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.

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.

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.

The black Lexus ES 330 flipped over and hit a tree about 1:30 a.m. Saturday morning near the 2000 block of Weber Road, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center. The men, ages 22, 27, 30 and 32, all died at the scene. Family and friends say the four grew up in Romeoville and were all close friends.

Three men were inside the car, while the fourth was ejected, according to NBC Chicago. Authorities indicated speed was a possible in the crash. Investigators are also examining the possibility of an equipment malfunction, which is standard procedure. The crash reconstruction could be complete in several weeks.

Illinois is off to a tough start in 2010. As reported on Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, the 928 people killed in Illinois traffic accidents in 2009 was the lowest in nearly a century of reporting.

But the Illinois Department of Transportation reported 60 fatalities in January 2010, one more than occurred in January of last year.

As reported on Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced earlier this month the launch of FocusDriven, the first nationwide agency dedicated to reducing distracted driving by eliminating cell phones.

The government estimates that 1 in every 6 fatal accidents were caused by distracted drivers last year -- killing almost 6,000 and injuring more than 500,000 motorists.

"I pledge to make my car a No Phone Zone," Oprah's pledge states. "Beginning right now, I will do my part to help put an end to distracted driving by not texting or using my phone while driving. I will ask other drivers I know to do the same. I pledge to make a difference."

As the Chicago car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes reported earlier this month, Illinois is a leader in the fight against distracted driving -- making it illegal to text while driving in Illinois and outlawing the use of cell phones in school zones and construction sites. The use of cell phones by drivers has been illegal in the City of Chicago for several years.

The talk show host is also featuring distracted-driving accidents on an episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," according to the Chicago Sun Times.

Winfrey said in a statement that she is "passionate" about the issue and asked viewers to spread the message to their families, friends, co-workers and community, adding that she wants people to know "how absolutely stupid it is that we continue to text and drive."

As many as 25 percent of Chicago car accidents are caused by a rear-end collision, according to state and federal estimates.

Police charged a Wisconsin man with murder last week for allegedly stabbing another trucker on the Edens Expressway near suburban Northfield, the Sun-Times reported.

Reports indicate the two truckers may have been cutting each other off in traffic before pulling over to fight.

An article in the Chicago Tribune listed several techniques area motorists use to try to combat tailgaters:

-Pumping the brakes
-Slowing down until the tailgater passes
-Activating emergency blinking lights
-Changing lanes or moving over
-Pulling off to the side of the road

"Swallow your ego and move over," even if you have to turn off a two-lane road," Roy Lucke, research manager of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety told The Tribune."How much time are you really going to lose if you go over onto a shoulder or onto a side street or a parking lot? Thirty seconds? You let the idiot go by, and you can go back on your way."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates rear-end collisions account for about 1 in 4 crashes, causing 2,000 deaths and almost 1 million injuries each year.

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.

The light for eastbound Garfield at Damen was red and the plaintiff slowed and stopped for the red light. The defenant failed to slow and stop for the red light and struck the rear of our client's vehicle.

Immediately after the accident the plaintiff began to have some neck and back pain. As the evening progressed his pain got worse. When he awoke the next morning he was suffering excruciating pain in his neck and back.

Due to his worsening symptoms the plaintiff sought treatment the next day at Mercy Hospital’s Emergency Department. He complained mostly of neck pain, back pain, headache and dizziness. A history was taken, he was examined and diagnostic tests were performed. He was prescribed pain medication, muscle relaxants and instructed to seek follow up medical care.

Over the next few days the pain worsened. He sought follow up treatment from a a board certified neurologist. At this time he continued to complain of neck and back pain as well as headaches and dizziness. Additionally, his low back pain was radiating into his left leg. Following an examination the doctor prescribed a course of therapy that he underwent.

The plaintiff later had an open MRI that showed disc bulges at C3-4, C5-6 and C6-7 and bulging at L3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1. He underwent left L4-5, L5-S1 and S1 trans foraminal epidural steroid injections and he obtained significant relief from the treatment.

The case has settled for the defendant's insurance policy limits of $50,000. Safeco Insurance is paying on the claim.

The Chicago car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes published dozens of articles in 2009, both here and on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, about the perils of drunk and distracted driving and the challenges teens face in learning good driving habits.

Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety released its 7th annual report card on all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The group's primary focus is on three areas: banning text messaging, graduated driver licensing and ignition-interlock laws for drunk driving offenders.

"Our intent was to highlight the documented need for more states to adopt these highly effective lifesaving laws aimed at high-risk behavior," said Judith Lee Stone, president of Advocates.

The group said it's no accident the report cards were released in time for 2010 state legislative sessions across the country. "Timing is everything, and the times is right to increase the pressure on states," Vice President Jackie Gillan said.

The group reported an annual average of 5.8 million traffic rashes on the nation's highways each year, claiming 30,000 lives and injuring more than 2 million. Every day, 102 people are killed and more than 6,000 injured in traffic collisions.

The group graded states in five areas with a maximum of 15 points: Adult Occupant Protection (seat belt and motorcycle helmet laws); Child Passenger Safety (booster seat laws); Teen Driving Graduated Driver Licensing; Impaired Driving (ignition interlock devices, child endangerment laws, mandatory testing laws and open container laws) and Distracted Driving (a ban on text messaging).

States received a Green Rating (good), Yellow Rating (needs improvement) or Red Rating (state dangerously behind).

