Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

For reasons that can only be speculated about, Chicago injury lawyers at Abels & Annes seem to hear about more and more hit-and-run accidents. The Illinois two pedestrian accidents discussed below are eerily similar. Both occurred on the same day in July and both involved SUV drivers swerving into pedestrians.

In one case, last weekend two people ran the Chicago Marathon in memory of an 18-year-old woman from the Northwest suburbs that was killed July 22 by a driver that fled the scene of the accident, NBC News is reporting.

The victim was a pedestrian who was struck and killed by a swerving SUV as she walked with a group of people on Church Street near Lake Zurich High School. Two of her friends sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Unfortunately the at fault driver fled the accident scene and has still not been caught. There is currently a $5,000 reward being offered by the Lake County Crime Stoppers and the Lake Zurich Police Department.

The marathon runners hope to increase the offered reward by asking people to donate one dollar per mile. They have a goal of raising another $5,000-$10,000.

Anyone with information regarding this accident is encouraged to contact Lake Zurich police investigations at (847) 719-1695.

In another incident, a 24-year-old man from Glenview has been charged for his alleged role in a hit-and-run accident back in July, according to Trib Local. The arrest was made on October 9 and charges include leaving the scene of a personal injury accident. A judge set bond at $30,000 and the defendant is due back in court on October 26.

The collision also occurred on July 22 in the area of Country and Locust Lanes in Glenview. Two pedestrians were walking North on Country when they heard a vehicle coming up behind them. They turned around and saw a gray SUV swerving towards them. The automobile hit one of them, a 54 year old woman. The driver then fled the scene, heading northbound on Country Lane.

The injured pedestrian was taken by ambulance to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge with non-life threatening injuries, according to investigating officers.

Surprisingly, the arrest was only made after the at fault driver made what is being reported as an "unsolicited appearance" at the Glenview Police Department.

We can only guess as to why the drivers in the above accidents fled the scene. Some believe that with a poor economy, more and more motorists are driving without insurance, which in turn leads to a greater likelihood of leaving the scene. However, in the to accidents discussed above, many might speculate that drugs or alcohol were involved. In both cases the drivers swerved into innocent pedestrians for reasons unknown and then left without assisting the victims. The repercussions of a DUI and possibly other serious charges could have been incentive enough to flee.

Sadly, in most hit-and-run cases the offending motorist is never caught by police. This type of crash is not a rare occurrence and attorneys at Abels & Annes handle hit-and-run claims a regular basis.

Continue reading "July 22 Illinois hit-and-run pedestrian accidents result in charges in one case and a reward offer in another" »

Illinois car crash attorneys at Abels & Annes have agreed to represent a Chicago man that was injured in a traffic collision in May, 2011. The incident occurred at Clark and Jackson in the Loop.

The plaintiff was sitting at a red light when a pickup truck slammed into the rear his car. The pickup then fled the scene, driving away going westbound on Jackson Street, which is an eastbound one-way street.

After the accident, both our client and witnesses were able to take down the hit and run driver's license plate number. The Chicago Police Department responded to the scene of the collision and ran the license plate number, identifying the owner.

The next day the plaintiff called the defendant, who surprisingly cooperated, admitted involvement and gave his auto insurance information. It is unclear if he will now face criminal charges for fleeing the scene.

In my experience, a fact pattern like this is uncommon. Typically drivers that flee the accident are uninsured.

The plaintiff sustained neck and back, shoulder, and right elbow injuries in the crash. He was treated at Stroger Hospital after the crash.

In the days following the incident his pain only increased. He is now under the care of a medical doctor in the Chicago area.

The plaintiff's vehicle sustained heavy damage in the accident and was totaled.

If you have been hurt in an Illinois car accident, contact the personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes for a free case evaluation. Call us at 312-924-7575.

Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers previously reported that a 75-year-old man was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver at the intersection of Kimball Avenue and North Avenue on April 1. Now comes word that a 38-year-old West Side resident has been charged with a felony count of leaving the scene of accident causing death, according to ABC news.

The charge was announced by Chicago police officials on Wednesday. Fox News is reporting that the hit and run driver had previously been cited for driving without insurance, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and failure to give information.

