Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

An 86-year-old was killed in a recent pedestrian accident in Chicago on Sheridan Road. The taxi driver that hit the woman had been cited nearly 10 times by Chicago police for a number of traffic violations including crashing into the back of an unmarked police car, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Eight of the charges have been dropped. Another driver, as reports indicate, had been stopped by local officers nearly 20 times since 2008. One of these stops was the result of a pedestrian-car accident that sent the pedestrian flying. Police report that 16 of the charges and citations have been dropped.

These types of accidents that are taking out local pedestrians are not only being caused by cab drivers. Speeding drivers are killing pedestrians left and right. According to a recent study that was conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the results of a pedestrian accident are almost directly related to the speed that the vehicle was traveling at the time of impact.

This study aimed to provide solutions for the increasing frequency of pedestrian accidents across the county. The study concluded that in order to improve pedestrian safety, the best bet for officials is to start limiting the speed at which motorists can travel along pedestrian-packed roadways. Officials are urged to keep speeds to levels that are unlikely to harm a pedestrian in the event of an accident.

Our Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers note this study also concluded that officials should create a physical separation of vehicles and pedestrians in places where the volume of both is relatively high and the need for fast-moving traffic is paramount.

Researchers also demand that experts create a better vehicle-based system to help vehicles detect pedestrians and a better way to either warn the driver or to brake automatically when a collision is about to happen. Until more can be done to prevent these accidents, motorists are asked to keep a watchful eye out for our walking travelers. All drivers are asked to abide by all speed limits, look for pedestrians when traveling through the city, double check for pedestrians when making turns at intersections and always yield to the right-of-way for these vulnerable travelers.

According to a recent study of pedestrian-vehicle accidents in Chicago, researchers concluded that 1 in 4 downtown accidents involved a taxi driver. These accidents should be no surprise to residents, as taxi drivers oftentimes zip through highly congested areas.

To help reduce these accidents, the city tightened its policy to state that once a driver receives three convictions within a year time period, they're subjected to license revocation. But at study by the Tribune found such charges are dismissed about two-thirds of the time. Until we can get the court system to stop dismissing these charges, this rule is virtually useless.

According to AAA, there were approximately 4,000 pedestrians killed on U.S. roadways in 2009. There were nearly 60,000 pedestrians injured in these types of accidents. Since it has been concluded that the risks that a pedestrian faces in an accident are directly related to the speed at which the vehicle was traveling at impact, the AAA recommends that all local governments lower and strictly enforce speed limits in areas where pedestrians and motor-vehicle traffic mingle.

Like we said before, there's no guarantee that our local officials will take this information into consideration and look into reducing traffic speeds in areas congested with pedestrians. To help prevent serious injury, death or legal issues, drivers are asked to remain aware and alert at the wheel and to curb distractions in order to focus complete attention on the task at hand -- driving.

Continue reading " AAA Study to Determine Causes and Solutions for Pedestrian Accidents in Illinois and Elsewhere " »

We just concluded National Child Passenger Safety Week, but the enforcement of child-related safety tips doesn't stop there. At the Loyola University Health System in Maywood, safety experts recently offered up several tips on how to keep your child safe in the car, according to NewsWise.

Now a new animated series is aiming to provide your child with a little more than entertainment -- safety tips! Chugginton is partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in an attempt to teach your child important lessons on how to be safe when inside or around cars.

Chuggington will be targeting audiences aged 2- to 7-years-old. The campaign includes activities and downloadable tips for parents to use with children as well as a kid-focused safety pledge for your child to agree to, sign and practice. These tips and activities, if practiced, can help to reduce the risks of child injury in Chicago and elsewhere.

"Educating children at an early age about the importance of wearing bicycle helmets, looking both ways when crossing the street and buckling up leads to a lifetime of good traffic safety habits," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers understand that traffic accidents remain the number one cause of death for children under the age of 15. As a matter of fact, there were approximately 1,300 individuals in this age group who were killed because of traffic accidents in the U.S. in 2009. Another 179,000 were injured. According to NHTSA statistics, more than 200 child pedestrians were killed and another 115,000 were injured because of accidents that involved a motor vehicle. The new campaign hopes to improve safety by offering important tips to children about bicycles, school buses, pedestrians and car seats.

