Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

The National Safety Council hosted its first Forum to Keep Teen Drivers Alive recently, as it works to remind parents and teenagers about the dangers of Chicago car accidents as we head into the holidays and the winter driving season.

Our Chicago accident attorneys frequently report about the dangers teens face on the road -- the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration continues to report that car accidents are the leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 20.

In 2008, a total of 164 motorists were killed in Illinois car accidents involving young drivers.

Participants in the forum included law enforcement, educators and safety advocates from Arlington Heights, Grayslake, Mundelein and Oak Brook. The Safety Council also demonstrated its Alive at 25 safety course, geared toward teen drivers.

“The interest in this first teen driving forum reflects the need for effective teen driver training,” said John Kennedy, group vice president for programs and education at the National Safety Council. “The Alive at 25 course goes beyond the rules of the road by sharing the importance of making good decisions behind the wheel and the consequences poor choices can have on families and friends. Due to the success of this first forum, we look forward to hosting more across the country.”

Nationwide, the government reports that 2,739 drivers ages 15 to 20 were killed in crashes in 2008 and an additional 228,000 were injured. In all, teenagers account for about 1 in 9 drivers killed in accidents.

Continue reading " Illinois safety advocates hold teen driving forums in effort to reduce Chicago car accidents involving young drivers " »

The National Transportation Safety Board has updated its Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements, asking states to focus on a number of core issues. Each of these issues are often focused on by our Chicago accident lawyers, both here and on our sister site, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog.

"State governments are in a unique position to effect the most significant improvement in certain areas of transportation safety," NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman said. "Our Most Wanted List spotlights those states that have made noteworthy progress in better protecting the traveling public - and those that have not."

The government reports that Illinois needs to enact a primary enforcement seat-belt law for back-seat passengers and do a better job of cracking down on hardcore drunk drivers. It also reports that Illinois is one of only three states that lacks a helmet law to reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries resulting from Illinois motorcycle accidents.

Improve Motorcycle Safety

This issue replaced recreational boating safety this year as the government continues to try to reduce the high numbers of serious and fatal motorcycle accidents occurring nationwide. Illinois receives a failing grade as one of only three states with no helmet laws for riders, including minors. Only Iowa and New Hampshire also lack helmet laws of any kind.

Young Drivers Safety/Distracted Driving

As we frequently report, Illinois is a leader in this area. The state's graduated driver's license program is one of the nation's best and restrictions are also in place prohibiting teenagers from using cell phones while driving. The state also has limits on the number of passengers permitted in a young driver's vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that nearly 6,000 drivers ages 15 to 20 were involved in fatal accidents in 2008, making traffic accidents the leading cause of death among teenagers. A total of 164 motorists died in Illinois car accidents involving young drivers.

Improve Child Occupant Protection

Illinois also fairs well when it comes to child occupant protection -- requiring booster seats for children under 8. Nearly half of all states (22) still lack such a requirement. Nationwide, 1,347 children under the age of 14 were killed in accidents in 2008. Forty-four children in Illinois were killed in traffic crashes -- including 23 under the age of 8.

The government reports about half of the 3,000 children killed in traffic accidents in the last decade were unrestrained.

Primary seat belt laws

Illinois was cited as one of the states that does not have a primary seat-belt-enforcement law for back-seat passengers. Last year, over half of the 23,000 vehicle occupants who died in crashes were not wearing seat belts. Seat-belt use reduces the risk of serious or fatal injuries by about 50 percent.

Nineteen states have no primary enforcement law. Illinois is one of 14 states where the primary enforcement law does not apply to all positions.

Continue reading " Government pushes safety improvements to reduce risk of serious or fatal Chicago car accidents " »

To attempt to reduce the number of Chicago car crashes and injuries over the Thanksgiving holiday, IDOT, the Illinois State Police, and other local authorities are partnering in a safety crackdown throughout the State. There are are supposed to be more than 2,000 seatbelt enforcement zones, 68 roadside safety checks locations and nearly 1000 additional nighttime patrols. Police officers will be on the lookout for seatbelt violators and DUI drivers.