The pedestrian victim was crossing the intersection in the Humboldt Park neighborhood just after 8 PM when he was fatally hit. Police later located the defendant and the vehicle and the 4700 block of W. Washington Blvd.

An autopsy determined the victim died from multiple injuries in the collision. The death was ruled an accident.

The hit-and-run driver was scheduled to appear in bond court on Thursday.

It has not been reported if a pedestrian accident attorney is involved in the case or if a civil lawsuit has been filed.

Read the story in the Chicago Tribune here.

A deadly Chicago pedestrian accident on the North Side has claimed the life of a 75-year-old man, according to the Chicago Tribune. The collision occurred in Logan square just after 8 PM last Friday evening at the intersection of Kimball Avenue and North Avenue.

The victim was transported by ambulance to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County in critical condition and pronounced dead less than an hour later.

After the accident the driver involved fled the scene. Chicago police located the car in the 4700 block of W. Washington Blvd. The Chicago Police Department's major accident investigation unit is now involved and a man has been taken into police custody.

As the weather warms up in the Chicago land area, drivers have to be on the lookout for more and more pedestrians in crosswalks and at other locations. In the year 2009 alone, 111 pedestrians were killed in Illinois accidents, and 13 of those pedestrians were age 75 and older, that according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

It was not reported if an Illinois pedestrian accident attorney is involved in this case yet.

Click here to read the story as reported by the Chicago Breaking News Center.

Anyone with information regarding the collision should contact the major accident investigation unit at (312) 745-4521.

An Illinois pedestrian accident has claimed the life of a man in his 30s on Thursday night, according to the Chicago breaking news center. The pedestrian victim was killed while standing on the side of Interstate 55 Near Damon Ave.

Police have located the hit-and-run vehicle but have not stated whether they are questioning anyone in connection with the accident. The Illinois State Police are handling the crash investigation.

The pedestrian accident occurred just after 10 PM as the victim was standing on the right shoulder near his vehicle in the northbound lanes. He was transported by ambulance to Mount Sinai Hospital and pronounced dead a short time later.

It is not been reported if a Chicago pedestrian accident attorney is involved in this case yet. Unfortunately, in hit and run accidents, even if the driver is located, in my experience most of the time they are not insured. The Illinois personal injury lawyer that gets involved in the case could very likely pursue a hit and run / uninsured motorist claim against the driver's own policy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An Illinois pedestrian accident has resulted in a 58-year-old woman losing a leg and a 21-year-old hit and run driver being held in police custody, according to the Chicago breaking news center. The collision took place on the south side of Chicago when a driver, who resides in the 6500 block of South Claremont, drove a 1993 Buick onto a sidewalk and hit the pedestrian who was waiting for a bus. The vehicle struck a bench and a light pole.

The incident took place at the intersection of 69th and State Street on January 26 just before 4 PM. The pedestrian suffered severe injuries and was in critical condition. She lost her right leg, her left leg was fractured and she lost vision in one of her eyes.

After causing the accident, the 21-year-old driver fled the scene. The news story does not report exactly how she she was caught, however police are giving praise to community members for distributing more than 500 pamphlets regarding the incident and canvassing the area.

The motorist has been charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, damaging public property, driving without a license, driving without insurance, failing to render aid to an injured person, failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident and negligent driving. On Saturday a Cook County Judge ordered the defendant's bond be set at $100,000.

As far as a civil claim is concerned, no amount of money will be able to make this pedestrian victim whole again. That being said, the defendant in this matter is uninsured. Once a Chicago personal injury lawyer gets involved in the case, he or she will look into whether the victim has auto insurance and if an uninsured motorist claim can be pursued.

Click here to read more about Illinois hit-and-run claims.

Read the story as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times here.

The Chicago Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating a truck driver that may have been involved in an Illinois hit-and-run bicycle accident, according to the Chicago Tribune. The accident occurred on Monday around 5:50 PM. The victim and a seriously damaged by were found next to the eastbound lanes in the 300 West block of Pershing Road on the South Side, which is in the Wentworth Gardens neighborhood.

