Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Three people were critically injured and a fourth person hurt in a Chicago car accident last Friday night when a car crashed into a South Side building, the Sun-Times reported.

As we reported last summer on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, accidents involving vehicles striking buildings is not uncommon in the Chicago area, and frequently result in injuries to vehicle or building occupants.

In July, a vehicle crashed into a Curves fitness center in Lake Zurich and several restaurants were damaged in Chicago last year, including two incidents at Starbucks and two other accidents that struck Petterino's restaurant in downtown Chicago.

Friday's incident involved a three-vehicle accident at South Hoyne Avenue and West 63rd Street at about 7:30 p.m., according to Chicago police. One of the vehicles struck a building, causing unknown structural damage.

Two people were taken in critical condition to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County and two others were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital

All four victims were inside the car that apparently crashed into the building, according to police. Five ambulances responded to the scene.

It has not been reported if any Chicago injury lawyers are working on the case yet.

The Governors Highway Safety Association is joining forces with Oprah Winfrey to promote "No Phone Zone Day" this Friday, April 30. The campaign is part of a nationwide effort to combat distracted driving, particularly the use of cell phones by motorists.

Distracted driving is a leading cause of Chicago car accidents and serious and fatal traffic accidents across the country. As we reported in January on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, the "No Phone Zone" campaign launched with an initial 50,000 motorists pledging to not use a cell phone while behind the wheel.

This Friday, affiliates will air a live special episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show dedicated to the dangers of using a cell phone or text messaging while driving. Special viewing rallies will be held in Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. and will include victim's families, elected officials, parents, youth, law enforcement and advocacy organizations. Additionally, the show will debut a new nationwide public service campaign.

In Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation is partnering with the Ford Motor Company Fund to hold two "Ride and Drive" teen training programs this week -- one in Springfield and the other here in Chicago. More information is available at www.drivingskillsforlife.com.

"While state legislation and enforcement are both critical factors, education efforts are also important—and what better person to raise public awareness than Oprah Winfrey," said Association Chairman Vernon Betkey. "As a society, we need to make cell phone use while driving as unacceptable as drunk driving. We are very grateful to Harpo and Ms. Winfrey for their leadership and commitment.”

The federal government has grown increasingly vocal about distracted driving, especially the use of cell phones behind the wheel, which it contends involves all three forms of driver distraction -- visual, manual and cognitive.

According to government statistics:
-Using a cell phone while driving delays a driver's reactions as much as driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08, the legal threshold for drunk driving in Illinois.

-Nearly 6,000 people were killed and more than 500,000 were injured in traffic accidents involving distracted drivers in 2008.

-Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident.

Common forms of driver distraction include using a cell phone, eating or drinking, talking to passengers, dressing or grooming, reading, using navigation systems, watching video or using other on-board electronic devices, including stereos and Mp3 players.

Continue reading " "No Phone Zone Day" is this Friday; education cited as key to reducing traffic accidents caused by distracted driving " »

Just days after Chicago injury lawyers at Abels & Annes settled a very similar case, 2 women were badly injured in a single car accident in Plainfield, Illinois. The Chicago Breaking News Center is reporting that their car was headed westbound on East Renwick Road in the area of its intersection with South McClellan Avenue when the driver lost control and crashed.

The car left the road and hit a phone pole moving backwards, ejecting one of the women from the car. The impact broke the utility pole in half.

A medevac was called to the scene, but due to bad weather, the helicopter could not take off. An ambulance then rushed both women, who were both in their 20s, to Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Illinois

Last week car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes make an insurance policy limits for a Chicago resident in a very similar case. Our client was a passenger in a car when the driver lost control and drove off the roadway, flipping the car over. Both the driver and our client passenger were ejected from the car and sustained serious injuries. The plaintiff had several lacerations and multiple fractures. He was hospitalized for several days and incurred over $80,000 in medical bills.

Seven schools have been named winners of the 2010 Operation Teen Safe Driving Program, a state initiative aimed at reducing the number of fatal Illinois car accidents involving teenagers.

While graduated driver's licenses and other teen safety initiatives have reduced traffic fatalities in recent years, fatal traffic accidents involving teenagers in Illinois have increased slightly thus far this year. Through March 26, a total of 18 teenagers, ages 16 to 19, died in traffic accident, compared to 15 during the same period a year ago.