The additional patrols are supposed to focus on nighttime hours where statistically fewer people wear seatbelts and more people drink and drive. In an Illinois Department of Transportation press release, the State is also urging drivers to silence and/or put cell phones in the glove compartment when driving.

IDOT reports that last year on Thanksgiving weekend in Illinois 12 people died in auto accidents. Of those killed, nine were not wearing safety belts and five involved drinking and driving.

Illinois seatbelt use is at an all-time high of 92.6%, however 45 million Americans nationwide are still not using them. Further, in 2008 almost 13,000 passengers died in the United States that were not wearing seatbelts and it is estimated that around one third of these victims could have survived had they buckled up.

NHTSA statistics also show that teenagers, young adults, males, nighttime riders, motorists on rural roads and people traveling in pickup trucks are the least likely to wear seatbelts. Also, when seatbelts are used properly the risk of a front seat passenger death is reduced by 45% and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50%.

If you've been injured in a Chicago area car accident, contact the Illinois personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes for a free consultation. Call 312-924-7575 to speak to an attorney now.

Parking lot safety and pedestrian accidents in Chicago are in focus as shoppers prepare for Black Friday and the holiday season beyond.

As we reported earlier this month on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, early dark and the arrival of winter weather both increase the risk of Chicago pedestrian accidents. Nationwide, 4,378 pedestrians were killed in accidents in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Fatal Illinois pedestrian accidents claimed 135 lives.

The holiday shopping season and parking lot hazards carry their own risk of injury. Parking lot pedestrian accidents, backover accidents and slip and fall accidents are a few of the common dangers. Premise liability accidents may also occur from overcrowding, wet and slippery floors and merchandise falling from high shelves.

Shopping and Parking Lot Tips for Illinois Drivers:

-Park in a well-lit area as close to your destination as possible.

-Close your windows and lock your doors.

-Do not leave presents or valuables in plain view.

-Remember where you parked your car.

-Shop with a friend or family member.

-Condense items into one or two bags instead of carrying many bags through the parking area.

-Purchase most expensive items at the end of the day to avoid carrying them around or leaving them in the car.

-Have keys ready when walking to your car.

-Be aware of your surroundings.

-Lock doors after getting into the cars.

-Pay particular attention when backing up.

-Follow parking lot signs and pavement markings -- go with the proper flow of traffic.

-Beware loose shopping carts.

-Pay particular attention to small children.

Continue reading " Holiday shopping hazards include Chicago parking lot accidents, slip and fall hazards, premise liability " »

A Chicago auto accident that occurred on the South Side on Friday around 2 PM has resulted in the death two passengers and the 32-year-old female driver being charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, according to a story in the Chicago Tribune. The crash occurred when the driver of an Oldsmobile Achieva reportedly ran a stop sign while moving eastbound on W. 111th St. in the Roseland neighborhood. The vehicle then crossed the centerline to go around another vehicle, loss control and struck a tree. The Oldsmobile then flipped on its side, hit a light pole and then finally came to a stop.

The victims were 13-year-old boy and a 34-year-old woman, who were both riding in the backseat. They both died at the scene of the Chicago accident, according to a fire Department spokesperson.

The at fault driver was reportedly treated at an area hospital for minor injuries and then released. Another passenger also sustained minor injuries.

The driver, a South side resident, has been given a traffic court date of December 14. The Chicago Police Department's investigation is reportedly ongoing. Due to the fatalities, it is very possible that the criminal charges could be upgraded to felonies.

Read the story as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times here. They are reporting that two additional women, ages 37 and 25, were taken by ambulance to Advocate Christ Medical Center in critical condition.

Illinois injury lawyers at Abels & Annes have filed a lawsuit on behalf of a local resident that was injured in a dog attack. The suit was filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

At issue is an injury that occurred back on July 24, 2009. The plaintiff was taking out the trash outside his residence in an alley. At that time he heard growling and turned to see a very large dog chasing after him. To avoid serious injury our client was forced to jump over a nearby fence and upon landing he suffered a serious fracture to his arm and dislocated his elbow.

