Illinois Injury Law Blog

Expect an all-out assault on distracted driving from the government in 2012.

Our Chicago wrongful death attorneys note the U.S. Department of Transportation released a December report that indicates more than 3,000 motorists died in distracted driving car accidents in Cook County and elsewhere in the United States in 2010.

-The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration a new measure called "distraction-affected crashes" will be used to track the issue.

Using it for the first time, the government reports 3,092 motorists died in distracted driving accidents. That's down from the more than 5,000 reported in 2009. But the drop has nothing to do with the risks and everything to do with the challenges of tracking distraction-related accidents across all 50 states.

-The National Transportation Safety Board has recommended banning cell phone use by all drivers -- both hands free and handheld. Currently only 8 states ban hand-held cell phone use by all drivers. A number of cities, including Chicago, also prohibit drivers from using hand-held devices while behind the wheel. No state prohibits the use of hands-free devices.

And, while Illinois is among the growing number of states to prohibit drivers from text messaging behind the wheel, there are challenges to enforcing such laws. For starters, the patchwork of laws that exist in all 50 states makes it difficult to inform travelers of state law. And it's tough for law enforcement to tell whether a driver is dialing a phone (which is often legal) or sending an illegal text message.

Government surveys continue to show drivers use cell phones and text while driving -- despite denying it and despite indicating they would not feel safe riding in a vehicle with a driver who was texting or talking on the phone.

"What's clear from all of the information we have is that driver distraction continues to be a major problem," said Administrator Strickland. "We need to maintain our focus on this issue through education, laws, enforcement, and vehicle design to help keep drivers' attention on the road."

The survey found that three-quarters of drivers will answer a ringing telephone while driving. Two-thirds of all drivers will continue driving after doing so. Half of all drivers hold the phone -- fewer than 1 in 5 drivers utilize a hands-free device.

And, despite getting a bad rap when it comes to bad behavior behind the wheel, the government's latest study found that older drivers are just as guilty as teens when it comes to use of electronic devices behind the wheel. More than 80 percent of drivers ages 21 to 34 said they answer the phone while driving -- more than 70 percent of all drivers under the age of 65 admitted doing so.

The biggest difference in behavior as it relates to age came with the attitude of passengers. And sex. Two-thirds or more of adult woman over the age of 25 said they would say something to a driver on the phone if they were riding as a passenger. Only half of younger women said they would confront the driver.

And only about one-third of men of all ages said they would voice their concern.

Continue reading "Distracted Driving Targeted in 2012; Reduce your Risk of a Cook County Traffic Accident " »

Parents worry about their teenage children this time of year as they may spend a little extra time driving on Illinois roadways while they are on winter break from school. Not only are roadways a little more congested and subject to winter weather conditions, but the chances of coming into contact with a drunk driver is higher this time of year. No parent wants to risk losing their child in a Illinois teen car accident caused by a distracted or intoxicated driver around the holidays.

Chicago personal injury lawyers understand the importance of keeping an open dialogue with your teen about driving safely because it can have an impact on choices they may make later with regard to taking a risky chance while driving or answering a text when they should be focused on the road.

The National Safety Council (NSC) hopes that parental communication and the initiation and implementation of the HEARTS Network can start to help teens understand the dangerous risks that they take behind the wheel and curb the urge to take unnecessary chances so that roadways can become safer for all users.

HEARTS Network stands for Honoring Everyone Affected, Rallying The Survivors. The NSC is asking anyone who has been affected by a teen car accident to share their personal story as it relates to survival or tragedy by joining the HEARTS Network.

Nationally, more than 15 people die in a crash daily involving a teen driver. Pedestrians, bicyclists, passengers and other motorists are all affected each day when a crash with a teen driver occurs. In fact, roughly two-thirds of the victims who lose their life in a crash involving someone between the ages of 15-17 are not a teen driver.

An NSC spokesman says that sharing stories of survival can hopefully help take away the risks of future crashes and the number one killer of teens nationwide. Participants of the network are being given the opportunity to relate their story within the community and spare other families from having to go through the same grief of losing a child. HEARTS members may also seize the opportunity to work with other traffic safety leaders to improve teen driving issues in their own community.

Illinois is one of 10 states that is currently receiving support from the NSC and funding from the Allstate Foundation for advocacy groups geared toward young drivers like Teen Safe Driving Coalitions. Other states receiving funding include New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Florida, Minnesota, Tennessee, Texas and California. Members of the HEARTS Network are encouraged to get the message out in order to reduce teen tragedies by getting involved and advocating with traffic safety groups nationwide.

In 2009, over 5,600 people died in a teen-related car crash. The HEARTS Network shares the story behind the tragedy and the morbid statistics that affect so many people nationwide.

If you have been affected by a teen car crash and want to relate your story to others in your community join the HEARTS Network. Educate and influence others about the life-long impact a tragedy can have on a family and connect with other survivors that can relate to your story.

More information and how to join can be found online at NSC HEARTS Network.

Continue reading "HEARTS Network Aims to Share Stories of Personal Tragedy in Order to Reduce Teen Car Accidents in Chicago, Nationwide" »

Driving in treacherous stormy weather on roadways layered with snow and ice can be stressful and dangerous. Motorists who are overly confident driving in these conditions put other motorists at risk of a car accident in Chicago or elsewhere in the state because they drive too fast and take unnecessary risks.

The Illinois Tollway, Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) have sent out a message to Illinois motorists recently to prepare for the winter dangers. Last year was a record year for snowfall in our area so being prepared is the first step in keeping everyone safe on roadways.

Illinois personal injury attorneys know that snowfall is inevitable in this part of the country so driving in winter weather can't be escaped if you want to get to work, drop kids off at school or run necessary errands to provide for your family.

Law enforcement officials and IDOT are encouraging motorists to drive safely by slowing down, buckling up and moving over when you see a snow plow. Winter crews have been preparing all spring and summer for the bad weather ahead. Last year they were tested with around-the-clock operation because of the heavy snowfall that hit several times throughout the state. Total expenses for snow removal last year was approximately $84.6 million which included 562,220 tons of salt being spread on highways, interstates and city streets throughout the state.

"Illinois State Police districts are coordinating road safety plans with the Tollway and IDOT to ensure that our traffic enforcement priorities include safe driving, safe roads, and safe access for all citizens during the winter months," said ISP Division of Operations Colonel Mark Piccoli.

This year, Illinois Tollway winter state crews are equipped with 183 plow trucks, other snow removal equipment, liquid calcium chloride, angular crushed stone, along with 80,000 tons of salt stockpiled and ready to use for the Tollway system which stretches 286 miles across Northern Illinois.

Motorists are encouraged to use the following safety tips this winter offered by IDOT:

-A snow plow needs plenty of room to operate so stay clear when you spot them doing their job.

-A snow plow operator has limited vision so just because you see them doesn't mean they see you.

-It is important to have an emergency kit containing flares, windshield wiper fluid, jumper cables, ice scraper, traction material, blankets, and a first aid kit.

-Check to make sure everyone is buckled in before you go.

-Black ice is often undetectable so if you suspect icy conditions slow down.

-Reducing speed on off-ramps, shady areas, bridges, and intersections can help reduce the chance of sliding or spinning on ice.

-Always know the weather conditions before you leave on a trip. Illinois motorists can call 1-800-452-4368, 1-800-TOLL-FYI or check online at gettingaroundillinois.com.

-Keep a charged cell phone with you at all times so that you can call for help if needed.

Motorists traveling on the Illinois Tollway are reminded if you break down, are involved in an accident or need emergency assistance call 999 for a H.E.L.P. truck operator to dispatch an assistance truck to your location. The dispatcher will need the name of the roadway and what direction you are traveling, the closest mile marker, how many vehicles involved in the accident and a description of the vehicle(s) in need of assistance.

Continue reading "Illinois Motorists Preparing for Winter Weather to Reduce Risk of Chicago Car Accident" »

Most Illinois teens learn to drive by taking a driver's education course at school or by taking lessons from a private driving school. A recent article in the Chicago Tribune has our Illnois injury lawyers concerned about teen safety considering what kinds of vehicles are being used to teach inexperienced young drivers the rules of the road.

Parents have a right to be worried about the high risk of teen car accidents and child injuries at Chicago schools while their teen is practicing their driving skills with a school employee.

The Chicago Tribune reports that the quality and crash ratings of the cars being used for driver's education class by some school districts are subpar. School districts may not be able to afford a car with an excellent crash rating, so they cut their costs by providing low performance and fuel-efficient smaller vehicles while putting teens at risk of severe injury if they are involved in an accident.

The Chevy Cobalt is an example of one car being used, which has poor side crash ratings but most cars are just plain outdated. Chicago Public Schools use cars classified as the worst-rated driver's education cars in the state. Apparently where you live has a lot to do with what kind of car you take lessons in, according to an analysis which indicated 1,300 different cars are used in almost 60 different school districts.

The analysis has raised some eyebrows at the state level. The fact that some districts opt to not purchase a car with airbags or utilize a vehicle more than 10 or 15 years old to teach teens how to drive is cause for discussion. Senator Susan Garrett intends to schedule a hearing to look at driver's education in public and private schools.

As part of the analysis process, the Tribune filed approximately 60 Freedom of Information Act requests with different school districts throughout the state to get the year, make and model of driver's education cars used in classes. The next step was to get the crash test ratings for each car used in 2010 and 2011 from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Key findings concluded that some school districts do not keep comprehensive records, including when an accident occurs in a driver's education vehicle. When school districts were asked about car safety, most indicated that it was not a priority compared to fuel efficiency and actual price of a vehicle.

Chicago Public Schools use several poorly rated cars according to IIHS crash and safety ratings despite being the largest provider of driver's education courses in the state. The school district has 163 cars available in the fleet of which only 113 are used on roadways. The oldest car in the group is a 1990 Dodge Shadow, but most of the cars used are Plymouth Breezes, Chevy Cavaliers and Plymouth Neons dated with a 2000 make year or older. The majority of the cars rate poorly because they lack airbags.

As parents, we do our best to ensure our children's safety. Before you enroll your teen driver in a driver education course, don't be afraid to ask questions and make sure you feel confident with the teacher's abilities and that the vehicle being used will keep your teen safe if an accident occurs while they are learning to drive.

Continue reading "Vehicles Used in Driver's Education Classes Put Teens at High Risk of Injury in Chicago Car Accidents" »

A horrendous teen car crash in North Chicago recently reminds us that young drivers should be limited to the number of teen passengers permitted to ride in the car, especially during nighttime hours.

The Lake County News-Sun reports that a 16 year-old driver died from internal injuries after losing control of his vehicle, causing him to leave the roadway and smash into a tree. The 17-year-old passenger riding in the vehicle was seriously injured and taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center for treatment. After receiving a 2:45 a.m. call, Waukegan Police Officials arrived at the scene to find the vehicle split in half with the back end of the vehicle lying against a house and the front end lying in the neighbor's yard.

Illinois personal injury lawyers agree that even though state graduated driver's license (GDL) programs have proven to be somewhat successful in reducing teen car accidents nationwide, a valuable lesson can be learned from this incident. Parents and role models of teen drivers should continue to communicate and set guidelines for young drivers even beyond them getting a license because it can make a difference in keeping them safe on Illinois roadways. No good can come from a teen driving in the wee hours of the morning so it is important you set boundaries to keep them from being involved in a car accident.

According to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Illinois teens must be 15 to get a learners permit. Teens must be age 16, have 50 hours of supervised driving experience and hold a learners license for 9 months before moving up to the next level of restricted license. During the restricted license stage, teens can't have more than 1 passenger under the age of 20 riding with them during the first 12 months. They also can't drive after 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends or before 6 a.m. any day. The passenger restriction is lifted at age 17 and the nighttime restriction is released at age 18 in Illinois.

CNN reports that state GDL programs seem to produce better results for younger drivers than older teens, according to a recent crash study involving teen drivers. From 1986 to 2007, states that prohibited teen drivers from driving at night or with another teen passenger had 26 percent fewer fatal crashes involving 16-year-olds than states that didn't place these same restrictions on teen drivers. In addition, 18-year-olds showed an increase in fatal accidents by 12 percent, even in states with strong GDL programs.

Since its inception, there have been 1,348 fewer crashes involving 16-year-olds in states with GDL programs. Consequently, there have been almost 1,100 more fatal accidents involving 18-year-olds since 1996 when GDL programs were established. The study found that states with weaker GDL programs reported lower crash rates by 16 percent for 16-year-olds compared to a 10 percent higher crash rate for 18-year-olds.

Each state varies in the restrictions placed on teen drivers and the strength of the GDL program which is offered to young drivers. One thing is certain -- maintaining safe driving behaviors should be a hot topic with your teen beyond them getting a license and well into their college years. Once they become of age to drink, it is critical to have discussions about drinking and driving and the smart choices that need to be made to help avoid a car crash.

Continue reading "After-Hours Driving a Danger for Young Drivers, Increases Chances of Teen Car Accidents in Chicago" »

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has recruited a number of corporate sponsors along with the Illinois State Police (ISP) and the Illinois Secretary of State to celebrate the fifth annual Operation Teen Safe Driving (OTSD) program. This program aims to reduce the number of fatal teen car accidents in Illinois. It uses a creative and interactive way to involve our teens in the learning process. Through this program, each state high school is able to apply to win their school a $2,000 grant to help implement a student-organized program to ensure safe driving habits among teen drivers.

