in alcohol-related crashes in the U.S. in 2007, according to the National Highway Safety Administration.

"Drunk drivers often carry their kids with them," said MADD's Hurley. "It's the ultimate form of child abuse."

The increase in arrests comes as women are drinking more than in the past.

One federal study found that the number of women who reported abusing alcohol (having at least four drinks in a day) rose from 1.5 percent to 2.6 percent over the 10-year period that ended in 2002. For women ages 30 to 44, the number more than doubled, from 1.5 percent to 3.3 percent.

Authorities believe the trend also indicates the tougher stance against drunk driving taken by law enforcement means women are also more likely to be arrested and held accountable than in the past.

The Transportation Department's annual crackdown on drunken driving, which begins later this month, will focus on women.

"There's the impression out there that drunk driving is strictly a male issue, and it is certainly not the case," said Rae Tyson, spokesman for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "There are a number of parts of the country where, in fact, the majority of impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes are female."

Continue reading "Increase in drunk driving cases against women reported" »

Nighttime is the deadliest time for Chicago drivers and motorists elsewhere in Illinois, according to a new report issued by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Drunk drivers and low seatbelt usage were cited as two primary reasons for the drastic increase in car accidents and fatalities after dark.

The Chicago car accident lawyers and the personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at Abels & Annes often see drunk driving accidents and other injuries that occur at night for reasons ranging from poor visibility to alcohol and reckless driving.

Motorists should use extra caution, especially when out late at night or on the weekend. In response to the report, authorities promised to make a renewed push to get drunk drivers off the streets at night.

“We are working closely with Illinois State Police and local agencies to make sure that all motorists behind the wheel are driving sober,” said Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “One of our top priorities is to save lives and the data revealed shows that we need to focus our efforts on impaired driving at night.”

Illinois State Police announced increased enforcement through the Labor Day weekend.

“Drinking and driving is inappropriate regardless of the time of day," said Director Jonathon Monken. "Data tells us the likelihood of being involved in a crash or fatal crash where alcohol is involved increases dramatically at night. Therefore, the Illinois State Police will focus our efforts on DUI and seat belt enforcement during night time details throughout the Labor Day weekend."

The report found drunk driving a factor in 7 of every 10 Illinois fatalities occurring between midnight and 3 a.m. and less than 3 in 10 were properly seatbelted.

Those statistics are in marked contrast to higher-traffic daytime hours, where less than 2 in 10 crashes involved alcohol and less than half were not properly seatbelted.

According to the report and data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2 of every 3 motor vehicle accidents that occur between midnight and 3 a.m. involved a drinking driver.

And data shows 3 of every 4 drivers who died between midnight and 6 a.m. were not properly restrained.

For more information about impaired driving in Illinois, please visit www.drivesoberillinois.org.

Continue reading "Illinois warns of dangers of nighttime car accidents" »

A fatal Chicago suburban car accident involving teens leaving a graduation party earlier this summer has led to a personal injury lawsuit in Kane County Circuit Court.

Chelsea Mertz, 17, of St. Charles, has filed suit seeking more than $50,000. Her attorney claims she suffered a broken jaw and a brain injury as a result of the accident June 17. Mertz was one of four teenagers in an SUV that went off the road and slammed into trees on the 3100 block of Royal Fox Drive in St. Charles. The accident killed front-seat passenger Cameron Godee of West Chicago.

The lawsuit accuses the teen driver of driving more than 40 mph over the speed limit down the wrong side of the road, high on marijuana and alcohol while driving a group of St. Charles East High School classmates home from a graduation party at 3:30 a.m.

Mertz and another back-seat passenger survived the crash. She had her jaw wired shut and is undergoing rehabilitation for a brain injury, according to her attorney. She is recovering but is having speech difficulties and the long-term effects of the brain injury remain uncertain.

The civil lawsuit is up in court for the first time on October 20th.

The driver has also been criminally charged with 12 counts of aggravated DUI and four counts of reckless homicide, according to the Suburban Chicago Daily Herald. Police have said his blood-alcohol content was nearly three times the legal threshold, and he tested positive for marijuana.