According to Dick Rothkopf, a creator of the show, Chuggington and his animated friends will learn important safety tips as they earn safety badges as a reward for practicing safe habits. He and the other creators are pushing the "The 'Think Safe, Ride Safe, Be Safe!' concept. This theory is the motive of the traffic safety pledge that will be taught to your child.

The announcement of the new series was released to supplement the recent National Child Passenger Safety Week. Child passengers have been the subject of numerous recent studies, including research products from Safe Kids USA and the NHTSA. A number of updates to the child car seat recommendations were recently released to help ensure that parents are properly buckling up children during each and every car ride.

According to NHTSA Administrator David Strickland, child car seats have been proven in numerous studies to have the ability to protect children and save lives in the event of a car accident. But adults need to have the knowledge of how to properly use these devices for the seats to work. As National Child Passenger Safety Week has come and gone, you can still have an inspector check out your car and child's car seat by simply scheduling a child seat inspection appointment.

Parents are responsible for buckling in child passengers during each car ride. If you're busted with an unbuckled child in your vehicle by an officer in the state of Illinois, you can face a $75 fine.

Continue reading " Animated Series Targets Young Ones to Help Prevent Child Injuries in Chicago and Elsewhere " »

Two separate pedestrian collisions in Chicago have left a man dead and a woman seriously injured on Friday, according to the Chicago Tribune. Both accidents occur downtown.

In the fatal incident, a pedestrian was crossing Lakeshore Drive in the area of Monroe Street around 1:15 AM when he was struck and killed. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The Cook County medical examiner's office is stating he has not been identified yet, pending notification to the victim's family.

The accident was initially reported is a hit-and-run, but it was later said that a 45-year-old driver was taken into custody. Police are also saying the motorist may have been driving under the influence, however no charges have yet been filed.

In the second pedestrian accident, a woman was seriously hurt after she was hit by a Chicago Transit Authority bus on Michigan Avenue in the area of Wacker Drive. The Illinois bus accident was caused when the driver reportedly failed to stop at a red light just before 5 PM and collided with the woman in the 200 block of N. Michigan Ave., according to Chicago police officials.

The woman sustained serious head injuries and lacerations, and a fractured elbow. She was taken by ambulance to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for medical attention.

The CTA bus operator was ticketed for running a red light and hitting a pedestrian.

The Chicago Police Department's major accident investigation unit is reportedly handling both incidents. It has not been reported if there are pedestrian accident lawyers involved in either case yet.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, so far this year 651 people have been killed in motor vehicle related accidents statewide, and 150 of those fatalities took place in what were considered alcohol-related crashes, meaning there was information reported showing some indication of alcohol being used in relation to the collision.

The state further reports that in 2010 there were 5215 Illinois pedestrian accidents which resulted in 115 fatalities. 5067 of those collisions, or 97%, occurred on what would be considered urban roads.

Motorists in the downtown Chicago area have to be on the lookout for pedestrians, even late at night. Typically these types of accidents result in serious injury to the pedestrian, and sometimes death.

Continue reading " Chicago pedestrian killed in accident, another seriously injured in separate collision " »

Over the last week Illinois bike crash attorneys at Abels & Annes have signed on to represent cyclists who were injured by negligent drivers in two different accidents earlier this month.

In the first incident, a bicyclist was riding westbound in the 2400 block of Logan Boulevard on the far right side of the street. At that time the driver of a 2007 Chevy Equinox drove too close to him and bumped him as she passed by, knocking him to the ground.

The plaintiff was taken by ambulance to St. Mary's Hospital in Chicago. He had sustained injuries to his left shoulder, ribs and head, and also had bad road rash. There he was examined by physicians and x-rays were taken, which were negative for fractures.

During the week after the collision, the plaintiff's shoulder pain remained. He has since sought follow up medical care with a medical doctor in the Chicago area.

In a second accident, a bicycle rider was heading southbound on Sheffield. At that time he approached a 2005 Hyundai that was stopped in the street with a left turn signal on, waiting to enter an alley. As the plaintiff was traveling by on the right side of the street, the driver decided not to make the turn and swerved back to the right, hitting the bicyclist.