Fatal motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers ages 15 to 20, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

About 1 in 7 fatal crashes nationwide involves a driver under the ages of 20. In 2008, 5,864 teens were among the 36,261 motorists who died in traffic accidents nationwide. In Illinois, 164 teens were killed in traffic accidents that year. Alabama, California, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas reported more teen deaths than did Illinois.

Illinois has been recognized for its proactive measures to improve teen safety, including the Graduated Driver Licensing Law, which became effective Jan. 1, 2008. The law gives teens additional supervision behind the wheel and requires that they earn their way from one stage to the next by avoiding traffic convictions.

“The improved graduated driver licensing (GDL) law that resulted from the recommendations of the Teen Driver Safety Task Force makes Illinois' teen driver program one of the strongest in the nation and, more importantly, is saving lives,” said Secretary of State Jesse White. “Working together, we can save more lives and make Illinois roads safer for all of us.”

Winners of this year's program are Oak Forest High School, Gardner South Wilmington High School, Farmington High School, Pekin High School, Oakland High School, Chester High School and Patoka High School.

The program encourages high school students to use their creativity and imagination in developing programs aimed at educating their peers on the dangers of unsafe driving.

Continue reading " Young driving program aimed at reducing fatal Illinois car accidents involving teenagers " »

Chicago injury lawyers are taking note that our City has been named the 10th best city in the nation for bike riding by Bicycling Magazine. As we reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog earlier this month, spring is a critical time for motorists to keep safety in mind in an effort to reduce Chicago bicycling accidents.

The Chicago Department of Transportation offers a host of safety and recreational resources for bicyclists and motorists. The city's Bike 2015 Plan aims to expand the city's cycling infrastructure by 50 percent, from 104 bike lane miles to 150 bike lane miles. Overall, the system will grow from 315 miles to 500 miles.

Illinois bicycle accidents killed 27 riders in 2008 and seriously injured 3,385.

BicycleSafe.com offers a number of safety tips as well as dangerous areas where cyclists should utilize extra caution:

-The Right Cross: One of the most common ways to get hit is by a car pulling out of a parking lot or entering an intersection from the right. Safety tips include using a headlight, honking, slowing down and riding further to the left.

-The Door Prize: Opening car doors pose a serious risk to cyclists. Riding further to the left will often provide a cyclist with the room and reaction time necessary to avoid a collision.

-The Crosswalk Slam: Cyclists are frequently hit while cross the street in or near a crosswalk, by a vehicle making a right turn. Using a headlight, slowing down and avoiding riding on the sidewalk or in crosswalks can help reduce the danger.

-Wrong-way Wreck: Riding against traffic poses a serious risk to cyclists and is against the law in many areas. Don't do it.

-Red Light of Death: Being pinched by a car turning right at a red light can be dangerous. Avoid stopping in a vehicle's blind spot and be aware of cars turning right when approaching a vehicle on the right.

-Right Hook: A car passing a cyclist will sometimes try to make a sudden right across the bicycle's travel lane. Cyclists can help avoid this danger by not riding on sidewalks or crosswalks, riding to the left to prevent passing and glancing in a rearview mirror before approaching an intersection.

-Left Cross: Vehicles turning left across traffic often fail to spot a cyclist in time: Using headlights, avoiding sidewalk riding, wearing bright clothing, avoiding right-handed passing and slowing down can help improve safety.

-The Rear End: Being rear-ended while on a bike can cause serious or fatal injuries. Never move left without looking behind you; don't swerve in and out of street-parking lanes; and use your mirrors and signals.

Continue reading " Chicago named one of best cities for bike riding; avoiding summer bicycle accidents remains a concern " »

An Illinois pedestrian accident has claimed the life of a woman that was struck by a minivan in Lombard on Monday night, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Another pedestrian was critically injured.

The accident happened when a Jewel semi truck that was traveling eastbound on Roosevelt Road collided with a minivan that was headed northbound on Main Street. The minivan then lost control and rolled over, hitting a man and woman walking on the sidewalk.