The defendant dog owner was a nearby neighbor. The yard is fenced where the dog is kept, however the fence was in disrepair, the rear gate was often left open, and the dog was often let out into the yard without being chained. It was known in the neighborhood that the animal would often get loose and many complaints have been made to police in the past.

Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, the dog owner is responsible for all injuries caused by the animal. The plaintiff is alleging that the defendant failed to adequately restrain, chain, fence and/or control his dog, and that said negligence caused severe injuries to our client.

Immediately after the accident an ambulance was called. The plaintiff was taken to the emergency room at Metro South Medical Center. There he was diagnosed with a dislocated elbow and a fractured ulna. It was determined that an open reduction internal fixation surgery would be necessary to repair the fracture. Surgery was performed the same day.

Due to the accident, our client incurred over $37,000 in medical bills.

If you have been injured in a Chicago area animal attack, contact the Illinois premises liability attorneys at our firm for a free consultation.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a final rule instituting a nationwide ban on text messaging by truck drivers, school bus drivers and the operators of other commercial vehicles.

Our Chicago accident attorneys reported earlier this fall when the new regulations were announced at the second annual Distracted Driving Summit in Washington, D.C. The final rule went into effect at the end of October. Not only can drives face fines and other penalties for texting while driving, a violation can also prohibit a driver from renewing or obtaining a commercial driver's license.

Nationwide, 1 in 9 traffic fatalities involves a large commercial truck, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2008, a total of 4,229 motorists were killed and more than 90,000 were injured in accidents involving large commercial trucks. Illinois trucking accidents resulted in 136 traffic fatalities.

Federal statistics show the truckers who text message are more than 23 more times likely to be involved in an accident, near accident or other dangerous driving behavior, such as drifting across lanes.

Drivers may be fined $2,750 and employers face fines of up to $11,000.

The government continues to focus on the dangers of text messaging because of its exploding popularity and because it involves all three forms of driver distraction: cognitive, visual and manual. The wireless industry reports the number of text messages has increased from 32.6 billion in the first six months of 2005 to 740 billion in the first six months of 2009.

A CBS News/New York Times poll found that 90 percent of those surveyed think that all drivers should be prohibited from text messaging. So far, 30 states, including Illinois, have passed such laws.

Continue reading " Text messaging ban for commercial drivers reduces risk of Illinois trucking accidents, bus accidents " »

With the holidays rapidly approaching, the Insurance Information Institute has released a number of tips for parents to consider when choosing vehicles appropriate for teenage drivers.

As our Chicago injury lawyers frequently report, teenagers are at the highest risk for being involved in a serious or fatal car accident in Chicago. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 5,864 drivers ages 15 to 20 were involved in fatal crashes in 2008. Illinois car accidents involving young drivers killed 164 motorists.

In recent days, two high-profile accidents involving young drivers in Chicago have been reported:

The Chicago Breaking News Center reports that a 17-year-old boy is on life support after being involved in a car accident in DuPage County. Police report the boy was driving a Volkswagen Jetta when he struck a Ford truck backing out of a residential driveway.

In a separate case, WGNTV reports a 17-year-old boy has been charged with reckless homicide after allegedly killing a woman asleep in her bed after driving drunk into the side of her house.

Choosing the right vehicle for your son or daughter is just one more way to help keep them safe on the road.

-Avoid vehicles that encourage reckless driving: Sports cars and other high-performance vehicles are often not appropriate. Teen drivers often lack experience and maturity. Such vehicles may encourage speeding. Selecting a vehicle with a modest image and reputation can help keep teens from being involved in a speed-related crash.

-Unstable vehicles can be hazards for teen drivers: Some SUVs offer less stability and a greater chance for rollover accidents. Abrupt steering maneuvers, which young drivers may be more prone to, can increase the risk of a skid, spin out or rollover accident.

-Good crash protection: As we have reported here previously, www.safecar.gov, Consumer Reports and other ratings agencies offer a look at how vehicles withstand crashes. Not all vehicles are created equal but safer vehicles can be found at any price point.

-Beware of small vehicles: While some vehicles of modest size may come with a good safety rating, smaller vehicles are generally not as safe as larger ones.

-Avoid older Vehicles: Modern vehicles offer far better crash protection than even those vehicles that are 6 to 10 years old.

