Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Before you head out to your New Year's Eve Party, make arrangements ahead of time for a safe drive home. Starting off a new year with a bang is the right idea unless it involves a hospital bed or a funeral home. Our Chicago auto accident attorneys want to remind you to not drink and drive this holiday season and to do your part to keep the roads safe for everyone.

In 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 156 fatalities in the United States on New Year's Eve and Day that occurred as a result of at least one driver in the crash with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher. Illinois recorded 3 fatalities on these same two days but two of those fatalities involved a BAC level of .20 or higher which is well over the legal limit of .08. Each year, hundreds of others are seriously injured in Illinois car accidents caused by drunk drivers through the holiday season.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving wants to remind Illinois drivers that the penalties for drunk driving can be severe, especially if a serious or fatal accident is involved.

The penalty in the state of Illinois if you drive under the influence and cause an accident that kills someone is 3-14 years. If more than one person is killed in the accident the penalty is no less than 6 years up to 28 years in addition to a possible fine of up to $25,000.

Orland Park, located just outside of Chicago is increasing patrols this week according to an article in TribLocal Orland Park. It is just one of many communities taking a zero tolerance stance when it comes to drunk drivers. Seat belt violators, speeders and aggressive drivers will also be targeted.

If local residents of Orland Park or the surrounding areas can't come up with a ride home then they should rely on the Safe Ride Home program funded by Michael P. Gordon Memorial Foundation where local establishments will call a limo service to get you home safely at no charge.

A number of other local services will also be available to get you home safe. The trick is to plan ahead, stay safe and enjoy the New Year's weekend in a safe and responsible manner. Start your year off on the right foot and don't drink and drive. Not only can you save your life but it could save the life of others, too.

Continue reading " Safe Ride Home a good option for Chicago drivers this New Year's Eve " »

A three vehicle Illinois car crash has caused the death of three motorists in downstate Alexander County, according to the Chicago Tribune. The wreck occurred back on December 20, 2010 on Illinois Route 3 near Thebes, Illinois.

The car crash occurred when a vehicle driven by a 20-year-old Wisconsin resident and a pickup truck driven by an 18-year-old Missouri resident sideswiped each other as they were headed in opposite directions. The Missouri driver then hit a van head on that was occupied by a 54-year-old female driver and a 76-year-old passenger, both from Cairo, Illinois.

The driver of the van and the Missouri motorist died in the accident. The passenger in the van passed away four days later from injuries sustained in the accident. The Wisconsin driver survived, but her condition has not been reported.

It has not been reported what hospitals the victims were treated at or if any Illinois injury lawyers are involved in the case yet.

Read the story here as reported by the Carmi Times and The Southern.com.

The Illinois State Police are handling the crash investigation. Details as to the cause of the two vehicles sideswiping, such as one of the motorists crossing the center line, have not been disclosed.

An Aurora man was killed on Friday morning in a Chicago area truck vs. pedestrian accident, according to the Beacon-News. The collision occurred in an Aldi grocery store parking lot in Batavia. A semi-tractor was backing up to a semi-trailer and the driver failed to observe a pedestrian walking behind him around 10:45 a.m.

The truck driver planned on moving the trailer from one spot to another in the lot, which is located in the 1200 block of North Kirk Road. The vehicle backed over the pedestrian victim.

The 53-year-old pedestrian was taken by ambulance to Delnor Hospital in Geneva where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

The Batavia Police Department is handling the investigation. The truck driver, age 46 from Sandwich, Illinois, has not yet been issued any traffic citations.

It has not been reported if a Chicago pedestrian accident attorney is involved in the case yet.

Click here to read the story in the Kane County Chronicle.

An Illinois hit-and-run pedestrian accident that claimed the life of a teenager has police searching for the driver that fled the scene, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The Crash took place Monday afternoon on the west side.

The collision occurred just before 2:30 PM in the area of Thomas Street and Ridgeway Avenue, according to Chicago police officials. The pedestrian, a 17-year-old boy who resides in the 1700 block of N. Keystone Ave., was taken by ambulance to Mount Sinai Hospital and was pronounced dead less than an hour later.