“The OTSD program is making a dramatic difference in the lives of Illinois teens, as evidenced by the 45 percent reduction in teen fatalities over the past four years,” said Ann Schneider, the Transportation Secretary.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys encourage teens to get involved in the program. There can be up to five schools to win spots with cash prizes. Prize money is to be used for their after-prom events, which aim to keep teens from drinking and driving. Winning schools are also invited to the Driving Skills for Life Ride and Drive program that's hosted by the Ford Motor Company Fund.

Jim Vella, President of the Ford Fund says that he and the company are happy to announce that this is the fifth successful year that this event has been held for teens in our area. He and the company continue to commit their efforts to help keep teens safe on our roadways. He would also like to remind teens and parents that traffic accidents are the number one cause of death for teens in the United States.

The Allstate Foundation is another organization that focuses heavily on the safety of teen drivers on our roadways. The Foundation focuses on the effects of distracted driving habits on our newly licensed drivers. They too support the efforts of the Operation Teen Safe Driving program.

You can apply to have your school become a part of the fight against dangerous teen driving habits. All applications are due by October 1, 2011 for next school year. At least ten schools will be chosen from each of Illinois' academic regions. Each chosen school will receive $2,000 to go towards its very own safe teen driving program. Out of all the schools that start their own safe teen driving program, five will be selected to attend a Driving Skills for Life Ride and Drive program.

Secretary of State Jesse White says the number of fatal teen accidents has indeed decreased since the start of this program. The program has also been credited with strengthening the state's graduated driver licensing (GDL) program, which took effect back in 2008. Since then, the number of teen accident fatalities has been cut nearly in half.

There were more than 100 high schools in our state that participated in the program during the 2010-2011 school year. Students arranged assemblies, created bumper stickers, accident re-enactments, set up traffic signs and offered fatal goggle simulations to student drivers in the area to raise awareness about the dangers of lackadaisical driving habits.

Teens are some of the most vulnerable drivers on our roadways as they lack a significant amount of driving experience. Through programs like this, teens can gain access to important driving information that can help to keep them safe and out of a traffic accident on our roadways. Officials expect an even bigger turnout for the upcoming year.

Continue reading "IDOT's Fifth Year in Helping to Reduce Teen Car Accident in Illinois" »

Technology and design are making SUVs safer than ever according to a recent story in the Chicago Tribune. They are no longer at a high risk for rollover accidents.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers know that rollover accidents can be deadly.

The sport utility vehicle design has undergone significant changes. SUVs no longer sit on a high truck frame but rather on a lower car frame, and they come equipped with stability technology to improve safety. Currently the death rate for SUV drivers in the newest Insurance Institute for Highway Safety report is half that of cars, partly due to their design changes.

According to the IIHS report, 23 out of 26 vehicles with the lowest death rates were mid-size or larger. Crash statistics indicated over half of those vehicles with the highest death rates were small vehicles or mini cars. Driver death rates for those driving 2005-2008 model vehicles during 2006-2009 were 48 per million registered vehicle years. SUVs had 28 fatalities per million registered vehicle years, while pickups averaged 52 deaths per million registered vehicle years. Rollover crashes have been declining over the years thanks to the emergence of electronic stability control technology. Most new vehicles have this technology that helps drivers maintain control of their vehicle by lessening the danger of a skid or rollover.When the system’s sensors identify a potential loss of steering control, they automatically hits the brakes to steer the vehicle in the direction the driver wants to go, thus preventing a potentially fatal rollover.

The 15 safest SUVs are: Audi A6 4-door 4WD, Mercedes E-Class 4-door 4WD, Toyota Sienna, Ford Edge, Armada, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Land Rover LR3, Honda CR-V, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Acura MDX, Mercedes E-Class 4-door, Lexus RX 400h, Lexus GX 470, Mercedes M-Class and the Saab 9-3 4-door.

The 15 most dangerous SUVs are: Nissan 350Z 2-door, Nissan Titan crew cab, Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet Cobalt, Nissan Titan extended cab, Kia Spectra, Chevrolet Malibu Classic, Hyundai Tiburon, Nissan Versa, Chevrolet Colorado extended cab, Nissan Titan crew cab, Kia Rio, Kia Spectra, Mazda Miata MX-5 and the Subaru Legacy.

The two main types of SUV rollover accidents are tripped and un-tripped:

-Tripped rollovers happen when a SUV goes off the road and either sinks into soft soil or hits something. The sinking in the soil or impact with an object is what causes the vehicle to tip and roll. This is the most common type of rollover accident, occurring 95 percent of time.

-Un-tripped rollovers usually occur when the SUV is going too fast and tries to make an evasive maneuver to avoid hitting another car or an object in the road. This sudden maneuver causes the vehicle to topple and roll.

Maintaining control of your vehicle by eliminating distractions and reducing speed is a sure-fire way of keeping you and other motorists safe on Chicago roadways.

Continue reading "Vehicle Technology Reduces Risks of SUV Accidents in Chicago, Elsewhere" »

May is designated as National Youth Traffic Safety Month (NYTSM). The month-long campaign is used to empower and engage teens and communities to help to reduce the number of teen car accidents in Illinois and elsewhere across the United States through education, increased enforcement and support for stronger laws, according to the National Organization for Youth Safety.

The Illinois Teen Safe Driving Coalition recently participated with DomeShift 2011 in Springfield. Earlier this month, more than 150 youth, community and legislative leaders gathered to celebrate at DomeShift 2011 as they discussed the importance of teen safe driving and Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) with state lawmakers, according to the National Safety Council. DomeSmift 2011 was used to develop local advocacy plans, implement legislative strategies and educate peers about the principles of the GDL as teens and advocates spoke with key legislators, community leaders and fellow peers.

Our Chicago injury lawyers understand the importance of educating our young drivers about the proper techniques of safe driving. We recognize that May is an excellent time to attempt to raise awareness as the school season will be wrapping up soon and kids will be hitting the roads in full force for proms, graduations and summer break.

The current Illinois GDL requires that a driver be at least 15-years-old to possess a driving permit and must have that permit for at least 9 months before applying for a full driver license. A permit holder is required to complete 50 hours of supervised driving with at least 10 of those hours being completed during the evening hours.

Once a teen is granted their initial license, they're not to transport more than one passenger under age 20 for the first year. They're also not to drive after 10 p.m. or before 6 a.m. on weekdays (with restriction beginning at 11 p.m. on weekends). This initial license is to be held for at least one year or until they've reached 18-years-old. After this initial period, the teen driver may obtain a full license.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 2,400 young drivers (between the ages of 15 and 20) that were killed in traffic accidents in the United States in 2008. Another 228,000 teens were injured in these accidents. In Illinois, nearly 150 teens died in car accidents in 2009.

You can also check out the Illinois Teen Safe Driving Coalition Facebook page for more information.

Continue reading " Illinois Joins National Youth Traffic Safety Month Campaign in Efforts to Decrease Risks of Teen Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere" »

My FOX Chicago reported on the horrific drunk driving accident that left 2 dead and 11 injured, three of which are in critical condition.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers continue to see far too many innocent motorists injured or killed by drunk drivers. A driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) over twice the legal limit is accused of crashing her overloaded SUV head-on into a car around 3 a.m. Saturday morning.

The driver was attempting to pass a slow moving car in front of her when she swerved across the center line into oncoming traffic. She collided with the front of the car facing her. After the collision, the SUV flipped over, ejecting passengers all over the roadway and entrapping others.

The SUV was traveling with 11 occupants inside. Miraculously the driver of the vehicle did not require hospitalization but others were not as fortunate. One victim died at the scene and another died about an hour later at the hospital. Three victims are in critical condition on ventilators. Injuries include damage to the brain and lungs, back injuries, fractures and lacerations.

The 39-year-old drunk driver is being charged with two counts of aggravated DUI for an accident that killed 2 people. Additional charges include seven counts of aggravated DUI because the crash resulted in great bodily harm to several victims and one count of DUI involving a crash that resulted in great bodily harm to a victim under the age of 16, according to police. She was also charged with driving on a suspended license, driving without insurance and driving on the left side of the road. Bond was set at $250,000 with a hearing scheduled for later this month. The driver admittedly had been drinking beer the night of the crash after police reported her BAC was .165, according to authorities.

Drinking and driving is just not worth the risk to yourself and others. A first time drunk driving conviction in Illinois carries the following possible penalties:

-Jail: could be up to 1 year.
-Jail: if a child under 16 is in the car, up to 6 months could be added.
-Fines: could be up to $2,500, add a minimum of $500 if BAC is above .16, add a minimum of $1,000 if a child under 16 is in the car.
-License Suspension for a minimum of 1 year and your vehicle registration is suspended.
-Possible installation of a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device.
-Community Service: minimum 100 hours for BAC above .16, add 25 days if a child under 16 is in the car.

Continue reading "2 killed, 11 injured following a drunk driving accident on Chicago's West Side" »

The winners of the 2011 Operation Teen Safe Driving Program were recently announced by Ford Motor Company Fund, The Allstate Foundation, the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, Illinois State Police (ISP), Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig and Secretary of State Jesse White.

Winners were chosen based on their imagination and creativity in creating educational programs aimed at their peers on the hazards of unsafe driving.

Our Chicago accident lawyers congratulate the winners and hope that peers educating peers decreases Chicago car accidents involving teen drivers.

Teen fatalities from car accidents have seen a decline since establishing Operation Teen Safe Driving Program in 2007. Statewide 105 high schools were chosen to participate in this program, which is modeled after the Ford Driving Skills for Life teen safety program.

"We applaud the continued creativity, determination, devotion and hard work of Illinois high school students in helping make our roadways and communities safer for all," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. "Operation Teen Safe Driving offers a unique and extremely successful peer-to-peer program that directly impacts teen drivers statewide. The effective partnership between high schools, traffic safety advocates and private and public entities allow the program to continually expand its reach and connect with tens of thousands of young drivers on an annual basis."

Effective January 1, 2008, the Graduated Driver Licensing law was introduced by Secretary of State White. This law is a licensing process that provides teens with more supervised time behind the wheel, limits distractions inside the car and rewards safe driving by advancement through each stage in order to obtain their license.

"When I established the Teen Driver Safety Task Force the goal was to improve Illinois’ graduated driver licensing (GDL) law and, even more importantly, to save lives," said Secretary of State Jesse White. "I am encouraged that teen driving deaths have dropped by 50 percent since the law took effect January 1, 2008. This law, in conjunction with the Operation Teen Safe Driving initiative, is having the intended impact on teen driving safety. My congratulations to the winners as well as to all schools that participated in this important program. Working together, we can save more lives and make Illinois roads safer for all of us."

Click here to view a complete list of the winning schools.

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Congratulate Teen Safe Driving Winners" »

April is now considered National Distracted Driving Awareness Month according to the National Safety Council.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys frequently report about the dangers of distracted driving -- which remains a leading cause of Illinois car accidents.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 410-2 last month in passing the inaugural National Distracted Driving Awareness Month introduced by Rep. Betsy Markey as a resolution to the death of 9-year-old Erica Forney who was killed by a distracted driver in November of 2008.

NSC and FocusDriven, a cell-free driving advocate group, are asking motorists in Illinois and all over the country to put down their cell phone while driving during the month of April and beyond. They want drivers to promise to silence, turn off or put their phones in the trunk or glove compartment during the entire month of April. Eliminating the distraction completely will keep drivers from having the urge to respond to a text alert or phone call while behind the wheel. Cell phones are the leading cause of distraction in vehicle crashes. It is estimated that 1.6 million crashes occur each year from a driver talking or texting on a cell phone while driving.

"If drivers can go one month without using their phones while driving, they will find out – as many of us have – work still gets done," said Jennifer Smith, FocusDriven president.

One additional request is that drivers put a temporary voicemail greeting on their phone that alerts callers that they are driving.

"Many drivers realize most of the calls they thought were so important, really aren’t. It is our hope drivers will decide to make the change permanently," states Smith. "Doing so will make our roadways safer for everyone."

Businesses and large corporations that supply employees with wireless communication devices should take this opportunity to implement policies for cell phone use while driving.

Employees should feel relieved of responding to work calls or emails while they are driving if they know that it is against company policy. Many companies have found that work productivity has not decreased after executing cell phone policies for their workers.

In order to help businesses protect their employees, the NSC provides many resources, which include a free Cell Phone Policy Kit. Click the link for more information or a downloadable version of the kit.

Continue reading "Distracted Driving Month to Reduce Risk of Chicago Car Accidents" »

As young drivers head into a busy but exciting time of year, our Chicago personal injury attorneys want to remind teens to drive responsibly and be careful when driving on Illinois roadways.

With the excitement of Spring Break, prom, and graduation right around the corner, teens are most at risk of Chicago car accidents related to distracted driving or driving under the influence.

The leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year olds is motor vehicle crashes, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2008, over 2,700 young drivers were killed, and another 228,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes.

NHTSA reported that in 2008, 31% of young drivers killed in crashes had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .01 or higher. Alcohol-related crashes for young drivers are more prominent in males than females in reported data for 2008. Young drivers are also less likely to be restrained by sea tbelts in alcohol-related crashes.