Lastly, your choice of vehicle can have a substantial impact on the cost of insurance, which, if you have not yet priced, will certainly be an eye-opener. Most teen insurance polices start at several hundred dollars a month and can be much more expensive, depending on the type of vehicle you choose.

Continue reading " Teen's choice of vehicles can impact risks associated with Chicago car accidents " »

Trib Local in Gurnee is reporting that an Illinois car crash involving multiple vehicles may have been caused by an icy bridge on Monday morning in Lake County. Some involved in the crash were seriously injured.

The accident took place around 6:30 AM the area of Knight Street and Belvedere Road in Park City. How the crash occurred, the specific injuries, and/or the number of people involved has not been reported.

The Park City Police Department and the Gurnee Fire Department (who covers Park City) responded to the accident. Gurnee fire sent three ambulances. The Gurnee Police Department also assisted and the North Chicago and Waukegan fire departments sent additional ambulances.

Multiple vehicles were involved and one person had to be extricated from a car. That person was reportedly in critical condition and taken by ambulance to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Lake County.

Fire department officials indicated that ice on the bridge deck created issues in the morning rush-hour.

While there is no snow on the ground yet, overnight temperatures have already dropped down to winter temperatures. There were several reports of black ice on roadways in the Chicago area Monday morning. Chicago motorists need to start exercising due care for winter conditions.

As far as a civil case is concerned, icy road conditions is not a defense to liability. Drivers have to travel at a speed that is safe for the weather conditions on the highway.

An Illinois auto accident attorney at Abels & Annes has settled an uninsured motorist claim for Chicago resident. The case stemmed from a collision that occurred on December 11, 2009 in the area of 10600 S. LaSalle Street on the South Side.

Our client was driving his 2002 Chevrolet Astro Van eastbound on 106th Street when the defendant failed to stop at a stop sign for northbound traffic on LaSalle Street. The at fault driver drove his 1998 Pontiac Bonneville into the plaintiff's passenger side door.

The Chicago Police Department handled the crash investigation. The investigating officer took statements from both sides and placed the defendant at fault.

Immediately after the accident the plaintiff started experiencing back and neck pain. Due to his injuries, he sought treatment with an orthopedic physician in Chicago.

The Pontiac driver's vehicle was uninsured at the time of the accident. Attorneys at our law firm set up an uninsured motorist claim for the client against his own auto insurance carrier. Geico insurance paid on the claim.

If you've been injured in a motor vehicle accident with an uninsured driver, contact an Illinois accident attorney at Abels & Annes for free case evaluation. Click here to read more about Chicago uninsured and underinsured motorist claims.

A Chicago area pedestrian vs. car accident has claimed the life of the 58-year-old Joliet woman. She was struck and killed while out on her morning walk early Thursday morning, according to Tribune Local in Joliet. The collision occurred around 6:45 AM as the pedestrian was crossing N. Larkin Ave. in the area of Mayfield Avenue on the west side of Joliet.

At that time a 23-year-old male driver in a pickup truck collided with her, according to a spokesperson from the Joliet Police Department. The driver was not cited after the accident, however the case is still under investigation. It is being reported that neither drugs, alcohol and/or speeding played a role in the accident.

The motorist was northbound on Larkin at the time of the collision. The victim was rushed by ambulance to Provina Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet where she was pronounced dead within hours of the accident.

The Joliet Police Department is handling the crash investigation. It was not reported whether the victim was crossing at an intersection or mid-block. The driver of the pickup truck is a resident of Camby, Indiana (near Indianapolis).

There is no word as to whether an Illinois pedestrian accident lawyer has been retained by the victim's family to look into a possible civil claim against the driver of the pickup truck.

The Chicago Police Department is asking for the public's help in tracking down a hit-and-run driver who was involved in an Illinois pedestrian accident on Monday evening around 10:15 PM. The incident occurred when a driver cut through a gas station on the southwest side to avoid a traffic light, according to WGN news. As the driver was cutting through he hit a pedestrian and then fled the scene.

