Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Illinois premises liability attorneys from Abels & Annes, working with co-counsel, have filed a negligence lawsuit in the Circuit Court of DuPage County. The claim arises out of an incident that occurred back in June, 2009 in Winfield, Illinois.

Our client was walking from a parking lot to a professional building within a freshly painted crosswalk on privately owned property. There she stepped into a large hole in the crosswalk, causing her to fall and injure herself. The hole was difficult for the plaintiff to see, as it had been painted white as part of one of the lines of the crosswalk.

The property owners had knowledge of the dangers condition, as they had recently pain in the crosswalk, and in doing so actually painted the hole itself. They failed to correct the dangerous condition and further failed to place any notices or provide any warnings of the dangerous condition.

The defendant owned, operated, managed, maintained and controlled the premises and was further responsible for providing a safe environment and a safe means of ingress and egress to and from their facilities.

After the plaintiff fell, she had an immediate onset of pain to her left ankle, right leg, right hand and right shoulder. She was treated shortly after the fall at Central DuPage Hospital's emergency room.

Upon arrival at the Emergency Department a history was taken, our client was examined and diagnostic tests were performed. She complained of right shoulder and elbow pain, right shin pain and left ankle pain. She was initially diagnosed with a sprain/strain of the right shoulder, sprain/strain of the right elbow, contusion to the right shin and a sprain/strain of the left lateral malleolus. She was prescribed pain medication, an aircast was applied, she was given crutches to assist mobility and was instructed to seek follow up treatment after discharge.

Over the next day or so the client's pain worsened. She sought follow up treatment on June 25, 2009 with her primary care physician. She reported a popping in her right knee and pain in both shoulders. The doctor prescribed medication and a course of physical therapy.

After completing her physical therapy the plaintiff followed up with her physician on October 12, 2009. At this time she continued to have severe low back pain that radiated down her lateral thigh to her knee that was affecting her activities of daily living. Do to her ongoing symptoms the doctor ordered a lumber MRI.

Our client underwent a lumber MRI on November 6, 2009. The MRI revealed a disc protrusion at L4-5; and a disk protrusion at L5-S1 compressing on the nerve root. She saw her physician for follow up after the MRI on November 12, 2009. He prescribed another course of physical therapy but noted that if her symptoms persist she will need epidural injections and ultimately a spinal fusion.

Following her second course of physical therapy she returned to her doctor with continuing complaints of low back pain radiating into both of her legs down to her knees. Due to her ongoing symptoms the physician prescribed a course of lumbar epidural injections. A different physician performed lumbar epidural spinal injections on her on February 19, 2010, July 7, 2010 and August 11, 2010.

Following the course of epidural injections our client returned to her doctor on October 14, 2010. Despite the interventional treatment she continued to suffer from constant low back pain radiating into her right leg. Based upon her ongoing pain the doctor recommended surgical intervention, a spinal fusion at L5-S1.

The plaintiff wants to avoid surgery if at all possible. However, due to the chronic and permanent nature of her injury her physician believes that she will eventually undergo spinal fusion surgery. Even with surgery she may continue to suffer from permanent pain and disability.

As a result of the accident, our client sustained over $23,000 in medical bills, plus it is estimated that her future cost of surgery will be in the area of $45,000.

Due to the defendant's unwillingness to make a fair and reasonable settlement offer, a lawsuit was filed to maximize the plaintiff's financial recovery.

If you have been injured in a trip & fall or a slip & fall accident due to a property owner's negligence, contact the premises liability attorneys at Abels & Annes for a free consultation. Call 312-399-8988 to speak directly to a lawyer now.

A new 2011 pedestrian safety report was recently released with updated figures. The statistics aren't pretty. The Transportation for America report stated that there were nearly 47,000 pedestrians killed, and another 668,000 pedestrians injured on our nation's streets from 2000 to 2009. A new plan, Dangerous by Design 2011, looks at way to solve this deadly epidemic of pedestrian accidents in Chicago and elsewhere in the United States.

This newly released data includes a detailed report and a fact sheet with references to all 50 states. The website provides a detailed and interactive pedestrian map illustrating accidents on your city's streets and allows you to see just how unsafe your area may be.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers understand just how dangerous it can be to travel our local roads by foot or bicycle. We've repeatedly asked that motorists practice caution and common sense behind the wheel. While maps, statistics and safer street construction may help to compliment safer pedestrian travel, it is ultimately up to us as travelers to be cautious and considerate of others on our roadways.

According to this new interactive map, a majority of these pedestrian fatalities happen along “arterial” roadways that are dangerous by city design, nationally speaking. These streets have been engineered solely for speedy traffic with virtually no provision for pedestrians, those in wheelchairs or travelers on bicycles.

Ironically, a lump of our federal tax dollars are meant to be distributed to promote pedestrian safety on our streets. Yet, Congress is currently considering eliminating all funding for these types of projects. Not that they would be eliminating much. Currently. less than 2 percent of federal funds for these types of projects are being used to preserve the safety of pedestrians.

Nearly 70 percent of U.S. roadways are aided by federal funds, and highway-only lobby continue to insist that increasing safety measures on these roads is a local government responsibility. Federal programs just continue to encourage state departments of transportation to keep their focus on speedy traffic roads instead on pedestrians.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were more than 4,000 pedestrian fatalities from traffic accident involvement in 2009 in the United States. Another 59,000 pedestrians suffered injuries from these accidents. This equals an average of a pedestrian killed every nine minutes and one being killed every two hours.

