Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

Shopping for the right booster seat is much easier now with the rating system that the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) just released.

More than 30 seats have made it on the "Best Bets" list. Seats on this list mean that they fit most children aged 4- to 8-years old and help to ensure that a seat belt fits correctly and comfortably on your child. Properly used booster seats can help to prevent the injury or death of your child during a car accident in Chicago. The seats are affordable for all parents as they range anywhere from $15 to a couple hundred bucks.

Our Chicago child injury attorneys understand how important it is to choose a car seat that fits your child correctly. About 70 percent of car seats used in the U.S. are used incorrectly. We ask that you take a moment and review the seats on the new "Best Bets" list to ensure that you're getting the best car seat for your child.

In addition to the "Best Bets" list, there are now 5 new seats on the "Good Bets" list. Child car seats on this list prove to provide acceptable seat belt fittings in most vehicles. Nearly 10 seats have been deemed as unusable because they don't properly fit into most vehicles.

Booster seats should be used by children who exceed the weight and height limits for front-facing child seats. In a booster seat, a child should be elevated so that the adult's seat belt will fit properly across their body. Some seats are able to seat your child more safely than others. One of the most common mistakes made by consumers is that they correlate price with quality, which isn't always the case. The booster seat rating system was started back in 2008 to help parents to equip their vehicle with the devices that will best protect their child in the event of an accident.

"A Best Bet means any of these top-rated boosters should work well in the family SUV or the babysitter's sedan," says Anne McCartt, the Institute's senior vice president for research.

In the last wave of ratings, the IIHS rated more than 60 different booster seats. More than 20 of them appeared twice in the lists. These kinds of seats are ones that can be used as backless of highback booster seats. There were 11 more seats evaluated this year than last year.

These lists are not created from crash test results. They're based on how well they'd fit a young child. The test is conducted by placing an average-sized child dummy in the seat and then examining the fit of the belt. There were 10 seats on the Best Bets list in 2008, only 9 in 2009 and more than 20 in 2010.

According to McCartt, there are more seats that fail to properly secure your child into a vehicle's seat than those that can. In a booster seat, a seat belt should fit across a child's upper thigh and across the middle of your child's shoulder.

Car seats have been proven time and time again to be effective in saving a child's life in the event of an accident. The determining factor in these events is the parents and their decision to choose the proper seat and to buckle them up in it every time.

For a complete list of which seats made the cut, visit the IIHS' Booster Seat Evaluation page.

Continue reading "The IIHS Releases its New Ratings for Booster Seats and their Protection during Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere" »

National Passenger Safety Week is taking place from September 18th to the 24th. During this time, the Illinois State Police (ISP) will be continuing its efforts to help keep child passengers safe in the event of a car accident in Chicago or elsewhere in the state. During the 2011 safety campaign, the Department of Human Services will be joining the ISP to conduct a number of events and child seat inspections to help parents to learn how to properly buckle a child in a motor vehicle.

ISP Trooper Mindy Carroll says that all parents and guardians are encouraged to attend these events and to have their child's car seat inspected by a certified technician. During this time, parents will be taught how to properly buckle in a child's car seat. Recent statistics show that roughly 75 percent of child seats are improperly installed into motor vehicles.

Our Illinois child injury attorneys ask that all parents do their part to help keep our children safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were nearly 1,500 children who were age 14-years-old or younger who were killed and another 180,000 who were injured in motor-vehicle accidents in 2009 in the U.S. We would also like to point out that nearly 250 child lives ages 4 and younger were saved in 2008 because they were properly buckled in their child seat. When these seats are used properly, they can reduce the risk of death by more than 70 percent for infants. The seats have the ability to decrease the risk of death for toddlers aged 1- to 4-years-old by more than 50 percent. Booster seats can reduce the risk of injury for children ages 4- to 7-years-old by nearly 60 percent.

"It's very important the car seat is secured properly inside the car and the child is secured properly inside the seat," says Carroll.

According to Carroll, the ISP follows the most recent child car seat recommendations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Carroll goes on to instruct Illinois parents to keep all children that are under the age of 13 in the back seat. She also suggests that you keep your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as they're within the seat's height and weight limits as set forth by the manufacturer.

Illinois has enacted the Child Passenger Protection Act to further its efforts to keep our child passengers safe. This Act holds parents and guardians responsible for keeping children under the age of 8 safely and properly restrained in a child-safety seat. If you're busted with a child passenger who is not properly restrained, you can face a $75 fine for the first conviction. Illinois will waive the fee if you can prove that you have purchased or received an approved child seat and have had a technician properly install it into the vehicle.

Continue reading "Child Passenger Safety Week Kicks Off to Help Save Children in Illinois Car Accidents" »

A recent three-car accident in Illinois seriously injured two children. The traffic accident took place at Illinois 15 and 74th Street. According to Police Capt. Don Sax, an 11-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy were transported to a St. Louis hospital and both were listed in serious condition, according to Belleville Daily News.

The accident happened when the driver of a van slammed into the back of the vehicle that the child passengers were in as the light changed to green and the family's vehicle started to pass through the intersection. Officials did not see any skid marks left from either of the vehicles, which indicates that the mini wan was traveling at full-speed, or at about 55 mph. The family's vehicle was pushed into an SUV that was in front of them.