The male pedestrian's legs were pinned under the minivan and bystanders came to his rescue, lifting the van off of his legs and freeing him. Both victims were rushed to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. The female pedestrian died Tuesday morning.

The accident is being investigated by the Lombard Police Department. It has not been reported if any traffic tickets were issued or which driver caused the crash.

Click here to read the story as reported by the Chicago Breaking News Center.

UPDATE: There is now video showing that the gates were not down and the lights were not activated during last Friday's fatal Chicago area train crash, according to NBC News. The video is from the Amtrak train involved in the collision. It is also being reported that Canadian National crews had been working within a mile of the crash earlier that day and accidentally disabled the warning system and gates.

Witnesses to Friday's train accident that killed a dance instructor in Cook County are saying that the crossing gates and warning lights were not working when an Amtrak train came barreling through, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center. One of the witnesses was an Assistant Cook County State's Attorney who works in the Old Orchard Courthouse.

The prosecutor stated that she was right in front of the SUV that was hit at the University Park railroad crossing, and that she was very close to being hit herself. She said there was no way for the SUV driver to know the train was coming and that the first warning of the danger was the train blowing its horn. She went on to say that no one was trying to go around a gate or beat the train, and that no one knew the train was there.

The tracks are reportedly owned by the Canadian National Railway Company who has sent investigators to the scene. A Will County sheriff's police spokesman stated that part of the problem is the tracks are too close to a stop sign at Governor's Highway, and that drivers can get caught on the tracks while approaching it.

Click here to read the entire story.

City Council approved a $3 million settlement this month in the case of a young woman who suffered serious brain injuries in a Chicago car accident resulting from a police chase, the Tribune reported.

The woman was 17-years-old when she was seriously injured in August 2004. She was a passenger in a vehicle westbound on Addison Street at Kedzie Avenue when her vehicle was broadsided by a stolen van being chased by police.

Occupants of the van and a witness on the street testified that police had been chasing the van for several blocks with lights and sirens activated. The officers said they had just activated their emergency equipment and were several car lengths being the van when the accident occurred.

The officers were disciplined for being outside their district without approval.

ABC7 reported that the woman's lawsuit claimed that the officers violated policy because they were not authorized to chase the van.

The city's pursuit policy, following two 1999 incidents, requires officers to get supervisory permission before initiating a chase and to break it off if a pursued vehicle begins disobeying traffic signals, according to Policeone.com.

The officers were reportedly traveling 55 mph in a 25 mph zone. The accident ejected the victim from the vehicle, where she landed 40 feet away. In addition to a traumatic brain injury, she suffered a broken collarbone, lacerated liver and a damaged kidney.

Along with an increased emphasis on watching for pedestrians and bicyclists, the Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys at Abels & Annes urge motorists to remember to look twice for motorcyclists as the spring riding season gets underway.

More than 100 motorcyclists are killed in Illinois motorcycle accidents each year, according to state and federal statistics. A total of 121 were killed in 2008, the most recent year for which statistics are available.

Recently ABATE-Illinois, a non-profit organization dedicated to motorcycle safety and motorcycling rights, delivered 80 Easter baskets to Hope Institute for Children and Families in Springfield, the State Journal-Register reported.

One of Illinois' first big motorcycle rides each spring, the 21st annual event is a sure sign that springs is here and it's time to start watching for motorcyclists on the road.

In 2008, a total of 5,290 people were killed and more than 96,000 injured in motorcycle accidents nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Motorcycle accidents have been on the rise for more than a decade as riding continues to become more popular. The number of registered motorcycles in the United States has increased from less than 4 million in 1998 to more than 7 million today.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers a host of safety tips for riders, including equipment checklists, rider-safety information and tips for group riding.

The Foundation also provides tips for car and truck drivers:
-Look for motorcycles, especially at intersections.
-The size of motorcycles makes it difficult to judge speed and distance. Predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.
-A motorcycle's size makes it easy to get lost in a vehicle's blind spots. Take an extra moment to check before changing lanes or turning at intersections.
-Motorcycles often slow by shifting or letting off the throttle, so brake lights are not a good indication. Allow more following distance. Predict they may slow without visual warning.
-Turn signals on motorcycles often do not cancel on their own and may be left on accidentally. Make sure of a motorcycle's intentions before proceeding.
-Motorcycles often adjust position within a lane to see more clearly, avoid debris, or for other reasons. Don't crowd a motorcycle -- they are entitled to their own lane.
-Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars. Allow them room.
-Think of a motorcycle in motion as a person -- it is just as vulnerable.