With school beginning, the Chicago car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes urge parents to speak with their children about driver safety and the need to make good choices when it comes to their safety behind the wheel or as a passenger.

The school year brings with it new friends, new opportunities, new freedom and new danger. Federal statistics consistently show auto accidents are the leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24.

A new federal study released last month found one in every seven nighttime weekend drivers tested positive for drugs.

The Chicago car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes urge weekend drivers to remain on the lookout for erratic drivers. Studies have long shown drivers are most likely to be drunk and driving between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.

While the study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found the percentage of motorists driving drunk continued to decline, the study for the first time tested for drug use and the results were sobering:
- 16.3 percent of nighttime weekend drivers were drug positive.
- Marijuana (8.6 percent)
- Cocaine (3.9 percent)
- Medications (3.9 percent)

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said he is concerned about the prevalence of drivers who use drugs.

“I’m pleased to see that our battle against drunk driving is succeeding,” said Secretary LaHood. “However, alcohol still kills 13,000 people a year on our roads and we must continue to be vigilant in our efforts to prevent drunk driving.”

The percentage of drunk drivers identified in the survey has fallen from 7.5 percent in 1973 to 2.2 percent in the most recent survey. This study was the first to measure for the presence of drugs.

“This troubling data shows us, for the first time, the scope of drugged driving in America, and reinforces the need to reduce drug abuse,” said Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. “Drugged driving, like drunk driving, is a matter of public safety and health. It puts us all at risk and must be prevented.”

The NHTSA is conducting further research to assess how drug traces correspond to driver impairment since some drugs can remain in the body for days or even weeks.

Among the findings of the latest roadside survey:

- The percentage of male drivers with illegal BAC levels was 42 percent higher than the percentage of alcohol-impaired female drivers.

- Drivers were more likely to be illegally drunk during late nighttime hours (1 a.m. to 3 a.m.) than during daytime or early evening hours.

- Motorcycle riders were more than twice as likely as passenger vehicle drivers to be drunk (5.6 percent compared with 2.3 percent).

- Pickup truck drivers were the next most likely to have illegal BACs (3.3 percent).

Continue reading "Chicago car accident alert - one in seven weekend-night drivers test positive for drugs" »

One out of every three fatal traffic crashes in 2008 was alcohol related, according to statistics released this month by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In fact, Mothers Against Drunk Driving calls DUI the most frequently committed violent crime in the United States.

Nationwide, fatal alcohol-related crashes dropped from 13,041 in 2007 to 11,773 in 2008.

And, while alcohol-involved traffic fatalities in Illinois also declined, from 1,248 in 2007 to 1,043 in 2008, the overall rate of alcohol fatalities was slightly higher than the national average.

Alcohol-related fatal crashes are four-times more likely to occur at night than during the day and 1.5 times more likely to occur on the weekend.

The Chicago personal injury and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes urge you to take this issue seriously, use a designated driver, call a cab or stay where you are if you have had too much to drink.

Those driving late at night -- particularly on the weekend -- should also be vigilant in watching for and avoiding erratic drivers.

As part of its Summer Safe Driving series, Abels & Annes looks at some of the issues surrounding drunk driving in Illinois.

Illinois has taken some tough steps to combat drunk driving: On Jan. 1 it became one of only six states to require a first-time DUI offender to have a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Devices installed on his or her vehicle as a condition of gaining driving privileges.

Illinois offers a DUI Factbook where motorists can get a host of information on the state's DUI laws, penalties and programs to combat drunk driving. According to the book, the state's legal limit of .08 would be surpassed by a 170 pound man consuming four drinks in one hour or a 137 pound woman consuming three drinks in an hour.

A drink is defined as a can of beer, glass of wine or shot of liquor.

A shocking 86 percent of drivers who failed a breath test in 2007 tested between .10 and .24, which is three-times the legal limit.

Additionally, the state reports a person's risk of having a crash begins to increase significantly at .04 -- half the legal limit -- and increases substantially thereafter.

Common remedies like fresh air, coffee, food or a shower will not help a person get sober.

The state's 2007 statistics reports 2 of every 5 traffic fatalities are alcohol related.

• 503 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes, which was 40 percent of the 1,249 total crash fatalities.