Teens are often tempted this time of year to participate in parties that involve underage drinking. A recent article in Trib Local reported several teens cited for underage drinking at two separate parties that led to an alleged DUI accident. At both parties, numerous teens were charged with illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor. In addition, one 17 year-old was charged with resisting a police officer when he became argumentative about the situation.

In a separate incident, a 16-year old believed to have been drinking and taking drugs, was the passenger in a vehicle that was stopped after hitting a tree. Though the driver was of age to drink, he was tested over the legal limit at a BAC of .23. Both were charged of alcohol-related crimes but the driver was also cited for leaving the scene of an accident and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Teens are reminded to not fall into temptation when celebrating milestones like proms and graduations in the next few months. Celebrating at parties with friends can be fun but only if you survive and return home safely. Underage drinking is illegal and dangerous so refrain from peer pressure so that you and other motorist can remain safe on Illinois roadways. And above all, do not drink and drive.

Continue reading "Spring brings high risk of Chicago car accidents involving teenagers" »

Our personal injury lawyers in Chicago frequently report that intersections are among the deadliest places on the road. Speeding and red-light running are daily occurrences, which frequently lead to serious or fatal Chicago car accidents.

The National Safety Council recently released a new study that indicates that fatal crashes at intersections have gone down when it comes to traffic lights and red-light running. Fatal crashes at intersections with a traffic light have fallen by 17% during a five year period from 2005-2009. Also during the span from 2005 to 2009, red-light running fatal crashes decreased by 27%.

"This report shows that we are making large strides as a nation in reducing crashes at intersections,” said Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. “However, despite the improvement there were still 12,396 fatal crashes at intersections with traffic lights, including 4,394 fatal intersection crashes involving red-light running during that five year period. While we are making progress, the 13,266 fatalities from these crashes remind us that we have much more to do. Each of us should consider these statistics and the measures we can take to protect ourselves, our families and our communities."

In 2009, Illinois reported over 80 fatal crashes at intersections with traffic signals according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System used by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The state also reported at total of 67 fatal crashes at intersections with stop signs in 2009.

Cook County reported a total of 92 fatalities at intersection or intersection-related fatal crashes in 2009 according to the NHTSA. This was an increase from the previous year when Cook County reported 81 fatalities at intersections. Over the course of a five-year period from 2005-2009, the high was reached in 2007 when there were 124 fatalities at intersection or intersection-related crashes.

The great debate continues as to whether red light cameras installed at intersections are a saving grace, as we posted last month on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog. It is presumptuous to think that fatalities caused by intersection crashes will cease completely but studies are showing that something making a difference. Motorists growl about the fact that cameras don't serve a purpose except to be a money maker for municipalities where red light cameras are installed.

On the contrary, many cities are barely breaking even. CBS Chicago reported that many municipalities in Chicago are considering giving up red light cameras because the costs are exceeding the income. Revenues have dropped over the last couple of years. For example, one suburb of Chicago netted $1.1 million in revenue in 2008, compared to a mere $250,000 in 2010.

Are red light cameras working to reduce the number of fatalities occurring at intersections? Probably, but one thing is for sure. If motorists didn't speed through intersections to avoid having to sit at a red light, cameras wouldn't be needed at all.

Continue reading "Red-light cameras may be reducing number of Chicago car accidents at intersections" »

Last month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a recall of almost 800,000 child safety seats manufactured by Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) following a formal investigation that began last March.

Our personal injury lawyers in Chicago are reminding parents to check their car seats because your child's safety could be in jeopardy. Defective products are a growing concern, and in this case, could lead to a serious or fatal injury in an Illinois car accident or a traffic accident elsewhere in the United States.

DJG is recalling the safety seats due to the harness locking and release button not always working sufficiently. The button is designed to return to its locked position but doesn't always do so. As a result, the harness adjustment strap can slide back through the adjuster as a child moves around in the seat. A loose harness endangers the child by not strapping them in safely and can lead to serious or fatal injury in a car crash.

The child safety seats in question were manufactured from May 1, 2008 through April 30, 2009. They have a Center Front Adjuster for the harness. Recalled models include convertible, infant, and booster child restraint systems, sold both as stand-alone seats and as part of a travel system.

DJG is providing all consumers with a remedy kit meant to repair the problem. The kit will include instructions on how to apply the non-toxic lubricant to the Central Front Adjuster in order to prevent the sticking which will then allow the CFA to properly engage and lock into position. Consumers are instructed to apply a repair label once the procedure has been completed so that the problem is known to have been taken care of.

Consumers are still permitted to use the child safety seats up until the kit arrives from DJG. Parents and caregivers can pull on the shoulder part of the harness to make sure it is secure. If loose, they should adjust the harness and make sure the lock and release button is in the locked position before putting the vehicle in drive.

For a full list of models being recalled, consumers can visit Safercar.gov. Consumers can also contact the manufacturer directly by calling 1-866-623-3139.

Continue reading "Defective car seat illustrates risk of dangerous products in Chicago" »

Some schools that don't have the funding to offer driver education courses still have an opportunity to drive the point home to teens that get behind the wheel and drive distracted.

Ford Motor Company and Governors Highway Safety Association is providing the Ford Driving Skills for Life Program to 30 high schools in 15 states to teach teens about the dangers of driving distracted and driving under the influence according to a recent article in USA Today.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers applaud the efforts made by Ford Motor Co. Distracted driving is a common cause when young drivers are involved in Chicago car accidents.

Last month we posted on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog that 16% of fatal crashes in 2009 involved a distraction-related cause. We also reported that the under-20 age group had the highest involvement in distracted driving fatal crashes, which was approximately 16% in 2009. Teens all over the country are being encouraged to participate in contests like the JST DRV radio public service announcement competition to bring awareness about the dangers of distracted driving to their age group.

Ford Motor Co. also accepts that challenge with the Ford Driving Skills for Life Program, which is a one day, three-course driver program; the company pays about $35,000 in costs for each clinic. The program is meant to give teens a hands-on experience with distracted driving situations as well as other common threats faced when driving. Participants are put in simulated experiences that teach them what it is like to drive while over the legal limit, drive in icy or treacherous road conditions, and drive with in-vehicle distractions causing them to lose their focus.

The one-day clinic evolved from a Ford program already established in Tazewell County, IL where 15 teens were killed in a 15-month period as a result of motor vehicle crashes. Ford designed a teen-driving-safety program that cut the death totals to zero for four consecutive years in the county's 7 schools. The program eventually expanded to include 100 schools statewide and has helped to cut young driver deaths in Illinois by 50%.

One difference in the Ford Driving Skills for Life Program, compared to other programs being offered, is the real life experience that teens are put in. An example is the drunken-driving course which places teens in a Ford Fusion. The teens drive sober around the course with orange cones; then are asked to put on Innocorp Fatal Vision goggles that simulate the driver driving with a blood alcohol content of .08. Teens experience first-hand the difference between driving sober and driving over the legal limit.

As an added incentive for teens to participate, Ford is sponsoring a songwriting contest. The Belt it Out contest requires teens to compose and record a song about distracted driving dangers. The winner will be awarded a $5,000 grand prize for the best composition.

Continue reading "Ford program aims to reduce risk of Chicago car accidents involving teenagers" »

According to a recent report by Governor's Highway Safety Association pedestrian accidents increased during the first half of 2010, even as the overall number of traffic fatalities continued to decline.

A total of 135 fatalIllinois pedestrian accidents were reported in 2008, or 12.9% of all traffic fatalities according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

This equated to 1.05 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 population throughout the state of Illinois in 2008.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys find the preliminary data for 2010 significant due to the fact that it’s the first time in 4 years there has been an increase in pedestrian fatalities. In fact, pedestrian fatalities nationwide decreased from 4,892 in 2005 to 4,091 in 2009, averaging a decline of 200 per year.

According to the preliminary data for Illinois, there were 4 less pedestrian fatalities in the first 6 months of 2010 than in 2009. But the overall number of fatalities in Illinois inched up last year, bucking the national trend. Safety advocates are concerned the downturn in traffic fatalities will reverse itself as the economy continues to recover.

GHSA Chairman Vernon F. Betkey Jr. notes, "Nationally, pedestrian fatalities account for about 12 percent of overall traffic deaths, a small but significant portion. Given that we have made so much progress in this area, GHSA is concerned to see this reversal. One factor may be the increased distractions for both pedestrians and drivers. Anyone who travels in a busy city has seen countless pedestrians engrossed in conversation or listening to music while crossing a busy street. Just as drivers need to focus on driving safely, pedestrians need to focus on walking safely – without distractions."

The Spotlight on Highway Safety Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities Study points to a couple of reasons for pedestrian fatality changes. States that have very few fatalities can go from a good year to a bad one by just 1 or 2 fatalities occurring. Another reason for the changes is the different causes that can lead to pedestrian fatalities like alcohol consumption or the age of children killed in accidents.

The final reason for change is the amount of walking that takes place in states. For instance, it is likely the pedestrian miles traveled in New York are much higher than miles traveled in Iowa. Opportunity is key for some states that have more of a likelihood of people traveling by foot in big cities like Chicago-- Illinois was ranked 12th in the nation in pedestrian fatalities for 2009.

Most health professionals are encouraging Americans to start walking more in order to maintain a healthier heart and lifestyle. Illinois pedestrians should listen to their doctor but be careful of not getting distracted while walking the busy streets of Chicago.

Continue reading "Chicago pedestrian accidents an ongoing concern" »

We are reminded once again about the tragic results of drinking and driving as the case of an Orland Park man comes to court at the end of this month. It’s the perfect time for Chicago accident attorneys to remind drivers that drinking and driving is a lethal combination.

As reported by the Herald News a 2009 New Year's Eve crash killed a 20 year old passenger. The 23 year old driver lost control of his SUV, hit a pole, entered a ditch and rolled over landing on its side.

The driver was charged with two felonies, reckless homicide and aggravated drunken driving which could result in up to 14 years in prison. Sadly the driver's blood-alcohol content at the time of the crash was nearly three times the legal limit.

As if this situation weren't tragic enough; the family of the victim is suing the Cook County Sheriff's office for allegedly unprofessional conduct of the victim's body at the accident scene. The suit claims that protocols weren't followed, and that the victim's clothes were removed for no medical reason.

Photos of the nude body were taken and the body was left exposed to onlookers and other responders at the scene. The suit is asking for over $200,000 for extreme and severe distress. The allegations have been denied by the sheriff's department.

The NBC Today Show featured a similar case in Georgia when a fatal accident was worsened by a firefighter taking video on his cell phone.

The parents of a 23 year old mother of two were devastated by the news that their daughter was killed in a single car crash. They were told very little about the crash other than it happened on a rural Georgia road when her car had hit a grove of trees. They were spared the horrific descriptions of her injuries which even disturbed rescue personnel.

A few months later, the firefighter's cell phone video of their daughter's mangled body ended up on the Internet. They found the audio portion even more disturbing than the gruesome video footage. Firefighters appeared to be more concerned about taking the video then tending to the victim. At one point a firefighter is even asking for better lighting. The victim's parents have filed a complaint with Spalding County and officials have confirmed they are looking into the incident.

The victim's parents are seeking an amendment to state law requesting that emergency responders are banned from carrying a cell phone to calls. Current Georgia statute forbids public agencies from releasing videos to the media. The statute does not apply to this case because the firefighter was using his personal cell phone and did not release the video to the media.

Unprofessional behavior by emergency personnel made these tragic situations worse. In both cases, a lawyer should be consulted to aggressively pursue the rights of the victims and families and to ensure that nothing like it happens again.

Continue reading "Unprofessional conduct of emergency workers at Chicago car accident scenes should meet harsh justice" »

This holiday season it is likely with the economy still in turmoil and the price of airfare skyrocketed that more people will be headed to family gatherings in their personal vehicles. The best advice we can adhere to is to be patient and don’t let the stress of the holidays and traffic inconveniences be the cause of a Chicago car accident.

No one wants to end the year or start a brand new year on a dismal note. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System, there were a total of 1,719 fatalities on Christmas Day (640), New Year’s Eve (75) and New Year’s Day (1,004). Illinois accounted for 39 of these traffic fatalities, (12, 2, and 25 respectively).

Instead of stressing about the traffic congestion there may be some things you can do to make your family road trip a little more enjoyable this year. Kids have a tough time sitting in cars for long periods of time. Most vehicles come equipped or can be hooked up with video equipment but there are also some stimulating games you can play as a family. Road trip games can include alphabet, word, geography, songs, and twenty questions to name a few. Road games are good because they pass the time and keep everyone interacting.

In order to avoid additional holiday stressors when you travel to relatives, there are a few things you can do to help eliminate your stress:

-Pack up the car the evening before you leave so that all you have to do the next morning before leaving is double check you haven’t forgotten anything.

-Do a quick check on the car to make sure everything is working properly (for example, the heater, windshield wipers, sufficient air in the tires, etc)

- Double check the house before you leave to make sure everything is turned off and adjusted – you don’t want to have to worry if the house is going to burn down or get broken into while you are celebrating the holidays elsewhere.

-Allow plenty of time for stops so that normal holiday travel dangers like speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and traffic congestion don’t become a concern.

Continue reading "Peak holiday travel increases risk of Chicago car accidents" »

Our Chicago injury lawyers wish each of you a happy holiday season and encourage you to take extra precautions in keeping children safe around cars at family gatherings.