Chicago police believe the bicycle rider was hit by a semi tanker-truck that had a red extended cab. They also report that the truck was traveling at a high rate of speed heading eastbound.

The victim was a 65-year-old male, address still unknown, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. Autopsy reports show the bicyclist died from multiple injuries sustained after being hit by a motor vehicle.

Chicago police are asking anyone with information about the accident to immediately contact the major accident investigation unit at 312-745-4521.

It is not been reported if a Chicago bike accident lawyer is involved in the case yet. As far as a civil case is concerned, we can only hope that the truck involved in the accident is located. This would enable the victim's family to make a claim against the truck driver's commercial insurance policy. If the truck is not located, the attorney representing the victim's family would explore the possibility of making an uninsured motorist / hit and run claim against the victim's own auto insurance policy.

In East St. Louis, Illinois a pedestrian versus motor vehicle accident has resulted in the death of a woman. BND.com is reporting that the collision occurred shortly after 1 AM on Sunday at the intersection of 26 Street and Cleveland Avenue. Police are asking for help as they are still trying to figure out what happened.

The victim has been identified as a 56-year-old East St. Louis resident. It is believed she was going home from the store when the accident occurred. After the collision, the driver involved fled the scene of the accident.

The East St. Louis Police Department is searching for someone in the area that was driving a light-colored SUV. Anyone with information pertaining to the accident should immediately contact police. Call either the East St. Louis Police Department at 482-6700, the Illinois state police at 346-3990 or call Crimestoppers at 866-371-Tips. Crimestopper tips are anonymous and can pay up to $1,000.

A Chicago hit-and-run accident has caused severe injuries to a pedestrian on the North Side, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The collision occurred early Sunday morning in the Edgewater neighborhood.

Around 3:30 AM a red vehicle that was traveling in a northwest direction struck the pedestrian in the area of 5900 N. Ridge Ave. The motorist then fled the scene. Rescue personnel from the Chicago fire Department rushed the pedestrian to St. Francis hospital Evanston where he is reportedly being treated for severe head injuries and is in critical condition.

The vehicle that may have been involved was located later that same day in the 6000 block of N. Lincoln Ave. in a motel parking lot. The Chicago Police Department's major accident investigation unit is stating that they have been in contact with someone who may have been the driver.

Police are also stating that it was not raining at the time of the accident and there were no skid marks showing the driver tried to stop. 30 mph is the speed limit at the location. There is actually a red light camera at the accident location, however it is not been determined if a photo was taken.

Police have not yet been able to interview the pedestrian.

Click here to read the story as reported by WGN-TV and ABC news.

Click here to read more about Chicago pedestrian accident lawsuits and Illinois hit-and-run injury claims.

A Chicago man has been arrested due to his alleged involvement in a deadly Illinois pedestrian accident that took place on a South side on Saturday. NBC news is reporting that Chicago police officers believe he was drinking at the time of the hit-and-run accident.

The defendant, age 36, resides in the 6900 block of S. Laflin St. and he has been charged with aggravated DUI. The collision resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman.

The at fault driver was also cited for improper lane usage, hitting a pedestrian in the road, and driving without a valid insurance. It is further alleged that his blood-alcohol level was above the 0.08 limit, but test results have not been released.

The accident took place early Saturday morning around 2:15 AM in the 7300 block of South Racine. After the defendant struck the pedestrian he fled from the scene. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday for a bond hearing.

The victim was taken by ambulance to Advocate Christ Medical Center where she was pronounced dead a short time later, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. An autopsy on Saturday confirmed that that the pedestrian died from injuries sustained in the accident. The Chicago Police Department's major accident investigation unit handled the crash investigation.

Due to the fact that the at fault driver was reportedly uninsured, when a Chicago wrongful death lawyer gets involved in the case he or she will look to pursue an uninsured motorist claim against the pedestrian victim's own auto insurance policy.

A Chicago hit-and-run accident is seriously injured pedestrian on the south side, according to the Chicago Sun-Times . The accident happened just outside an election polling station Tuesday morning and the pedestrian was Martin Munoz, brother of State Sen. Antonio Munoz.

