Illinois Injury Law Blog

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.