The accident occurred in the 6200 block of S. California Ave., which is considered part of the Chicago Lawn neighborhood. The victim was about to enter his minivan on the driver side when he was struck by a red SUV heading northbound. The hit and run vehicle also had a roof rack.

Anyone with information regarding the accident and/or the identity of the at fault driver is being asked to contact the Chicago Police Department immediately at 312-745-4521.

The exact nature and extent of the pedestrian victim's injuries has not been reported.

Unfortunately, in most cases hit-and-run drivers are never located. As far as a civil claim is concerned, once a Chicago injury lawyer gets involved in the case, the attorney will look to set up a hit-and-run / underinsured motorist claim against the pedestrian's own auto insurance policy.

Click here to read more about Chicago hit-and-run accidents and Illinois uninsured motorist claims.

We encourage parents to take the Safe Routes to School survey offered by the Chicago Department of Transportation as safety advocates attempt to reduce the risk of Chicago bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents and school bus accidents.

Our Chicago child injury lawyers frequently talk about the dangers children face -- traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for kids ages 3 to 14, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

State traffic statistics show that more than 5,500 kids under the age of 14 were injured in traffic accidents last year. Illinois pedestrian accidents injured nearly 1,000 students, while bicycle accidents injured nearly 700.

Many students choose to walk or bike to school. In other cases, they walk or ride a bicycle to a bus stop. Tragically, many Chicago school bus accidents occur to bicyclists or pedestrians who are preparing to load or unload from a school bus. Last year, a total of 1,537 Illinois school bus accidents were reported. Two people were killed and 482 were injured, including 78 bus drivers and 164 bus passengers.

As winter weather approaches, now is a good time to remind your child about the importance of bicycle and pedestrian safety, as well as school bus safety.

Here you can find more information on Illinois' Safe Routes to School program.

The Chicago Safe Routes to School Survey is available here.

Continue reading " Safe Routes to School survey aims to reduce Chicago pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, school bus accidents " »

The end of daylight savings time over the weekend can lead to an increased risk of Chicago pedestrian accidents and other traffic accidents during the afternoon commute, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

While Chicago car accidents are always a concern during the morning and afternoon commute, it is the often serious or fatal injuries caused by pedestrian accidents that has safety advocates most concerned as the clocks go back an hour and darkness comes to the evening commute.

Last year, 4,092 pedestrians were killed and more than 59,000 were injured. The government reports that 25 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents occur between the hours of 4 and 8 p.m. Another 13 percent occur in the hours around dawn. As drivers get used to once again commuting home in the dark, there may be an increased chance of distraction and a greater risk of involvement in all types of traffic accidents, including pedestrian and bicycle accidents.

Motorists are being urged to use extra caution and pedestrians are encouraged to carry flashlights and use reflective tape or other visible gear.

Other safety tips for motorists and pedestrians include:

MOTORISTS
-Slow down. Less light means a greater reaction time is necessary to see a pedestrian in your path.
-Remember pedestrians may not hear your approach, especially if wearing hats or earmuffs.
-Keep windows and mirrors clean. Make sure defrosters and windshield wipers are in good working order and make sure your windshield wiper fluid is filled and working properly.

PEDESTRIANS
-Carry a flashlight and/or use reflective tape to make yourself more visible.
-Don't rely on traffic lights or signals to keep you safe. Make sure the path is clear before proceeding.
-Don't jaywalk or cross the street between parked cars --use crosswalks whenever possible.
-Walk on the sidewalk.
-Walk facing traffic.

Continue reading " End of daylight savings time increases risk of Chicago pedestrian accidents, car accidents during afternoon commute " »

As the winter driving season rapidly approaches, it's a good time to reassess the driving ability of parents and older adults as we work to reduce the chances an aging loved one is involved in a Chicago car accident.

The USA Today reports on the growing challenge for an increasing number of Baby Boomers, who want to both keep a parent safe and respect his or her freedom and independence.

Our Chicago injury lawyers have reported here before on the risk faced by older drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports the number of aging drivers has increased more than 20 percent in the last decade to more than 30 million.

