Hit-And-Run Accident

Speeding Hit-And-Run Driver Kills Gresham Man

July 19, 2013 | By Dave Abels

An elderly resident of the Gresham neighborhood in Chicago was hit and killed by a car on Wednesday, just before the man was to celebrate his 77th birthday. The incident occurred near the intersection of 83rd Street and Racine during the morning hours. All of the details are not clear at this time but there was at least one eye witness to the event. When asked about the crash, the eye witness stated that the black car involved was speeding and traveling at least 80 miles per hour when he struck the 77-year-old victim, killing him. The driver then reportedly fled the scene without checking on the condition of the man or calling for help.

By Thursday morning, family members of the victim were hoping that the at-fault driver would turn himself in. The victim was a Korean War veteran and beloved by his family members who had planned to celebrate his birthday. Now, through the negligence of another, they are planning the man’s funeral.

Local police have not yet located the individual driving the car involved in the crash and they are looking for information regarding a 2002-2005 dark, two door Mercedes Benz C230 to question the driver. If you have any information regarding this crash, you are asked to call your local police department.

Anyone who is involved in a car accident in Illinois is required by the law to remain at the scene. Parties must speak to police officers and be cleared to leave by those same police officers so that the police can obtain necessary information regarding the accident. Failure to stay at the scene of a crash is a crime and when a victim of the crash is seriously injured or dies, a fleeing driver may be found liable of a felony and sentenced to serious prison time.

In some accidents, a hit-and-run driver places a victim at greater risk of death or permanent injury by leaving the scene and failing to call for help. Often victims who are hurt are not able to reach a cell phone or are unconscious, making them incapable of calling for an ambulance. If another driver causes the crash, it is that driver’s duty to call for help.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that nationally, nearly one out of every five pedestrian deaths are caused by hit-and-run drivers. That means that in almost 20 percent of the cases where a pedestrian dies, the driver of a car, truck, or van flees the scene and disregards any responsibly he or she may have under the law. If some of these fleeing drivers stayed to help their victims, it is possible that fewer pedestrian deaths would result.
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Actor Chris Brown Charged in Hit-And-Run Crash

June 29, 2013 | By Dave Abels

Just when it seemed it had been a while since Chris Brown made the headlines, authorities announced that they have charged the famous singer after a hit-and-run crash that happened back in May. The crash reportedly happened in Los Angeles and has Brown facing charges of driving without a valid license and a misdemeanor charge of hit-and-run.

The accident occurred when Brown reportedly rear-ended another car near Toluca Lake. Reportedly Brown refused to give his driver’s license information to the other driver and gave fake insurance information. He then left the scene of the crash.

Failing to provide accurate information is a misdemeanor that could land Brown with jail time. However, the celebrity has taken to Twitter to strongly deny all allegations. According to his official Twitter account, Brown states that he provided his driver’s license information and that he had a valid license at the time of the crash. He also states that the insurance information he gave was correct. Brown has posted a picture of what he claims is the other car involved in the accident. According to him, the car shows no damage and there was no damage done to his car either. Brown alleges that the other driver noticed the cameras surrounding him and it caused her to contact “the cops thinking of a payday from Chris Brown when [he] followed proper procedures.”

These charges are significant for Brown who is currently on probation for a 2009 felony after Brown pleaded guilty to assaulting girlfriend Rhianna. With these new charges, a judge could determine Brown is in violation of his parole and revoke it, sending him to jail or prison. Prosecutors have claimed that they will not seek to revoke Brown’s probation due to this recent incident. Brown is also facing charges that he pushed a woman in a nightclub on Saturday night, causing her to fall and injure her knee. He also denies those claims.

When it comes to hit-and-run accidents, each state has slightly different laws but all states require a driver to remain on the scene after a crash and provide basic information. In Illinois, fleeing the scene of a crash that results in great bodily harm or death is a felony charge and can lead to years in prison if a driver is convicted. When a driver causes an accident that injures another and then leaves, the injured person may not receive the needed medical care, which increases the chance of permanent injuries occurring or even death.
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Hit-And-Run Driver Arrested after Accident Injures Child

June 17, 2013 | By Dave Abels

A driver who hit an 8-year-old girl and fled the scene of a crash has been arrested and is being held in lieu of bail in Chicago, according to local police. The driver has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident that caused injury and failure to exercise due care to a pedestrian.

The collision occurred near West 47th Street and South Indiana Avenue in Chicago. The young girl was crossing the street with an adult and several children when the driver, a 36-year-old male, allegedly sped from a green light and hit the child. The impact threw the girl on the hood of the car where she rolled several times before landing on the windshield and then being thrown to the ground, according to an eye witness. The witness said the girl landed on her head when she hit the pavement and that the driver fled the scene without even slowing down after the crash.