Illinois received 12.5 of a possible 15 points, leading the nation behind the District of Columbia (13.5) and New Jersey (13).

In addition to Illinois's Graduated Licensing program, which became law in 2008, Illinois passed a ban on texting while driving, which took effect Jan. 1.

Rounding out the Top 10 states were Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee,
Minnesota and California.

The worst states were South Dakota, Arizona, North Dakota, Wyoming, Virgina, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Nebraska.

"These report cards serve as a highway safety GPS for every state that is serious about curbing the never-ending deaths and injuries on our roads," said Illinois Senate President John Cullerton of Chicago.

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.

The Chicago car accident attorneys and the personal injury and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes frequently post about fatal Chicago car accidents, both here at Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog and on our sister site, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog.

The fact is, unlicensed drivers frequently have poor driving records and carry little or no insurance. A Chicago car accident with an uninsured motorist can require a skilled Chicago car accident lawyer to help you and your family protect your rights and recover the compensation you deserve.

In Illinois, 202 fatal crashes involved an unlicensed driver in 2007, according to NHTSA data --11th highest of all 50 states. The 10-year average pins 1 of every 6 fatal Illinois car accidents on an unlicensed driver.

And fatal accidents caused by unlicensed drivers are on the rise, from 11 percent a decade ago to 14 percent last year. Men were almost twice as likely to be involved in an unlicensed fatal crash as were women.

Unlicensed young adult drivers, ages 21 to 40, averaged 4,179 fatalities per year, or more than half of all fatal crashes involving unlicensed drivers.

Emergency crews found one man dead and two others injured after responding to the crash shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday. The pin-in crash occurred at South Vincennes Avenue and West 73rd Street.

The 49-year-old Spaulding Avenue man was pronounced dead at 9:32 p.m. at Saint Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center. The Cook County medical examiner's office reported he was the driver of one of the vehicles involved in the Chicago car accident.

The victim was driving a 1995 Oldsmobile at the time of the crash. His passenger, a 30-year-old man, was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in critical condition. The 41-year-old man driving the other car, a 1993 Chevy Cavalier, was also transported to the hospital in critical condition.

No citations were issued as the police Major Accident Investigation Unit continues to investigate.

There have been 16 fatal car accidents in Illinois so far in 2010, compared to 22 during the same period last year, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

As reported on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, many accidents are being blamed on the stormy wither weather in the Chicago area as well as elsewhere in Illinois and throughout the Midwest.

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.

With snow continuing to fall in the Chicago area on Thursday, the Illinois State Police put an emergency snow plan into effect -- telling drivers who had accidents not to call 911 unless there were injuries.

The Chicago car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes encourage everyone to drive safely and allow plenty of time. Safe winter driving tips can be found here on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog and our sister site, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog.

About 8 to 12 inches of snow was expected in the area, ABC News reported.

In Chicago, the Department of Streets and Sanitation already announced Wednesday that the Snow Command Center will use ground sensors and closely watch nearly 1,000 cameras positioned throughout the city. Drivers are also advised to pay close attention to winter parking restrictions to avoid getting towed, ABC7 News reported.

Up to a foot of snow is expected in the Chicago area and as many as 500 flights could be cancelled, according to The Sun-Times.

Elsewhere in Illinois, a suburban teenager died in an Illinois car accident Thursday morning on Interstate 57 that is being blamed on icy roads and winter weather, WJBD radio reported.

The Marion County coroner said the 17-year-old Aurora teen was a passenger in an SUV that slammed into the rear end of a slow moving semi in the southbound lanes of I-57, about a mile south of the Salem exit.

The Illinois semi accidentoccurred just before 8 a.m. Thursday morning. The victim's mother, father and younger sister were being transported to St. Louis University Hospital.

The fire department reported that three of the passengers had to be cut from the vehicle.

The teen was pronounced dead shortly after 12:30 a.m. at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge as a result of the Chicago pedestrian accident, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

The girl and a friend were returning home from a shopping center and attempting to cross U.S. Route 12 at Pheasant Ridge Road shortly before 6:30 p.m. Thursday when the victim was struck by a 2006 Dodge van driven by a 60-year-old Barrington man.

Lake County officials are investigating.

Family and friends fathered to bury a Rogers Park mother, after she was killed during a Christmas-week hit-and-run Chicago pedestrian accident, the News Center reported.

The woman was remembered at a church across the street from where she was fatally struck by a car Dec. 21 while walking with her six-year-old son, who was also hit. The driver was reportedly fleeing police at 70 to 80 mph and did not slow down or stop after striking the mother and her child.

The driver, who police report had cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana in his system, was ordered held without bail on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

A Chicago train accident delayed the Chicago Transit Authority's Red Line on New Year's Day after a person fell onto the tracks at the Lawrence Avenue station, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The victim was transported to Weiss Memorial Hospital in "stable" condition after falling off the station platform shortly after 5:15 p.m., according to the Chicago Fire Department.

The day after Christmas, an 8-year-old boy was struck by a white Ford F-150 while crossing in the 5400 block of South Kostner Avenue in the West Elsdon car accident.

The truck did not stopped and turned westbound on 55th Street after the accident, according to the News Center.

The truck, possibly a 1995 to 1997, had an extended two-door cab with no rear cap and a temporary license plate with the letter "M" in the middle. Anyone with information about the driver or the vehicle should contact the Chicago Police Department Major Accident Investigation Unit at (312) 745-4521.