• More than 49,600 DUI arrests were recorded by the Secretary of State’s office.

• 92 percent of all drivers arrested for DUI, who were eligible, lost their driving privileges.

• 2,516 drivers under age 21 lost their driving privileges due to “Use It & Lose
It” law violations.

• 20 percent of those arrested for DUI are women, who represent 50 percent of
all licensed drivers.

• Males ages 21-24 had the highest DUI arrest rate (about 26 per 1,000 licensed
drivers). This rate was four times greater than that of all other drivers arrested
for DUI (6 per 1,000 licensed drivers).

• 83 percent of all drivers arrested for DUI are first offenders.

The Illinois Secretary of State's Office reports the average DUI offender is:

• male (80 percent arrested are men);

• age 34 (61 percent are under age 35);

• arrested between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. on a weekend; and

• caught driving with a BAC of .16 — twice the illegal limit.

Penalties for a DUI can range from a 6-month license suspension to 30 years in prison for habitual offenders or DUI traffic crashes resulting in serious injury or death.

Continue reading "Chicago car accident lawyers examine dangers of drunk driving as part of Sumer Safe Driving Series" »

Fourth of July holiday weekends claim an average of 500 to 700 lives in traffic fatalities and almost half are alcohol related, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

2006 was the deadliest this decade with 659 fatalities, compared to the 200 that were recorded in 2007 when Fourth of July fell on a Wednesday.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is urging motorists to buckle up, stay sober, comply with posted speed limits and use extra caution in construction zones.

“While we want everyone to enjoy their holiday weekend, we must put safety first and remind motorists to not drink and drive and to be conscious of work zones,” said IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig. “We will limit lane closures where possible to provide some relief to those travelling over the holiday weekend, but some areas will still have workers present, so please obey the posted speed limits and drive cautiously."

Illinois State Police will be conducting a DUI crackdown.

“The sad reality is that numerous lives are impacted every day in Illinois because of an impaired driver,” Illinois State Police Director Jonathon Monken said. “Even with the raised awareness about the consequences of drinking and driving, there are still those who choose to drive while impaired. That's why the ISP will increase our enforcement efforts by working closely with our local partners during the July 4th holiday.”

The You Drink & Drive. You Lose crackdown began June 19 and runs through July 5. It is being supported by nearly $1 million in federal safety funds being made available by IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety.

For more information about the impaired driving in Illinois, please visit www.drivesoberillinois.org.

IDOT will suspend construction-related lane closures starting at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 2 to midnight, Sunday, July 5.

Wherever a road is closed, a detour will be posted. In some areas, there will be lane restrictions.

Due to the nature of some projects, there will be a number of work zones that will continue to have lane closures. Motorists are advised to slow down and be alert in those work zones, and are reminded that work zone speed limits are still in effect.

For more information about ongoing construction projects, motorists can check IDOT’s traveler Web site http://www.gettingaroundillinois.com. Interstate road information is also available at 1-800-452 IDOT (4368).

The NHTSA tracks traffic fatalities for New Year's, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Continue reading "Chicago car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes wish everyone a safe Fourth of July" »

The tough economy is forcing people to reduce their automobile insurance, increase their deductibles, shop for cheaper coverage and, in some cases, even cancel their insurance.

The Chicago car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes urge motorists to carry as much uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage as they can afford. Reducing expenses by reducing auto insurance is shortsighted at best -- the cost is minimal compared to the expense of being hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver.

The Insurance Research Council reports that a recent survey found 15 percent of those surveyed said they had increased their deductibles or reduced their coverage in order to reduce their premium costs.

Nine percent of those surveyed said they canceled or did not renew vehicle coverage in response to the economic downturn.

Encouragingly, the survey found most homeowners and drivers have continued their insurance coverage, even if they shopped for a lower rate.

"These findings confirm that most Americans recognize the importance of maintaining essential insurance coverage on their homes and cars," said Elizabeth A. Sprinkel, senior vice president of the IRC. "But they also show that Americans are willing to shop and reevaluate their insurance needs in order to reduce insurance costs."