The teenage victim was reportedly standing near the corner when a vehicle headed northbound on Ridgeway Avenue lost control and hit him. Police are searching for a maroon Pontiac.

The Chicago Police Department's Major Accident Investigation Unit is heading the investigation. Anyone with information about the deadly Chicago pedestrian accident should immediately contact the police department.

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is pushing states to adopt a "no refusal" strategy when it comes to dealing with motorists suspected of drunk driving. As our Chicago car accident lawyers often report, drunk driving is responsible for about one-third of the nation's fatal traffic accidents.

Somewhere in The United States, someone dies in a drunk driving accident every 45 minutes. Last year, more than 41 percent of fatal Illinois car accidents involved alcohol, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Nationwide, more than 11,000 motorists were killed in accidents with drunk drivers.

As part of its effort to combat drunk driving, the government is pushing states to adopt a "No refusal" strategy, which would allow law enforcement to obtain warrants from "on call" judges in order to take blood samples from suspected drunk drivers who refuse a breathalyzer test.

"Drunk driving remains a leading cause of death and injury on our roadways," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "I applaud the efforts of the law enforcement officials who have pioneered the 'No Refusal' approach to get drunk drivers off our roads. And I urge other states to adopt this approach to make sure that drunk drivers can’t skirt the law and are held accountable."

Many suspects refuse the tests in the hopes of beating the charges at trial. States have used implied consent laws to automatically suspend a driver's license for a period of time equivalent to a conviction --usually six months or a year for a first offense -- in cases where a driver refuses the test. Implied consent means a driver agrees to take the test if requested when he or she is issued a driver's license.

States with high refusal rates include New Hampshire (81 percent), Massachusetts (41 percent), Florida (40 percent), Louisiana (39 percent) and Ohio (38 percent).

"MADD is proud to support NHTSA, as well as our heroes in law enforcement, in their focus on 'No Refusals,' said MADD National President Laura Dean-Mooney. "Working together, we can make our roadways safer and eliminate drunk driving in the U.S."

Illinois is one of several states that already use the strategy. Other states include Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Utah, Idaho and Arizona. Some states are better than others at more routinely pushing for warrants and mandatory testing in refusal cases.

"When it comes to drunk driving, we cannot afford to have repeat offenders," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. "The 'No Refusal' strategy helps support prosecutions and improves deterrence, which means fewer drunk drivers on the road. I want to remind everyone this holiday season: if you're over the limit, you're under arrest. So please, for safety's sake, find a designated driver or take a taxi if you are under the influence."

This year's holiday drunk driving crackdown includes $7 million in national television and radio advertising and runs from Dec. 15 to Jan. 3.

Continue reading " Mandatory BAC testing could reduce risk of drunk driving car accidents in Chicago " »

Illinois accident attorneys at Abels and Annes have signed on to represent a teenage student that was recently injured in Chicago area bus crash. The collision occurred at the intersection of Oakwood and 197th Street in Lynwood Illinois on December 9, 2010 at around 6:45 PM.

Our client was riding in a school bus that was moving northbound on Oakwood. At that time the driver of a southbound Ford Escape sideswiped the driver side of the school bus. The Lynwood Police Department handled the accident investigation and witnesses confirmed the above version of events.

Shortly after the accident, our client started experiencing severe neck, head and back pain. She was seen at the Ingalls Memorial Hospital emergency room the same day. Over the next week her pain did not resolve and the teenager is now undergoing further medical care with an orthopedic physician in the Chicago area.

If your child is been injured in an Illinois school bus crash, contact the Chicago personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes for a free case evaluation. Call 312-924-7575 to speak directly to an attorney.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys remind motorists of the state's website, www.gettingaroundillinois.com, which has long been a favorite of travelers, truckers and weather forecasters and has been redesigned just in time for the winter driving season.