Illinois saw nearly 2,000 pedestiian fatalities between 2000 and 2009. These fatalities cost the state more than $7 million. The rate of pedestrian fatalities in the state ranks 27th our of all 50 states, according to the Dangerous by Design 2011 fact sheet.

The Chicago, Naperville and Joliet areas saw nearly 1,500 pedestrian deaths in this time period and the Champaign-Urbana areas saw nearly 30. These two areas made up more than 20 percent of all of the pedestrian fatalities in the state.

Continue reading " New Report Outlines Risks of Pedestrian Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere " »

An information technology worker used to be employed at Lockport Township High School District 205 was arrested on Thursday morning for his alleged sexual abuse of a student in 2009, according to the Chicago Tribune. The defendant, a 39-year-old Darien resident, was charged yesterday with aggravated criminal sexual abuse. He has since been released on bail.

The charge is a class 2 felony that carries a 3 to 7 year prison sentence if convicted. A spokesperson for the Lockport Police Department is stating the alleged victim was a 17 year old minor at the time of abuse and is a Lockport resident.

The charges reportedly alleged that defendant abused his position of trust, authority or supervision with a minor in April, 2009 while he was employed as a senior network administrator for the school district. Police only learned of the alleged sexual abuse earlier this month after the victim told the family friend about what happened.

It has not been reported if an Illinois sex abuse attorney is involved in the case or if a civil lawsuit has been filed. Why the defendant is no longer employed with the school district was also not reported.

Read the story as reported by the Chicago Breaking News Center here.

An Illinois pedestrian accident attorney at Abels & Annes has reached a settlement on behalf of a South Side woman that was struck by a distracted driver reading a text message. The accident happened back in April, 2009 in a 6300 block of S. Pulaski Road.

Our client had just exited a CVS pharmacy with her husband when the defendant drove up onto the sidewalk and hit her. The driver later admitted to Chicago police officers that as he was driving out of the CVS parking lot he received a text message from his wife. He took his eyes off the road to read the text, loss control, and drove onto the sidewalk, striking the pedestrian.

After police spoke to all parties involved, they ticketed the defendant for failing to use due care for pedestrians and improper cell phone use. The driver later pleaded guilty in traffic court.

After the collision, the plaintiff was taken by ambulance to Advocate Christ Medical Center. She sustained injuries to her neck and left leg in the accident.

Over the coming weeks her condition did not improve and she sought additional treatment at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, Illinois. There, she underwent physical therapy for period of time.

Pedestrian accident lawyers at our office previously collected the defendant's auto insurance policy limits of $20,000. We believed her claim was worth more than said amount, so we pursued an underinsured motorist claim against the plaintiff's own insurance carrier. Our office was able to collect an additional $9000 on the underinsured claim.

The defendant was insured with Safe Auto and our client had State Farm.

Contact a personal injury lawyer at Abels & Annes for a free consultation if you've been hurt in an Illinois accident. Call 312-399-8988 speak directly to a lawyer now.

A Chicago area auto accident has reportedly been caused by a motorist who was texting while simultaneously driving under the influence of drugs, according to the Orland Park Patch.

Illinois car accident lawyers from our office recently reported that research shows the use of a handheld cell phone while driving can delay the reaction time of a motorist to the equivalent of a drunk driver. So it would be fair to say that the combination of driving under the influence and texting would be considered especially dangerous.

Last week Orland Park police responded to report of a reckless driver in the area of 151st Street and 94th Ave. By the time police arrived at the location a crash had already occurred.

The defendant, a 19-year-old Orland Park resident, had allegedly ran a red light and hit a van in the intersection. A passenger in the defendant's vehicle told investigating officers that when she failed to stop at the light she was texting.

The at fault driver then informed rescue personnel that she had taken methadone and Oxycontin before the accident.

Police charged the driver with DUI drugs and released her on a recognizance bond. She is due to appear at the Bridgeview courthouse in June.

After the accident the motorist was taken by ambulance to Silver Cross Hospital for medical attention. It was not reported if anyone else involved in the crash was injured.

Illinois motorcycle crash lawyer Gary Annes has reached a settlement on behalf of the client injured in a collision. This claim arises out of a cycle vs. automobile accident which took place at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Paulina Street in Chicago, Illinois, in August, 2010.

The plaintiff was hurt when the motorcycle he was riding was T-boned by a vehicle being driven by the defendant. Our client was northbound on Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago, approaching its intersection with Pauline Street.

The traffic light at the intersection showed a green light for north and southbound traffic on Milwaukee. As the plaintiff went to the intersection, the defendant turned left into his motorcycle, failing to yield the right-of-way. The front of the defendant's vehicle struck the motorcycle and our client's left leg. After getting hit, the motorcyclist was knocked off his bike, and he slid around 20 feet after landing on the pavement.

The Chicago Police Department responded to the scene of the accident. After speaking to both parties involved in the collision, the investigating officer placed the defendant at fault for the collision. The officer issued a traffic citation to the driver of the car for failure to yield when making a left turn, which he was found guilty of at trial in traffic court.

After the collision, our client has an immediate onset of left leg pain, left hip pain and pain in both shoulders. An ambulance was called to the scene. Paramedics noted multiple left leg abrasions in severe road rash on both arms. He was taken by ambulance to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Over the next few days the plaintiff's pain increased significantly. A week after the accident he returned to Northwestern for additional treatment. He was instructed to continue on pain medication and seek follow up treatment with a medical doctor.