A driver of vehicle reportedly sped through the intersection and hit Munoz, age 40. The victim was taken by paramedics to Mount Sinai Hospital where he underwent surgery for significant leg injuries. The senator's brother was apparently on his way to vote at the time of the accident.

Illinois pedestrian accident occurred just before 6 AM in the area of 4030 S. Archer Ave. The pedestrian was crossing Archer northbound towards the election station when the mid-1990s Nissan came through the intersection heading southeast. The car was traveling between 30 and 40 mph when it hit the victim. Occurrence witnesses heard screeching tires and then turn to see the pedestrian being knocked around 20 feet.

A Chicago police officer reportedly was working security the location. The officer gave chase in a squad car, was able to get a license plate number, but then lost track of the vehicle. Police have since located the vehicle and are speaking to a "person of interest".

Click here to read the stories reported by ABC news and the State Journal Register.

As far as a civil claim is concerned, this case will likely turn into a hit-and-run / underinsured motorist claim. In my experience as a Chicago personal injury lawyer, most drivers that flee accident scenes end up not having valid auto insurance. Once an Illinois pedestrian accident attorney gets involved in the case, they will surely investigate whether a case can be pursued against the hit-and-run driver, however the claim will most likely end up being against the victims own auto insurance company.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read more about Illinois uninsured motorist claims here.

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

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

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

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

The extent of the pedestrians injuries has not been reported.

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

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

NBC news is reporting that a total of nine people have been hurt, seven seriously, in a Chicago car crash. The accident happened in the Logan Square neighborhood on the north side just after 2 AM on Saturday morning. It is being reported that a driver of a silver Infiniti caused the accident, however there is no indication that the crash was alcohol related, that according to the Chicago Police Department.

Infiniti was headed westbound on Fullerton Avenue when it hit another Infiniti vehicle at or near Sacramento Boulevard. The at fault driver then fled the scene of the accident and headed back east on Fullerton at a high rate of speed. As the silver Infiniti fled, it crashed into a taxicab in a Toyota in the 2900 block of W. Fullerton Ave.

The force of the impact ejected three people from the Infiniti, injured the taxi driver and passenger, and injured the woman driving the Toyota. According to witnesses, the at fault driver was alert after the crash, however the three passengers that were ejected were unresponsive.

The injured victims in the accident were taken by ambulance to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, Norwegian Hospital, Illinois Masonic Medical Center, and St. Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center. The severity of the injuries has not yet been reported.

In an accident like this, it is a good idea to seek help from a Chicago injury lawyer. The first potential problem is whether or not the at fault Infiniti driver had auto insurance. In my experience, most drivers that flee the scene are uninsured. The next issue is, if there was insurance, whether there's enough insurance money to go around. Because so many people were injured in this car crash, there will most likely not be enough insurance.

What could happen is that, with the help of the Chicago car crash attorney, the injured parties will be able to make uninsured motorist claims, or underinsured motorist claims, against their own auto insurance policies. Click here to read more about Illinois uninsured and underinsured motorist claims.

Click here to read the story as reported by CBS News and ABC News in Chicago.

On Friday evening there was a fatal pedestrian accident in Chicago and police are asking for help in finding a hit and run driver. The Chicago Breaking News Center is reporting that the van vs. Chicago pedestrian accident occurred in the Calumet Heights neighborhood around 9:15 p.m.

A 24 year old pedestrian was hit crossing the street at 9100 S. Stony Island. The driver that hit him fled the scene in a red or burgundy Chevy conversion van that has a gray stripe on the side of it. The driver is reportedly an African American male in his 20s.

The pedestrian victim, who was a Chicago resident, was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and pronounced dead a short time later.

Anyone with information related to the accident is asked to immediately call the Chicago Police Department's Major Accident Investigation Unit at (312) 745-4521.

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

A twelve year old boy has been critically injured in a Chicago hit-and-run pedestrian accident on the South Side, according to the ABC News. The pedestrian accident happened on Sunday in the 8000 block of South May Street in the early evening.