Typically an older adult who is not in denial about his or her abilities will take steps to mitigate the dangers, often limiting themselves to daytime driving or choosing to walk more frequently. This is no guarantee that they will not be involved in a serious or fatal accident. In 2008, some 183,000 seniors were injured in traffic accidents and 1 in 5 fatal pedestrian accidents involved someone over the age of 65. Most accidents (80 percent) occurred during the day and on weekdays (72 percent).

Meanwhile, safety experts and those who have already dealt with the issue say not waiting until the last minute offers a family the chance to do a better job of planning. Perhaps an aging parent can downsize to a condominium on the bus line, for example, or explore some of the assisted living options that still permit independent living.

It is an issue that is cropping up in living rooms across the country as the Baby Boomers hit retirement age. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that about 1 in 10 Americans were over the age of 70 in 2000. By 2040, that number is expected to increase to 1 in 5.

While older drivers have fewer crashes, they also drive less. Per mile traveled, crash rates increase at age 70 and rise significantly after age 80.

Safety advocates agree that parents and children should begin to have the conversation years or even decades before it counts. When a parent begins to talk about retirement, a child may bring up the conversation. In such a non-threatening time and place, both parent and child can talk about the issues, the warning signs and what to do when that time arises.

The federal government offers a variety of safety resources for older Illinois drivers, including:

-How to understand and influence older drivers.

-Adapting motor vehicles to older drivers.

-Driving safely while aging gracefully.

-Talking with older drivers.

-Screening and evaluation.

-Medications and older drivers.

Continue reading " Talking to older motorists about driving safety can help reduce risks of Chicago car accidents " »

A woman is been killed in a Chicago area truck vs. car accident that occurred on Wednesday morning at the intersection of Illinois Route 394 and Steger Rd. in Crete, Illinois, according to NBC news. A tractor-trailer truck that was carrying livestock was moving south on 394 when it collided with a car that was eastbound on Steger. The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that witnesses to the accident are saying that the truck failed to stop at a red light and t-boned the car in the intersection.

The driver of the car, a resident of St. John, Indiana, was killed in the accident. She was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy was scheduled for Thursday.

Illinois state police handled the crash investigation. nwi.com is reporting that the truck driver was ticketed for disobeying a red light and failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident. The trucker was not injured in the crash.

In a deadly truck accident such as this, the family of the victim will pursue an Illinois wrongful death claim against the at fault truck driver and his employer. Commercial trucks typically carry larger liability insurance policies, often in excess of $1 million. There is no word if there are Chicago injury lawyers involved in the case yet or if a lawsuit has been filed.

Tres accidentes automovilisticos en el área de Chicago resultaron en tres muertos la noche del jueves y la madrugada del viernes, según la televisión WGN. Los accidentes ocurrieron sólo horas de diferencia.

El primer accidente ocurrió en Interstate 65 al sur de Interstate 80 alrededor de 11:45 P.M. Un conductor de grúa etsba cambiando una llanta en un medio camión cuando un Land Rover choco por detrás al camión. El conductor de la grúa fue aplastado entre su camión y el medio camión.

El conductor de la grúa fue un trabajador de servicio de carretera empleado por una compañía de servicio que fue localizado por el conductor del medio camión. Fue pronunciado muerto en la escena y su identidad no ha sido soltado.

El conductor de defecto del Land Rover fue herido y fue llevado a Methodist Hospital. Las heridas del conductor supuestamente no son -amenazantes de vida. El conductor del medio camión no fue herido.

La investigación del choque esta en cargo por la policía del estado de Indiana.

Los próximos dos choques mortales de Illinois fueron accidentes únicos. El primer ocurrio poco después de la medianoche en en Autopista Dan Ryan. Una mujer de 34 años de edad perdio control de su Chrysler Pacifica en los carriles hacia el norte cerca de la calle 26 y golpeó una barrera concreta frontalmente.

Acerca de una hora luego un automovilista qu iba en dirección hacia el norte en Interstate 55 perdio control de su carro y golpeó una pared poco antes de entrar a la Autopista de Dan Ryan rampa con rumbo al sur. El accidente ocurrido alrededor de 1:15 ES. El conductor fue trasladado por ambulancia al Stroger Hospital y fue pronunciado muerto poco tiempo despues

Three separate Chicago area auto accidents resulted in three deaths late Thursday evening and early Friday morning, according to WGN TV. The crashes all occurred just hours apart.