The site provides information on weather, road condition, road construction, travel delays, preferred trucking routes and average daily volume of traffic. As we have reported here before in preparation for winter driving season, proper planning, especially during the busy upcoming holiday travel season, can reduce your risk of being involved in a serious or fatal Chicago car accident.

“The relaunched Getting Around Illinois site makes it easier than ever for the public to tap into a wealth of travel information compiled by IDOT staff," said Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig.

Authorities will be out in force through the holidays in an effort to reduce the number of fatal crashes. After several years of declines, the number of people killed in accidents on Illinois roads could increase this year, according to state statistics. There were two fewer fatalities through Dec. 14 of this year. So far this year, 877 motorists have been killed in fatal accidents on Illinois roads, compared to 879 during the same period last year.

The site's interactive map of Illinois permits users to map their trips and include stops at points of interest throughout the state. It also includes the locations of gas stations, restaurants, hotels, museums, schools and government offices. Forecasts and road conditions are updated every 10 minutes and the site has averaged 50,000 hits a month since its debut five years ago. Among the improvements in the redesign is enhanced information for the commercial trucking industry, including weight restrictions on local roads and bridges. IDOT hopes the new information will reduce the number of heavy or illegal trucks on area roads while lowering the risk of serious and fatal tractor-trailer accidents in Illinois.

Continue reading " Illinois traffic website provides weather and construction information to reduce risk of Chicago car accidents " »

A Michigan man, age 30, died early Sunday morning in a Illinois hit-and-run accident, according to WGN news. The deadly collision occurred in west suburban Aurora around 4:30 AM.

Aurora police received a 911 call about a hit-and-run accident and proceeded to Butterfield Road just W. of Eola Rd. Police investigated and learned that a pedestrian was walking eastbound with another person on Butterfield Road when he was struck from behind by a motor vehicle heading east on that same street. The driver stopped briefly, but then fled the scene before the police and fire department arrived.

The vehicle is being described as a dark-colored sedan and was last seen traveling eastbound on Butterfield. The driver is a Caucasian male, approximately 5 foot 9 inches, 165 pounds, dark hair, and in his early to mid 20s. He has multiple tattoos on his arms and neck, and a pierced right ear.

Before the accident, the two pedestrians were walking back to their car after running out of gas. The victim was rushed by ambulance to Provena Mercy Hospital where he was pronounced dead less than an hour later.

Anyone with information regarding the accident should immediately call the Aurora Police Department at 630-256-5330, or call Aurora area crime stoppers at 630-892-1000. The call to crimestoppers is anonymous and callers can qualify for a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

This was the second fatal Illinois pedestrian hit-and-run accident that occurred on early Sunday morning. As our Chicago pedestrian accident attorneys reported yesterday, a woman who was walking home from a store in downstate East St. Louis was struck and killed. The driver fled the scene and is currently being sought by police.

As our Illinois auto accident attorneys previously reported, a teenager from the southwest side was killed in a collision with an Evergreen Park police vehicle back on October 5, 2010. Now the Chicago accident attorney representing the victim's family has responded publicly to a sheriff's report and a toxicology report obtained by the Southtown Star.

In a article published on Friday, the Southtown reported that the teenager killed in the accident had trace amounts of THC (the main ingredient in marijuana) in his system and that a Sheriff's reconstruction report found the teenage driver had failed to yield to an unmarked police car, causing the police car to strike the driver side of the teenager's vehicle.

The plaintiff's personal injury attorney points out in the article that the Sheriff's report was not critical at all of the officer's conduct when the police vehicle was traveling 90 mph just 2.2 seconds before the crash. The police car was only able to reduce its speed down to 59 mph before impact. Further, the attorney states that the Sheriff's report makes no mention of emergency lights or sirens because the police officer did not have them activated at the time of the accident.

The police vehicle was traveling 90 mph at the intersection of 95th St. and Central Park Avenue to pull over a vehicle for speeding.

The Cook County Sheriff's Department also released a toxicology report stating that there was enough THC in the teen driver's system "to have him be considered impaired" at the time of the collision. The report was prepared by a doctor from the St. Louis University Toxicology Laboratory.