Backover accidents occur on an average of 50 children in the U.S. each week. As a result, 48 of those children are sent to the hospital with injuries while two others result in death. The common age of the children for these types of accidents is 12-23 months. Most often this tragedy happens in the child’s own driveway. More disturbing is the fact that 70 % of the time the driver is a family member or somehow related to the family.

Kids and Cars reports that between 2004 – 2008 almost 42% of non-traffic fatalities involving children under the age of 15 were caused by backover accidents.

As vehicles get larger so do their blind spots. This is a significant factor in backover accidents. Consumer Reports found that some vehicles have a 50 foot long blind spot. For example, an experiment showed over 20 children fit in the blind spot of someone sitting in a large SUV. Over 60 % of backover accidents involve large size vehicles.

Tips to prevent this tragedy:

-Count the number of children playing near your vehicle before you get in and look to see that you can see all of them from inside the vehicle before moving.

-Roll down the windows and turn off the radio when reversing your car so that you can hear any child approaching the vehicle.

-When putting your car in reverse to back out of a driveway or parking spot, have complete control of the vehicle in order to stop immediately.

-If your car is moving in reverse, check all mirrors and look over both shoulders until it is safe to put your car in drive.

Though some vehicles come equipped with detection devices (back-up cameras, warning sounds) nothing takes the place of checking around your vehicle.

Continue reading "Children at risk of backover accidents in Illinois during holiday gatherings" »

Earlier this month, Earl Bennett, a National Football League wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, was involved in a Chicago car crash with another passenger vehicle. Though he was not at fault, the accident made national news because of his status as a pro athlete. With the change of seasons and winter driving just around the corner, is is a reminder to all of us of the dangers most take for granted during their daily commute.

An article by ESPN stated Bennett was driving a 1973 Chevy Impala in the early morning hours on Monday when he was rear-ended by someone driving a Pontiac Sunfire. The accident was not a result of someone driving under the influence but rather the other vehicle failing to reduce speed before crashing into the Chevy Impala.

Bennett had tweeted shortly after the accident that he was thankful to be alive. All too often when two vehicles are involved in a car crash, fatalities occur and victims aren’t as fortunate as these two drivers were Monday morning. Late-night/early-morning crashes are particularly notorious for causing serious or fatal injuries.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently reported that in 2008, Illinois had 445 passenger car fatalities which accounted for 62% of all reported passenger vehicle car crash fatalities.

The NHTSA also showed that Cook County alone reported a total of 272 fatalities in 2008 not specific to any passenger vehicle type. During 2005-2009, Chicago and the surrounding cities in Cook County decreased total fatalities involved in vehicle crashes from 379 in 2005 down to 264 in 2009. This statistic related to fatalities per 100,000 people was 7.19 lives taken in 2005 down to 4.99 fatalities in 2009.

If you find yourself needing to drive late at night, take some precautions before getting in your vehicle with the following safety tips:

-Walk around your vehicle to make sure all safety lights are working properly.

-Give your front windows a wash periodically as dirty windows offer less visibility.

-Reduce your speed allowing a 4-5 second gap between vehicles so that you can stop if needed.

-Be alert for pedestrians or bikers who are not wearing bright colored clothing or a safety light.

-Take plenty of breaks while driving.

Continue reading "Athlete's nighttime Chicago car accident a reminder of dangers" »

Both sides reached a confidential settlement in the case of a Chicago firefighter left paralyzed in a motorcycle accident. The Chicago Breaking News Center reports the settlement came after a hung jury in the civil trial against Harley-Davidson.

Our Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers represent clients and families dealing with serious or fatal motorcycle accidents throughout Illinois. Such accidents frequently lead to very serious, debilitating injuries. As such, it is important to hire a law firm with the experience and resources to thoroughly investigate your case and determine whether there are multiple parties responsible for the crash. In this case, the law firm decided a defective product claim against Harley-Davidson was warranted. While the terms were not disclosed, it is likely that the firefighter and his family were able to make a better recovery than would have been possible without the defective products litigation.

The 52-year-old firefighter sued the motorcycle company, claiming a faulty motorcycle led to the 2004 crash on an Arizona highway. The company said driver error was responsible for the crash. The wreck paralyzed the victim from the chest down and he requires 24-hour care.

A jury deliberated this week after a trial last month. Jurors reportedly told the judge on Tuesday that they were unable to reach an agreement.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports there were 5,290 fatal motorcycle accidents in 2008. More than 96,000 riders were injured. Illinois motorcycle accidents claimed the lives of 121 riders that year.

Continue reading "Settlement reached in personal injury lawsuit, defective product claim for Chicago firefighter paralyzed in motorcycle accident" »

A 93-year-old driver remains in the hospital after crashing his car into a Metra train in Northbrook on Monday. The car was cut in half and came to rest in two pieces alongside Dundee Road. Investigators believe the driver somehow circumvented the crossing gate, which was down with signals flashing at the time of the Chicago car accident, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Just last week a 17-year-old Taft High School sophomore was struck and critically injured after he ran across the tracks at Northwest Hwy. and Nagel Ave. with a group of friends. According to the Chicago Tribune, students frequently race across the tracks whether the caution lights are flashing or not. From 2005 to 2009, there have been six Chicago vehicle-train accidents at Nagel, which is considered one of the most dangerous crossings within a six-county Chicago region.

In March, a 34-year-old woman and the one-year-old child were killed after being struck while crossing the tracks in front of an inbound Metra commuter train in North Chicago, WGN-9 reports.

In a separate story, WGN-9 reports that Metra engineers have been cited in at least two derailment incidents between 2003 and 2005 that killed two and injured more than 160. At least $30 million has been awarded in separate verdicts to injured passengers.

Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit organization that aims to reduce the incidents of collision, fatalities and injuries at rail crossings and along train tracks through public awareness campaigns. They offer the following safety tips for drivers:

FOR DRIVERS:
~ Never stop on a train track, once you enter a crossing, keep going – even if lights are flashing and gates come down. With that said, NEVER drive around downed crossing gates.

~ Treat every rail crossing as if a train were approaching whether you see one or not. Never assume you have the right-of-way. If you do stop at a rail crossing, be sure you are at least 15 feet from the nearest rail.

~ If your car stalls out or gets stuck on a train track, get everyone out of the vehicle immediately and walk in the direction of the train at a 45-degree angle until you have put considerable distance between yourself and the track. Remember, trains travel at rates of speed up to and in excess of 60 m.p.h. and can take more than a mile to stop. In short, debris from a vehicle-train accident can and will travel a surprising distance. To avoid being struck by crash fallout, get away from the track.

~ Once you have gotten a safe distance from the track, call 911.

Of course, pedestrians should ONLY cross tracks at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. They should NEVER attempt to out-run an approaching train, or use a train track as a walk path.

Continue reading "Chicago train accidents endanger drivers, pedestrians, passengers" »

After her mother was killed by a driver distracted by his cell phone, one 36-year-old Oak Park woman found herself suddenly on a mission, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Her goal: to educate the public that hands-free is simply not safe enough when it comes to cell-phone use while driving. “There is no study out there that shows hands free is safer,” she told the newspaper.

As our Chicago car accident lawyers noted in an earlier post to our Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, despite an alarming increase in fatal car accidents linked to cell phone distraction nationwide, 10 percent of the 8.5 million registered drivers in Illinois admit to regularly using their cell phones while driving.

These days, however, thanks to aggressive nationwide law enforcement, legislative and public education effort, few people would suggest that driving while texting or chatting is a wise choice when behind the wheel. Unfortunately, while most support more restrictive legislation that limits cell phone usage while driving, they think the rules should apply to drivers other than themselves.

With that said, the perception of cell phones as a potentially deadly distraction has become a huge concern for drivers and passengers who, more than ever, feel less safe while driving. In fact, an overwhelming number of respondents to a recent AAA Foundation survey on road safety issues admitted the reason they feel less safe is due to driver distraction caused by cell phone use. Almost 90 percent of those polled said they considered text messaging and emailing a “very serious threat to their personal safety."

Yet the urge to stay connected, even while driving, is a challenge to suppress. Even the young woman who lost her mother admits that the act of getting on her cell phone while driving was a hard habit to break. Yet she persists. These days, when she gets in the car she tucks her cell phone in her purse and out of reach. Making what she calls a potentially life-saving decision.

Continue reading "Hands-on or hands-free aside, many argue that using cell phones while driving increase chances of an Illinois car accident" »

State and local law enforcement from more than 300 agencies will be out on Illinois roads this Labor Day weekend conducting 200+ roadside safety checks, including DUI checkpoints and seat-belt enforcement stops, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

On the cusp of the holiday “You Drink & Drive. You Lose” DUI crackdown, the Illinois Department of Transportation released data this week reflecting a steady statewide decline in alcohol-related car accident fatalities since 2002. Since then, the number of alcohol-related Illinois motor vehicle fatalities has dropped from 442 to 322, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Chicago car accident attorneys at VanPopering Law Offices have a proven track record representing clients involved in hit-and-run and drunk driving accidents and crashes with underinsured and uninsured motorists. We understand that many victims suffer both short-term and permanent injuries and can be overwhelmed dealing with vehicle repairs, rehabilitation therapy, insurance companies and medical claims.

IDOT officials credit more aggressive law enforcement efforts and public awareness campaigns for the downturn. “It is inappropriate to drink and drive regardless of the time of day," said Acting Illinois State Police Director Jonathon Monken.

"Statistics tells us your chances of being involved in an alcohol related crash or fatal crash increases dramatically at night. Therefore, in addition to efforts put forth during the holiday travel period, the Illinois State Police will focus our efforts on DUI and seat belt enforcement during night time details throughout the Labor Day weekend," said Monken.

Our attorneys wish you a safe and happy holiday, and want you to know we are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions if you are injured in car accident.

At VanPopering Law Office our goal is simple: to assist those who have been injured or the families of those who have been killed due to the negligence of another driver. Our attorneys practice in all geographic areas in the greater Chicagoland area, including but not limited to Joliet, Rockford, Aurora, Waukegan, and anywhere in between.

Continue reading "Authorities targeting drunk drivers over Labor Day; Illinois car accidents a risk" »

For the fourth year, Illinois State Police in partnership with a host of corporate sponsors, including the Allstate Foundation, Ford Motor Company and the Illinois State Board of Education, join together to kick off the Operation Teen Safe Driving campaign.

With nearly 640,000 licensed drivers aged 15-19 on Illinois roadways, the Illinois Department of Transportation reported that Operation Teen Safe Driving aims to continue to reduce the number of teen-involved car accidents in Chicago and throughout the state with educational outreach efforts that include peer-to-peer based programs and awareness campaigns targeting seat-belt use and distracted and impaired driving.

“In 2008, teens formed the largest proportion of distracted drivers in fatal crashes,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Texting and talking on cell phones may feel like second nature to a tech-savvy generation, but the truth is, no one can talk or text while driving safely. I commend these young leaders and Operation Teen Safe Driving for helping to keep teens drivers safe.”

A 2008 IDOT report shows that about 67,200 Illinois drivers aged 15-19 were involved accidents on state roads, leaving 12,806 injured and 106 dead. Among 16-19 year old drivers, there were 93 fatalities, 60 of which involved alcohol.

In fact, teenagers nationwide are involved in three times as many fatal crashes than all other drivers. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for American teenagers. For teens involved in a serious or fatal car accident, speaking with an Illinois injury attorney can help them and their families better understand their rights.

Inexperience and an immature prefrontal cortex – the part of the brain responsible for controlling impulses, recognizing consequences and setting priorities – paired with a penchant for distracted driving, are major contributors to crashes involving teens. Distractions can be visual, manual or cognitive and can cause a crash in two seconds, the time it takes to dig for or answer a ringing cell phone.

Texting while driving, although banned in Illinois, is a particularly dangerous and potentially deadly habit. A 2008 DOT survey shows that nationwide 1-in-10 drivers are in the habit of using some a hand-held or hands-free electronic device while driving and women were more likely to use a cell phone while driving than men.

The survey also found that the under-20 age group represented the highest number (16 percent) of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes.

For more information about Operation Teen Safe Driving and to access online applications to participate in the effort, go to www.teensafedrivingillinois.org

Continue reading "Safe driving campaign lauded for reducing Chicago car accidents involving young drivers" »

A second defendant has pleaded guilty to charges accusing him of purposefully hitting bicycles with his car in Brookfield. The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and leaving the scene of an accident. On Tuesday, he was sentenced to two years of probation, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Riders already face the significant risk of a Chicago bicycle accident without motorists intentionally trying to run them off the road. While this may be an extreme case, our Chicago injury lawyers are frequently called to represent cyclists who have been run off the road or otherwise injured by an at-fault motorist. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports there were nearly 4,000 motorcycle crashes in 2008 -- 28 riders were killed and more than 3,300 were seriously injured.

This incident occurred on May 31, 2009 when the defendant was driving through Brookfield with his 18-year-old girlfriend at about 6:30 a.m. The girlfriend bet he wouldn't hit a cyclist and the defendant struck a 52-year-old rider on Washington Avenue before driving away. They switched places, and the girlfriend struck a 34-year-old rider a few blocks away. They were arrested a short time later.