We can expect to see an increased number of car accidents on our roadways throughout the rest of the month as August has been repeatedly proven to be the deadliest month on all U.S. roadways. According to MSN Money, more accidents have occurred in the month of August than during any other month since 1994. Our Chicago auto accident attorneys understand that one of the top contributors to this trend is the increase in traffic during August. This is one of the busiest months on our roadways and many residents are out taking summer trips, running errands and venturing out on vacations.

More specifically, August has a death rate of 1.09 per 100 million miles traveled. The second deadliest month is September with a death rate of 1.08. The safest month to be on our roadways is March as it has a death rate of 0.94.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there was an average of 93 people killed in traffic accidents in the U.S. every day in 2009. That equals one traffic fatality every 16 minutes. Through extensive research, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has concluded that 7 of the deadliest 25 days occur in the month of August.

Residents typically have more time for travel in August. For the same reason, we experience more traffic-accident fatalities on weekends rather than on weekdays. Weekends are also a time when we witness more drunk driving.

Saturdays are the deadliest of the weekend days. In 2009, Saturdays averaged about 123 deaths a day. Sundays averaged about 107 deaths a day, followed by 103 deaths on Fridays.

Here are the week's remaining average daily roadway fatalities for 2009:

-Mondays: 79 deaths.

-Wednesdays: 78 deaths.

-Thursdays: deaths 84.

"A large proportion of crashes happen in late afternoon and early evening in general, but especially in August," says Russ Rader, a spokesman for the institute. That's when the roads fill up both with commuters and vacationers.

The Institute reports that more than 33,800 people were killed in traffic accidents on U.S. roads in 2009:

-Those ages 13 to 15 accounted for 2 percent of all traffic fatalities.

-16 to 19: 9 percent.

-20 to 34: 31 percent.

-35 to 49, 23 percent.

-50 to 69, 22 percent.

-70 and up, 12 percent.

Continue reading "Two Children Injured in a Three-Car Accident in Illinois" »

Two teenagers were killed and three other occupants injured in a tragic Western Illinois car accident when their attempt at “hill hopping,” or driving over a hill at high speeds to get airborne, ended with their car rolling multiple times and striking a tree. According to WGEM.com, the crash occurred just outside Carthage, Illinois in the 1600 block of North Hancock County Road. The 18 year-old driver lost control of her vehicle as it landed and she was killed along with a 16 year-old passenger.

Locals say the area, known as “Butterfly hills,” is a popular destination for teens looking for thrills, and hill hopping at the location is a common occurrence. Teens often set out for the specific reason to drive over the hill at speeds of 90-100 miles per hour. Police said this was not the first crash at the hill.

“I would have died too,” said a friend of the victims, “it’s not easy to know your friends died doing something that everybody has done.”

Police said there were no drugs or alcohol involved in the crash, and both victims were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident.

While these types of accidents aren’t common, there are incidents throughout the country of teens being killed or severely injured after unsuccessful hill hopping attempts. The Chicago Tribune reported a similar incident that occurred in Long Grove, Illinois in 2004 when two teens decided to go hill hopping on a rural stretch of road. The car was traveling 90 m.p.h. when it hit the crest of the hill and sent the automobile careening out of control until it was stopped by a tree. The driver was ejected from the vehicle and survived, but his best friend was killed in the wreck.

The driver, who later pled guilty to reckless homicide, now gives speeches to teens about the dangers of reckless joy-riding. He explains how the invincibility that teens often feel is an illusion, and how by the time he realized this, he had to live with the guilt of killing his best friend.

Another similar incident happened just last year in Ohio when three teens between 15 and 16 years-old were severely injured after their car lost control and overturned during a hill hopping incident described as “horrific.” None of the occupants were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, and two of the occupants were ejected from the car.

Like the incident outside of Carthage, the crash occurred at a spot frequented by local teens looking to have fun. In fact, a 16 year-old was killed in a hill hopping attempt seven years prior at the same Ohio location. The victim died after crashing into a tree, the same tree the latest victims grazed as they lost control of their vehicle, the Dayton Daily News reported.

Unfortunately, this is not trend likely to go away anytime soon and it has been going on for a long time. I recently discussed this accident with a 40-year-old attorney who said that when he was a teenager back in the 1980s, he could recall hill hopping on several occasions with his friends.

Click here to read the story as reported by The Daily Gate City.

Continue reading "Hill hopping accident in Illinois claims the lives of two teens" »

Itasca, Illinois based National Safety Council is promoting June 12-18 as Teen Driver Safety Week.

As our Chicago auto accident lawyers recently reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog Mothers Against Drunk Driving has deemed summer the "100 Deadliest Days for Teen Car Accidents."

We began the month by reporting the National Safety Council would spend June focusing on preventable injuries. Other topics include summer safety and swimming pool drownings in Illinois, issues involving slip and fall prevention, and driver cell phone use.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that teen car accidents are the leading cause of death in the United States for those ages 15 to 20. Your teen is most likely to be killed in a summer car accident. For new drivers, the first year and first 1,000 miles of driving puts them at a lifetime high for being involved in a crash.

A family Guide to Teen Driving Safety will be available for free download from June 12-18.

Alive at 25 Parent online training will be available for free open enrollment from June 12-18.

How can I keep my Teen Driver Safe is a free webinar being offered on June 13.

Top Causes of Teen Driving Accidents include:

-Drunk Driving

-Distracted Driving

-Failure to Wear Seat Belts

-Night Driving

-Riding with too Many Passengers

-Overestimating abilities

-Inexperience

In an effort to spread the word about teen driving safety to young drivers and others, the Illinois Department of Transportation will also be promoting traffic safety at Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway. Race fans will be encouraged to sign safe driving pledges at races on June 4, July 7-10 and the Sept. 16-18 race weekend.