The boy was crossing the street when a 2 door Cadillac struck him. The car was traveling southbound and just kept going after the accident. The driver has been described as African American, age 20-26, and is known by the alias of KB.

The victim was taken by ambulance to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition. CBS News is reporting that he suffered multiple injuries and sever head trauma, facial lacerations and a fractured leg that has been surgically repaired. He is currently in a drug induced coma.

CBS News is also reporting that the child was dragged down the street before the driver fled.

Anyone with information regarding the Chicago car vs. pedestrian accident should immediately contact the Chicago Police Department at 312-745-4521.

Click here to read the story as reported by the Southtown Star.

Police are investigating a trio of hit-and-run Chicago auto accidents, two of which involved police officers, the Breaking News Center reported.

Two officers were injured early Friday near 35th and Halsted streets when a vehicle ran a red light. The officers swerved to avoid a collision, but lost control and struck a parked car. The other car did not stop. Both officers were taken to Stroger Hospital with injuries.

The officers had been responding to a 911 call from an off-duty officer who was in an accident with a vehicle that reportedly failed to yield the right-of-way near 47th and Ashland Avenue. That car also fled the scene.

Meanwhile, police continue to investigate a hit-and-run Chicago car accident that killed a Bellwood man and injured four others on the West Side, the News Center reported.

A 19-year-old passenger was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The accident occurred near the intersection of Keeler Avenue and Jackson Boulevard shortly before midnight. The car he was riding in was struck by another vehicle and crashed into a light pole. Four others, ages 18 to 20, were also injured, according to police.

The other vehicle fled the scene following the crash.

The remaining passengers were taken to Stroger Hospital, including one passenger who was listed in critical condition.

The overnight crashes are the latest in a rash of hit-and-run accidents in Chicago. Police are looking for two other hit-and-run drivers involved in separate Chicago pedestrian accidents on Wednesday, which killed one elderly pedestrian and seriously injured another.

The most common reasons a driver flees the scene include:
-Drunk or impaired driving
-Drivers who are unlicensed or have a suspended or revoked license
-Self Preservation
-Aggressive Driving

As we frequently report, drunk driving is an epidemic blamed for as many as one-third of all traffic fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

But an often overlooked cause is driving without a license, or drivers who are on the road despite having their license suspended or revoked. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety's report Unlicensed to Kill, found at least 1 in 5 fatal accidents nationwide involved one or more drivers who did not have a valid license.

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 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.

One man was killed and another critically injured in a hit-and-run Chicago pedestrian accident early Sunday morning, according to the Breaking News Center.

The accident happened shortly after 2 a.m. at the Lynwood Sport Center, when two pedestrians were hit by a white Ford truck.

The truck reportedly fled the scene westbound on Glenwood Dyer Road; the driver was taken into custody minutes later at the intersection of Illinois Highway 394 and I-80/294. Investigation of the accident is ongoing and the 56-year-old driver of the pickup truck has not been charged.

A three-car Chicago car accident on Lake Shore Drive sent six people to area hospitals Friday afternoon, the Sun-Times reported. The crash occurred about 2 p.m. near Soldier Field at the intersection of Lake Shore Drive and McFeteridge Drive.

Two adults were transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and two were transported to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. Two other adults were transported in stable condition to Mercy Hospital and Medical Center.

Police were investigating the crash, which involved two cars and a pick-up truck, according to ABC 7.

Fatal Illinois traffic accidents claimed 111 lives through the first 2 months of 2010, compared to 123 during the same period a year ago.

An Illinois civil lawsuit has been filed in connection with a hit-and-run Chicago car accident last week that claimed the life of a toddler.

The child's parents filed the lawsuit after the driver accused in the crash was released on bond, ABC7 News reported.

As reported last week on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, the driver of a Toyota Camry allegedly sped away from one accident before he crashed into the car containing a young mother and her infant.

The Camry reportedly had its lights off when it slammed into her vehicle while turning left at Parker and Cicero avenues. In addition to her 13-month-old son, two friends ages 20 and 21 were also killed in the crash.

The Camry's driver, a 55-year-old Skokie man, faces numerous charges, including negligent driving, leaving the scene of an accident and driving too fast for conditions.

