Pedestrian Accident

Felony charges filed in deadly Illinois hit-and-run pedestrian accident

May 7, 2011 | By Dave Abels

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

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

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

Chicago tour bus accident results in death of pedestrian

May 5, 2011 | By Dave Abels

A 26-year-old woman has been killed in a downtown Chicago pedestrian collision, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The victim was crossing Columbus Avenue at East Illinois Street in the Streeterville neighborhood when she was struck by a tour bus just before 7 PM on Tuesday evening.

The pedestrian was crossing with a green light, but the driver did not yield as he turned onto Columbus. A witness to the accident believed the driver never saw the pedestrian, as he looked shocked and was crying afterwards. The driver reportedly told police he heard a bump, thought it was a curb, but then stopped the bus when he heard a second bump.

According to WGN-TV, other witnesses to the accident said they could tell that nothing could be done to help the victim, and that they were upset about what they had witnessed.

Chicago hit-and-run accident kills pedestrian

April 4, 2011 | By Dave Abels

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

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

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

Tragic Chicago pedestrian accident claims life of toddler

March 23, 2011 | By Dave Abels

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.

Pedestrian killed in Chicago hit-and-run accident

March 18, 2011 | By Dave Abels

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

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

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

Deadly Chicago area pedestrian accident – woman killed in hospital parking lot

March 17, 2011 | By Dave Abels

An Illinois pedestrian accident has resulted in the death of the 76-year-old woman who was hit and killed by a minivan in the parking garage at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights on Wednesday morning, according to Tribune Local. The pedestrian victim was reportedly walking in a marked area for pedestrians at the time of the accident.

The woman was struck by a red Chrysler van that was being operated by a 59-year-old driver from Mount Prospect. The pedestrian became trapped under the vehicle and rescue personnel from the fire department and hospital staff tried to treat her while others tried to lift the vehicle and free her. Once she was able to be removed she was taken a short distance to the emergency room with multiple injuries and she died a short time later.

It is being reported that surveillance cameras are helping police reconstruct the accident scene. No traffic citations or criminal charges have been filed against the at fault motorist, but the Arlington Heights police investigation is still ongoing.

Do your part to avoid Chicago car accidents, bicycle and pedestrian accidents, as spring nears

March 8, 2011 | By Dave Abels

The recovering economy is likely to lead to more car accidents in Chicago and other large metro areas that are already dealing with the consequences of congestion, CNN reports.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers have frequently reported on the link between the drastic reduction in fatal car accidents and the economic downturn of the past few years. In January, we reported on out Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog that Chicago ranked worst in the nation in terms of traffic congestion.Not even motorists in New York City or Los Angeles face more traffic during their commutes; Chicago motorists waste 70 hours a year waiting in their cars — more than twice the national average and about four times more than the 18 hours we were wasting in 1982.

We also reported on the increase in fatal Illinois car accidents last year. And, while the state recorded less than 1,000 traffic fatalities for the second year in a row, many think the dozen more motorists killed on the roads last year signals the beginning of the economic recovery.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reports 128 motorists have died on the roads thus far this year, just four fewer than during the same period a year ago.

Spring will bring with it an increased risk of Chicago pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents. And spring break, prom and graduation bring a trifecta of dangers for teen drivers, who are already the most vulnerable motorists on the road.

Drivers are urged to use caution as Northern Illinois shakes off the final weeks of winter. Give your fellow motorists a little room and a little respect. Safe driving tips include:

-Avoid aggressive driving: This includes speeding, changing lanes without signaling, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, running red lights and disobeying traffic control devices.

-Watch your speed and remain extra caution at intersections.

-Don’t drink and drive. Drunk drivers are responsible for one-third of the state’s fatal traffic accidents.

-Don’t drive distracted. It is illegal to text and drive in Illinois. Hand-held cell phone use by drivers is illegal within the City of Chicago. Regardless of the law, no phone call, text or e-mail is worth being in an accident.

-Speak to your teens about the importance of making good driving decisions.

-Watch for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcycles, particularly as the weather warms.

Driver on Facebook blamed for fatal Chicago pedestrian accident

February 15, 2011 | By Dave Abels

The family of a man killed in a Chicago pedestrian accident blames a driver who was allegedly updating her Facebook page at the time of the crash, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers frequently write about the hazards associated with distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 5,474 people were killed and 448,000 were injured in crashes caused by distracted driving in 2009.As we reported recently on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, Illinois has recently launched the campaign “Drive Now. Text Later. You Can’t Do Both.” The campaign aims to remind people that texting and driving has been illegal in the state of Illinois since Jan. 1 2010. Hand-held cell phone use has been illegal for Chicago drivers since 2005.

Along with texting, the law also forbids reading or sending e-mails, surfing the Internet and, of course, updating your Facebook account while driving.

In this case, the 70-year-old was in a minor car accident on Dec. 7. His family claims he was outside his vehicle, exchanging information with the other driver, when a vehicle southbound on Ewing Avenue ran into the victim, partially severing his leg and causing him to bleed to death.

Both that driver, and the other driver in an accident with the victim, claimed sun glare was a problem.

It’s not the first time Facebook has made the news in connection with distracted driving, nor will it be the last. Last fall, the USA Today reported that General Motors’ OnStar system would allow drivers to dictate Facebook posts and have their text messages read aloud.

The New York Times reported such services were coming under increased scrutiny during the nation’s second annual Distracted Driving Summit, held last fall in Washington, D.C.

Please note that while our law firm works on distracted driving cases, we are not involved in the case discussed in the Chicago Tribune article. Further, the lawyer representing the victim’s family was not named in the Tribune article.

Chicago pedestrian accident – police searching for hit and run driver

February 11, 2011 | By Dave Abels

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

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

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

Deadly Illinois hit and run pedestrian accident – police asking for help

December 12, 2010 | By Dave Abels

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

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

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