“We are pleased to join forces once again with racing fans at Chicagoland Speedway to promote traffic safety and positively impact millions more race fans in Illinois and across the nation,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “By promoting programs that increase safety belt usage and prevent impaired driving, NASCAR and Chicagoland Speedway events promise to remain a safe and enjoyable time for everyone. We hope to see many more fans commit to traffic safety this year.”

Continue reading "Chicago Teen Car Accidents in Focus During Safety Week June 12-18" »

An Illinois school bus crash that occurred Thursday morning on the South side of Chicago resulted in nine people being injured, and several hurt were special education students, the Chicago Tribune is reporting. All of the injured were taken to area hospitals after two school buses and a truck were involved in a traffic collision.

The three vehicle accident took place around 7 AM in the area of Ashland Avenue and 76th Street. Chicago Fire Department ambulances took five of the injured to Holy Cross Hospital, 2 to St. Bernard Hospital and 2 to Little Company of Mary Hospital. There were reportedly no life-threatening injuries, and all were in good to fair condition.

The two school buses involved were from two different companies contracted by the Chicago Board of Education. What caused the accident has not been reported.

Read the story as reported by NBC news here.

This is the second Chicago area bus crash this week involving two school buses. As Illinois injury lawyers from our office previously reported, 20 students were injured and hospitalized in north suburban Evanston on Tuesday when one school bus rear-ended another.

Bus accidents can be particularly dangerous to the passengers on board, as they are not typically seat belted and can be thrown around in a collision, sometimes resulting in serious injuries.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced this week it is delaying a mandate that all new vehicles be equipped with backup cameras, which had been aimed at reducing Chicago parking lot accidents and accidents involving vehicles backing over victims in driveways.

Chicago personal injury attorneys understand the tragic consequences of such accidents, which frequently occur around the holidays and often involve a relative who strikes a small child or a child or older adult who is run down in a busy parking lot.

As we reported in December on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, the government had been set to require some new vehicles be equipped with the cameras next year, with the goal of having the cameras installed in all new vehicles by 2014.

In a carefully worded statement the NHTSA said it will now seek to have a permanent rule by the end of this year, following a public hearing on the issue, at which it apparently got an ear full from the auto industry. Automotive World reports the new rule will be postponed after the NHTSA indicated it needs more time for analysis and comments.

"Every year, nearly 300 people are killed and 18,000 more are injured when someone, often a parent or grandparent, backs over them," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "To put an end to these tragedies, we have proposed a new safety rule and are seeking further public feedback."

The goal of last week's hearing was to permit industry groups and other interested parties a chance to comment.

"Safety is our top priority and the steps we are proposing, with the public's help and input, will reduce back-over fatalities and injuries not only to children, but to the elderly, and other pedestrians," NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said.

U.S. News & World Report referenced a study that indicates the new rule could cost the industry about $2.7 billion a year.

Continue reading "Feds delay rule aimed at preventing backover accidents in Chicago, elsewhere" »

An auto accident in the north suburbs of Chicago has resulted in the death of a high school student, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center. The teen victim was riding as a passenger when the vehicle he was riding in lost control on a curve and ran into a tree.

The deadly Illinois accident took place early Thursday morning in Arlington Heights around 12:40 AM when a Hyundai moving south 400 block of S. Windsor Dr. lost control and left the road. The vehicle was only moving slightly above the 25 mph speed limit, but police say the street was wet from a recent snow.

The Arlington Heights Police Department responded to the scene of the accident, and they reportedly had to cut off the roof of the vehicle in their attempt to rescue the passenger. The16-year-old was transported to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The news story does not report when the teenager passed away.

The driver of the vehicle, also age 16, sustained minor injuries in the crash. Drugs and alcohol did not play a role in the accident. Both of the teens were wearing seatbelts and the vehicle's airbags properly deployed.

The teenage victim is an Arlington Heights resident.

An Illinois pedestrian collision has resulted in the death of a three-year-old boy in Bridgeview on Tuesday afternoon, according to WGN news. The deadly incident occurred when a family member backing out of the driveway rolled over him.

The collision took place in the 8100 block of S. Odell Avenue around 12:45 PM. The child was taken by ambulance to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and pronounced dead a short time later. An autopsy is scheduled for today.

The Bridgeview Police Department is handling the investigation, and they have reportedly brought in an outside accident reconstruction team to assist them. Police are saying that it is doubtful that charges will be brought against the driver.

The article goes on to report that, according to kidsandcars.org, at least 50 children nationwide are involved in back over accidents each week. Out of those 50 children, two are killed and 48 are seriously hurt.

Children should remain in car seats for twice as long -- until the ages of 2 instead of 1 -- according to new recommendations issued this week by the federal government. MSNBC reports children younger than 13 should ride in the back and those as old as 12 should ride in booster seats.

“Parents often look forward to transitioning from one stage to the next, but these transitions should generally be delayed until they’re necessary, when the child fully outgrows the limits for his or her current stage,” said Dennis Durbin, MD, FAAP.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers urge parents to take the new, updated recommendations seriously. The Beacon-News reports that children should now remain in rear-facing car seats until they're 2-years-old, or until they've reached the maximum height and weight requirements of the seat's manufacturer. Previously, the recommendations were for children under a year old.