The girlfriend pleaded guilty last week to aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and driving under the influence of alcohol. She was sentenced to 10 days in jail and two years of probation. The Active Transportation Alliance, an advocacy group, called the sentences outrageous.

The City of Chicago provides a safe cycling brochure for cyclists and offers a number of safety tips, including:

Fitting and equipping your bike

Maintenance checks

Parking your bike

Bike helmets

Traffic basics

Lane positioning, turning and passing

Trouble Situations

Off-street Bicycling

Riding at night and in bad weather

Continue reading "Motorists pleads guilty to intentionally causing Chicago bicycle accidents" »

A New Trier High School student is facing misdemeanor DUI charges after a Chicago pedestrian accident that seriously injured a fellow student. The Sun-Times reports the defendant admitted to smoking marijuana the night before the accident.

She is accused of hitting a sophomore student on May 14 as the teen crossed the street in front of the school. Authorities say she fled the scene after the accident. She also faces a felony charge of failing to stop after an injury accident.

Car accidents among young drivers are an ongoing concern heading into summer. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that teenagers ages 16-20 have the highest injury rate among all Illinois drivers. In 2008, 104 young drivers were killed in accidents and almost 13,000 were injured.

As a result, the Illinois Secretary of State's Office has instituted a Graduated Driver's License Program.

15-year-old Permit Drivers:
-Parental permission to obtain permit.
-Must enroll in approved driving course and pass vision and written exams.
-Prohibited from driving on weeknights from 10 p.m.-6 a.m. and on weekends from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
-Must have permit for 9 months.
-50 hours of minimum driving practice.
-No citations.
-No cell phone use.

16-17-year-olds Initial Licensing Phase:
-Completed state-approved driver education course.
-Must maintain conviction-free driving record for six months before turning 18 in order to be eligible for full driving rights.
-Limited to one passenger under 18 unless a sibling or child of the driver.
-Prohibits cell phone use.

Additionally, studies continue to show that teens are at high-risk for being involved in accidents involving alcohol or drugs. Twenty-eight percent of young drivers killed in automobile accidents had been drinking, according to Students Against Destructive Decisions (an organization you and I remember as Students Against Drunk Driving).

Continue reading "Teen faces DUI charge for Chicago pedestrian accident; young drivers at high risk for traffic crashes" »

Six students from Plainfield North High School were transported to Central DuPage Hospital with minor injuries Wednesday after a three-vehicle crash in West Chicago that involved two school buses.

Police said that roughly 90 students from the Plainfield North were on the buses at about 9:15 a.m. on their way to St. Charles for a field trip when the accident occurred at Route 59 and Glen Avenue.

The driver of one of the buses was cited for following too closely, police added.
Ambulances from West Chicago, Winfield, Geneva and Wheaton were called to the scene and transported the injured students.

Tom Hernandez, a spokesman from Plainfield School District 202, said a car stopped in front of the first bus, which caused the first bus to slam on the brakes. That bus hit the car and was hit from behind by the second bus.

All students were seated with the crash happened and that students were headed to see a play, “Romeo and Juliet.”

Car Accidents in Chicago
Some accidents are caused by negligence on the part of another person, intentional or not. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

6 students hurt in West Chicago bus crash, DailyHerald.com, April 28, 2010

Continue reading "Plainfield North High School Students Hurt in West Chicago Bus Crash" »

A 6-year-old Chicago boy was injured after being struck by a vehicle going the wrong way on a one-way street on April 27, 2010 near 76th and Michigan Avenue. The driver did not stop after striking the boy.

The boy’s father, Mark Williams, says he parked his car on the 7600 block of South Michigan Avenue, a one-way street going north. His daughter and son got out of the car were crossing the street when a van heading the wrong way hit his son.

"The car just came out of nowhere, speeding, going the wrong way speeding, and it didn't honk the horn until it got right up on me," said Williams.

The impact knocked Ashton nearly 15 feet and at that point, Williams says the driver slowed down and then took off.

"I grabbed him and picked him up off the ground. He had a dazed look on his face. I woke him up. I was trying my best to keep him awake," said Williams.

The boy suffered a concussion and cuts and bruises, but is expected to fully recover. For Williams, the ordeal will be over when the driver is found.

"I didn't know people could be so careless. It's amazing. He struck a 6-year-old and kept going. It's horrible," said Williams.

Williams is hoping anyone who witnessed the accident can help track down the driver.

6-Year-Old Boy Injured in Chicago South Side Hit-and-Run, ABCLocal.com, April 29, 2010

Car Accidents in Chicago

Some accidents are caused by negligence on the part of another person, intentional or not. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Continue reading "6-Year-Old Chicago Boy Injured in South Side Hit-and-Run" »

No serious injuries were reported Thursday morning when a charter bus carrying 40 Monroe Middle School students struck a car in Glen Ellyn.

Photo by tuneindoseout

Two students were taken to Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, where they were examined and then released to their parents, authorities said.

The students were heading to Chicago’s Navy Pier to see a Shakespeare play when the accident occurred, Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 spokesman Bob Rammer said.

Another bus was sent to pick up the students after the accident, and with the exception of the two youngsters taken to the hospital, everyone returned to Monroe.

School officials informed the parents about the accident via phone and email. Glen Elllyn Deputy Police Chief Bill Holmer said the driver of the charter bus was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Holmer said the car and bus were both heading east on Roosevelt Road at the time of the accident. The car was turning left into a private drive when the bus struck it from behind.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Some accidents are caused by negligence on the part of another person, intentional or not. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

No serious injuries in bus-car accident, DailyHerald.com, February 23, 2010

Continue reading "Chicago Bus-Car Accident Results in No Serious Injuries" »

There was no ice on Lake Shore Drive when a Chicago police officer’s squad car slid and crashed as he responded to a burglary. The crash took Sergeant Alan Haymaker’s life February 22, 2010. Police Supt. Jody Weiss said Wednesday, “Unfortunately, he had a very tragic accident. It’s possible the car aquaplaned on a puddle.”

Photo by JudyCrawford
Haymaker was honored with a moment's silence at police headquarters on Wednesday and speaking afterward, Weis said officers who were on the scene of Haymaker's death within minutes Monday morning found only "slush and standing water" on the road.

Weis' comments seem to contradict statements made by Assistant Supt. James Jackson, who said Monday that "icy road conditions were a factor" in Haymaker's death.
Those comments prompted questions about street maintenance with snow; many wondered if it had been salted in the hours before the accident.
But Weis said he had spoken with Streets and Sanitation chief Tom Byrne on Tuesday, and "I don't see any evidence that Streets and Sanitation dropped the ball."
Weis did acknowledged that the pool car Haymaker was driving was probably not "maintained to the same level" as an assigned beat car. Weis added that nobody had complained about the vehicle in the 1,000 miles it covered since it was serviced at the end of January.
Investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Chicago Police Major Accidents Unit will be examining the car for defects, Weis said.

Regarding the burglary case, Weis said detectives have "some very promising leads" and stated that he wants the burglars charged with murder.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Some accidents are caused by negligence on the part of another person, intentional or not. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

No ice where crash killed cop: Weis, SunTimes.com, February 25, 2010

Continue reading "Lake Shore Drive, Chicago Car Crash Not Because of Ice" »

A motorist was hospitalized after his car crashed into a guard rail and burst into flames January 22, 2010 on the Edens Expressway near north suburban Skokie.

Illinois State Police responded about 1:20 p.m. to the accident on the northbound Edens (I-94) at the Gross Point Road exit in Skokie, Illinois State Police District Chicago Trooper Michael Bobko said.

A male driver was operating a 2007 Toyota Matrix, said Illinois State Police District Chicago Sgt. Jason Lococo. The crash caused the car to erupt into flames.

The right lane and right shoulder of Edens Expressway were shut down for four hours while personnel investigated the scene. All lanes were back open by 5:20 p.m., Lococo said.

The driver was transported to Loyal University Medical in serious condition with burns, Bobko said. No other passengers were in the car, he confirmed.

The man was still in serious condition on Saturday morning, January 23, 2010, at Loyala University Medical, Lococo said. It was not immediately known if citations would be issued, Lococo also said. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, car accidents occur regularly in Chicago and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Man injured after car erupts into flames on Edens , Chicago SunTimes.com, January 23, 2010

Continue reading "Chicago Man Injured After Car Erupts Into Flames on the Edens Expressway" »

No one was seriously injured when a vehicle crashed into an Illinois Department of Transportation vehicle following a fight at a club early January 24, 2010 on the West Side.

Around 4 a.m., a vehicle struck a parked car in the 4800 block of West Flournoy Street, and then went on to strike an IDOT tow truck and a fence at the same location, police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli said.

The vehicle finally came to a stop on the 620 block of South Cicero Avenue, approximately a block away from the accident, Mirabelli said.

After the accident, the driver fled on foot toward the Eisenhower Expressway. Officers on the scene noticed a bullet hole on the driver’s side of the vehicle, but are not sure if the bullet hole was old damage or connected to the incident, Mirabelli said.

Sources say a fight did start at a club on Cicero Avenue near the Eisenhower Expressway, shots were fired, and a chase ensued.

There still is no indication that the crash was connected with a previous shooting or a fight at a club and also no indication that there were other passengers in the car, Mirabelli said.

Nobody was hospitalized from the crash, reported Fire Media Affairs Director Larry Langford said. Other sources say that State Police took a person of interest into custody. However, no one has been arrested in connection with the accident and State Police have completed their investigation, according to Illinois State Police District Chicago Sgt. Jason Lococo.

“It’s turning out to be just a crash, no injuries, no arrests as of right now,” Lococo said. He also would not confirm whether or not the incident was linked to a previous shooting or fight.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, car accidents occur regularly in Chicago and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Shooting outside club leads to Eisenhower crash with IDOT, Suntimes.com, January 24, 2010

Continue reading "IDOT Vehicle Crash Perhaps Related to Shooting Outside Chicago Club" »

An off-duty Chicago police sergeant was involved in a two-car accident on January 2, 2010 that killed a woman in the Mount Greenwood community.

The 65-year-old woman was pronounced dead at 6:11 p.m., reported the Crook County medical examiner’s office.

Four hours earlier, the police sergeant was driving her personal vehicle, a Dodge Durango, south on Kedzie Avenue when it collided with the victim’s Kia Rio, authorities report.

Witnesses told police that the victim failed to stop at a stop sign. The sergeant’s car hit the driver’s side. Police spokeswoman Gabrielle Lesniak said the sergeant had the right of way. No tickets were issued, police said.

The victim had to be extricated from her car, reported police. She was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition. The police sergeant suffered a leg injury and was treated at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park and released.

There were no passengers in either car.

The accident was no surprise to residents living on Kedzie Avenue. “We’ve been pushing for a stop sign (on Kedzie) at 112th Place for years. There are constant accident over here,” a neighbor said. Chicago police agreed, confirming that the intersection is dangerous and that few motorists obey the speed limit of 30 mph.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, car accidents occur regularly in Chicago and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Mount Greenwood woman dies in two-car crash, Southtownstar.com, January 3, 2010

Continue reading "Off-Duty Chicago Police Officer Involved In Fatal Car Accident" »

Cook County Prosecutors added another charge against a Cook County sheriff’s officer who drove into a highway worker on an Eisenhower ramp back in September.

Offier Tony Lampkin, in uniform but off-duty at the time of the accident, allegedly hit Michael Ochoa, of Chicago, on an outbound Eisenhower ramp on September 2, 2009 after going around a car stopped at a traffic signal. Ochoa, who received minor injuries, was on the ramp to check the traffic signal. Lampkin also allegedly ran over the signal.

Officer Lampkin was not charged initially with any citations until Ochoa complained to the Illinois State Police, inquiring if Lampkin had not been charged because he was in uniform. Illinois State Police then issued citations on September 24, 2009 against Lampkin for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and failure to yield to a worker in a construction zone. However, Illinois State Police denied any favoritism was at play and stated that charges were not issued right away because there was an issue over whether the area was a construction zone or not. And then today the charge of reckless driving was added to the charges.

Lampkin has stated that the car at the light had proceeded forward on green, then stopped unexpectedly, causing him to swerve. Frank Howard, an attorney for Lampkin, declined to comment on the new charge added, but told a reporter, “Be nice. It’s the holidays.”

Ochoa, who was not seriously injured, said he was glad the reckless driving charge was added. A bench trial was set for March 10 in Skokie, Illinois.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, car accidents occur regularly in Chicago and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Sheriff's officer cited with reckless driving for hitting IDOT worker, Suntimes.com,
December 21, 2009

Continue reading "Chicago Sheriff’s Officer Cited with Reckless Driving for Hitting IDOT Worker" »

A 4-year-old girl from Streamwood and a man from Huntley were critically injured in a head-on traffic accident November 24, 2009 on DeKalb County’s Plank Road, east of Lukens Road. DeKalb County sheriff’s deputies reported that the child, whose identity was not released, was listed in critical condition with life-threatening injuries as of that evening. She was at Rockford Memorial Hospital in Rockford, DeKalb County Sheriff Roger A. Scott said.

The man from Huntley, Henry C. Rosales, 44, also was listed in critical condition at Rockford hospital that evening. Rosales was driving a 2002 Chevrolet Tracker east on Plank Road in unincorporated DeKalb County when a 2006 Toyota driven by Ummul B. Kazmi, 25, of Streamwood, crossed the center line and crashed into his Chevy.

