Illinois Injury Law Blog

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" »

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 " »

Particularly tragic injury cases result from vehicle versus pedestrian collisions. Often the injuries are severe and sometimes result in death. On July 19, 2007 in Chicago a father of three was killed when apparently struck by a vehicle. He was found nearly a mile away from his home underneath the vehicle that had struck him. For more details: Detroit Free Press.

Not only will the driver be facing criminal charges stemming from this incident but the surviving family will have the right to pursue civil claims against the driver for compensatory damages. In the event the driver is not covered by any insurance, hopefully the family is protected under their own insurance coverage for Uninsured Motorist claims. The apparent failure of the driver to notice this individual after striking him elevates the egregious nature of this crime.

Pedestrian versus auto accidents can also occur when the negligence in the matter is not so clear. Protecting your rights by consulting a lawyer when you have been injured in such a fashion is imperative to the success of your case. On Sunday, July 22, 2007 another pedestrian was injured when attempting to cross Lake Shore Drive. In this instance, after being struck by the mirror of one vehicle, then hit by another passing car, both drivers stopped. For more details: Chicago Tribune.

In both of these instances the pedestrians and their families have sustained significant loss, loss however, is not the only factor in procuring a successful result. A determination of the liability in each case based on the facts will have to be made. When the damages could reach potential amounts into the millions of dollars, the experience of a seasoned personal injury lawyer can be a comforting asset to the injured parties and their families in their times of need.