Continue reading " Chicago motorcycle accidents avoided with spring safety awareness " »

Suburban law enforcement are targeting railroad crossings for increased enforcement in the wake of a fatal Chicago pedestrian accident last month in North Chicago.

Rail road crossings in suburbs, including Elmhurst, Lombard and Des Plaines, are being monitored for gate-crashers and other violators, the Breaking News Center reported.

Ignoring a crossing signal or lowered gate is punishable by a $250 fine.

As we reported last month on Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, a woman and an infant were killed by a Metra train near North Chicago station.

A total of 16 non-suicide Illinois train accidents were reported last year. Commuters in a rush, kids playing on the tracks and motorists disregarding gates and warning lights are all causes of Chicago train accidents.

The Illinois Commerce Commission reports 80 collisions involving trains occurred last year -- down from the 129 collisions that were reported in 2008.

In last month's case, a woman carrying an infant in heavy fog was attempting to catch up to her family, which had already crossed the tracks; she tried to cross ahead of a train moving into the station.

Continue reading " Authorities targeting suburban railroad crossing to reduce Chicago train accidents " »

After the first three months of 2010, fatal Illinois traffic accidents remain virtually unchanged compared to the record-low year recorded in 2009, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Through April 6, a total of 170 fatal crashes claimed 193 lives, three less than the 196 people killed during the same period of 2009.

As we reported in January on Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, Illinois traffic fatalities dropped below 1,000 in 2009, making it the safest year on the road in 88 years.

A total of 928 traffic fatalities were recorded in 2009, compared to 1,043 in 2008 and 1,248 in 2007. However, as our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog reported in February, officials attribute some of the decline to the economic downturn and expect the dangers of serious and fatal car accidents to increase with congestion as employment and economic conditions improve.

2010 year-to-date crash statistics include:

Cook County:
-66 fatalities in 59 fatal crashes
-29 driver fatalities
-17 passenger fatalities
-18 pedestrian fatalities
-2 bicycle fatalities
-3 motorcycle fatalities

DuPage County:
-8 fatalities in 7 fatal crashes
-5 driver fatalities
-2 passenger fatalities
-1 pedestrian fatality

Will County:
-14 fatalities in 11 fatal crashes
-8 driver fatalities
-5 passenger fatalities
-1 pedestrian fatality

Kane County:
-4 fatalities in 4 fatal crashes
-3 driver fatalities
-1 passenger fatality

McHenry County:
-3 fatalities in 3 fatal crashes
-2 driver fatalities
-1 bicycle fatality

Lake County:
-3 fatalities in 3 fatal crashes
-3 driver fatalities

Elsewhere in Illinois, 3 fatalities were recorded in Champaign County, 3 in Vermilion County, 4 in Madison County and 6 in Saint Claire County.

The Greater Chicago area accounts for 13 of the 21 Illinois counties that have reported fatal traffic accidents so far in 2010.

Continue reading " Chicago auto accidents account for bulk of Illinois traffic fatalities in 2010 " »

The family of a man killed in a Chicago bus accident last month has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Chicago Transit Authority.

The suit claims that the 53-year-old Justine Street man was exiting a No. 9 Ashland bus March 18 when it pulled away from the West Harrison street bus stop before he was safely on the curb, according to FOX News.

However, the Chicago Breaking News Center reports the victim was trying to catch the bus when he fell.

The man fell under the bus and was fatally run over by the rear tires, according to the suit filed in Cook County Circuit Court.

A CTA spokeswoman said the driver had been removed from service following the accident, which is standard procedure. She said preliminary indications are that the bus was proceeding toward a green light when the man fell and was struck.

The lawsuit claims the driver failed to check the mirrors before pulling away, failed to make sure the victim was safely on the curb and failed to stop the bus after the man fell. The man's sister is named in the suit, which is seeking more than $50,000 from the CTA.

The victim is survived by four sisters and a brother, according to the suit.