Emergency crews had to extricate Rosales from the wreckage. Kazmi had minor injuries and was taken by Sycamore Fire Department paramedics to Kishwaukee Hospital, where she was listed in stable condition that evening.

The preliminary investigation revealed Kazmi was distracted by her daughter and was looking back at the child, who was in a child safety seat, when the car began to drift into the oncoming lane, Scott said.

No alcohol was involved and each driver was traveling within the 55 mph speed limit, he added.

The sheriff also said that distracted driving "is one of the common issues with all drivers." He added, "We tend to get distracted whether by music, the radio or (by drinking) coffee. There are a lot of potential distractions we all need to be aware of."

Plank Road also is a highly traveled road, a shortcut between Sycamore and the Chicago suburbs, that has had a number of accidents, Scott said.

He said deputies want to speak with a possible eyewitness, a person driving a dark-colored SUV or pickup, to provide more details about the accident.

The investigation is continuing and charges against Kazmi are pending while she tends to her child, Scott said.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, car accidents occur regularly in Chicago and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

2 critically injured in Plank Road accident, SuburbChicagoNews.com, November 25, 2009

Continue reading "Two Injured in DeKalb County, Illinois Car Accident" »

The Northbound express lanes of Chicago’s Dan Ryan Expressway south of downtown were closed the weekend before Thanksgiving after a five-car crash left several people injured.

Thirteen ambulances responded to what turned out to be just a five-car collision on Saturday afternoon. The chain-reaction crash happened just after 2 p.m. in the northbound express lanes of the Dan Ryan Expressway near West 31st Street, said an Illinois State Police District Chicago trooper.

feeder ramp, the trooper also said.

Fire Media Affaircs spokesman Quention Curtis said paramedics initiated an EMS Plan II response, which automatically sends at least five ambulances to the scene, about 2:30 p.m.

However, thirteen total ambulances responded. An Illinois State Police District Chicago trooper said that four vehicles were towed from the scene and several people sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Early reports indicate one child was taken in good condition to the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital, two people were hospitalized in critical condition—one at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County and another at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center. Three other people were taken in good condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and one person was taken in good condition to Saint Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center and Mercy Hospital, said Curtis.

The EMS Plan II was secured and all lanes were reopened about 3 p.m., authorities said. No citations have been issued as of early Sunday morning. State Police are investigating.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, car accidents occur regularly in Chicago and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

7-car crash closes part of Chicago expressway, Chicago Tribune, November 21, 2009

13 ambulances sent to Dan Ryan crash on South Side, Sun Times, November 22, 2009

Continue reading "Chicago Expressway Partially Closed After Five-Car Crash" »

Four Chicago Transit Authority passengers and the bus operator were among those who sought medical attention after a CTA bus was rear-ended by a car outside Douglas Park on Chicago’s West Side.

Two of the five injured were taken in serious-to-critical condition to Mt. Sinai Hospital, said Chicago Fire Department spokesman Quention Curtis. The remaining three victims were taken to Stroger or St. Anthony in good condition.

The accident, which caused a 16-minute reroute of bus service, involved a No. 12 Roosevelt Road but that was stopped and facing east on Roosevelt. It was rear-ended by a car at Francisco Avenue about 2 p.m., reported Chicago Transit Authority spokeswoman Wanda Taylor.

Taylor said preliminary information on the victims was that their injuries were non-life-threatening.

Car Accidents in Chicago

If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you know how quickly it can happen. In a blink of an eye, everything changes. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person, sometimes not. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are available to assist you in your time of need.

5 hurt in crash involving CTA bus, Chicagobreakingnews.com, September 22, 2009

Continue reading "Five people hurt in Chicago Crash With CTA Bus" »

A car crashed into a pole on Roosevelt Rd near Canal St in Chicago’s South Loop, then flipped over. The female driver was transported in serious to critical condition after the crash to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, said Quention Curtis, a spokesman for the Chicago Fire Department.

The woman, who was in her 30s, was driving westbound on the 400 block of West Roosevelt at about 9:30 a.m. the morning of September 24, 2009, when her car was struck by a truck.

Witnesses said the impact caused the woman’s car to fly about 15 feet in the air and hit a metal utility pole and flip over.

News as to the woman’s condition later in the day was not available.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Car accidents happen every day and more often then we think in Chicago and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person, sometimes not. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are available to assist you in your time of need.

Woman injured in crash involving car and truck in South Loop, ChicagoBreakingNews.com, September 24, 2009

Continue reading "Chicago Woman Injured in Accident After Crash in South Loop" »

Teens with their own cars or free use of a car are much more likely to get in crashes than those who share a car. And crashes are much less common among teens whose parents set clear driving safety rules.

These findings are in two studies from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, funded by State Farm Insurance Co. Both studies are in the October issue of Pediatrics.

Research say the findings can help parents keep their kids from becoming another statistic. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens and more than 5,000 are killed each year. Government data show that more than 7,000 people nationwide were killed in crashes involving teen drivers in 2007. More than 3,000 of these deaths were teen drivers, and more than 250,000 teen drivers were injured.

These numbers can be reduced by discussion with a teen about their responsibilities while driving. Parents can also make driving safer by instituting curfews, rules about what goes on in the car while their teen is driving, and limits on how far a teen can drive at one time.

Teens with own cars have more crashes, study finds, Google News, September 25, 2009

Car Accidents in Chicago

Teen car accidents are the number one leading cause of deaths in teenagers in the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person, teenager or not. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Continue reading "Chicago Teens with Cars Are At Greater Risk for Accidents" »

A Waukegan, IL driver has been charged in connection with a deadly hit and run crash that killed Patty Kuntz, 45, of Aurora.

Frederick Washington, 24, is charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident. He’s also charged with obstructing justice and driving on a suspended license.

On Sunday, September 27, Kuntz was walking in a crosswalk on Lake Street in Aurora. Police say Washington did not stop after hitting her but turned himself in a couple of hours later. Police say Washington initially told them he was rear-ended by another vehicle.

Man charged in deadly hit-and-run crash, ABCLocal.com, September 29, 2009

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, car accidents occur regularly in Chicago and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Continue reading "Chicago Hit and Run Accident Charged to Waukegan Driver" »

Chicago police are looking into an overnight fatal car accident in the South Shore neighborhood that may have involved a stolen vehicle.

On August 17, 2009, at about 12:30 a.m., a Chevrolet SUV with four occupants hit a concrete pillar at 7700 S. South Shore Dr., said Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Ron Gaines. The impact caused the car to flip, which ejected the driver.

The driver was identified by the Cook County medical examiner’s office as Jasmine King, 22, of the 1900 block of East 73rd Place. He was pronounced dead at 4:05 a.m. at the scene. Gaines could not provide the circumstances of the accident, and he could not confirm whether or not the vehicle was stolen.

Police at the scene had told a WGN-TV news crew that the vehicle may have been stolen.

One of the occupants was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police who were at the scene. Another passenger is said to have refused treatment and a fourth was questioned about the vehicle by police, reported WGN.

Car Accidents in Chicago

It is often the luck of a thief to have an accident while driving a car he/she does not own. Unfortunately, car accidents occur regularly in Chicago and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Police investigating fatal car accident in South Shore, ChicagoBreakingNews.com, August 17, 2009

Continue reading "Police Looking Into Fatal Car Accident in South Shore" »

An elderly Chicago man was cited for failing to yield and failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident August 25, after a Cadillac struck his Toyota Camry at the intersection of Harlem Avenue and Kirk Street in Niles, Illinois.

The accident sent three people to nearby hospitals with complaints of pain, but no injuries were subsequently reported.

Sgt. Tom Davis, of the Niles Police Department said that “the driver of the at-fault vehicle was a 78-year-old from Chicago.” Davis added that “he was driving a 1993 Toyota Camry eastbound on Kirk Street and failed to yield to southbound Harlem traffic and was struck by a Cadillac driven by a 38-year-old man from Streamwood.” Davis also said the Toyota continued after being struck and ended up on the lawn of a home on the 7800 block of North Harlem Avenue. Although no damage was reported to the property, the 78-year-old had to be freed from his car because of damage to that side of the vehicle.

“The Toyota’s driver and his 75-year-old wife were transported to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital for complaint of pain,” Davis said. “The driver of the Cadillac was transported to Resurrection Hospital for complaint of pain.”

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, car accidents occur regularly in Chicago and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Accident sends 3 to hospital, PioneerLocal.com, August 25, 2009

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accident Result of Elderly Driver" »

Police say a 65-year-old woman crashed her car through glass windows and into a suburban Chicago health and fitness club this past weekend.

The crash happened July 18, 2009 at a Chicago-area Curves club in north suburban Lake Zurich. Police Sgt. Robert Johnson reported that two people suffered minor injuries as a result of the accident. Johnson also said that the driver confused her brake and accelerator pedals as she was parking her vehicle.

The two injured persons were transported to a nearby hospital in the suburb of Barrington and are in good condition. The driver’s identification was not immediately released and the fitness club now will undergo a building inspection to ascertain damages.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, car accidents occur regularly in Chicago and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Car crashes into health club, 2 hurt, ChicagoTribune.com, July 18, 2009

Continue reading "Chicago Woman Crashes Car Into Health Club, Injuring 2" »

One person was rushed to Loyala University Health System in Chicago, Illinois, with a severed arm in the wake of a car accident the morning of July 19, 2009 in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood on the Southwest Side, reported police.

The accident occurred around 4:29 a.m. at the intersection of Nagle and Archer Avenues, said Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Laura Kubiak. Police and ambulances were immediately dispatched.

Two victims were reportedly ejected from their vehicles. One victim was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center and the other to Loyala, said Kubiak.

However, Quention Curtis, a spokesman for the Chicago Fire Department, said that a total of five people were transported to area hospitals.

The Loyala patient reportedly had a severed arm. The arm was recovered and taken to the hospital for surgery, police say. No further information on any of the victims has been reported, Kubiak said, and Archer Avenue was closed to traffic for several hours.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, car accidents occur on a regular basis in Chicago and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Five hurt in Southwest Side car crash, Chicagobreakingnews.com, July 19, 2009

Continue reading "Five Hurt in Chicago Southwest Side Two-Car Crash" »

A Chicago Police officer on his way to work landed in the hospital as a result of a traffic accident in the Washington Park neighborhood on the South Side.

Photo by jonjon_01

About 8:45 a.m. the unidentified officer, who was in his personal vehicle, was hit by another car, which caused the officer’s car into a “T-bone” crash. This crash occurred near the intersection of East 55th Street and South Wentworth Avenue, said Wentworth District police.

The male officer was hurt, but was reported to be in “decent” shape at the hospital. He sustained non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

A fire department spokesman said that they transported one person in serious to critical condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital at 9:09 a.m. He could not confirm if the injured person was a police officer.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, car accidents occur on a regular basis in our city and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Chicago officer injured in car accident, SouthTownStar.com, June 5, 2009

Continue reading "Chicago Officer Injured in Car Accident" »

Service along the CTA’s Blue Line came back on schedule after an accident between a car and a train the early morning of June 11, 2009.

Police suspect that wet and slick conditions on the roads caused a 2008 Dodge Charger driven by Jose Rivera, 31, of Melrose Park, to rear-end another car, which then caused his vehicle to lurch over an embankment on the Eisenhower Expressway onto train tracks where it then became pinned under an oncoming train.

Train passenger, Dale Ellis, says, “Just going on normally. All of a sudden it felt like we got hit by something. There was a dragging and a lot of shaking. All the lights went off in the car and the doors popped open. Then the train finally came to a stop. Everybody was running around trying to see if everybody was ok."

Thirty people were on the train. No serious injuries were reported, but 9 people were treated at local hospitals for minor injuries.

James Purl, 13th Battalion Chief, Chicago Fire Dept. said, "There was a couple neck and back injuries, and then I know a foot injury and just probably people distraught from the accident."

About thirty minutes after the initial incident, another train arrived to take passengers away from the scene. The Blue Line was down for several hours.

Noelle Gaffney, CTA spokesperson, said, "There doesn't appear at this point to be significant damage. Obviously, we want to get the train moved so we can look at everything underneath, but the preliminary indications are that there wasn't significant damage."

A third car whose driver saw the crash struck a median.

Rivera was cited with improper lane usage and no insurance. Further citations are pending.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, car accidents occur on a regular basis in our city and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Driver cited in I-290 car, train crash, ABClocal.go.com, June 11, 2009

Continue reading "Driver Cited for I-290 Car, Train Collision" »

Emotions were high and tempers flared April 12, 2009 when the Chicago Police detective charged with killing two men in an accident while driving under the influence was given what several of the victims' friends and relatives thought was a low bail.

"This man should be in jail," Andrew Cazares' friend Kenny Dennison Jr. said after Cook County Judge Donald Panarese Jr. set a $500,000 bail for Joseph Frugoli.

"I feel sick to my stomach about this; $500,000 [bond] for two lives doesn't make sense."

Almost 70 relatives and friends for Cazares, 23, and Fausto Manzera, 21, sat waiting to hear the outcome in Panarese's packed courtroom on April 12.

Outside, a few friends and relatives of the victims loudly expressed their opinions, insisting that because Frugoli was able to post bond, it was all a police conspiracy.