"We just want him to pay for what he did. That's it. He shouldn't be out on the streets," the child's mother told ABC7.

Nobody was reported injured in the first collision, when the Camry rear-ended a Ford Expedition. But before authorities could be notified, the driver allegedly sped off and slammed into the victims' Honda Civic.

Police are looking for the vehicle responsible for a suburban Chicago hit-and-run accident that killed a bicyclist, according to ABC7 News.

Family members of the 61-year-old man gathered at the scene of the Chicago bicycle accident over the weekend to pray and ask for help in locating the suspect in the fatal hit-and-run crash. The victim was hit while riding his bicycle in suburban Ford Heights, near Cottage Grove and 11th Street.

The accused driver fled and left the man lying at the side of the road.

A citizen found the man at about 9 p.m. The victim was taken to St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights and then airlifted to Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, where he died as a result of his injuries, the Park Forest News reported.

The Cook County Sheriff's Office is seeking the suspect. Authorities reported evidence found at the scene indicates that the vehicle involved is a 1996 to 2002 Chevy van of unknown color. The sheriff's office asks anyone with information to please contact the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Investigations Section at (708) 865-4896.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reported more than 3,810 Illinois bicycle accidents occurred last year, killing 27 people and injuring 3,385. Three-quarters of injured cyclists were male.

As first reported on Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog last fall, police continue to deal with high numbers of Chicago pedestrians being struck and seriously injured or killed by hit-and-run drivers.

Authorities are seeking the driver responsible for running down three pedestrians in a Chicago hit-and-run pedestrian accident last month.

The Sept. 26 incident happened on the 1200 block of South Halstead Street shortly after 2 a.m.

The Chicago Breaking News Center reported three 19-year-old pedestrians, a man and two women, were standing in a bicycle lane, waiting to cross the street, when a dark colored SUV struck the trio and continued south on Halsted Street without stopping.

All three victims were transported to Stroger Hospital.

Police have investigated a rash of Chicago hit-and-run accidents in recent weeks as they seek drivers who have failed to stop after causing an accident or striking a bicyclist or pedestrian.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Chicago police major accident investigation unit at (312) 745-4521.

Two men died last weekend in separate Chicago hit-and-run accidents as police continue to battle drivers who fail to stop after pedestrian accidents.

CBS2 reported a 47-year-old Texan and a 60-year-old grandfather were killed in the latest crashes and in both cases the drivers fled the scene.

The 60-year-old grandfather was struck down before dawn last Saturday on Cicero Avenue near Roosevelt Road, where his granddaughter erected a memorial on Sunday. The granddaughter expressed frustration, saying he might have been saved with proper medical attention.

Police are looking for a red or dark-colored vehicle with extensive front-end damage.

West of that crash scene, at Ogden and Lombard avenues in Berwyn, a seasonal construction worker was killed shortly after 6 a.m. last Sunday.

"We believe somebody saw this vehicle or may know who was driving this vehicle. We're asking them to come forward," said Berwyn Police Detective Roger Montoro. "We're positive a newer model Dodge Charger, black in color. We're totally positive of that."

Police believe the car has a missing hood ornament and front-end damage.

At least five other pedestrian accident have claimed lives or led to criminal charges in the past few weeks.

Last week, a 36-year-old woman was killed after being rundown in a crosswalk and thrown into the path of an oncoming CTA bus.

On Oct. 2, a Waukegan man was charged with killing a pedestrian in a Chicago hit-and-run accident; a week earlier, a man was charged in a drunk driving accident that killed a man at the state line.

In August, our sister site, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, reported on the city's efforts to reduce pedestrian accidents at night by stationing undercover officers in crosswalks.

Accidents data for Cook County and the surrounding area continues to show that pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents are a leading cause of injury and death in Chicago traffic fatalities. Through September, more than 1 in every 3 of Chicago's 110 fatalities involved a bicyclist or a pedestrian.

Hit-and-run drivers account for a large portion of traffic fatalities -- more than four people a day die in an accident where the at-fault driver does not stop, according to a report by AAA. Each day, another 72 are injured by hit-and-run drivers.