Attorney Paul Salzetti is representing the family of the victim in the wrongful death lawsuit. The case was filed on October 15, 2010 in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Law Division, case number 2010-L-011830. The law firm of Querry and Harrow is representing the defendant police officer and the Village of Evergreen Park.

A Chicago area school bus crash has resulted in injuries to two students, according to the Lagrange Patch. The Illinois bus accident took place Friday morning just before 8 AM in Western Springs.

The school bus was rear-ended by a Chevy van after the bus stalled at the intersection of Howard Avenue and 40th St. The vehicle was from Lyons Township and was transporting 24 students from LTHS North Campus to the Technology Center of DuPage. Two students were injured and sent to an area hospital.

The injured children sustained back injuries in the accident and were taken by ambulance to Adventist Lagrange Memorial Hospital. They were released later the same day. None of the other students were reportedly injured.

The driver of the van that caused the accident was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. The Western Springs Police Department handled the crash investigation.

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

The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced new rear-window visibility rules aimed at reducing the risk of pedestrian accidents in Chicago and elsewhere, particularly those involving young children or the elderly.

Our Chicago injury lawyers frequently report on the dangers of pedestrian accidents in the city. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports more than 4,300 people died in pedestrian accidents in 2008 and 69,000 were injured.

Illinois pedestrian accidents claimed 135 lives -- 52 of those in Chicago. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports another 3,379 people were injured in Chicago pedestrian accidents in 2008.

"There is no more tragic accident than for a parent or caregiver to back out of a garage or driveway and kill or injure an undetected child playing behind the vehicle," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "The changes we are proposing today will help drivers see into those blind zones directly behind vehicles to make sure it is safe to back up."

In 2008, a total of 270 children under the age of 14 died in pedestrian accidents, accounting for about 1 in 5 fatalities for the age group. Pedestrian accidents claimed more than 800 people over the age of 65.

The new government regulations would expand the field of vision for all passenger cars, pickups, minivans and buses. Manufacturers would likely achieve compliance by installing backup cameras and in-car monitors in all new vehicles by 2014.

"The steps we are taking today will help reduce back-over fatalities and injuries not only to children, but to the elderly, and other pedestrians," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. "And while these changes will make a difference, drivers must remember that no technology can, or should, replace full attention and vigilance when backing up. Always know where your children are before you start your car and make sure you check that there is no one behind you before you back up."

The government estimates nearly 300 deaths and 18,000 injuries occur each year as a result of backover accidents. About half of those crashes involve children under the age of 5, while one-third involve an elderly adult over the age of 70.

Continue reading " New government rules could reduce risk of Chicago pedestrian accidents involving children, the elderly " »

Our Chicago car accident attorneys encourage revelers to make arrangements to get home safe this holiday season. If you are going to be drinking, don't drive. And make sure friends and loved ones also have made arrangements for safe transport home.

Companies and safety organizations are offering professional designated drivers this holiday season in an effort to reduce the risks of Chicago car accidents caused by drunk drivers.

The Chicago Tribune reports the "Fans don't let fans drive drunk" campaign at Soldier Field and a company called 'Be My Designated Driver" are two such efforts. That company charged $45 plus tip to take a customer and several friends home from a Lincolnshire party recently.

Parents should take special care to speak to their teenagers and young drivers about the importance of making good driving decisions this holiday season and not drinking and driving.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports more than 11,000 deaths resulted from drunk driving accidents last year -- or one death every 45 minutes. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports there have been a total of 373 alcohol-related traffic crashes in the state so far in 2010.

The SouthTown Star recently reported that the night before Thanksgiving -- Black Wednesday -- is the busiest night of the year and kicks off the holiday season. Increased patrols, sobriety checkpoints and other efforts by law enforcement will be aimed at reducing the risks associated with Chicago drunk driving accidents and serious and fatal car accidents elsewhere in Illinois.

We encourage you to celebrate responsibly to help ensure the safety of you and your family, as well as other motorists on the road.