Freed on bail, Frugoli walked out the facility's main entrance on California Avenue at about 2 p.m., said sheriff's spokesman Steve Patterson.

Cazares and Manzera died in a fiery crash on April 10, 2009 when an intoxicated Frugoli plowed into the back of their disabled car on the Dan Ryan Expy., prosecutors said.

Frugoli, 41, has been charged with two counts of reckless homicide, two counts of driving under the influence and one count of leaving the scene of an accident.

"My client and his family are heartbroken over the incident," said Frugoli's lawyer, Gregg L. Smith. "He did not set out that night to harm anyone."

Cook County sheriff's officers Sunday got the small crowd under control and took one man into custody for his own safety, but he was not charged and later released, sources said.

The victims' immediate relatives clung to each other as they left the courthouse. They were not involved in the outside disturbance.

"This is a very sad day for all of us," Cazares' cousin Erik Franco said. "But we respect the decision made here today."

Michael Rihani, Manzera's brother-in-law, said the magnitude of the loss is just beginning to sink in.

Frugoli, an 18-year police veteran, has been relieved of his police powers.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, car accidents occur on a regular basis in our city and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

$500,000 bond for cop accused of DUI in double-fatal crash, Suntimes.com, April 12, 2009

Continue reading "Cop Accused of DUI in Double-Fatal Crash posts $500,000 Bond" »

Two men were killed in a fiery three-car crash on the Far South Side in April in the South Chicago neighborhood have been identified.

Police say the driver of a BMW that burst into flame after hitting a barrier was a U.S Navy veteran. The spokesperson for the U.S. Navy was not available for comment.

The three-car crash happened at about 12:20 a.m. in the 3200 block of E. 106th St, said the police News Affairs Officer Laura Kubiak.

The eastbound BMW attempted to pass, but the driver lost control and struck two other vehicles before hitting the barrier of a bridge and catching on fire. Both occupants of the BMW were trapped inside.

The driver and U.S. Navy veteran was Alejandro Ortega, 29, of 10425 S. Ave. N, and the passenger, David Mendoza, in his 20s, of 10000 South Avenue L, were both killed in the wreck and pronounced dead at the scene.

Autopsy determined both men died of multiple injuries from an automobile accident and their deaths were ruled accidents, the medical examiner’s office said.

Police Major Accident Investigation Unit detective is investigating.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, car accidents occur on a regular basis in our city and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Two killed in fiery South Side crash,WBBM780.com, April 12, 2009

Continue reading "Chicago South Side Crash Kills Two" »

A Cook County jury has found in favor of the family of a BMW salesman in a wrongful death suit against a prospective car buyer who took a test drive and crashed the car killing the salesman.

The jury on Monday awarded Czapski's family $13.7 million, concluding that Maher was liable for Czapski's death in 2004 in South Barrington.

"We are gratified that the jury appreciated the significant loss that the Czapski family experienced," Tim Cavanagh, the family's lawyer said. "For four-and-a-half years, Christopher Maher denied that he was legally responsible for Roger's death."

On August 4, 2004, Christopher Maher took out a BMW 530i sedan with Roger Czapski, 22, in the front seat and two of Maher’s friends in the back seat.

At about 5:50 p.m. the BMW was traveling east on Algonquin Road when it struck the front end of a 2002 Saturn making a left turn onto Willow Creek Church Drive, and then swerved and hit a light pole. The front passenger side of the car—where Czapski sat—took the brunt of the impact, police said.

Maher was ejected from the car. He and his two friends suffered serious injuries but survived. Czapski was pronounced dead at a local hospital 90 minutes later.
Witnesses, including the two back-seat passengers and friends of Maher, testified at trial that the BMW was traveling about 95 miles per hour at impact, Cavanagh said.

Maher's attorneys posited that Czapski was at least partially to blame for his own death, telling the jurors that Czapski said to Maher, "Now it's your turn. Open it up." They also suggested that Czapski never told Maher he had to slow down.

One of Maher's lawyers, Tom Jacobson, said he plans to file motions stating that "some evidence was improperly excluded."

"It was a tragic accident," he said. "However, the verdict isn't in line with the evidence."

In October 2005, Maher pleaded guilty to aggravated speeding in connection with the crash. He was sentenced to one year of probation and 30 days of community service at the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, car accidents occur on a regular basis in our city and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

$13.7M awarded in South Barrington crash lawsuit, ChicagoBreakingNews.com, April 21, 2009

Continue reading "13-Million-Dollar Award for South Barrington Crash Lawsuit" »

An ambulance stolen in Chicago caused a six-car accident as a result of being driven too fast and too carelessly in a north suburb of Evanston, Illinois on March 24, 2009.

The accident occurred around 3 p.m. at the intersection of Chicago and Dempster says Evanston police Commander Tom Guenther. Cmdr. Guenther also said there were several injuries, although he did not provide details. A witness said as many as eight people were injured.

The ambulance looks to have been stolen from a Chicago nursing home. The suspect then drove north on Chicago Avenue into Evanston, Guenther said. The van struck a parked vehicle at Chicago and Washington, but did not stop.

"He just kept going at a high rate of speed," Guenther said. "He was driving very erratically and it is possible the driver was impaired."

The vehicle, a private ambulance, continued north on Chicago until causing the pile-up at Dempster, Guenther said.

Witness Robert Skertich of Chicago was also driving north on Chicago when the ambulance passed him driving fast with its lights flashing. The stolen ambulance was not using sirens.

"He ran the red light and just plowed through three cars," said Skertich, a native of Chicago in Evanston to meet with a business client. "Two of those cars were totalled. It was just amazing that no pedestrians were hit."

The driver then got out of the ambulance, Skertich said. "There was blood all over this guy's face and he just started screaming, 'I hate God. I hate God.' then he starts running. Didn't even stop to see if everyone was OK."

Skertich reported that he and a friend who was in the car got out and chased the man, eventually keeping him contained until police arrived.

Skertich said the driver was a "small guy" who put up quite a fight when officers tried to arrest him. Cmdr. Guenther confirmed that the driver struggled with police officers before being taken into custody.

The suspect was among those injured in the accident, and received medical care, Guenther said. He is now in the custody of Evanston police awaiting the filing of charges.

Chicago police confirmed that a private medical ambulance was stolen from a nursing home in the 7400 block of North Clark at about 2:40 p.m. March 24, 2009. News Affairs Officer Joanne Taylor said there were no patients or staff inside the vehicle at the time.

"We understand the vehicle was recovered after causing property damage in Evanston, and the case may involve a DUI," Taylor said.

Guenther said the intersection of Dempster and Chicago remained close at 5:15 p.m., but police had it reopened by 6 p.m.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, accidents are a regular occurrence in our city and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Stolen ambulance causes six-car crash in Evanston, SunTimes.com, March 24, 2009

Continue reading "Stolen Ambulance the Cause of Six-Car Crash in Evanston, Illinois Suburb" »

Four people were injured in a two-car pin-in crash in the South Loop the morning of March 9, 2009.

Photo by KCzarzasty

Four ambulances came in response to the pin-in crash at 18th and Canal Streets about 9 a.m., said Fire Media Affairs Cmdr. Will Knight.

A pin-in crash is an accident that results in car occupants being pinned inside a vehicle.

An SUV and a Dodge Stratus were involved in the crash, Fire Media spokesman Joe Roccasalva said. The SUV was flipped upside down.

Four people were taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. They were reported to be in serious but stable condition.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, accidents do happen on a regular basis in our city and across this country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Four Injured In South Loop Pin-In Crash, WBBM780.com, March 9, 2009

Continue reading "Chicago Pin-In Crash Injures Four" »

A Chicago Fire Department captain died March 9, 2009 after his car touched another vehicle and he lost control. His car then crashed into the rear of a parked semi-trailer truck on the Tri-State Tollway, police report.

Photo by On Scene Action Media

Kevin Gray, 55, was a member of the Fire Department for over 20 years, said Chicago Fire Department spokesman Quention Curtis. Gray was assigned to O’Hare International Airport and is survived by his wife and children.

The crash occurred about 6:40 a.m. near the Hinsdale Oasis exit on the southbound side of the highway, said police.

Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Mark Brzeczek said that two vehicles—a Ford Focus and a GMC Envoy—were “driving aggressively” and touched. The Focus went out of control and slammed into the semi-trailer, which was stopped on the side of the highway.

Police investigators are speaking with the driver of the Envoy, but no criminal charges have been filed.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, accidents do happen on a regular basis in our city and across this country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Chicago Fire Department captain killed in crash on Tri-State Tollway, Chicago Tribune.com, March 10, 2009

Continue reading "Chicago Fire Department Captain Dies in Automobile Crash on Tri-State Tollway" »

Police have located and ticketed a Chicago woman for an early morning hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of an elderly man in front of his South Side home.

Veronica Rangel, 33, was cited for disregarding a traffic light, failure to report an accident, failure to reduce speed, reckless driving and operating a motor vehicle without insurance, police said.

Marcos Rocha, 71, was struck by Rangel’s vehicle outside his house and pronounced dead at Holy Cross Hospital at 2:30 a.m. An autopsy showed Rocha died of multiple injuries from an automobile striking a pedestrian. The death was ruled an accident, reported the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

Rangel was driving a white 2002 Ford pickup south on California when Rocha stepped out onto the street from between two parked cars and was struck. After being hit, Rocha landed on the hood of the truck before Rangel fled the scene.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, accidents do happen. However, if a driver of an automobile strikes a human being, it is against the law to leave the scene, frightened or not. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Hit-And-Run Driver Cited; Crash Killed Elderly Man, CBS2Chicago.com, November 30, 2008

Continue reading "Hit-and-Run Driver Cited in Death of Elderly Man " »

At least two people are dead after a car crashed into a building on the Southwest Side early Monday, February 2, 2009 at about 3:15 a.m.

According to police, three people were rushed to area hospitals and one was pronounced dead at Holy Cross Hospital. The other two victims were taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where one died. The third passenger is listed in critical condition.

Initially, two people were reported unconscious at the scene, said the Police Major Accident Investigation Unit. The crash site was located at the intersection of West 47th Street and Western Avenue.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Accidents happen everyday in our city and across this country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Two reportedly dead in SW Side crash, ABCLocal.com, February 2, 2009

Continue reading "Two Dead in Southwest Side Car Crash" »

Train service has resumed after a train crash left one person dead in the Miller section of Gary, Indiana. The No. 104 train was scheduled to arrive in Chicago at 6:39 a.m. early Monday morning on January 12, 2009, but a northbound van traveling on County Line Road drove around the crossing gates and into the South Shore commuter train about 5:30 a.m.

The driver of the van, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was ejected and killed. No one was was injured aboard the train, said Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District spokesman John Parsons.

The crash occurred on Lake/Port County Line Road located between the Portage/Ogden Dunes and Miller stations.

Train service was suspended until the Lake Country Coroner released the accident scene. Westbound train service was delayed, but was back in service by about 7:53 a.m. The eastbound trains No. 205 and No. 207 and westbound trains No. 212 and No. 214 were canceled Monday morning because of the crash.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Some accidents are caused by negligence on the part of another person, intentional or not. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Fatal Car Crash Halts South Shore Commuter Train, WBBM780.com, January 12, 2009

Continue reading "Car Crash Leaves One Person Dead and Suspends South Shore Commuter Train To Chicago, Illinois " »

A Chicago, Illinois woman disobeyed a stop sign at Tompkins and West streets and struck another vehicle on Thursday, January 8, 2009, and then left the scene. Sheryl A. Toliver, 34, of Chicago, exited the vehicle, made sure everyone at the scene was okay and then disappeared. The vehicle Tolliver struck was driven by Ashley A. Horton, 16, also of Chicago.

Witnesses report Toliver checking with Horton and Horton’s passengers to make sure everyone was okay and then leaving. A 15-year-old passenger in Horton’s vehicle was transported to OSF St. Mary Medical Center with a stiff neck.

Toliver’s car was later found at Main and Academy streets. She told police that she did stop at the stop sign, and when she spoke with the occupants of the other car, she requested that they not call authorities. Subsequently, Toliver was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, disobeying a stop sign and operating an uninsured vehicle.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Some accidents are caused by negligence on the part of another person, intentional or not. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Chicago woman arrested for leaving accident scene, The Register-Mail, January 9, 2009

Continue reading "Chicago, Illinois Woman Arrested for Leaving Accident Scene" »

Police in Naperville are still investigating an accident that resulted in the death of a 5-year-old Bolingbrook boy, authorities say.

According to police, the boy, Adam Miller, 5, was critically injured in a two-car crash at about 7 in the evening on Saturday, November 15, 2008, on southbound Plainfield/Naperville Road near Bailey Road.

Police investigators report that John Miller, 46, of Bolingbrook was driving south on Plainfield/Naperville Road when one of the front tires blew out on his 1999 gray Ford Contour.

Miller pulled into the curb lane, police said, stopped his car and turned on his hazard lights.

Joseph Cox, 26, of Naperville, was driving south on the same road and apparently didn't see the disabled vehicle.

His 2002 gray Chevrolet Impala hit Miller's vehicle with such force that young Adam was trapped in the back seat, investigators said. Adam was in a car seat at the time of the accident. Rescue crews extricated the boy and all occupants of both vehicles were taken to Edward Hospital in Naperville. Adam was transferred to Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, but died as a result of his injuries soon after. Mr. Miller and Mr. Cox have since been released from Edward Hospital.