And a proposal awaits the signature of Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn that would make failure to carry auto insurance a criminal offense, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. Current law allows for a fine of up to $1,000 and license suspension of up to 6 months.

Chicago car accident attorney Dave Abels was recently interviewed about the new law and blogged about the inadequacy of the state's mandatory minimum insurance of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident.

The new law is tougher, but still not tough enough.

Here is the big problem with the insurance law in Illinois. The minimum coverage is still $20,000 per person, and $40,000 per occurrence. No amount of money is going to bring a loved one back or make a family whole again, but $20,000 is a slap in the face. (I have handled car accident death cases where the victim incurred over $500,000 in medical bills before passing away).

Continue reading "Chicago car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes urge motorists to maintain proper car insurance " »

The Chicago car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes are launching a summer safe-driving series featuring more than a dozen blogs aimed at reducing serious injury and wrongful deaths resulting from summer car accidents.

Chicago ranked fifth in the nation in the number of motor-vehicle-related deaths (192) in 2007, the most recent year of data released by the federal government. And the city was third in the nation in the number of pedestrians killed at 50.

In Illinois, the number of fatalities remained virtually the same between 2006 and 2007, dropping by five deaths, from 1,254 to 1,249. The state ranks ninth-highest in traffic fatalities, after California, Florida, Georgia, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Nationwide, 41,059 people were killed and 2.5 million injured, causing $230 billion in economic damage, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Make no mistake about it: Driving a car is the most dangerous activity each of us engage in on a daily basis. Yet, as you climbed behind the wheel of that 4,000 pound hunk of steel to begin the work week, do you even remember the last time you made a conscious effort to review the safe driving habits and practices that could save your life?

In the coming weeks, we will be reviewing some of the most common causes of serious or fatal accidents, including:
-Aggressive Driving
-Speeding
-Distracted Driving
-Drowsy Driving
-Impaired Driving
-Accidents with motorcycles
-Accidents involving bicycles and pedestrians
-Red lights and intersections
-Driving in inclement weather
-Teen driving
-Driving and seniors
-And driving in parking lots

So check back with us often. Why not? Your life could very well depend on it.

Continue reading "Summer Safe Driving series brought to you by the Chicago car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes" »

An auto accident in the northern suburbs of Chicago has resulted in the death of a Northbrook resident and felony charges against a Gurnee resident, according to the Northbrook Star. The accident occurred on May 22nd in the 100 block of LeBaron Street in Waukegan when a 22 year old driver left the roadway in a Chevrolet Silverado and hit a parked semi-trailer.

His passenger, Andrew Galo, age 22, was pronounced dead at the scene from head injuries. The driver was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge for medical treatment. His injuries were reportedly not serious.

The driver has since been charged with reckless homicide, DUI and speeding. Bond has been set at $100,000. The Waukegan Police Department handled the crash investigation.

In Chicago, Illinois an alleged drunk driver has caused a car accident that left one dead and 7 others injured on the South Side, according to chicagobreakingnews.com. The car crash happened Sunday night just before 8 p.m. at 43rd Street and Western Avenue.

The collision involved three vehicles and was reportedly caused by an intoxicated driver who ran a red light. The DUI driver, a 38 year old male, was northbound on Western in a 1999 Chevy Cavelier when he struck a westbound Lexus on 43rd. The Lexus driver, a Chicago Heights resident, was killed. After the initial impact, the Lexus struck a Toyota that was stopped at the light.

Seven others involved in the car accident were injured and taken by ambulance to Mt. Sinai Hospital, St. Anthony Hospital and Stroger Hospital. The alleged DUI driver was arrested and additional charges are reportedly pending.

Click here to read more.

In Chicago, Illinois a Lynwood woman, who was allegedly intoxicated, lost control of her car and crashed nearly two months ago, according to NWI.com. The accident resulted in the death of her passenger, a Chicago resident. Earlier this week in criminal court at 26th and California, bond was set at $200,000.

The bond is a "D Bond", which means the defendant must post 10 percent of the bond to be released. Her next court date is set for May 18th for a preliminary hearing.