A few days later our client started treatment with an orthopedic physician in Chicago. There he began a course of physical therapy and chiropractic treatment in September, 2010. His treatment consisted of chiropractic manipulative therapy, myofascial release, interferential therapy, traction, heat/cold therapy, neuromuscular re-education, and therapeutic exercise to increase range of motion and decrease pain. He attended eleven (11) sessions of physical therapy and chiropractic treatment, which ended on November, 2010.

The case resolved for the defendant's auto insurance policy limits of $20,000. Further, our office was able to recover an additional $5,000 for the plaintiff by making an under-insured motorist claim against our client's own auto insurance policy.

If you've been hurt in a Chicago area motorcycle accident, contact the Illinois injury attorneys at Abels & Annes for a free consultation. Call 312-924-7575 to speak directly to a lawyer now.

An Illinois pedestrian accident on Saturday in the Gold Coast neighborhood has resulted in several pedestrians getting hurt, including a toddler and some models in a wedding photo shoot, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The crash occurred when a city worker lost control of a truck.

The child, age 2, only suffered none-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Children’s Memorial Hospital. Six other pedestrians were hit, and unfortunately 2 were critically injured. One of the critically injured was the toddler's caretaker. She was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

The incident took place around 12:20 p.m. at the three-way intersection of Cedar, Rush and State Streets. An employee of the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation was driving a city owned white Ford F150 pickup truck when he lost control and drove onto the sidewalk, hitting the pedestrians on the southeast corner.

It is not known what caused the driver to lose control, but he was on duty at the time of the accident. He was emptying trash baskets and picking up liter in the area.

Some of the injured were taken to Northwestern, and others were taken to Illinois Masonic.

It has not been said if a Chicago injury lawyer is involved in the case yet.

Click here to read the story on Fox News.

STORY UPDATE: 5/23/11 - It is now being reported by the Chicago breaking news center that the city driver has been charged with DUI and other offenses. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

A Chicago area car vs. truck crash has resulted in the death of a 60-year-old Park Forest woman, according to the Southtown Star. One other person was also injured in the collision that occurred Wednesday afternoon on Interstate 80.

The accident involved two semi trucks and a passenger vehicle, and occurred just after 2:15 PM on the interstate's westbound lanes in the area of Interstate 355. The car was struck from behind by one of the trucks, causing the vehicle to spin into another lane where a second truck slammed into it.

The injured driver was taken by ambulance to Silver Cross Hospital. The name of the victim fatally injured has not been released.

The Illinois state police are handling the crash investigation. Westbound traffic on the interstate was shut down for around three hours due to the crash.

Click here to read the story as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.

It has not been reported if an Illinois injury attorney is involved in the case or if a civil lawsuit has been filed.

A November 18, 2010 Chicago area work accident has resulted in a chemical production company getting hit with $63,000 in fines, according to NWI.com. This is due to the US Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration citing the business with one safety violation and five health violations. The company at issue is located in suburban Chicago Heights.

One health violation is being considered willful for not making sure that a confined space was safe to enter. A willful violation is defined as being done intentionally, knowingly or with voluntary disregard to the law, or with indifference to the safety and health of employees.

A government investigation took place after an employee sustained second and third-degree burns at the plant. A spokesman for the Department of Labor said that the company now has two weeks to respond to the alleged violations.

It was not reported if a Chicago work injury attorney is representing the injured employee or if a claim has been filed with the Illinois Industrial Commission.

Illinois personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes have entered into an agreement to represent 2 Chicago area women were hurt in a La Porte, Indiana auto accident. The traffic collision occurred in May, 2011 on US Highway 35.

The women were traveling in a Northwest direction on US 35 in a 2000 Toyota Camry. At that time the defendant, who was driving at 2007 Yukon in a Southeast direction on Highway 35, turned left into our clients' vehicle, failing to yield to oncoming traffic.

The La Porte County Sheriff's Department investigated the collision. After interviewing the parties involved in a witness, the deputy found the defendant to be at fault.

After the accident, both plaintiffs were taken by ambulance to La Porte Regional Hospital. One woman sustained back injuries in the accident, and the other chest, shoulder and back injuries.

Since the date of the crash, neither woman's condition has improved. One client is treating with a physician in the southern suburbs of Chicago, and the other is under the care of an orthopedic doctor in Chicago.

If you have been injured in a car crash, the Illinois injury lawyers at Abels & Annes are ready to help. Call us at 312-924-7575 or contact us online for a free consultation.

Illinois auto accident attorneys at Abels & Annes signed on to represent a Wheaton woman that was injured in a collision in December, 2010. The incident occurred in the southbound lanes of Interstate 355 in Itasca, Illinois just north of Lake Street.

The crash took place when the driver of a Toyota pickup truck became distracted by a vehicle changing lanes in front of him, did not notice traffic slowing down, and rear-ended a Pontiac Grand Am in front of him. This caused a multiple vehicle accident involving 5 cars in total. The Toyota turned sideways in the collison and struck our client's Chevy Malibu.

Illinois State Police and Addison Rescue responded to the scene of the accident. After interviewing the parties involved, the investigating trooper issued the Toyota pickup driver a ticket for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Immediately after the accident the plaintiff started experiencing neck and back pain, right elbow pain, and thumb pain. The Addison ambulance transported our client to the Glen Oaks Hospital emergency room. There she was examined by ER physicians and x-rays were taken. She sustained a fractured thumb in the collision, along with back and neck injuries.