Police continue to search this week for the hit-and-run driver responsible for a Chicago pedestrian accident after the victim died of his injuries on Friday, the Sun-Times reported.

The accident happened March 27 in the Altgeld Gardens area on the Far South Side. Witnesses told police a light-colored car struck a pedestrian at 7:49 p.m. at 12940 S. Indiana Avenue.

A witness said he was driving south on South Indiana Avenue when he saw the light-colored car hit a pedestrian and flee east on East 130th Street, according to police. The witness stopped to check on the victim and called 911.

The victim was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in extremely critical condition and suffered very serious head injuries in the crash. The 39-year-old Riverdale man died late Friday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

Police are looked for a light-colored vehicle, possibly gold, possibly a Chrysler 300. Anyone with information is asked to call the police Major Accident Investigation Unit at (312) 745-4521.

As reported last week on Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, warm spring weather brings with it an increased risk of Chicago pedestrian accidents. Motorists are urged to use extra caution and to yield to pedestrians.

Studies of Illinois traffic fatalities have concluded that more than half of all fatal pedestrian accidents in the state occur in Cook County.

In 2008, a total of 135 pedestrians were killed in Illinois traffic accidents, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 6 to 10 and will include multiple public awareness efforts by Illinois Work Zone Safety Partners and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

In 2008, fatal Illinois road construction accidents claimed 31 lives and injured 1,985 people. A total of 7,813 traffic accidents were reported in Illinois construction zones. Last month, our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog reported about a fatal construction zone accident that occurred recently in northwest Indiana, about 30 minutes south of Chicago.

Scott's Law, named for a firefighter who was killed after being struck by a vehicle while responding to an accident on a Chicago expressway, requires vehicles to slow down and change lanes, whenever possible, for emergency, construction and maintenance vehicles displaying oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.

A violation of Scott's Law carries a mandatory court appearance, a fine of up to $10,000, driver's license suspension and, in cases of an accident causing property damage, injury or death, a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

Illinois work zone traffic facts:

-Construction workers do not have to be present to receive a speeding ticket in a work zone.

-State law lowers speeds in construction zones from 65 mph to 55 mph or from 55 mph to 45 mph. Lower speed limits may be posted.

-Increased fines for speeding in work zones are set at a minimum of $375 for a first offense and a minimum of $1,000 for a second offense.

-Court appearance is mandatory for a work-zone speeding violation.

-A motorist who causes a fatal work zone accident may be charged with reckless homicide, which can carry a penalty of 3 to 14 years in prison.

-Photo enforcement may be used to increase work zone safety.

Continue reading " Work Zone Safety Awareness week aims to reduce Chicago car accidents, work injuries, in construction zones " »

Cyclists and motorists alike should keep safety in mind as spring brings with it an increase in traffic and the risk of serious or fatal Chicago bicycling accidents.

The federal government supports the use of bicycle helmets and bicycle helmet laws as the best defense against head injuries in a bicycle accident.

More than 51,000 bicyclists have died in traffic crashes in the U.S. since 1932, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A federal study in 2006 found that 773 cyclists were killed and more than 44,000 injured.

In 2008, a total of 27 bicycle riders were killed and 3,385 seriously injured in Illinois bicycle accidents.

The estimated annual cost of serious and fatal bicycle accidents is more than $8 billion.

With the growing popularity of cycling for recreation or fitness, the average age of cyclist killed in an accident has increased to 41 -- more than one-third of all fatalities occur to riders ages 35 to 54 and more than 80 percent of all bicycle accident victims are men.

- Children under 14 accounted for 98 fatalities, or 13 percent of bicycle accident deaths.
-13 percent were ages 15 to 24.
- 12 percent were 25 to 34.
- 36 percent were 35 to 54 years old.
- 25 percent were 55 or older.

The federal government reports that bicycle helmets are almost 90 percent effective in mitigating head and brain injuries, making them the single most-effective safety measure a rider can take. Currently, 21 states and more than 149 cities have bicycle helmet laws, primarily geared to young riders under the age of 16.

Current law requires all messengers in the City of Chicago to wear a bicycle helmet. Several other Illinois municipalities also have helmet ordinances, according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute.

Continue reading " Safety awarness reduces the risk of Chicago bike accidents " »