Anyone with information regarding a Chicago hit-and-run accident is encouraged to contact the Chicago Police Department immediately.

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 24-year-old Waukegan man has been charged with leaving the scene of a Chicago-area car accident that killed a pedestrian last Sunday night in Aurora, Illinois.

The Chicago Breaking News Center reported that Aurora police were able to convince the man to turn himself in to authorities after he called several times to inquire about the victim's condition.

He was also charged with obstructing justice and driving with a suspended license. Police reported he claimed he was rear-ended by another vehicle, which pushed him into the pedestrian and that he used a hammer and crow bar to damage his vehicle in an attempt to prove his story.

He later admitted the rear-end crash did not occur, according to police.

The hit-and-run driver was in a 1996 Mercury Marquis northbound on Lake Street, at 8:38 p.m., when he struck and killed the woman, who was crossing Lake Street in a market crosswalk, according to the Chicago Daily-Herald.

Police say accused driver did not stop and continued on to Waukegan.

Law enforcement continue to focus on prevention of Chicago area pedestrian accidents at night.

In 2008, a total of 135 pedestrians were reported killed in Illinois traffic accidents.

A brother and sister have been injured in a Chicago rollover car crash on August 16, 2009 in the early morning hours. Chicago personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes have agreed to represent them in an accident claim against the at fault driver's insurance carrier.

Our clients were traveling in an SUV on Interstate 55 in the middle lane near Harlem Avenue. The brother, a 36 year old Chicago resident, was driving, and at that time saw headlights coming from behind him. The car looked to be approaching at a speed of 80-100 mph. The speeding car hit an Oldsmobile immediately to their left and the Olds then ran into their SUV. Our clients went into a ditch and their car rolled over twice.

The driver that caused the accident fled the scene. The driver of the Oldsmobile was able to take down the license plate of the hit-and-run vehicle, and the plate was reported to the Illinois State Police who handled the crash investigation. The state police, working with the Stickney Police Department, were able to track down the owner of the vehicle, who admitted involvement in the accident. The hit & run driver was ticketed and has an early October court date in Bridgeview, Illinois.

The siblings both sustained injuries. The brother was treated at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn and the sister was taken by ambulance to Loyola Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois. Both are seeking follow-up treatment with orthopaedic physicians in the Chicago area.

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 " »

In Chicago, Illinois a pedestrian being struck by a hit and run driver has been caught on tape, according to NBC News. The car vs. pedestrian accident happened May 14th at Kedzie and Montrose Avenue. The Chicago Police Department made the video public with the hope of catching the offender.

The victim, a 60 year old grandmother, was hit just after she pushed her 7 year old granddaughter out of harm's way. She was seriously injured and is currently in a wheelchair. The child was not hurt.

The at fault driver was described to be in his 20s and was driving a white Chevy Trailblazer. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Chicago Police Department - Major Accident Investigation Unit at 312-745-4521.

If the driver is not caught by police, the victim can pursue an uninsured motorist claim against her own auto insurance policy to recover financially for her injuries. The fact that she was a pedestrian (and not driving) at the time of the accident will not bar insurance coverage.

Click here to view the accident video.

In Chicago, Illinois a hit-and-run pedestrian vs. car accident has left a South Side woman severely injured, and her family is looking for help and answers. The accident happened near 67th & Halsted on April 22, 2009 and the victim, Eve Davis, age 67, still remains hospitalized at Stroger Hospital.

She is scheduled for surgery today to replace a broken left hip. Her other injuries include two spinal fractures, internal bleeding, staples in her left shoulder, a laceration from the top of head down to her left eye, and significant memory loss.

The Chicago Police Department's Major Accident Investigation Unit is investigating the hit and run, but no witnesses to the collision have been located. The investigating officers have informed family members that there was evidence that the pedestrian was dragged 20 feet in the accident.

The family of Eve Davis believes that there likely are witnesses to the accident, as the incident occurred in a busy area. The victim's daughter, Taniya Page, has been going out to the area of the collision trying to locate witnesses on her own.

If you have information regarding the pedestrian hit-and-run accident, please contact the Chicago Police Department or the law firm of Abels & Annes, or email accidentwitness@yahoo.com.