Continue reading " Designated drivers can help reduce risks of Chicago car accidents caused by drunk driving " »

After being involved in a fatal Chicago area auto accident, an Illinois woman has disappeared after walking away from an accident that killed her husband, according to ABC news. An extensive police search is underway.

The 40-year-old woman, who was believed to be a passenger at the time of the accident, has been missing since Sunday morning. LaSalle County Sheriff's deputies found a car that is been an accident on a rural road with the woman's husband in the driver's seat.

Police found evidence that the woman was able to exit the vehicle and go up to the roadway, but from their deputies have no idea what happened. Footprints were seen going away from the car and one of the woman's shoes was located at the scene.

The search for the woman went on for third day today. Around 50 people are helping with the rescue effort.

The missing Chicago woman, who is a mother of four, had been at a company party on Saturday night with her husband.

Anyone with information regarding the accident should immediately call the LaSalle County Sheriff's Department at 815-433-2161.

Click here to read the story as reported by CNN and WGN news.

An 89-year-old woman from Palos Park was killed on Friday in an Illinois pedestrian accident, according to WLS-AM 890. She was struck by her neighbor's minivan.

The Chicago area car vs. pedestrian accident occurred in the area of Southwest Highway and Route 83. The elderly woman was taken by ambulance to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn were she was pronounced dead a short time later.

The accident occurred as the victim was going to her mailbox at her housing complex. At that time she was struck by an 80-year-old neighbor who was driving a Dodge Caravan. The elderly driver, who lives in the same housing complex, did not see the pedestrian walking. Both the driver and the pedestrian reside at Edelweiss on the Lake.

The pedestrian was reportedly found underneath the minivan. The results of an autopsy on Saturday showed the victim died of multiple injuries sustained in the collision . Her death is been ruled an accident. The Palos Park Police Department is handling the crash investigation.

Our Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers would like to remind you that as winter weather arrives in Northern Illinois, drivers have to be very diligent in keeping a lookout for pedestrians and bicyclists. It is dark out for the evening rush-hour, and when you add bad winter weather to the equation it can create dangerous conditions.

According to IDOT, in 2009 111 pedestrians were killed and over 5,000 were injured in the state of Illinois. Nearly 21% of those pedestrians killed were age 65 or older.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is rolling out a video series "The Faces of Distracted Driving," just in time for the holidays as authorities hope to reduce the number of distracted driving car accidents in Chicago and nationwide.

Our Chicago injury attorneys urge you to share these messages with family and friends, particularly with young drivers as we head into the holiday season. Accidents are frequently caused by many types of distracted driving behaviors, including cell phone use, text messaging, eating, distractions caused by other passengers or pets in the vehicle and distractions caused by activity outside the vehicle, such as a previous accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 5,474 people were killed and 448,000 were injured in accidents caused by distracted driving last year.

"Statistics never tell the whole story -- behind these numbers are children, parents, neighbors and friends. They are families torn apart by senseless preventable tragedy," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "They will all tell you the same thing -- no message or call is worth the risk."

Only speeding and drunk driving are blamed for more deaths.

"These numbers show that distracted driving remains an epidemic in America," La Hood said.

The first videos in the series include:

-A 13-year-old girl who was riding home from school when her school bus was struck by a semi. She died when rescuers were unable to get her out of the burning wreckage. The bus was stopped at a bus stop when it was hit by the truck, which was traveling at 70 mph. The driver was talking on his cell phone.

-A 58-year-old woman was walking with a friend when she was struck by a 19-year-old who was driving 70 mph. There was no attempt to brake. The at-fault driver was cited for inattentive driving and fined $173.

-A 16-year-old teen was killed when she lost control of her car and drove across the center line, striking a pickup truck head on. Her father had warned her about the dangers of distracted driving but she was texting at the time of the crash.

Continue reading " Video series aims to drive home risk of Chicago car accidents caused by distracted driving " »

The number of drivers who tested positive for drugs in the aftermath of a fatal crash has increased in the last five years, according to a new study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Like drunk driving accidents, drug involvement frequently leads to impairment which can contribute to serious and fatal car accidents in Chicago and the surrounding area.