Once a child has reached the age of 2, or has outgrown their current seat, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommends a booster seat until a child is 8-years-old or reach a height of 4 feet 9 inches, whichever comes later. The government recommends children stay in the backseat until they're 12, according to the report in the Los Angeles Times.

The new car seat regulations come after new research found that children are actually safer in rear-facing car seats. The research, conducted by Injury Prevention, found that children under the age of 2, who are seated in rear-facing car seats during a car accident, are 75 perfect less likely to die or suffer a severe injury.

We frequently report that Chicago car accidents are a leading cause of serious and fatal injuries to children over the age of 3. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 34 children under the age of 14 died in Illinois car accidents in 2009 -- 19 of those were under the age of 7.

According to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 184,000 children were severely injured in car accidents last year -- more than 1,300 died.

"Parents are always looking for the next stage of development because in every other scenario, that's a good thing. With car safety seats, however, that's often not the case," said Ben Hoffman, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

An instructional pamphlet about car seat recommendations for children is available for you from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Continue reading "New Car Seat Regulations to Increase Child Safety in Chicago Car Accidents" »

The U.S. Department of Transportation is teaming up with Consumer Reports to warn parents and teenagers about the dangers of distracted driving.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers urge parents to have a serious talk with their teens as spring approaches. With spring break, prom and graduation, teens will have plenty of chances to be out late on the road and may face peer pressure when it comes to underage drinking, drinking and driving and drug consumption.

In short, the next few months are among the most dangerous when it comes to the risk of Chicago car accidents involving teenagers.

“Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on America’s roads, and teens are especially vulnerable because of their inexperience behind the wheel and, often, peer pressure,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Behind the statistics are real families who have been devastated by these tragedies. We’re pleased to be working with Consumer Reports to raise awareness and help communities fight this problem.”

A free guide of "Distracted Driving Shatters Lives" is being made available at the Department of Transportation's website www.distraction.gov as well as the website for Consumer Reports. The National School Safety Coalition is also distributing copies to schools and volunteer groups.

A public service announcement is set to begin airing on television nationwide and a Consumer Reports video will air in retail stores in April.

“It only takes a moment of distraction to cause a tragedy. No text or call is worth a life," said Jim Guest, the president of Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports. "We know that educating people about the risk of distracted driving works. This partnership is devoted to spreading the word about the dangers of distracted driving and specific steps you can take to make a difference.”

A new survey by Consumer Reports highlights the dangers faced by young drivers:

-Two thirds of those under the age of 30 reported using a hand-held phone while driving at some point during the last month; one-third of them admitted to text messaging.

-Only about one-third of those under the age of 30 said they were very concerned about distracted driving. About the same number felt it was dangerous to use a hand-held phone while behind the wheel.

-Two-thirds reported seeing another driver texting using a hand-held phone within the last month.

-Nearly all young drivers had seen another driver talking on the phone in the past month and more than half had seen a dangerous situation related to distracted driving.

-Four out of five said they had reduced or stopped distracted-driving behavior. Two-thirds said they did so after hearing about the dangers.

Parents can assist teens in making good driving decisions by:

-Establishing ground rules forbidding texting or the use of cell phones while driving.

-Talking about the dangers with family and friends.

-Setting a good example by not using a phone while driving.

-Talking to teens about the risks and responsibilities of driving.

-Having your child sign a pledge not to use a cell phone while driving and agreeing on the penalties for violating the pledge.

Continue reading "Chicago car accidents a serious threat to teen safety as new study highlights dangers of distracted driving " »

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

A downstate Illinois car crash lawyer has received an $8 million Court of Claims award for the family of two sisters killed in a 2007 collision, according to the Chicago Tribune. It is being reported that this is possibly a record award for a tort claim against the State of Illinois.

The victims, ages 18 and 13, from Collinsville, were killed when an Illinois state trooper, allegedly driving 126 mph while using email, slammed into their car, causing it to burst into flames. The Illinois traffic accident took place on Interstate 64 near Fairview Heights.

The auto accident lawyer representing the family asked for $46 million, however the family believes that justice was done through the $8 million decision. Four million dollars was awarded for the death of each girl. The mother of the victims stated Tuesday at a press conference that she hopes this award deters negligent behavior in the future.

The ruling still must be approved by the Illinois Legislature in a special bill. These bills generally are introduced near the end of April.

The family was represented by Thomas Q. Keefe Jr., P.C. of Belleville, Illinois.

The police officer was injured in the crash and resigned from his position last year. He has also pleaded guilty to two counts of reckless homicide and was sentenced to 30 months probation.

Click here to read the story as reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Belleville News-Democrat.

The National Safety Council is partnering with the Allstate Foundation to form a safe teen driving coalition in Illinois and nine other states in an effort to reduce the risk of car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere.

Our Chicago accident lawyers frequently report on the high risks faced by teen drivers on the road and we urge you to speak to your teenager about the importance of safe driving habits as we enter the start of the winter driving season and the holiday travel season.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that car accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers ages 15 to 20. In 2008, a total of 5,864 teens in that age group were involved in fatal crashes. In Illinois, 164 people were killed in accidents involving teenagers, including 80 young drivers. Teens are at high risk for virtually every poor driving habit, including cell phone use and text messaging, distracted driving, speeding, failure to wear their seat belts, drunk driving and riding with too many young passengers in the vehicle.