Naperville police reported that the traffic unit and accident reconstruction unit will continue to investigate. No citations have been issued.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunate accidents happen every few seconds and are often out of our control. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Fatal Naperville Crash Still Under Investigation, DailyHerald.com, November 17, 2008

5-Year-old Boy Dies in Naperville Crash, Chicago Breaking News, November 16, 2008

Continue reading "Naperville Accident Claims Life of 5-Year-Old Bolingbrook Boy" »

Twenty people were taken to hospitals Tuesday morning after a car rear-ended a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus on the Near West Side.

An EMS Plan II response was called for the accident at West Roosevelt Road and South Blue Island Avenue. The accident involved a westbound No. 12 Roosevelt bus, said CTA spokeswoman Catherine Hosinski.

Hosinski said preliminary reports indicate that the bus was stopped at an intersection when it was hit by the car. Fire Media Affairs Director Larry Langford confirmed the car rear-ended the bus.

The accident happened about 9:30 a.m. and involved a bus and two cars, according to police News Affairs Officer Daniel O'Brien.

One person, reportedly the driver of the car that hit the bus, was taken from the scene in serious to critical condition to Mount Sinai Hospital, according to Langford.

A total of 19 other people, in fair to serious condition, have been taken to area hospitals, Langford said. Hosinski said all of the injuries to bus passengers were reportedly minor. None of those taken from the scene had life-threatening injuries, Langford said.

Two people in fair to serious condition and two in good condition, including the driver of the second car, were taken to the University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago, Langford said. The CTA bus driver was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in fair to serious condition.

Four people were taken to Mercy Hospital; two were taken in fair to serious condition to Saint Anthony Hospital; two in fair to serious condition were taken to Rush University Medical Center; four were taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in fair to serious condition; and two were taken in fair to serious condition to Mount Sinai.

With the EMS Plan II and a call for additional ambulances, at least 12 ambulances were sent to the scene.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Millions of people suffer severe and debilitating injuries every year. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Car Rear-Ends CTA Bus, 20 Sent To Hospitals, WBBM780.com, November 18, 2008

Continue reading "CTA Bus Rear-Ended, 20 Passengers Sent to Hospitals" »

A verdict awarded from a personal injury case in Chicago against the City of Chicago was upheld by an appeals court on August 27, 2007. The injuries sustained by the plaintiff in this auto accident were devastating and commensurate with the verdict of nearly $18 million dollars. Vernon Hudson, was left paralyzed when the vehicle he was traveling was struck by a Chicago Police car involved in a chase.

Municipalities, such as the City of Chicago, often have Tort Immunity clauses that allow them to be free from civil cases where mere negligence results in injury. The conduct that results in the injury must have been willful and wanton, not just negligent, in order to present a successful claim against the municipality. Many individuals living in the Chicago area are unaware that this is the case when presenting claims for premises liability or auto accidents, or even medical malpractice claims against the county hospitals. The Tort Immunity Act, Section 2-202 states, "A public employee is not liable for his act or omission in the execution or enforcement of any law unless such act or omission constitutes willful and wanton conduct." For more information, please see the article by Stephanie Potter of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.

I get calls every week where individuals were struck by a law enforcement officer, whether during an actual chase or in the regular course of driving, and often times those who have been injured in these types of car accidents are unsure as to their chances of success. It is important to take each incident of injury against a municipality in its totality. If the accident occurred beyond the scope of law enforcement then it is possible that a jury can find the offending party of willful and wanton conduct.

Whenever an injury occurs where a government agency or law enforcement officer is a party to the claim you should consult a personal injury lawyer immediately as often the statute of limitations against a municipality is significantly less than the standard two years and depending on the agency or entity could require immediate action on the part of the injured party.

An auto accident in the Chicago area made national news this week when Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs was involved in a single car crash in the wee hours of Monday morning. Reports state that no injuries were sustained and obviously there would be no necessity for a personal injury lawyer in this case but the nature and circumstances surrounding the claim offer important lessons.

Multiple reports state that Mr. Briggs left the scene of the auto accident after telling police his vehicle was stolen. Questions arise as to the reasoning behind Lance Briggs' decision to leave the scene. He himself has stated it was due to panic or nervousness following the crash but speculation abounds as to whether or not he had been drinking. Once Mr. Briggs left the scene of the auto accident he could not be given tests for his blood alcohol level. In the sports world national debate was sparked concerning Lance's actions and if this was the smart thing to do if he had been drinking. Unfortunately the world may never know as the Bears and Lance are currently mum on the situation happy to have avoided any injury due to the auto accident.

The rest of the greater Chicago area citizens should be grateful that Lance Briggs didn't injure anyone else in the accident. The risk of being killed or injured in an auto accident with a drunk driver only increases in the hours between midnight and 5 a.m., even if there was no drinking involved in this incident, we must all heed the lesson learned from Lance Briggs, when driving your $350,000.00 Lamborghini at 3:00 a.m., be sure to keep control of your car, and never leave the scene of an accident.

A recent motorcycle crash near Joliet, Illinois resulted in a fatality this past week. Details of the collision are still being compiled but the high mortality rate for motorcycle accidents is an important issue. It goes without saying that the risk of serious injury and death increase in motorcycle collisions merely because of the lack of protection many riders have when these accidents occur. Often times the accidents are not the due to the fault of the motorcycle rider but the other drivers on the roadway who either don't see them or operate their vehicles in a negligent matter resulting in a collision.

A recent National Traffic and Highway Safety Administration report shows that motorcycle rider fatalities began increasing nationally each year in 1997, since then rider fatalities have increased by 89%. The high number of fatalities have been blamed on a number of causes, including an increased number of riders under the age of 20, more motorcycles on the roadway, bigger and faster motorcycles in production, etc. The numbers are staggering when considering that these are just the fatalities, the accidents involving serious and permanent bodily injury are even more likely.

A rider can be the most cautious person on the road and that alone won't prevent accidents from happening, especially when riding at night, like the individual in Joliet this weekend. The resulting injuries can be debilitating and permanent if the rider is fortunate enough to escape with his or her life. I have represented clients injured in a number of different circumstances following a motorcycle collision on the roadway and each time my client did everything within their power to avoid being struck by another vehicle, unfortunately, being a well trained and experienced rider cannot protect you in every instance.

Ride Carefully!

Unfortunately the personal injury field doesn't offer a claim specific universal handbook or set of guidelines for handling a personal injury in Chicago, however there are several things everyone should do when involved in an accident involving injuries.

First, call emergency service personnel. Even if you have been involved in a minor car accident, you want to be sure you contact the authorities immediately so the matter is documented. If you don't feel well or believe you have sustained injuries, getting emergency services team on the crash site to help you immediately is imperative.

Second, don't move. Many times with back injuries it is important to remain in your exact position until an ambulance arrives. Unless you are directed to by authorities, keeping your vehicle in the exact place the collision occurred will assist the investigating police officer in creating your motorist report.

Third, don't speak. The only people you should talk to following an auto accident in Chicago are the police assigned to the accident and the emergency services personnel who may be treating your injuries. Other parties to the accident and random individuals who appear on the scene should not be discussing the facts of the accident with you. Anyone who claims to have witnessed the incident should be noted to the police on the scene so their statements can be documented. Please be leery of anyone who appears on the scene and tells you to call a specific lawyer, someone soliciting business on scene while you are being treated for injuries is probably not the person you want protecting your rights.

Fourth, see a doctor. If you don't feel 100% following a collision you should seek medical attention immediately, even if that requires an ambulance trip to the emergency room. Making sure you seek medical attention immediately is imperative to your recovery. Without having a proper diagnosis of your injuries it is impossible to know if something that may only be bothering you minimally may turn into something serious. With immediate medical attention you are ensuring your own well being.

Fifth, contact your attorney. Making sure you have representation from the beginning of your case is vital to the success of the claim. One would be surprised how many people may contact you to discuss your claim if you have been seriously injured and you want to be sure that if someone is asking you about your injuries that your lawyer is present. Whether it is the insurance company for the party who caused the accident, or your own insurance carrier, a witness to the accident, or some other individual with interests in the claim, it is of the utmost importance to have your rights protected by your lawyer so that none of the information given during this critical stage is used against you at a later time.

Once your injuries have been attended to, the reports have been filed, and your lawyer has been contacted the success of your claim has been protected and the wheels are turning. At this juncture the injured party should rely on the fact that the matter is being handled by their attorney so that full efforts can be dedicated to recovery without the concern of the claim weighing heavily on the mind.

I have recently noticed a trend with new case calls that seems to be happening more and more often. Calls will come in from individuals seeking assistance from a lawyer with a personal injury claim, be it from an auto accident injury, slip and fall case, or work injury, where the potential client has attempted to resolve the matter on their own and is nearing the Statute of Limitations deadline with no resolution of their claim. I have had clients call as close to the Statute deadline as the day before it is about to run.

In these cases, often, the clients relay that they have attempted to get a lawyer in the recent past but have been told that because the statute deadline is so close the lawyer is unable to help them with their case. While injury cases are considerably more difficult when our back is against the wall for a statute deadline, it does not preclude us from assisting you with your personal injury case. Because the client has attempted to resolve the matter on their own, many attorney's shy away from these claims as sworn statements have been given without the protection of a lawyer present, diagrams and photos have been exchanged between the client and the insurance company, and some medical records have already been furnished in an effort to get an offer.

Anyone injured due to someone else's negligence should consult a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you have procured protection for your own rights in the claim the better your standing will be when it comes to settlement, as throughout the course of the claim your interests have been monitored to portray your claim in the best light.

Trying to resolve a claim or procure a settlement on your own does not preclude you from being able to hire an attorney later in the process, however waiting until the last minute before hiring a lawyer may prove costly to your case. To ensure that no damage is done to your case before a lawsuit must be filed, you should at least consult with an attorney immediately following the injury so as not to harm the potential for recovery at a later date.

Personal injury claims can arise in any facet of everyday life, claims are not solely limited to auto vs. auto accidents, work related injuries, and slip and fall accidents. Many times people feel that being a spectator at an event offers a level of safety that realistically just isn't there. Over the past few years many instances have arisen where spectators and paying customers were injured while watching a live event, whether that be at auto races, air shows, and monster truck rally's.

Just last week in Illinois serious injuries resulted when a truck accident at a monster truck rally resulted in nine people being injured, two seriously injured. Fortunately this accident did not result in any death. During the show, one of the trucks was crushing cars and on his fourth pass over the cars, the driver apparently lost control and careened into the crowd of onlookers.

With Chicago playing host to the annual air show in August, the potential for injury and disaster is always in the air. While the event has gone on for years without incident the massive crowds and death defying stunts create a recipe for serious potential injury. Joliet hosts many races at the Chicagoland Speedway and has never had an incident where a crash resulted in spectator injury but the potential is always existent. Our office has represented clients in a wide range of injury claims including the tragic and unexpected. If you want to be sure your rights are protected following a tragedy, be sure to consult a lawyer whenever an injury occurs.

By law, every Illinois motorist is required to carry a specific amount of automobile insurance coverage. Despite that fact there are many accidents each day where the liable party for the collision does not carry coverage and the only protection an injured party has is their own uninsured motorist coverage and the personal injury attorney responsible for protecting their rights against the coverage provider.

The question that arises in these situations is "Will my insurance protect me?" Much of the necessity for a lawyer to represent you in your uninsured motorist claims is that, despite paying premiums each month for the protection, these claims pit an insured party against their own insurance company. Often times, individuals believe that their coverage will protect them when this occurs and they don't require the assistance of legal counsel, but what incentive does the insurance company have to give you a fair and generous settlement on your claim?

It is the responsibility of your personal injury lawyer to protect your rights to the fullest, even when the claim is made against your own insurance company. When you have paid years of premiums for protection with no incident and the need for compensation arises due to another's negligence, it still behooves the insurance company to settle for as little as possible so as not to eat too much into their profit margins. What does the benefit of paying your premiums regularly offer you, the policy holder, when you have been seriously injured and it is in the best interests of your provider to offer minimal compensation?

The desire for the insurance companies to remain profitable puts the policy claimants at the disadvantage. The assistance of experienced legal counsel can even the playing field. As insurance companies continue to drop clients and cancel policies in the name of profit, the rights of the individual policy holders are ignored. When the question arises as to whether or not your insurance company is going to protect you, be sure to protect yourself with a personal injury lawyer as determined to fight for the compensation you deserve as the insurance companies are in increasing their profits.

Injuries and even death are often a tragic result when alcohol and automobiles are combined. A jury recently found the parents of an Illinois teenager guilty of allowing teens to consume alcohol in their home hours before an auto accident took the lives of two of the teens. The parents were also found guilty of two other charges including endangering the life of a child and attempted obstruction of justice. Full Story: Chicago Sun Times

The criminal aspect of the charges involved in this case is only a portion of the entire legal ramifications of this auto accident. According to the court records from Lake County, a portion of the case has already reached settlement but surely these convictions open the door for further civil actions against the convicted homeowners.

Because the damage this auto accident caused can never be undone, our legal system in Illinois offers redress beyond the criminal charges filed. The relatives of those lost in auto accidents are afforded the opportunity to file a civil lawsuit to address their loss.