Police happened to be in the area and heard the impact of the collision while they were driving on 47th Street. The driver of the car passed the police in a Geo Prism and driving at a high rate of speed, according to the officers, and witnesses later identified the driver as the one who struck the 8-year-old girl.

Officers took the man into custody where bail was set at $75,000. The man currently is being held in lieu of that bail and is awaiting further court proceedings. The girl who was hit was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital and is in stable condition after sustaining blunt force trauma to her body, including her head. The extent of her injuries and what type of medical treatment she required are not yet known.

Drivers flee the scene of accidents for a number of reasons and it is often difficult to determine why a driver leaves. But leaving the scene is never a good idea because police officers routinely determine who the driver was and then the charges against that driver will be much greater after fleeing. In Illinois, leaving the scene of an accident that causes injury or death can be a felony violation with a potential sentence in prison at stake. This charge generally is brought in addition to any other charges that may be applicable, like speeding, running a red light, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
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Man Charged in Fatal Tinley Park DUI and Hit-and-Run Crash

June 13, 2013 | By Dave Abels

The hit-and-run driver of a vehicle that killed a pedestrian on Wednesday night has been arrested and charged, according to Tinley Park police. The 22-year-old Blue Island resident has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence and failure to stop after an accident causing personal injury or death.

A 61-year-old man who was visiting Tinley Park from India was crossing 159th Street southbound at 80th Avenue at about 9:30 p.m. when he was hit and killed by a black pickup truck. The truck fled the scene but left evidence including his license plate behind, a key element that helped police make an arrest.

A witness described the victim as laying in the middle of the road, a shoe and a bag he was carrying several feet away from his body and said the impact sounded like a large boom. A relative described the victim as “a very fun loving person” who “liked to travel.” Reportedly, he was a mayor and a social worker in India in his local municipality.

The charges against the driver in this case are significant and if convicted, could result in a long incarceration stint, depending on the driver’s prior history and other extenuating or aggravating factors. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol places a defendant at an immediate risk for a suspended license and fines, if convicted, and the consequences can be more severe.

DUI Statistics

In America, someone is killed as the result of a drunk driver every 51 minutes. This adds up to over 10,000 deaths at the hands of drunk drivers every year. None of these deaths are necessary and all are preventable by simply not driving after drinking. There are numerous alternatives in Illinois including public transportation, taxis, designated drivers, or even walking. But getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol is reckless and often results in injuries or death of innocent bystanders, as it did in this case.

Hit-and-Run

This defendant has been charged with both drunk driving and leaving the scene of an accident. Here, the driver allegedly:

Failed to stop to render aid
Did not wait for the police to respond
Never provided any of his identification information
Did not remain at the scene after the crash

This is a felony offense in Illinois unless the driver needed to seek immediate medical attention, and there is no indication that the driver was hurt in this accident. This charge alone, separate from the DUI charge, may result in jail time if the driver is convicted.

At at-fault driver may leave the scene for a variety of reasons, such as:

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
No insurance
A suspended or revoked driver’s license
They do not want to face the consequences of their actions
They panic and flee

Two Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver While Changing a Tire in Chicago’s Ashburn Neighborhood

February 9, 2013 | By Dave Abels

Two people were killed and a motorist is in custody following a recent hit-and-run crash in Chicago’s Ashburn neighborhood. According to Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Jose Estrada, the female driver of a westbound Nissan Quest Minivan struck a 34-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man who were in the process of changing a tire on a car that was parked on the north side of 87th Street. Estrada stated the driver continued without stopping after striking the two people. Witnesses reportedly helped local police track down the vehicle and the driver a few blocks away from the scene of the crash.

A representative from the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said both individuals who were hit by the minivan died as a result of the injuries they sustained in the crash. Although the exact cause of the fatal collision is currently under investigation by the Chicago Police, alcohol is allegedly believed to have played a role in the deadly incident. In addition, charges are expected to be filed against the hit-and-run driver.

Regrettably, life-threatening and fatal injuries such as those sustained in this case often result when a pedestrian is struck by a car, truck, or other vehicle. Motorists in Illinois are required to stop and render aid or exchange insurance information after any crash that results in physical harm or property damage. If a driver fails to stop and render aid, he or she may be criminally prosecuted. A driver may also be sued for any damages that resulted from his or her failure to assist an accident victim. The victim of a hit-and-run wreck may be entitled to receive damages for their medical costs, lost wages and benefits, and compensation for any physical injuries. Additionally, certain family members of someone who was killed by a negligent or impaired motorist may also be entitled to recover for wrongful death.