An auto accident has taken the life of Nick Adenhart, a rookie pitcher for the LA Angels, according to the Los Angeles Times and many other news outlets. The car crash occurred on April 9, 2009 just hours after Adenhart pitched six scoreless innings in his first game against the Oakland As.

The collision took place when a minivan ran a red light and struck a sports car that Adenhart was traveling in as a passenger. Two others in the vehicle were also killed. He was riding in a red Mitsubishi sports car. After the van hit them, the sports car crashed into a utility pole. One passenger in the sports car survived and is in an area hospital.

The driver of the minivan ran from the scene on foot and was caught by police a short time later. As the at fault driver was allegedly intoxicated, prosecutors in Orange County filed three counts of murder charges on Friday. He was also charged with leaving the scene of the accident and DUI. It is being reported that the defendant's blood alcohol level was over three times the legal limit.

The minivan was allegedly going between 50 and 65 m.p.h when it ran the red light. The posted speed limit was 35 m.p.h. The defendant's license was suspended at the time of this crash as a result of a prior drunk driving case. If convicted of all counts, he could be sentenced from 55 years to life in prison. He is in custody and will appear in court on Monday.

Hit-and-run accidents have been a theme in the news this week. In Chicago, Illinois there was a similar car accident on Friday when an off-duty detective from the Chicago Police Department slammed into a disabled car on the side of the Dan Ryan Expressway. He reportedly tried to flee the scene on foot and was also allegedly driving while intoxicated.

In the Chicago area suburb of Bartlett, Illinois, a DUI driver has caused a six car accident, according to Chicagobreakingnews.com. The accident occurred at the the intersection of Illinois Route 59 and Army Trail Road on Saturday night as the defendant weaved in and out of traffic moving southbound in a 1995 Nissan Maxima.

The at fault driver fled the scene of the accident on foot. However, he was quickly apprehended by Bartlett police not far from the accident. He now faces criminal prosecution for felony aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a suspended license, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and failure to reduce speed to avoid and accident. The defendant was taken into custody and transported to the DuPage County Jail in Wheaton, Illinois.

Often, hit-and-run drivers do not have valid and/or adequate car insurance. If you are the victim of a hit-and-run car accident in Illinois or if you have been hit by a driver who did not have valid automobile insurance, you may still have an opportunity to recover damages caused by the car accident.

In unfortunate situations such as this, you can make an uninsured motorist claim against your own insurance policy. When you are the victim of an automobile accident caused by someone without valid car insurance, your insurance company will pay on your claim to recover for damages and/or personal injuries caused by that automobile accident.

Personal injury lawyers from our firm can initiate an uninsured motorist claim and attempt to negotiate a settlement on your behalf . If a satisfactory settlement cannot be obtained, under the terms of your policy the next step would most likely be to resolve your case in arbitration.

Attorneys from Abels & Annes, P.C. often handle and successfully resolve uninsured motorist claims. If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, or if you have been injured by an uninsured or under-insured driver, please contact Abels & Annes at 312-924-7575 for a free consultation.

A Chicago resident that was hit by a vehicle on Monday evening remains in a hospital, according to the Chicago Tribune. The accident happened in the area of Harlem Avenue and Lake Street in River Forest, Illinois.

After the accident, the driver fled the scene. The car was later stopped in Oak Park and the driver, a Chicago resident, was taken into custody.

The severity of the pedestrian's injuries have not been reported, but the fact that she is still hospitalized is not a good sign. Statistically, pedestrians involved in accidents are seriously injured. Click here to read a recent article we posted on pedestrian injuries.

In this case, the victim most likely has a civil case against the driver, however, the chances are good that the driver had no insurance. It has been my experience that most drivers that flee the scene of an accident are uninsured.

If the hit-and-run driver was uninsured, hopefully the victim has her own auto insurance policy with good uninsured motorist coverage. She can make a claim on her own policy and recover for her injuries, medical bills and other damages.

If you have been the victim in a pedestrian accident, or if you have been injured by an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run driver, contact Abels & Annes for a free consultation.