The plaintiff flew over the car on impact and rolled on the pavement. He sustained a concussion, and injuries to his neck, wrist and right knee. He was seen later that day at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital emergency room.

Over the next several days the bicyclist's pain only increased. He soon after started treatment with an orthopedic group in Chicago. There he is under the supervision of a medical doctor and going through course of physical therapy.

Our office is pursuing a claim against Geico, the auto insurance carrier for the at fault driver.

The Chicago Police Department handled the crash investigations for both accidents.

As cooler weather arrives in Chicago, motorists need to be aware the bicycle riders are still on the road. More and more Chicagoans are bicycling to work every day, and fall weather is not going to deter them.

The Illinois Department of Transportation has reported that in the year 2010 there were a total of 3,599 bicycle accidents statewide. 24 of those collisions involved fatalities, and 3444 of them resulted in injuries. Statistically, that means that over 95% of 2010 Illinois bicycle accidents resulted in someone getting hurt.

Just over 76% of the accidents occurred during daylight hours, and over 96% took place on urban roads. Further, 76% of the bike riders injured were male, while only 24% were female.

Continue reading " Chicago bicycle accident lawyer takes on 2 new cases " »

A recent proposal by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) aims to ban truck and bus drivers from using cell phones while behind the wheel -- either hand-held or hands-free. The recommendation follows yet another fatal trucking accident believed to have been caused by a distracted driver. The recent accident took the lives of 11 motorists on Interstate 65 in Kentucky. Authorities believe the truck driver was distracted by his phone when he crossed the median and slammed into a van full of people on their way to a wedding. The truck driver and 10 people in the van were killed.

Phone records reveal that the trucker had used his cell phone for calls and text messages just seconds before the fatal accident.

Trucking accidents in Illinois that are caused by distracted drivers are completely preventable. As current law states in Illinois, only drivers that are under the age of 19 or those who are traveling through a school or a construction zone are prohibited from using a cell phone behind the wheel. All drivers in City of Chicago have been banned from using a hand-held cell phone while driving.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys understand the reasoning behind such proposals, which have been made more than once by the NTSB. Traffic accidents that involve commercial vehicles have a high risk of fatally injuring someone. Passenger-vehicle motorists can be as cautious as possible, but without commercial driver attention, fatal accidents may be completely unavoidable.

The most recent recommendation from the NTSB supplements an earlier recommendation asking that federal regulations prohibit commercial truck drivers from both using hand-held cell phones and text messaging devices while driving.

"This is the most comprehensive recommendation we've made," NTSB chairman Deborah Hersman.

The support for these kinds of restrictions has been nearly unanimous, although the trucking industry is questioning the need to prevent drivers from using hands-free devices.

The NTSB is unable to enforce the recommendation and has forwarded it to all 50 states and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Currently, only 34 states prohibit all drivers from texting while operating a motor vehicle. Nine states prohibit hand-held cell phone use by drivers. No state bans hands-free devices.

The recommendation would only affect drivers of commercial trucks and bus drivers. It would only apply to these individuals when they're driving a commercial vehicle. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this would apply to approximately 3 million drivers.

"This is not going to be popular. But, we're not here to be popular. We're here to do what needs to be done," Hersman said.

Continue reading " NTSB Pushes Cell Phone Ban to Reduce Truck and Bus Accidents in Illinois " »

Officers are still on the lookout for a driver that recently struck two elderly females. The Illinois pedestrian accident happened as the women were heading to get their hair done at a salon in Chicago's Jefferson Park neighborhood.

One of the women was killed in the accident, according to the Chicago Tribune. It was her 82nd birthday. The other woman remains in the Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge

Officers have distributed fliers near West Lawrence Avenue, which is where the accident took place. The hospitalized victim described the vehicle involved in the fatal accident as a black or dark blue pickup truck, possibly a Ford F-150. She said it had gray bottom panels. Officers were able to locate some video surveillance and discovered that the described truck was driven by a male. The truck also had a ladder in the back. Anyone who has information is asked to call officers at 312-745-4521.