In the months after the accident, she continued to experience back and neck pain. She underwent follow-up treatment at a Central DuPage Urgent Care Clinic and also saw her primary physician.

The plaintiff has sought help from our office to pursue a negligence claim against the at fault driver.

If you have been injured in the DuPage County auto accident, contact the Illinois personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes for a free, no obligation consultation. There is no attorney's fee unless a recovery is made. Call 312-924-7575 to speak to an attorney now.

An Illinois bus crash in north suburban Evanston resulted in the hospitalization of 20 students and one adult on Tuesday morning, Tribune Local is reporting. One school bus rear-ended another after one of the bus drivers was momentarily distracted.

The students were from Rowe elementary school and were on a field trip at Northwestern University. The collision took place around 11:15 AM as the 2 school buses were heading northbound on Chicago Ave. near Davis Street. There were a total of 50 students on the two buses.

Evanston police are stating that the at fault bus driver may have been looking in his side view mirror at the time of the accident.

The injured students were taken to Evanston Hospital, Rush and St. Francis Hospital. Ambulances from several communities, including Winnetka and WIlmette assisted. None of the injuries were reportedly life threatening. One child had neck & back injuires while another had chest pain.

The uninjured students continued on with the field trip.

Read the story as reported by ABC News and ABC News here.

There will be a "Ride of Silence" on Wednesday in memory of those killed in bicycle accidents in Chicago and elsewhere as riders and safety advocates continue to push safety and awareness at the start of the summer riding season, Trib Local reported.

Residents in Oak Park and River Forest will be among the riders participating in the national Ride of Silence Event. The event began in Dallas in 2003 after a rider was hit by a school bus. This will be the first event in Oak Park or River Forest.

The Oak Park Cyclist Club became interested in the event amid the continued clash between cyclists and drivers. As our Chicago bicycle accident attorneys have reported, dooring, lack of respect, lane crowding and failure to yield at intersections are just a few of the dangers riders are facing.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 20 riders were killed in Illinois bicycle accidents in 2009. The Illinois Department of Transportation reported cycling accidents in Chicago killed 5 riders and injured thousands of others.

In Chicago, ghost bikes -- bikes painted white and chained to a post near a fatal accident -- are becoming more common. The ride, which will be conducted in silence, is another way advocates hope to raise awareness.

Oak Park in particular has a heavy cycling presence, with officials working to increase the number of bike lanes. Riders will meet at 7 p.m. at Lake Street and Oak Park Avenue and will ride a yet-to-be-determined route.

In all, nine Ride of Silence events are planned in the Chicago area, including Evanston, Downers, Grove, Joliet and Arlington Heights.

Continue reading " "Ride of Silence aims to Raise Awareness of Bicycle Accidents in Oak Park, River Forest, Chicago Suburbs " »

Chicago car crash lawyers at Abels & Annes have signed on to represent a South Side woman that was injured in a March, 2011 traffic collision. The accident occurred in the 1800 block of 71st Street around 7:30 AM.

The plaintiff was driving her 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee on 71st in the left eastbound lane. The defendant, who was also driving eastbound on 71st, was in the far right lane. At that time the defendant, who was driving a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am, attempted an illegal left turn from the far right lane, striking our client's vehicle.

The plaintiff's car was knocked off the road, sideswiping a pole, and then came to a rest on some railroad tracks next to the street.

The accident was witnessed by Chicago police officers. They then prepared police report and issued the defendant a citation for an improper left turn.

Shortly after the collision our client started experiencing headaches, and neck and back pain. She was seen after the accident at St. Bernard Hospital.

Over the days following the accident, the plaintiffs pain did not resolve. She has since started medical treatment with her primary physician.

If you have been injured in an Illinois car accident, contact the Chicago personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes for free case evaluation. Call 312-924-7575 to speak directly to a lawyer now.

Illinois is currently experiencing flooding in various regions and that water is posing serious danger to many residents. The Illinois Department of Transportation continues to offer logistical support and assistance by delivering thousands of sandbags and other supplies to affected regions. They've also made heavy equipment and trucks available for even more support. The agency is supporting road closures and various traffic control alterations in the flood-impacted areas to help reduce the risks of preventable Illinois car accidents during this wicked weather.

Our Illinois personal injury lawyers urge residents to be careful and cautious through spring as officials are doing all that they can to ensure that everyone makes a safe and quick recovery from the flooding.

Much of the flooding is in the southern part of the state.

Officials report that it's the worst case of flooding they've seen in about 80 years. Gov. Pat Quinn is aggressively seeking federal aid for flooded areas of the state. More than 10 Illinois counties have been hit by high water and are currently seeking outside aide. More than 450 Illinois National Guard troops, 1,000 state responders and numerous volunteers all offered critical assistance in an effort to help contain the water. Last time the Governor deployed the National Guard to Chicago for a natural disaster was because of the blizzard back in February, according to WJBC.

Smart Motorists offers these tips to help motorists navigate their way through rainy season:

-It is most important to watch your speed! It takes much longer to stop in wet weather than it does in dry conditions.

-Keep towards the middle lane where water is less likely to gather.

-Avoid using your brakes when possible. Let off the accelerator to slow when possible.

-Be sure that your headlights are on so other motorists can see you.

-Be sure that the windshield wipers are adequate, properly installed and working correctly.

-Avoid off-road driving as you cannot as easily judge the depth of the water and have a better chance of getting stuck, even in an SUV.