“While our roads have never been safer, car crashes remain the No. 1 killer of all people from 1 to 34 years old, with teens crashing four times more often than any other age group. We must act now to create new social norms behind the wheel starting first with our youngest drivers,” said Joan H. Walker, senior vice president, Allstate Insurance Co. “With its long legacy of building safety coalitions, NSC is the ideal organization to lead new state efforts to change the teen driving culture.”

Coalitions are also being established in California, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas. Participants will include law enforcement, public health officials, members of the media, teen and parent leaders and the family and friends of crash victims. The goal will be to identify and implement ways to change teen driving behaviors and attitudes.

Formation of the coalitions comes in the wake of the NSC's first Forum to Keep Teen Driver's Alive, which was held last month in Chicago.

“Funding from The Allstate Foundation allows NSC to develop a coordinated strategy for building effective state coalitions,” said Janet Froetscher, NSC president and CEO. “The coalitions will mobilize state leaders to find unique solutions to the teen driving issue and save young lives for generations to come.”

Continue reading "Teen driving coalition aims to reduce risk of Chicago car accidents involving young drivers" »

A total of 14 people have been hurt, of which 12 were children, in a Chicago car crash on Sunday afternoon, the Chicago Tribune is reporting. The collision involved two vehicles on the Eisenhower Expressway in the area of Keeler Avenue in the westbound lanes.

Chicago Fire Department officials are stating that the kids were taken to area emergency rooms, some in critical condition. Two adults were also hospitalized in serious to critical condition. At least 10 ambulances rushed to the scene of the accident. Those hurt in the collision were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Stroger Hospital, West Suburban Medical Center, Loyola University Medical Center, and St. Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center.

The at fault driver was reportedly a 33-year-old woman and she has been charged with child endangerment. When her vehicle rolled over some of the children inside were not properly seatbelted. The driver was also cited for driving without insurance and failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision.

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that witnesses to the accident state the driver lost control for unknown reasons, and that she was not speeding or driving erratically.

Due to the fact that the at fault driver was not insured, when Chicago auto accident lawyers get involved in the case they will look to make uninsured motorist claims against each victim's own auto policy (if they have them).

Read the story as reported by NBC news here.

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.

An Illinois school bus crash in South suburban Orland Park has resulted in injuries to 12 people, including nine grade school students, according to CBS News in Chicago. The students were from High Point School, a school for third, fourth and fifth graders. The accident occurred around 3 PM at 147th St. & Lagrange Road, and involved a school bus and a car.

The bus had 20 students on board at the time of the accident. Nine were injured were taken to area hospitals. The injuries are reportedly non-life-threatening

School administrators reportedly came out to the scene to help police. The Orland Park Fire Department also responded. Some parents drove out to the scene of the accident to pick up their kids, while others were taken away by another bus.

Chicago area school bus accidents can often result in serious injuries. Seatbelts are typically not used on buses, and kids can get badly knocked around in a crash.

The cause of the accident has not yet been reported and is still being investigated. High Point School is part of Orland Park District 135.

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

Illinois school bus accident attorneys at Abels & Annes have settled a lawsuit that stems from a June 4, 2008 collision in the Western suburb of Woodridge.

At the time of the accident, our client was a passenger on a Pace bus that was rear-ended by a school bus. The accident happened at 63rd and Woodard. Several other passengers were injured in the bus accident.

The accident was investigated by the Woodridge Police Department. After interviewing the parties involved, they issued the school bus driver a citation for driving too fast for conditions.

Our client was taken by ambulance to Hinsdale Hospital after the accident. There, she was treated for back and neck injuries. X-rays taken at the hospital that were negative for fractures.

Over the next several days, her pain only got worse. She sought follow-up treatment with a chiropractic physician in Bolingbrook, Illinois. There, our client underwent a course of treatment that lasted just under two months. Her pain resolved by the time of her last appointment.

The case settled for $9,500 within weeks after filing a lawsuit.

If you or your child has been injured in an Illinois school bus accident, contact the Chicago personal injury lawyers at our office for free consultation. To speak directly to a lawyer now, call 312-924-7575.

Officials in Indiana are trying to make sense of a study that found that teens who take driver's education classes are four time more likely to be involved in a crash than those who forgo the training.

The report by the Chicago Breaking News Center comes as officials nationwide continue the effort to reduce the number of serious and fatal car accidents involving teen drivers. As we reported on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, a teen challenge is running through mid-September, which encourages young drivers to submit public service announcements about the dangers of texting and driving.

Safety advocates point to Illinois' Graduated Driver Licensing System, considered by some to be one of the nation's best young-driver programs, for the reduction in Chicago car accidents involving teenagers.

“I am pleased and encouraged that the number of teen crash fatalities continues to drop since my Teen Driver Safety Task Force issued recommendations that led to the strengthening of Illinois’ graduated driver licensing (GDL) program,” said Secretary of State Jesse White. “Since the stronger GDL program took effect in 2008, teen driving deaths have dropped by over 50 percent."

Still, 164 motorists were killed in Illinois car accidents involving young drivers in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nationwide, 5,864 young drivers were involved in fatal crashes and more than 228,000 motorists were injured in accidents involving young drivers.

The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette reported that the study looked at 122,924 young drivers in Indiana, more than half of whom did not take driver's education. Nearly five percent of driver's ed students were involved in an accident, compared to 1 percent of students without formal driver training. Officials caution that some of the discrepancy might be because teens who take driver's ed are allowed to get their permits at a younger age and hold a permit for at least six months longer.

