Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

Chicago car accident attorneys from Abels & Annes have obtained an insurance policy limits settlement for one of their clients. The case arose out of a rear end automobile collision which took place on November 12, 2008 at approximately 6:15 p.m. in the City of Chicago. The plaintiff was eastbound on Garfield, approaching its intersection with Damen, and the defendant was traveling eastbound on Garfield behind our client's vehicle.

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.

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Chicago personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes reached a $60,000 settlement today for a client who sustained personal injuries in a February 4, 2009 truck accident.

On the afternoon of the occurrence the plaintiff was driving her vehicle southbound on I-94 just south of I-290 in lane number 3. The defendant was driving his semi-truck southbound on I-94 just south of I-290 in lane number 2. The car crash occurred when the truck driver switched lanes into the plaintiff's lane and struck her vehicle. The rear passenger’s side of the defendant’s trailer struck the driver’s side of our client’s vehicle. Her car was totaled as a result of the damage caused by the auto accident.

We alleged in the claim that the trucker failed to keep a proper lookout, improperly changed lanes, failed to yield the right of way, was driving at an excessive rate of speed, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area, including the Plaintiff.

Following the truck accident the plaintiff had an immediate onset of back and neck pain. She was transferred from the scene of the accident to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital’s Emergency Department. She was given pain medication and instructed to seek follow up treatment.

Over the next two days our client's pain and discomfort got much worse. Her pain became so bad that she sought medical care from West Suburban Hospital’s Emergency Department on February 6, 2009. There she reported increasing neck pain, mid/upper/lower back pain, headaches, lower abdominal pain and left flank pain. A history was taken, she was examined and diagnostic tests were performed. She was given more pain medication and instructed to follow up with her physician.

Due to her ongoing complaints of pain and discomfort the plaintiff sought treatment from an orthopaedic physician beginning on February 11, 2009. She complained of neck and back pain and stiffness as well as left wrist pain. The doctor found muscle spasms and muscle stiffness upon examination and prescribed a course of physical therapy. An MRI was ordered, which showed injuries to her low back and neck.

The physician determined that our client reached maximum medical improvement as of March 25, 2009 and discharged her from his care. Despite being discharged she continued to suffer from periodic pain and discomfort both in her lower back in her neck for several months.

As a result of her injuries our client incurred over $18,000 in medical bills and she also missed a week of work.

The accident case settled for $60,000 without a lawsuit being filed. The Cincinnati Insurance Group insures the defendant.

Chicago Auto Accident Attorneys from Abels & Annes have reached a policy limits settlement for an Illinois resident. The case arises out of an automobile accident which occurred on February 7, 2008 at about 10:00 a.m. The plaintiff was westbound on Armitage, just west of Keeler, in the City of Chicago. Our client stopped for traffic in front of him. As he was at a stopped,another driver rear-ended his car with great force. The impact was so substantial that it pushed his stopped vehicle into the vehicle stopped in front of him.

Our client was seen at West Suburban Hospital Emergency Department on February 9, 2008. He was complaining of shoulder and neck pain following having been rear-ended in this automobile collision. His pain had been increasing over the two days since the collision. A history was taken and an exam was performed. Muscular spasms were found. He was instructed to not work and was prescribed pain medication and instructed to seek follow-up care.

On February 12, 2008 the plaintiff sought follow up care with a chiropractic physician in Chicago. He was suffering from headaches and neck pain that radiated to his left shoulder/arm and low back pain. He had suffered injuries when he was rear-ended, and his symptoms had progressively worsened over time. Diagnostic tests were ordered and a course of therapy was prescribed. He was instructed to stay off work. The doctor ended up keeping him off work through February 24, 2008, during which time period our was “totally incapacitated”.

Despite the course of therapy the plaintiff did not improve. As a result, he was sent to a board certified neurologist for a consultation. The doctor's assessment was positive for a possible upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. Based upon this Dr. Osman ordered an EMG which was positive for a left C5/C6 cervical radiculopathy.

Despite an additional course of therapy, our client had no improvement in his condition. A cervical MRI was performed on April 3, 2008. The MRI diagnosed C5-C6 and C6-C7 cervical disc herniations that indented the thecal sac.