Serious and fatal accidents involving the allegations of drug use require an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer. Some drugs remain in a driver's system long after their ability to impair driving ability. For instance, marijuana remains in a person's system for about a month. As the government points out, the presence of drugs in a driver's system does not mean that he or she was impaired at the time of the crash.

But a first-of-its-kind analysis came to a startling conclusion: About 1 in 6 drivers involved in fatal accidents tested positive for drugs. Of the 21,798 drivers killed in crashes last year, 63 percent were tested for drugs. Eighteen percent of those tested had drugs in their system.

Drug use among fatally injured drivers has also increased in state reports, from 13 percent in 2005 to 18 percent in 2008.

The study includes tests for narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens and other types of mood-altering substances. Drugs included illegal narcotics, prescribed medications and over-the-counter drugs.

Authorities are urging drivers to take the side effects of medication seriously and to take responsibility for avoiding the dangers of driving impaired even when prescription or over-the-counter medications are responsible.

"Every driver on the road has a personal responsibility to operate his or her vehicle with full and uncompromised attention on the driving task," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. "Today’s report provides a warning signal that too many Americans are driving after having taken drugs, not realizing the potential for putting themselves and others on the highway at risk."

As part of the battle, the federal government's Drug Evaluation and Classification program has trained 1,000 instructors and 6,000 police officers in 46 states to recognize symptoms of impairment by drugs other than alcohol.

"If you are taking any drugs that might impair your ability to drive safely, then you need to put common sense and caution to the forefront, and give your keys to someone else," Strickland said. "It doesn’t matter if its drugs or alcohol, if you’re impaired, don’t drive."

Continue reading " Drug impairment frequent cause of Chicago car accidents " »

Church sex abuse lawyers in Delaware have obtained a $30 million verdict for a victim after a jury found that St. Elizabeth Roman Catholic parish was grossly negligent in failing to properly supervise former priest Francis Deluca, according to delawareonline.com. The victim, when a teenager in the 1960s, was repeatedly abused by the priest.

The parish is responsible for 3 million of the $30 million in damages awarded to the plaintiff, but they could owe more money soon. The jury has not yet ruled on potential punitive damages in case. The presiding judge has ordered the jury to return to court next week to hear further testimony before determining a possible punitive damage award. Often punitive damages are worth much more than the initial compensatory verdict.

On the witness stand, the 58-year-old victim reportedly told the jury in this case was not about money and just wanted to get the truth out and to be compensated for losing his childhood.

Note: Illinois sex abuse lawyers at our firm currently have several cases pending against the Chicago Archdiocese, one of which is expected to go to trial in 2011.

Click here to read the story as reported by the New York Times.

A Chicago church sexual abuse attorney has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a woman against the Chicago Archdiocese stemming from an alleged intimate relationship that involved a priest in 2008, according to WGN news. The plaintiff is claiming that the priest was her hospice grief counselor when her mother was dying and that he seduced her during a vulnerable period of time in her life.

The woman, who was married at the time, states that the affair began shortly after her terminally ill mother was admitted to the Rainbow Hospice in November of 2008. The sexual relationship continued for several months after the death of the woman's mother.

The lawsuit was filed recently in the Circuit Court of Cook County and alleges that the priest manipulated and sexually exploited her during a very vulnerable time in her life. The plaintiff is not directly named in the lawsuit (as her attorneys are likely protecting her confidentiality. When our law firm files a sex abuse lawsuit, we name the plaintiff as John Doe or Jane Doe).

It is further alleged that the plaintiff's husband notified the archdiocese of the relationship in December, 2008, and church officials took no action. A spokesperson for the archdiocese has confirmed the priest's employment but declined further comment. Rainbow Hospice of Chicago also confirmed that the priest was employed there and that the hospice discharged him after the sexual allegations were made.

The Illinois sex abuse lawyer that filed the suit was not named in the news story.