Still, the Associated Press reported it might be time to overhaul the driver education system in that state, which has not been updated in three decades.

Continue reading "Training of teen drivers has led to fewer Chicago car accidents -- In Indiana ... not so much" »

Two new laws were passed recently to keep Chicago and Illinois residents safer when involved in auto accidents, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Governor Patrick Quinn signed legislation to raise fines for improperly securing children eight years and younger in Illinois from $50 to $75. Drivers cited for repeated offenses will now be fined $200.

The Governor's office states this measure is to promote education among Illinois drivers. To support this point, drivers receiving an initial citation can waive the $75 fee by taking a course on the proper use and installation of child safety seats.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) has found that properly installed child safety seats make children under one year of age 71 percent less likely to die in a car crash; however, national estimates suggest only one in four child safety seats are properly installed.

Chicago residents soon may come face-to-face with information on how to get help properly installing child safety seats in cars. The City Council approved a new ordinance requiring Chicago stores that sell the safety seats to post such particulars. These signs will direct Chicagoans to private and nonprofit organizations that provide support to people installing the seats. Stores that sell these seats but do not post this information will face a fine up to $500.

According to Tanya Triche, an attorney for the Illinois Retail Merchants Assocation, Chicago is now the only city in the nation requiring retailers to post this information.

Continue reading "Tougher Illinois seat belt laws passed in effort to reduce injuries in Chicago car accidents" »

Two teenagers died in a Chicago car accident early Monday, just a few hours after going out to celebrate one of the girls' 18th birthday, the Tribune reported.

The girls, who were best friends, were in a black four-door sedan that hit a tree in the 700 block of Sheridan Road in Wilmette about 2:30 a.m. Monday. Police have released few details but said three other passengers were injured in the crash and taken to area hospitals.

Both girls attended Chicago Academy High School. The Sun-Times reported that charges are possible pending the outcome of the investigation, although police have not yet publicly identified who was driving. The North Regional Major Crimes Task Force and the Cook County State Attorney's Office are investigating.

Our Chicago injury lawyers continue to report the devastating number of serious and fatal accidents involving teenagers and encourage parents to speak frequently with their children about the importance of making good driving decisions.

In 2008, nine teenagers ages 16 to 19 died every day in motor vehicle accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers ages 15 to 20, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And the USA Today recently reported that young motorists face the highest risk of an accident during the summer months. Authorities attribute the increased dangers to more opportunities to drive at night, less parental supervision, more free time and relaxed curfews.

Traditionally, the hours of 10 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday have proven the deadliest for teens on the road.

Inexperience and immaturity are leading factors in accidents involving teenagers, although distracted driving is also of primary concern. Teenagers who use cell phones or text message while behind the wheel are at particularly high risk. Please visit our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog and share with your teen driver the graphic public service message about the dangers of texting and driving, which is airing on British television.

AAA provides the following tips and risk factors for teen drivers:

Risk Taking: Don't do something you'll regret for the rest of your life. Accidents don't just affect you, they affect passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, children and families.

Unbuckled Belts: Wear your seat belt and insist that all passengers do so as well.

Speeding: Obey the speed limit. One-third of teen fatalities involve speeding.

Rowdy Passengers: Adding one passenger increases a 16- or 17-year-old driver's chances of an accident by about 50 percent. With two or more passengers, the risk of an accident increases fivefold.

Cellphones: Focus on the road. Don't use a cell phone or text message while driving.

CD Players: Research shows that adjusting the radio is the most common distraction for drivers ages 16 to 20.

Nighttime Driving: Crash rates for teen drivers from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. are twice as high as they are during the day.

Drinking and Driving: One-sixth of 16- and 17-year-olds killed in crashes were legally intoxicated.

Peer Pressure: Consider the risk factors before getting into a car with another driver. Is this a person you trust? Are they sober and in the right frame of mind to drive? Is the vehicle safe and are there an appropriate number of passengers?

Overconfidence: Drivers who have spent decades on the road can get themselves into an accident. Inexperience and overconfidence frequently lead to crashes when new drivers encounter unexpected or unfamiliar situations.

If you don't do anything else this summer to warn your teens about the dangers of distracted driving, at least make them watch this video.

As our Chicago car accident lawyers have reported again and again both here and on our sister site, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, the dangers of distracted driving are very real, particularly for young people. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that car accidents are the leading cause of death for young drivers ages 15 to 20 and teenagers are most likely to be involved in a serious or fatal car accident caused by text messaging.

This video is actually a public service announcement running on British television. While the U.S. government has started a website Distraction.gov in an effort to warn about the dangers of driving distracted, they certainly have not taken it to the street with an in-your-face message like this aimed at teenagers.

The New England Journal of Medicine mentioned the British campaign in an article about the dangers of text messaging and distracted driving. As the article states, at least one study has found that driving while using a cell phone is as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. Drivers who text message are at 23 times greater risk of being involved in an accident.

At least 1.6 million traffic accidents are caused each year by a driver using a cell phone or text messaging.

Now, with publication of the issue in one of the nation's premiere medical journals, distracted driving has officially become a health issue. The article's author, Dr. Amy Ship, notes that speaking to patients about the dangers of smoking increases a patient's chances of quitting. She urges doctors to begin talking to patients about the dangers of distracted driving.

By opening such a dialogue with patients, she has found an opportunity to discuss with them the dangers of using a cell phone even if it's a hands-free device.

You can do the same by opening a discussion with your child and help reduce their risk of being involved in a serious or fatal Chicago car accident.