The car accident took place back on February 28, 2009 just before 3 am. (Statistically, 12 am - 3am is the most dangerous time to be on the road). The defendant was driving southbound on the Bishop Ford Expressway near 111th Street when she lost control of her car, drove into the left median, flipped over, and hit a tree.

Paramedics on the scene smelled alcohol. The defendant later was tested and she had a blood alcohol level of .19, over twice the legal limit of .08. The Illinois State Police investigated the accident. The defendant was not criminally charged until this past weekend. She was charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.

The passenger in the car, Michael Mayfield, a 42 year old Chicago resident, was taken by ambulance to Roseland Community Hospital where he died an hour later. It has not been reported if the family of the victim has retained a Chicago wrongful death lawyer to pursue a civil claim against the defendant's insurance carrier.

In Chicago, Illinois a two vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 57 last Friday night resulted in the death of a 53 year old man, and criminal charges against one of the drivers involved, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The auto accident took place around 11:00 p.m. in the southbound lanes near Halsted Street.

One person died at the scene and two others were transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn with serious injuries. The victim, a South Side resident, was pronounced dead at Christ Medical Center less than an hour after the crash. An autopsy the next day determined that the he died from cervical injuries.

The Illinois State Police are handling the crash investigation. One of the drivers has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence, both felony charges.

The car crash allegedly took place when one vehicle was speeding and attempted to pass another. The collision involved a Chevy pickup truck and a Ford Expedition. The pickup truck reportedly struck the Expedition, causing both vehicles to flip over. The victim who died was ejected from one of the vehicles.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between 200,000 and 300,000 vehicles rollover every year in the United States. Rollover crashes can cause fatal and catastrophic injuries. For example, in 2004, 33% of all auto accident deaths occurred in vehicles that rolled over. That same year, 10,553 people were killed in rollovers, 8,565 were killed in single car rollovers, and 15,312 were ejected from vehicles in rollovers.

Two Chicago Police Officers that were responding to a battery call on the Northwest Side early this morning were struck by a drunk driver, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The driver, a Chicago resident, was charged with DUI, negligent driving, making an improper left turn, and no proof of insurance.

The police officers were moving eastbound on Irving Park Road in the area of North New England Ave. when the defendant pulled off of a side street. The at fault driver was in a Ford Taurus and the police car was traveling with emergency lights and siren activated.

Both officers were injured and taken to local hospitals. One officer suffered a shoulder injury and the other sustained neck and back injuries. The officers were treated at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge and Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center. They are both said to be in good condition.

The officers in this case both have a good civil case against the at fault driver. However, here there is a good indication that the DUI driver was uninsured. While the officers will be able to collect benefits for their injuries under their union agreement, they should both look into making uninsured motorist claims under there own personal auto insurance policies, as there could be coverage available.

If you have been injured in a Chicago area car accident by a drunk driver, or a negligent driver, contact attorneys at our office for a free consultation.

The family of a woman killed in a 2007 drunk-driving accident is pushing for felony DUI charges against the two motorists involved in the accident. According to CBS 7 Chicago, the woman was a passenger on a motorcycle operated by Eugene Bikulcius when a car driven by Carol Miller made an illegal left turn into their path. The two on the motorcycle were coming from a bar, and the pattern of the accident suggested that they were traveling at a high speed. Miller was arrested the night of the accident for misdemeanor DUI, but Bikulcius was not.

The victim’s family suggests that Bikulcius wasn’t charged because he was an off-duty Chicago police officer. In fact, according to the report, Bikulcius wasn’t charged with any crime or breath-tested the night of the accident. It was only after several months of intervention by the victim’s family that the state’s attorney in the case found a hospital blood test showing a blood-alcohol concentration of three times the legal limit, and charged him with misdemeanor DUI. The family believes a felony DUI charge would be more appropriate, since felony charges are usually filed in a DUI case involving a death. But the state’s attorney told the station that an inadequate investigation left them without the evidence they needed for the more serious charge.

Regardless of whether this officer -- who is now on paid leave and relieved of duty -- is truly the beneficiary of police interference, drinking and driving is always a bad idea. As a Chicago car accident lawyer, I am generally sympathetic to motorcyclists in this type of accident. A car turning left in front of a motorcycle is one of the most common car-motorcycle crash patterns, and it’s often caused by the driver’s failure to look carefully for traffic. However, a BAC reading of 0.24 (three times the 0.08 limit in Illinois) makes a DUI charge appropriate in this case.