-Avoid splashing other pedestrians or other vehicles.

-When driving through water, go slow. If you think it is deeper than the bottom of your car, take another route as water can seriously damage your vehicle. Never drive into standing water.

A complete flood checklist has been provided by the Red Cross to help residents be best prepared for any future flooding.

Getting Around Illinois offers residents and visitors with a map illustrating all road closures caused by the flooding to help you better navigate the area if needed.

Continue reading " Flood Waters in Illinois Increase Risks for a Car Accident down state and Elsewhere " »

The "Start Seeing Motorcycles" campaign was recently launched by State Police, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) in an attempt to help reduce the risks of a motorcycle accident in Chicago and elsewhere in the state.

The agencies are now urging motorists to watch for motorcyclists as the spring season signals the start of the riding season in Illinois.

Our Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers urge residents to join the cause not only in the month of May but year round. It is important to use caution when sharing our roads with motorcycles through the spring and summer months.

“Under the leadership and vision of Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois experienced an historic and record breaking two-year low in traffic fatalities in 2009 and 2010,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “IDOT continues to stress the importance of motorcycle safety and understands the need for proper attention, dedication and commitment by all motorists and motorcyclists in Illinois. Motorists share equal responsibility for motorcycle safety and are strongly encouraged to share the road and start seeing motorcycles.”

Statistics show more than half of all motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle are the fault of the other driver -- not the rider.

“The Illinois State Police is committed to the safety of all motorists, and we are proud to partner with IDOT in an effort to raise awareness and reduce motorcycle related crashes,” said Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau. “Inclement weather, road conditions, traffic congestion, and limitations of protective gear, make motorcycle riders susceptible to serious or life threatening injuries, regardless of their experience or skill level. We can all help make this summer safe and enjoyable by practicing safe driving habits and staying focused on the road.”

Yellow banners and yard signs illustrating the “Start Seeing Motorcycles” message will be displayed throughout Illinois this month in hopes of effectively informing the public about the increased number of motorcyclists expected to hit the road this spring. Motorists are asked to be on the lookout for motorcyclists and to be considerate of all motorists when behind the wheel.

IDOT and partners will also be continuing their new “Gear Up” campaign. This campaign is geared towards motorcyclists and their responsibilities as drivers. The campaign urges riders to keep their bikes in good running condition, make sure licensing and insurance are current, never ride impaired, wear protective clothing and increase their visibility.

“When you ride, be aware of your surroundings, others may not see you. Whenever there is a motor vehicle versus a motorcycle accident, most of the time the operator’s comment is, ‘I did not see the bike” said Larry Kolling, GWRRA’s Illinois District Motorist Awareness Coordinator.

During the "Gear Up" campaign, free Cycle Rider Safety Courses will be available statewide so that motorcycle riders can acquire proper safety knowledge and training.

The courses expect about 20,000 riders to participate and are coordinated through Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and University of Illinois-Campaign,

Motorist tips to help keep our motorcyclists safe:

-Be sure to look twice when entering traffic, switching lanes or passing through an intersection as motorcyclists are oftentimes overlooked.

-Because of their small size, motorcycles appear to travel faster than they actually are.

-Motorcyclists will sometimes slow down or attempt to stop by downshifting instead of using their brakes. This move does not activate their brake lights. Do not follow too closely.

-Their small size may make them seem farther away than they actually are. Assume bikes are close and pose potential threats. Be extra cautious when driving near these motorists.

-Some blinkers on motorcycles are not self-canceling like they are on other motor vehicles. Make sure that a motorcyclist's signal is real when traveling nearby.

-Bike drivers will swerve within a lane to avoid debris and the effects of winds. Don't assume they're just showing off or being reckless.

Continue reading " Governor Quinn Joins Motorcycle Safety Campaign to Help Reduce Risks of Chicago Motorcycle Accidents " »

Una abogada de herida del trabajo de Abels & Annes en Chicago ha establecido un reclamo a favor de un residente del Condado de DuPage.

El demandante fue contratado como un camionero para la compañía en los suburbios occidentales. En diciembre de 2009, levantó unas cajas pesadas y las puso en su hombro derecho para llevarlas a su camión. Después de hacer esto, comenzó a tener dolor en el hombro derecho.

Sobre pasaron las semanas el dolor se mantuvo y el conductor comenzó tratamiento con un médico. Se le ordenó una resonancia magnética que con el tiempo demostró que había sufrido un desgarro. El demandante tuvo cirugía para reparar el hombro.

El caso se arregló por un poco más de $17,300 dólares, y el trabajador recibió una suma adicional de $14,000 en pago por incapacidad mientras estaba fuera de trabajo. Aún más, el portador de seguro de compensación de trabajo está pagando por cuidado médico relacionado al accidente del trabajo.

Este caso fue manejado por Nicole Sommerfeld, abogada en nuestra oficina. El bufete de Nicole es centrado en manejar reclamos de herida de trabajo en Illinois.

Si usted fue herido en el trabajo, contacte nuestra oficina al 312-924-7575 para una consulta gratís. No hay que pagar a menos que gane.

Every May, teens across the country join together for National Youth Traffic Safety Month to focus on traffic related accidents among their age group; accidents continue to be one of the leading causes of death for the youngsters, according to the National Organization for Youth Safety (NOYS).