You can read more about Illinois Young Driver Program here.

Additional advice for speaking with your teen about safe driving is available here.

Read the New England Journal of Medicine Report

Continue reading "Share this video with your teen driver to reduce their risk of a Chicago car accident" »

A 16-year-old teenager died Saturday night at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn from brain injuries suffered in a two-vehicle Chicago car accident over Memorial Day weekend, the Post-Tribune reported.

The victim was the passenger in a 2003 Chevy Silverado driven by her 16-year-old boyfriend when their SUV crashed into another vehicle on a rain-slicked highway on Sauk Trail in suburban Cook County, the sheriff's department reported. The passengers of the other vehicle were also hospitalized with injuries. Cause of the accident remains under investigation. The teen would have been a junior at Marian Catholic High School this fall.

About 1.7 million people a year suffer a traumatic brain injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Falls and motor vehicle accidents are the leading causes, accounting for more than half of all brain injuries that occur in the United States each year.

As our Chicago injury lawyers reported earlier this year, teenagers are at high-risk for being involved in a serious or fatal Illinois car accident. Fatal crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers ages 15 to 20, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2008, a total of 164 teenagers were killed in car crashes in Illinois, ninth-most in the nation.

In this case, the Southtown Star reported that the young driver had slowed for heavy afternoon rains but lost control of the truck when the tires slipped off the pavement, causing the vehicle to fishtail into oncoming traffic. He was cited for failure to reduce speed, according to the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

The SUV was hit on the passenger side by an eastbound Chevy Blazer driven by a 39-year-old Manhattan man. He suffered a broken ankle. His wife was taken to the hospital with a broken wrist and pelvis and the couple's 4-year-old son was also injured.

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 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.

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.

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.

Six children and two adults were critically injured in a Chicago car accident over the Thanksgiving Holiday after their car struck a tree, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

The accident occurred shortly after 10 p.m. Friday in the 900 block of West Garfield Boulevard after the driver swerved off the road for unknown reasons and struck a tree, according to authorities.

All eight occupants of the 1996 Buick Regal were listed in serious-to-critical condition following the Chicago car crash.

Those taken to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County include; a 50-year-old woman, a 55-year-old man and two girls, ages 3 and 5, according to police. A 5-year-old boy was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital. Three boys, ages 9, 3 and 6-months, were taken to Comer Children's Hospital.

No citations were issued and the investigation continues, the Sun-Times reported.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that car accidents are the leading cause of death among children in the United States. A study in 2005 found that 1,335 children under the age of 14 were killed in car accidents and 184,000 were injured, or an average of 4 deaths and 504 injuries per day.

Setting clear driving safety rules for your teenage driver and not giving them their own vehicle can reduce the chances of your child being involved in a serious or fatal car accident.

Those findings were the result of two studies funded by State Farm Insurance Co. and conducted by researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

The Chicago car accident lawyers and child injury attorneys at Abels & Annes urge parents to talk frequently with their children about driving safety. Automobile accidents are the No. 1 cause of death for teenagers ages 15 to 19, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

According to the Associated Press, results of the most recent studies, released Friday and published in the October issue of Pediatrics, show talking frequently with your teenager about driving safety and not allowing teenagers free access to their own vehicle can help prevent some of the 5,000 teenage road fatalities each year.

One in every 7 fatal accidents in the United States involves a teenager and fatal traffic accidents account for 40 percent of all teenage deaths. Another 250,000 teenagers are seriously injured each year in automobile accidents.

"With teen drivers, you have to recognize that it's a public health issue," said Dr. Jeffrey Weiss, a Phoenix pediatrician who co-wrote an American Academy of Pediatrics report on teen drivers.

The research is based on a nationally representative survey of more than 5,500 teens in grades nine through 11.

More than 2,000 students who reported driving on their own were the focus of one study; 70 percent said they had their own cars or were the main drivers of cars they used.

Dr. Flaura Koplin Winston, the lead researcher in one of the studies, said it's alarming that so many kids have their own cars or feel that they have free use of one. She said that freedom can lead to "a sense of entitlement about driving" that may make them less cautious.

Among these drivers, 1 in 4 had been involved in crashes, versus just 1 in 10 of teens who shared access to a vehicle.

Kids who said their parents set clear driving rules and monitored their whereabouts had half as many crashes and better driving habits. These teens were 71 percent less likely to drink and drive and 30 percent less likely to use a cell phone while driving than kids with parents who were uninvolved in their driving habits.

Dr. Niranjan Karnik, a University of Chicago specialist in adolescent mental health, said the research underscores the importance of active parenting and graduated licensing laws for teens.

The AAA Foundation has resources for safe teen driving, which can be accessed at www.teendriving.com.

The Chicago car accident attorneys recently wrote about Illinois' Operation Teen Safe Driving, which also offers resources for teenagers and their parents.

Continue reading "Talking safe driving with your teenager, reducing vehicle access, can reduce risk of serious car accident" »

Chicago personal injury lawyers from Abels & Annes have agreed to represent a 15 year old boy who was hit by a car in Cicero, Illinois on August 22, 2009. The child was riding his bike on a sidewalk in the area of 59th Avenue and 37th Street when a woman driving a car failed to yield while exiting an alley and hit him.