Even if the driver in a hit-and-run crash is not apprehended, the victim has other avenues for recovery. A person who was hurt in a hit-and-run crash may file an uninsured motorist claim against their own insurance company or the policy of someone who resides in the same household. In addition, the family of someone who died as a result of a hit-and-run collision may be eligible to receive compensation pursuant to the Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Act. If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a tragic hit-and-run collision, you should contact a skilled car accident attorney to discuss your rights and help you file your case.
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Lawsuit Filed Against EMT Who Allegedly Failed to Render Aid Following Fatal Maine Township Hit-and-Run Accident

December 23, 2012 | By Dave Abels

A relative of a 53-year-old Park Ridge man who was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Maine Township in November has filed a lawsuit against the driver accused of hitting him. The complaint filed in Cook County Circuit Court alleges the 36-year-old driver of a black Dodge Challenger was speeding when he struck the decedent as he walked along the south side of West Touhy Avenue near the entrance to the Iroquois Woods at Axehead Lake Forest Preserve. In addition, the lawsuit claims the driver, who was reportedly employed as an emergency medical technician in Skokie at the time of the collision, failed to stop and render aid to the injured pedestrian.

According to Frank Bilecki, a spokesperson for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, a passing bicyclist found the pedestrian’s body lying on the side of the roadway and called 911. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office found that the pedestrian died as a result of multiple blunt force injuries sustained in a crash. Following the fatal hit-and-run collision, police reportedly canvassed the area for any witnesses. Bilecki said officers discovered the identity of the alleged hit-and-run driver after he took his vehicle to a local body shop for repairs.

Unfortunately, life-threatening injuries often result when a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle. Drivers in Illinois must stop and render aid or exchange insurance information following any accident that results in physical harm or property damage. If a motorist fails to stop, he or she may be criminally prosecuted and lose all driving privileges. As happened in this tragic case, a driver may also be sued for any damages that resulted from his or her failure to render aid. An individual who was injured by a negligent driver may be entitled to collect compensation for their medical expenses and physical injuries. In addition, the family of a person who was killed by a motorist may also be able to recover for wrongful death. If you were hurt or lost a close relative in a hit-and-run or other motor vehicle accident, you should contact a capable car accident attorney to discuss your options for recovery.
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High School Honors Student Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver in Schaumburg

December 17, 2012 | By Dave Abels

A Schaumburg teenager was killed recently in an apparent hit-and-run accident. The 18-year-old Schaumburg High School senior was allegedly struck by a motor vehicle while walking along Schaumburg Road near Branchwood Drive. Emergency responders reportedly arrived at the accident scene to find the young man’s body lying in the roadway. Despite all efforts to revive the teenager, the honors student was pronounced dead about 20 minutes after paramedics arrived.

The exact cause of the young man’s death is currently being analyzed by the Investigations Division and Traffic Crash Reconstruction Team from the Schaumburg Police Department. In addition, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office is reportedly assisting with the investigation. According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, the teen’s death was caused by a hit-and-run collision. Following the young man’s death, local police reportedly canvassed the area in search of potential accident witnesses. Schaumburg Police Sergeant John Nebl said he would like more information regarding not only the identity of the driver who struck the teen, but also exactly how the 18-year-old came to be in the street.

Unfortunately, as occurred in this tragic case, catastrophic or fatal injuries often result when a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle. Sadly, the victim of a hit-and run accident may suffer from a traumatic head injury, broken bones, paralysis, and even death. Motorists in Illinois are required to stop and render aid or exchange insurance information following any collision that results in physical injury or property damage. If a driver fails to stop, he or she may be criminally prosecuted and lose all driving privileges.

Someone who was hurt by a hit-and run driver may be eligible to collect financial damages for their injuries. The family of someone who was killed by a motorist may also be able to recover for wrongful death. Even if a hit-and-run driver is not apprehended, the victim of such a collision may file an uninsured motorist claim against their own automobile insurance policy or the policy of someone who lives in their household. In addition, the close relatives of someone who was killed by a hit-and-run driver may be eligible to receive benefits from the Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Act. If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a hit-and-run accident, it is a good idea to discuss your options for recovery with an experienced car accident attorney.
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Retired Steger Firefighter Killed in Crete Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident

November 16, 2012 | By Dave Abels

Local police are currently investigating the death of a retired Steger Fire Department Captain who was recently killed in a hit-and-run accident in Crete. The 70-year-old man was reportedly crossing Main Street in front of a coffee shop when he was struck by an unidentified vehicle. After the accident was discovered, emergency responders transported the pedestrian to Franciscan St. James Health Hospital in Chicago Heights. According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, the man died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash about four hours later.

The Crete Police Department stated evidence at the scene of the fatal pedestrian accident suggests the man was hit by a Chevrolet or GMC Sport Utility Vehicle. Law enforcement officers are allegedly reviewing closed circuit video taken at a nearby business in the hopes of uncovering the identity of the hit-and-run driver. Crete Police Sgt. Brian Voticke said the vehicle will likely have noticeable front end damage as a result of the accident. Voticke added that the man’s death is now being investigated as a reckless homicide.