National Youth Traffic Safety Month aims to reach out to young drivers to help them make safer decisions behind the wheel, which in turn can reduce the risks of car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere across the United States.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers urge friends and family to join the campaign to help raise awareness among teen drivers and to help educate them with the proper habits for safe driving. The spring prom and graduation season is the most dangerous time of year for young drivers.

National Youth Traffic Safety Month offers traffic safety education projects for young drivers and supports legislation and law enforcement activities aimed at promoting safe driving among teens.

National Youth Traffic Safety Month offers these ideas to help you get involved in raising awareness this month:

-Encourage everyone you know to get involved. Try speaking with local law enforcement, auto sales establishments, stores that teens frequently shop, schools, radio stations and all local media. Encourage these places to help spread the word locally about the importance of safe teen drivers.

-See if you can suggest gubernatorial and mayoral proclamations proclaiming National Youth Traffic Safety Month. Steps to request a proclamation can be found on the NORS website.

-Pick a specific issue that can positively impact your community. It could be suggesting stronger enforcement of current laws, buckle up reminders or even visual projects to show the impact of distracted driving or other safety issue. Take an idea that is specific to your area and create something that will fit the need of your community. Try working with local officials to spread the word and effect change.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, of the more than 208 million licensed drivers in the United States in 2008, teen drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 counted for more than 6 percent, or 13.3 million drivers.

Nearly 2,500 teen drivers were killed and roughly 196,000 were injured because of car accidents in 2009. The statistics show a decrease of roughly 15 percent from the previous year. Nearly 150 teen deaths were killed in Illinois in 2009 as a result of car accidents involving a teen driver.

Continue reading " May Marks National Youth Traffic Safety Month as Officials Look to Reduce Risks of Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere " »

A motorcycle accident in Jersey County took the life of one motorcyclist this past week, according to Illinois State Police. The rider died when he veered to the right side of the road and struck a guard rail between Elsah and Chautauqua, according to The Telegraph.

The 24-old rider was taken to the hospital after a passing motorists notified police of the motorcycle accident in Illinois on Route 100 near Alton.

Our Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys urge riders to be extra cautious this spring season. Other motorists, evening hours and poor weather conditions all pose potential dangers to a vulnerable motorcyclist. While many motorcycle crashes are the fault of other motorists, it's important that riders to their part to avoid serious or fatal accidents. May is Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month and we encourage riders to take the message to heart: Get proper training, have your bike serviced, wear the appropriate safety gear and never drink and ride.

The accident happened shortly after 8:30 p.m. this past weekend. The impact from the collision threw the motorcycle driver into the river. Police report that the driver was wearing his helmet. The Jersey County Sheriff's Department, the Illinois State Department of Conservation police, the Grafton Police Department and the and the QEM Fire Protection District joined together to locate the riders body. After roughly two hours, the body was located. The road remained blocked for another four hours.

Police have yet to determine if alcohol played a role in the accident. A toxicology test is being administered as it is standard in crash investigations.

WhyBike.com offers these tips for motorcyclists who will be hitting the roadway during the nighttime hours:

-Your perception is drastically reduced during the dark evening hours. Keep an eye on the reflective road signs, white lines and other areas of illuminated road to help you navigate.

-Oncoming traffic may be easily spotted, but parked cars are not. Keep an eye out for stationary vehicles parked on the side of the road.

-Animals can be a deadly obstacle, too. Keep an eye out for animals that may enter your path of travel by watching for the reflection in their eyes. If you encounter and animal on the road, dip your headlights, slow down and try to steer your way around.

-Be sure to wear reflective gear while driving at night. This will allow other motorists to recognize your presence a lot easier.

-Try not to look directly into oncoming headlights as it can causing a blinding effect that drastically minimizes your ability to see for a short while, which clearly isn't a good thing while driving a motorcycle.

-Keep your visor clean and polished as small scratches can distract light and cause a very distracting starburst effect.

Continue reading " Illinois Motorcycle Accident Throws Driver into Mississippi River " »

A Chicago area semi-truck crash in southwest suburban Channahon has resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to 2 children on Tuesday afternoon, according to WGN-TV.

Channahon Police are saying that a white SUV heading west on Eames Street was hit by a truck as the SUV tried to make a left turn onto Bell Road around 3:30 p.m. The truck crashed into the passenger side of the SUV, knocking it into a light pole and killing the female driver.

Two girls, ages 4 and 7 months were riding in the backseat. It took 40 minutes to remove the 4 year old from the vehicle. Both were taken to hospitals, one airlifted to Advocate Good Samaratin Hospital in Downers Grove. Police are saying the children's injuries were not life threatening.

The truck driver was not injured and no traffic tickets have been issued so far. The accident is still under investigation, and the Illinois State Police are handling the crash reconstruction.

People that live in the area are saying that several deadly accidents have occurred at that intersection.

Read the story as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times here.

Last week Illinois bus accident attorneys at our office reported that a pedestrian was hit and killed by a tour bus in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood. Now the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that the bus driver involved has been charged with aggravated DUI, a felony.

The deadly Chicago pedestrian accident occurred last Tuesday night just before 7 PM at the intersection of Columbus and E. Illinois St. The 26-year-old victim was crossing with a green light and was hit as the bus was turning onto Columbus.

It is now being alleged that the 47-year-old bus driver was under the influence at the time of the incident. He reportedly tested positive for cocaine after the accident.

At a bond hearing last Thursday, Cook County Judge Israel Desierto ordered the defendant held without bond.

The Sun-Times article goes on to state that tour bus company officials would not respond to the request for comment, and that court records show the driver was ticketed approximate 20 times for traffic violations between 1988 and 2008.