The first accident occurred on Interstate 65 just South of Interstate 80 around 11:45 PM. A tow truck driver was changing a tire on a semi truck when a Land Rover rear-ended the tow truck. The tow truck driver was crushed between his truck and the semi truck.

The tow truck driver was a highway service worker employed by a service company that was called out by the driver of the semi truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene and his identity has not been released.

The at fault driver of the Land Rover was injured and taken to Methodist Hospital. The driver's injuries are reportedly non-life-threatening. The driver of the semi truck was not hurt.

The crash investigation was handled by the Indiana State Police.

The next two deadly Illinois crashes were both single vehicle accidents. The first occurred just after midnight on the Dan Ryan Expressway. A 34-year-old woman loss control of her Chrysler Pacifica in the northbound lanes around 26th Street and hit a concrete barrier head-on.

About an hour later a motorist heading northbound on Interstate 55 loss control of his car and struck a wall just before entering the Dan Ryan Expressway southbound ramp. The accident occurred around 1:15 AM. The driver was taken by ambulance to Stroger Hospital and was pronounced dead a short time later.

Read the story as reported by the Southtown Star here.

The Illinois State Police handled both single vehicle crash investigations.

Illinois auto accident attorneys at Abels and Annes have reached a settlement in a Chicago area semi truck versus car crash case on behalf of two plaintiff's. The lawsuit stems from a collision that occurred on October 19, 2009 just after 9 AM in Bellwood, Illinois.

The claimants, who are brother and sister, were traveling in their 2002 Buick northbound on 25th Street. At that time they stopped for red light at 25th and Madison Street. While they were waiting for the light to change their vehicle was rear-ended by a semi truck.

The Bellwood Police Department responded to the accident. After an investigation they cited the truck driver for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Immediately after the accident, our client that was riding as a passenger developed severe low back pain. She sought treatment with an orthopedic physician in Chicago area. Due to her significant low back complaints the doctor ordered an MRI. The scan revealed my client sustained herniated discs at L4-L5 and L5-S1 in the crash. She had to have lumbar epidural steroid injections at L4-L5 and L5-S1 on three occasions to relieve her pain.

Her portion of the lawsuit settled for $61,000.

The other plaintiff had back and neck pain after the accident. He was treated shortly after the accident at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois.

Over the next several days the plaintiff's pain only worsened. He then treated with an orthopedic in Chicago. An MRI taken at a later date was negative for more serious injuries.

His portion of the claim settled for $19,000. The lawsuit was pending in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

If you have been injured in an Illinois truck accident, contact the Chicago personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes for a free consultation. There is no fee unless a recovery is made on your behalf. Call 312-399-8988.

Chicago work accident attorneys at Abels and Annes have agreed to represent a phone technician that was hurt in Lake County, Illinois. The worker was injured while doing repairs in August, 2010 on behalf of a nationwide telecommunications company.

The claimant was kneeling down while doing installation work for an extended period of time. At some point he heard a pop in his knee, and as he kept standing and squatting he started having a lot of pain.

The next day his pain was even worse so we went to medical care center in Vernon Hills, Illinois. An MRI was eventually taken at Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, IL. The scan showed the claimant had sustained a torn meniscus in his knee. He soon after had to undergo orthopedic surgery to repair the tear in his knee.

The meniscus is a disc that pads your knee. Each knee has two menisci, one on the inner edge of your knee, and one on the outer edge. They keep your knee steady and balanced, and a tear in the pad and stop your knee from working properly.

A meniscus tear is often caused twisting or turning motions while the knee is bent and the foot is planted. Tears are very common with workers lifting heavy objects.

Treatment for a torn meniscus can very depending on the severity of the injury, your age and the type of tear. It can be treated with physical therapy, surgical repairs and/or surgical removal of part of the meniscus.

If you've been hurt in an Illinois work accident, contact a Chicago work comp attorney at Abels & Annes for a free case evaluation. Call 312-924-7575.