A hit-and-run accident occurs anytime a motorist collides with and causes damage to a person or property and flees the scene. In Illinois, a driver who is involved in an accident that results in an injury to a person or damage to property must stop at the accident scene to render aid or exchange insurance information. Failure to do so may result in the loss of driving privileges and a variety of criminal charges.

Hit-and-run crashes that involve a pedestrian often result in serious or life-altering injuries. Head trauma, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and death frequently result whenever a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle. The victim in a hit-and-run accident may be eligible to receive compensation for the cost of their medical care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Additionally, the close relative of someone who is killed in a hit-and run collision may also file a wrongful death claim.

When the driver in a hit-and-run collision is not apprehended, the victim still has other avenues for recovery. Someone who is injured in a hit-and-run crash may file an uninsured motorist claim against their own insurance company or that of someone who resides in their household. Additionally, the family of someone who was killed in a hit-and-run accident may be eligible to receive compensation from the Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Act. If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a hit-and-run crash, you should contact a skilled car accident lawyer to help you file your case.
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Guilty finding in deadly Chicago hit and run accident

September 12, 2012 | By Dave Abels

A former Chicago police detective has been convicted due to his involvement in a fatal DUI, hit and run accident that occurred in 2009, according to the Chicago Tribune. The wreck occurred on the Dan Ryan Expressway and two men were killed. A witness stated the defendant was traveling at a high rate of speed immediately before the accident occurred.

At the time of the crash the detective had been with the department for 18 years. He reportedly walked away from the accident scene as emergency workers were still frantically working to free two men that were trapped inside a burning car.

The two men that were killed in the accident were ages 23 and 21. The 21-year-old was a student at Depaul University.

Chicago injury attorney hard at work on pedestrian accident case

March 20, 2012 | By Dave Abels

An Illinois pedestrian accident lawyer at Abels & Annes is representing a woman who was hit by a taxi cab on the North Side of Chicago. The collision which took place on February 12, 2011 at approximately 12:50 a.m. The cab driver fled the scene of the accident.

The plaintiff was on Halsted Street in Chicago, Illinois just north of its intersection with Belmont. She exited a taxi that she was riding in and began walking toward the sidewalk adjacent to Halsted. A second, unknown taxi was driving northbound on Halsted at the same time. The taxi was traveling at a high rate of speed and struck the pedestrian, who was walking toward the Halsted sidewalk. The force of the impact was so great that it threw her airborne and caused her to land on the pavement. The unknown taxi continued northbound on Halsted and fled the scene.

The Chicago Police Department responded to the scene of the collision. Three witnesses confirmed that the hit-and-run taxi was at fault and that it fled the scene of the collision. The responding officer determined that the taxi caused the incident by failing to reduce his speed to avoid a collision.

Based upon the facts and circumstances surrounding the occurrence at issue, it is clear that the sole proximate cause of the collision was the negligent conduct of the hit-and-run driver. If anyone has any information regarding the identity of the taxi driver, you are encouraged to contact the Chicago Police Department or this office.

This case illustrates the importance of contacting an Illinois injury lawyer after being involved in an accident. So often injured pedestrians, bicycle riders, etc. call our office not really knowing if they have a case, or thinking they have a case for the wrong reasons. When the person calls us, it gives lawyers the opportunity to evaluate the situation and at least get the victim pointed in the right direction.

For example, in this case the pedestrian had no idea she could make a claim on her auto policy. She contacted us for help in trying to track down the taxi driver. We did make an effort in that regard. Requests were made to the City to preserve traffic videos and photos in the area. Unfortunately, the accident was not caught on film. It has been over a year since the accident, so it is highly unlikely that the driver will be brought to justice.

Due to the fact that the defendant fled the scene of the occurrence, our law office is pursuing an Illinois uninsured, hit-and-run motorist claim on behalf of our client with her own auto insurance carrier, State Farm. If the plaintiff didn’t contact our office, she never would have known that she had a claim and she would’ve lost out on collecting thousands and thousands of dollars.

Following the collision, the plaintiff had an immediate onset of face, back and left leg pain. She was placed in a cervical collar and on a backboard by paramedics at the scene. She was transported to Illinois Masonic Hospital’s Emergency Department, where she complained of severe body pain, especially in her left leg, left side of her face, and her back. A history was taken, she was examined, and diagnostic tests were performed. She was dizzy with even the slightest movement and had numerous abrasions. The left side of her face was visibly swollen from the collision and she was nauseated. On exam, she had pain and tenderness to her left leg and her paraspinal muscles as well as the left side of her face. She also had tachycardia.