In a bizarre twist, after being arrested due to the pedestrian accident, authorities realized the defendant was wanted in two sexual assault cases involving minor girls. Further, the bus driver had been sentenced to eight years in prison back in the 1990s for aggravated criminal sexual assault. That case involved a six-year-old minor. He also was sentenced to four years in prison in the 1980s for attempted rape and aggravated battery.

The driver was hired by the tour bus company around six months ago. The bus company will likely have to answer some tough questions as to how the driver was hired with such an extensive criminal and traffic history.

It is not been reported if the victim's family has hired a Chicago injury lawyer or if a civil lawsuit has been filed.

Click here to read the story as reported by NBC news and ABC news in Chicago.

A Chicago work injury attorney at Abels & Annes has settled a claim on behalf of a DuPage County resident.

The claimant was employed as a truck driver for company in the Western suburbs. In December, 2009, he lifted up some heavy boxes and put them on his right shoulder to carry them to his truck. After doing this, he started to experience right shoulder pain.

Over the coming weeks the pain remained so the driver started undergoing treatment with a medical doctor. An MRI scan was eventually ordered which showed he had sustained a tear. The claimant underwent surgery to repair the shoulder.

The case settled for just over $17,300, plus the worker received an additional $14,000 in disability pay while he was off work. Further, the work comp insurance carrier is paying for any medical care related to the on the job accident.

This the case was handled by Nicole Sommerfeld, Of Counsel to our office. Nicole's law practice is focused on handling Illinois work injury claims.

If you have been injured on the job, contact our office at 312-924-7575 for free consultation. There is no fee unless you win.

A CTA bus accident early Friday morning has resulted in four people being hospitalized, according to Fox news in Chicago. The collision involved a car and bus at the intersection of Washington Street and Clark Street in the Loop.

Reportedly a number 20 Madison bus was headed eastbound around 3:15 AM when a car, also traveling eastbound, cut in front of the bus causing a collision.

Four CTA passengers were taken by ambulance to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Three of those hurt were taken to Mercy Hospital, and one was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, according to the Chicago Tribune.

A police spokesperson stated that tickets are expected to be issued to the driver of the car that supposedly caused the accident.

It has not been reported if any Chicago bus accident attorneys are involved in the case.

Accidents involving CTA buses can be extremely dangerous for passengers on board. Riders are not wearing seatbelts and they are often forced to stand due to overcrowding.

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that two motorists were hurt in a Chicago car crash early Tuesday morning, with one of the cars striking a Dunkin' Donuts in the Loop.

This is the second time in a matter of days that a driver has crashed into a Chicago restaurant. As our Illinois auto accident lawyers reported recently, a motorist crashed into Manny's Deli this past Saturday, leaving a large hole in a restaurant wall.

This crash involved a Toyota SUV and a taxicab. The cause of the accident was not reported.

Police stated that the two drivers involved in accident were the only people injured, according to investigating police officers. No restaurant patrons or pedestrians were injured. Both motorists were taken by ambulance to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, one in critical condition and the other in fair to serious condition.

The manager of the Dunkin' Donuts, located at 211 W. Adams St., said it sounded like a bomb went off when the car hit the restaurant. The vehicle sent glass and debris behind the counter, causing the restaurant to have to dispose of that morning's doughnuts.

The accident is being investigated by the Chicago Police Department.

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

Illinois truck crash attorney Gary Annes of Abels & Annes recently resolved a tractor-trailer vs. automobile accident claim on behalf of a Chicago resident for $825,000.

The claim arose out of a collision that took place in August, 2009 in the afternoon hours. Both the plaintiff and the defendant truck driver were headed northbound on Interstate 94. The tractor-trailer was in the center lane and our client was in the right lane. The semi truck change lanes, failing to observe the plaintiff, and struck the rear driver's side of her car with the front passenger side bumper of the truck.

The impact sent our clients car spinning across three lanes of traffic into the left retaining wall. The front end of her car struck the wall, causing the vehicle to bounce back while still spinning. As the vehicle spun, the passenger side sideswiped another vehicle, causing a third impact. Finally, the vehicle struck the right retaining wall with the rear driver side of her vehicle for a fourth impact before coming to a rest.

The plaintiff had an immediate onset of back pain, neck pain chest pain, facial pain and right ankle pain following the collision. She was taken by ambulance to St. Margaret Hospital's emergency room. Upon arrival at the ER, a history was taken, she was examined and diagnostic tests were performed. Glass shards had to be removed from her face and eyelids. She was initially diagnosed with cervical strain, ankle sprain and multiple contusions and abrasions. She was prescribed pain medication and instructed to follow-up with a medical doctor.

Due to ongoing and increasing pain, our client sought follow-up care two days later at Ingalls Memorial Hospital's emergency room. She complained of increasing neck, back, abdominal and rib pain from the collision. She was again given pain medication and told to follow-up with a physician.

A week later she had an appointment with a board-certified neurologist. At that time she was still having neck pain, back pain radiating into her left buttock, chest pain, right knee pain and right ankle pain. Additional diagnostic tests were ordered and physical therapy was prescribed.

In the coming months, a lumbar MRI was ordered which identified protrusions at L1-L2 and L3-L4 and a bulge at L4-L5. The physician prescribed additional pain medication.