The Cicero Police Department investigated the cause of the car vs. bike accident. The police report states the car hit the bicycle's front tire, causing the boy to flip over the hood of her car. The woman then got out of her vehicle and asked if he was ok. The child said he was not ok, and the woman got back in the car and fled the scene. The police located the woman later the same day at her home in Cicero.

The child sustained low back injuries and pain on both rib cages. He was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital on the date of the accident where x-rays may have detected a spinal fracture. He was seen again at the hospital 2 days later for an MRI. The boy is going to follow-up treatment with an orthopaedic doctor in Chicago.

The child in this case was very lucky, as he walked away from the accident with non-life-threatening injuries. Not all children are as fortunate. The Chicago Breaking News Center is reporting that a 5 year old girl riding a bicycle was killed in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago Sunday afternoon when a driver failed to yield while exiting from an alley, the same exact facts of our accident.

The deadly bike collision happened in the 6100 block of North Sacramento Avenue around 5:30 p.m. The driver was ticketed by the Chicago Police Department for failing to yield to the bicyclist while coming out of the alley.

The girl was rushed to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston where she was pronounced dead a short time later.

Also see the Rogers Park bike accident as reported by WBBM News Radio 780.

In the Chicago suburb of Berwyn, Illinois a mother and daughter were injured in an auto accident on Tuesday. The driver who hit them was distracted at the time of the crash, as she was busy lighting a cigarette. To make matters worse, the driver was uninsured. The injured mother has retained Chicago injury lawyers at Abels & Annes to pursue an uninsured motorist claim against her own insurance carrier.

The accident took place during daylight hours at the corner of Kenilworth Ave. & 19th St. in Berwyn. The intersection is uncontrolled by traffic signals (no stop lights or stop signs). When the plaintiff arrived at the intersection she yielded to a car that arrived before her and then proceeded when it was her turn. When she was most of the way through the intersection the uninsured driver entered the intersection without stopping or yielding and struck her car.

When you approach an uncontrolled intersection in the State of Illinois, the driver that arrives first has the right-of-way. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right-of-way.

The mother and child were taken by ambulance to MacNeal Hospital. The mother sustained neck and head injuries. She is going through follow-up treatment with an orthopaedic physician.

The Berwyn police department investigated the car crash.

Over the past year the use of cell phones and texting while driving have been a hot topic in Illinois, and new laws have been passed. We should not forget that other activities, such as smoking or eating food, can be just as distracting or more distracting than cell phone use.

A 3-year old girl was seriously injured in an accident after being dragged 200 feet by a car on Tuesday in Fox Lake, Illinois.

The Chicago Breaking News Center reported the girl was playing on the side of the road when she was hit and became stuck under a 1999 Dodge Intrepid as it backed out of a driveway.

The 36-year-old driver of the Dodge did not realize the child was trapped beneath the car and drove a block on Arlington Road in Fox Lake. Luckily, neighbors saw what happened and chased the car down. The witnesses then reportedly lifted the vehicle off the girl.

She was airlifted to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge with injuries to her head and shoulder. The victim may have to undergo extensive reconstructive surgery.

The driver of the Dodge and two passengers were questioned by police. Authorities said there is no indication alcohol was involved.

The Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team is handling the accident investigation.

Also see the story as reported by the Lake County News-Sun.

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.

In the Chicago western suburb of Westchester, Illinois a 6 year old boy has been critically injured in an auto accident, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The car the boy was riding in hit a truck on the Eisenhower Expressway on Sunday just after 3:30 p.m.

A truck driver had pulled over to the eastbound highway shoulder, according to the Illinois State Police. The truck had pulled over to seek some type of assistance from an IDOT worker.

A short time later a woman driving a Ford Taurus drove onto the shoulder for reasons unknown and rear-ended the truck. The child was a passenger in the Taurus. The child was in a booster seat in the back.

The Westchester Fire Department transported the boy to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois in critical condition. The trucker, the Taurus driver and the IDOT worker were reportedly not seriously injured.

The relationship between the boy and the Taurus driver has not been reported. It has also not been reported if drugs or alcohol played a role.

Serious injuries to innocent child passengers in car crashes is common in the Chicago area. In this type of case the parents of the child will look to pursue a civil claim against the Ford driver's auto insurance company. If the Ford driver was the child's parent, that will not bar the civil claim in the State of Illinois.

There is no word if Chicago car accident lawyers are involved in the case yet. The injury lawyers that work on the case will look to see if there was any negligence on the part of the truck driver. For example, they will attempt to determine if the truck was completely on the shoulder, or was it partially sticking out in the road.

Also see the story at WBBM News Radio.

In Chicago, Illinois one person died and four were hurt in a car crash on the South Side, according to chicagobreakingnews.com. The auto accident involved two cars and occurred around 6:40 pm in the Woodlawn neighborhood on Sunday. One of the victims was a 9 year old pedestrian who was on a sidewalk and was hit by one of the vehicles.

The injured child was rushed to University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital. The others were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. The Cook County medical examiner's office has stated that one man involved in the collision has died, but no further details have been made available.

The Chicago Police Department is handling the crash investigation, and the cause of the accident has not yet been reported.

It is not that uncommon for an innocent bystander to get hurt if he or she happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Recently Chicago injury lawyers at Abels & Annes settled a case for a South Side resident who was seriously injured in front of his apartment when two cars collided, and one vehicle bounced off and hit our client.

Illinois car accident lawyers from our firm also represented a Chicago resident who was waiting at a CTA bus stop when two cars crashed near by. A wheel flew off one of the cars and hit him, causing significant injuries.