Whether that BAC caused or contributed to the crash is a different story, and may never be known. I can only imagine how upset this family must feel that the investigation of this deadly accident was deemed “inadequate.” When law enforcement can’t or won’t make a criminal case in an accident like this, families can also choose to pursue justice through the civil courts, with a Chicago auto accident lawsuit. In addition to holding a wrongdoer responsible for his or her actions, a legal claim can help families deal with the practical consequences of their loss -- medical bills, burial costs, loss of an income and compensation for the loss of a beloved sister and daughter. If you or someone you love is in this situation and you’d like to know more, you can contact Abels & Annes for a free consultation about your rights and your case.

A man who hit a college student with his car and kept on going was sentenced to eight years in prison on Dec. 3, according to CBS2 Chicago. Boubacar Bah pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI in the March incident. Bah’s victim, Thomas Dalof, and a friend had just stopped two men from attacking a woman outside the bar. When they were approached by the men’s friends, Dalof and his friend moved toward Dalof’s car to escape. But before Dalof finished crossing the street, Bah ran a stop sign and hit him. Bah, who had nothing to do with the fight, later crashed into a utility pole and abandoned the car. He later told police that he’d had five drinks and smoked marijuana before heading home.

In this case, the driver was charged criminally for the DUI and its results. But when criminal charges aren’t filed, or when they’re not enough, victims may also choose to file a Chicago car accident lawsuit. A lawsuit over a wrongful death -- any death caused by someone else’s careless or illegal actions -- is always a sensitive matter, because no lawsuit can bring back a lost loved one. But a legal claim can help victims deal with the practical effects of a death that came too soon, including medical and funeral bills, loss of an income and other financial costs caused by the death. It can also help compensate victims for their intangible but very real emotional losses.

And perhaps most importantly, it can hold wrongdoers responsible for their actions in cases where charges aren’t filed, or where they just don’t seem like enough. If you have lost someone to drunk driving accident or another fatal crash caused by someone else’s carelessness, you have the right to pursue a Chicago auto accident lawsuit. Contact us at Abels & Annes today for a free consultation on your case.

Two different drivers were charged in two different accidents taking place in the same part of the Edens Expressway early on Thanksgiving. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, an Evanston man was arrested and charged with driving under the influence after he swerved into oncoming traffic at around 3:30 a.m., forcing another driver to swerve into a ditch. Both were hospitalized and not believed to be seriously injured.

Just an hour and a half later, a Chicago man fell asleep at the wheel and hit a parked vehicle belonging to an Illinois State Police trooper. Fortunately, nobody was killed, but the driver was cited for failure to yield and improper lane usage, as well as failure to drive cautiously around an emergency vehicle. The last citation stems from Scott’s Law, also known as the “move over law,” which requires drivers to slow down, change lanes if possible and drive with caution when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights on. The maximum penalty for breaking this law is a $10,000 fine and loss of a driver’s license for up to two years.

These drivers may not feel lucky, but considering what could have happened in both cases, I think they’re lucky. A DUI constitutes major legal trouble, but if this driver had killed someone, he would have had to live the rest of his life with that fact. And even if authorities chose not to charge him with vehicular homicide, the driver would still be liable in an Illinois drunk driving lawsuit brought by the victim’s family.

The man who fell asleep at the wheel may not have been legally impaired, but unfortunately, the results of driving while sleepy can be just as tragic as the results of impaired driving. In fact, a 2006 study showed that sleepy driving quadruples a driver’s chances of being in an accident. Even if this man was just coming home from work, or at the end of a long road trip to see family on Thanksgiving, a crash could have been just as deadly and left him just as vulnerable to a vehicular homicide charge or a Chicago car accident lawsuit.

If you’ve been seriously injured, lost a loved one or believe your insurance company is cheating you after a serious car accident, the Illinois auto accident lawyers at Abels & Annes can help. Contact us today to learn more about your rights and your legal options.