Despite the pain meds, she continued to suffer from low back pain. The doctor soon prescribed a course of epidural steroid injections and facet joint injections. The client underwent injections and while she did obtain some temporary limited relief, the majority of her pain persisted. She then had bilateral medial branch nerve blocks. Again, her pain persisted. In response, the neurologist recommended fusion surgery and referred her to a board-certified neurosurgeon.

The plaintiff underwent lumbar fusion surgery in August, 2010. She then went for follow-up treatment and physical therapy over the coming months.

The claim settled without having to file a lawsuit, saving the client time and litigation costs.

If you have been injured in a Chicago truck crash, contact the Illinois personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes for free, no obligation consultation. Contact us online or call 312-924-7575.

A Chicago area pedestrian accident has resulted in injuries to an eight-year-old boy from Chicago and criminal charges against an Oak Park man. Trib Local is reporting that the incident took place just after 4:30 PM on Saturday in Oak Park.

Police are stating that a vehicle turning on the 1000 block of S. Taylor Ave. hit the child after failing to stop for stop sign. The driver then fled the scene.

Approximately 20 minuntes after the accident, a 29-year-old Oak Park resident was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving injury, a felony. He was also ticketed for driving on a suspended license and disobeying a stop sign. Luckily several witnesses saw the accident which enabled police to track the driver down.

The boy was taken by ambulance to an area hospital, but the exact nature of his injuries are not known. However, his injuries are not supposed to be serious.

As far as a civil claim is concerned, the boy's family will be able to pursue a negligence claim against the at fault driver. However, in my experience as a Chicago injury lawyer, most hit-and-run drivers do not possess valid auto insurance. If this is true here, the attorney that gets involved will look to pursue an underinsured motorist claim against the boy's parents' auto insurance policy (assuming his parents are insured).

Click here to read more about Illinois uninsured motorist claims.

That being said, the newspaper story did not indicate the driver was uninsured, so hopefully the vehicle is covered.

Eleven people were injured on Saturday night in a CTA bus crash on the far South Side, according to the Chicago breaking news center. The bus hit a viaduct after a passenger fell on the driver.

The passenger reportedly lost his balance. It was not stated if there were any factors leading to the CTA rider falling, such as bus overcrowding or erratic driving, which in my experience as a Chicago injury lawyer can be common causes of passengers losing their balance.

After the passenger fell on the driver, the bus swerved and hit a viaduct in the area of East 130th Street and S. Indiana Ave. The Incident occurred around 9:30 PM. All 11 of the injured were taken to local hospitals with no serious injuries reported.

Read the story as reported by WGN-TV here.

Just after Chicago bicycle accident attorneys at Abels & Annes cautioned that as warm weather arrives, so does the increased risk of motor vehicle vs. bicycle collisions, there comes word that a bicyclist has been injured in Evanston. Tribune Local is reporting that the incident occurred near the South Boulevard CTA station on Friday afternoon.

A 32-year-old Chicago resident who was riding from Glencoe back to his residence was hit by a car turning to go westbound on South Boulevard from Chicago Avenue. The bike rider was knocked to the ground. He suffered abrasions to his knees, left elbow and knuckles. He was treated at the scene by paramedics.

The Evanston Police Department handled the crash investigation. After an investigation, police issued a citation to the driver for an improper right turn.

Chicago area bicyclists could be hitting the streets this summer in record numbers, and motorists need to keep a proper and sufficient lookout for them. In this Evanston bicycle accident, luckily the injuries appear not to be severe, however that is sometimes not the case. Even low impacts can cause catastrophic injuries to bicyclists, so automobile drivers need to stay alert.

As the weather provides longer, beautiful days, many Chicago cyclists break out their biking equipment and hit the trail to enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer. One thing bicyclists don't enjoy during their strolls through town are inattentive drivers. The Chicago area offers several of the nation's best bike paths, according to a recent article posted by Yahoo! Sports.

Our Chicago cycling accident lawyers urge you to bike these trails safely and to be cautious of drivers who may not recognize or respect your presence on the road.

Many bike trails take riders by beautiful scenery along paved paths. And many bicyclists ride closer to home, through densely populated areas. With the increasing popularity of bicycling as both a recreational activity and a fitness activity, more and more first time riders are hitting the outdoors hoping to make it a part of their routine for exercise, weight loss and stress relief.

The Chicago Bicycling Program is urging even more residents to get up and get moving on their bicycles to help promote happy and healthy lifestyles. The bicycling advocates promote the use of bikes as an effective form of transportation to help residents save money, stay healthy and help the environment.

Most riders use the natural lighting provided in the daytime hours for their rides. Because of this popular riding time and with the days getting longer, about 75 percent of bicyclist fatalities occurred between the hours of 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. This is also when the majority of motor vehicles are on the road -- frequently trying to share the same space.

The most commonly injured were riders between the ages of 25 and 34, while the age group suffering the most fatalities were those between the ages of 45 and 54. Men are typically seven-times more likely to be killed and four-times more likely to be injured in a bicycle-motor vehicle accident than women.

Motorists and bicyclist are urged make a conscious effort to help one another on our roadways as we all work to reduce the number of accidents. As springtime gets under way, more and more of us will be hitting Illinois roads. Please practice alert driving when traveling. Cautious driving habits can help us bring down the number of bicyclist fatalities, as Illinois experienced 20 in 2009.

A printable Chicago bike trail map is available on the Chicago Bicycling Program website for your enjoyment and navigation.

Continue reading " Spring brings beautiful weather, increased risk of Chicago bicycle accidents " »