Based upon his medical condition he was referred to board certified anesthesiologist for consultation and care. He first saw the doctor on April 7, 2008. Based upon his cervical radiculopathy, the doctor prescribed a course of cervical epidural steroid injections. He underwent epidural injections on April 10, 2008, June 19, 2008 and July 17, 2008.

On September 8, 2008 the doctor determined that Mr. Rios had reached maximum medical improvement from this significant injury. At the time of discharge one doctor noted that our clilent will likely experience exacerbations in the future, is more susceptible to future injury and will likely require additional care and treatment in the future as a result of the injuries he suffered in this collision.

Throughout the course of the plaintiff's treatment, and up through the present time, his pain and discomfort have been exacerbated by sitting, standing, walking, bending, turning his head and using his left arm. His injuries have significantly inhibited his activities of daily living ever since the collision. Furthermore, his pain and muscle spasms interrupted his sleep on a nightly basis for months and continue to interrupt his sleep on a regular basis.

Despite the treatment he has undergone, our client continues to suffer from pain and discomfort in his neck, left shoulder/arm and lower back. This pain has greatly affected Mr. Rios’ life. As a result of his injuries he is unable to engage in many activities he enjoyed prior to the collision, and those activities he can engage in cause him pain and he cannot participate as fully as he did prior to the collision.

His pain is aggravated by prolonged sitting, standing and walking as well as turning his head and use of his left arm. Any activities that involve turning, twisting, or bending at the neck are difficult and painful. Furthermore simple activities such as household chores, shopping and a wide variety of activities of daily living are limited and painful.

As a result of his injuries our client was unable to work from February 10, 2008 through February 23, 2008. At the time He was employed by Advanced Auto Parts where he earned $12.50 per hour. He missed a total of eighty (80) hours of work for a lost wage claim totaling one thousand dollars.

Our client's medical bills and lost wages were already paid by workers' compensation insurance. He also previously received a work comp bodily injury settlement that was obtained for him by our law firm. The current settlement is for an additional $20,000, the defendant's insurance policy limits. Our client had no auto insurance of his own, so we are unable to make an under-insured motorist claim for him. Founders Insurance is paying on the claim.

Illinois Car Accident Attorneys from Abels & Annes have resolved an injury claim for a Bartlett woman who was injured in a 2007 accident. The crash occurred at Aurora Avenue and Indian Trail in Aurora, Illinois when the defendant was Southbound on Aurora Avenue and his foot slipped off of the brake and struck a vehicle, knocking said vehicle into our client's car. My client was hit from the rear. After the first impact, the defendant lost control again and the plaintiff for a second time.

Shortly after the collision the plaintiff had pain and discomfort in her neck and left hand, with complaints of dizziness. That evening her pain increased and she had difficulty sleeping.

The pain did not resolve on it’s own and she sought medical care at Saint Alexius Medical Center on 3/24/07 with the abovementioned complaints. A history was taken and our client was examined. X-rays were ordered and pain medicine was prescribed. The x-rays indicated cervical muscle spasms. The ER doctor diagnosed her with cervical strain.

Over the next several days her pain remained and she sought treatment with a medical doctor. When she saw the doctor she had complaints of neck pain and she was examined and the X-rays from the ER were reviewed. The doctor recommended to her that she seek chiropractic treatment if her pain remained.

Over the next week her pain increased. On 4/19/07 she sought treatment with a chiropractor. At that time she had complaints of neck pain, back pain, headaches, dizziness, ear ringing, and numbness in her right big toe. She said her pain was 8 on a scale of 10. The doctor examined her, reviewed the x-rays, and prescribed a course of physical therapy. She was diagnosed at that time with cervical strain/sprain, cervicocranial syndrome, dorsal sprain/strain, dizziness, and sprain/strain of the great toe.

Over the next 2 months the plaintiff went to physical therapy on twenty-three occasions. The therapy consisted of chiropractic adjustments and manipulation, electric stimulation, heat treatment, electrodes, myofacial release, massage, and manual traction.

On 6/25/07 my client was discharged from therapy, however, at that time the doctor noted that the client was still having neck and back pain, headaches, and numbness of the great toe of the right foot. He advised her to return if her condition should exacerbate.

The case settled for $14,000. Nationwide Insurance paid on the claim.