As we recently discussed on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, there are roughly 3,000 pedestrians involved in traffic accidents in Chicago every year. About 80 percent of these accidents happen at intersections when pedestrians are crossing the street. A majority of the recorded accidents occur when motor vehicles are making a turn at these intersections.

Illinois hit-and-run pedestrian-vehicle accidents are unfortunately a common occurrence as well. There have been about 18,000 pedestrians involved in the approximate 17,000 incidents recorded from 2005 to 2009. More than 30 pedestrians were killed in the Chicago area because of these types of accidents, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

Elderly pedestrians are at highest risk. As the weather deteriorates and we prepare for the busy holiday season, please take an extra moment and watch for pedestrians -- particularly the young and the old.

Illinois State University Police offer these safety tips to pedestrians:

-Pedestrians are required to yield to the right-of-way to drivers.

-Pedestrians must obey walk lights and traffic signals.

-When crossing a street at a place other than an intersection, pedestrians are required to give the right-of-way to drivers.

-Pedestrians are asked to use a pedestrian crossing or a pedestrian tunnel when one is available.

-Pedestrians are to always walk on a sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, pedestrians should walk on the shoulder next to the road. Stay as far away from traffic as possible.

-Always walk facing oncoming traffic.

-Make eye contact with drivers when crossing a street.

-Hitchhiking is illegal in the state of Illinois and is punishable by up to $2,500 and a jail sentence of up to a year.

-Walkers and joggers should be traveling along paths when available. On public roadways, these individuals are asked to choose well-lighted, wide roads with wide shoulders.

-Pedestrians are required to obey all bridge and railroad gates.

-Keep looking left and right when crossing the road.

-Always be predictable. Walk where sidewalks are provided whenever possible.

-Make is easy for driver to see you. Always wear light-colored clothing and reflective materials when traveling at night.

Continue reading " Officers Looking for Pickup Involved in Fatal Chicago Pedestrian Accident " »

"Understanding Distracted Driving" may not make it to the big screen, but the Illinois-based National Safety Council released this video campaign to make it to your screen.

This series of short videos aims to discuss the risks, dangers and consequences of distracted-driving car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere.

More specifically, the campaign focuses on the use of cell phones by drivers, which is becoming more and more common as technology continues to advance. In these videos, viewers can hear the personal story of NSC Senior Director of Transportation Initiatives David Teater whose 12-year-old son was killed in a car accident that was caused by a distracted driver.

Through the videos, Teater discusses a dozen frequently asked questions pertaining to distracted driving. These explanations include how a cell phone causes a cognitive distraction, why it's a particularly dangerous form of distraction and how companies can enact a cell phone-free policy in the workplace to help protect workers.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys understand that while drivers in the city may be banned from using a cell phone behind the wheel, the truth is that some motorists routinely ignore the law. According to the Governors Highway Safety Administration, no driver in the state of Illinois is allowed to talk on a cell phone while driving through a construction zone or through a school zone. All school bus drivers and those under the age of 19 are banned from using a cell phone while driving in the state as well. Lastly, all drivers have been prohibited from texting while operating a motor vehicle.

This isn't Teater's first time addressing the dangerous driving behavior. He is a regular speaker on the topic. As a matter of fact he has proposed new legislation in front the U.S. Congress and a number of state legislatures. Each message is the same; he would like government officials to place restrictions on cell phone use by drivers in an attempt to save some lives.

“Cell phone use and driving are a dangerous, and oftentimes deadly, combination,” Teater said.

The NSC was the first organization to advocate a complete ban of cell phone use by drivers. The Council made its first such proposal back in 2009.

According to distraction.gov, approximately 5,500 people were killed in the United States in 2009 because of traffic accidents that involved a distracted driver. The use of a cell phone was the number one distraction in these accidents, accounting for approximately 20 percent of all of the reported distracted-driving accidents in 2009. The use of a cell phone, both hands-free and hand-held, by a driver gives them the same reaction ability as a driver who has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 -- the legal limit for drunk driving in Illinois. As a matter of fact, cell phone use makes a driver four times as likely to be involved in an accident.

Continue reading " New Video Series Depicts Dangers of Distracted-Driving Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere " »

The Obama administration will be throwing out a bunch of regulations regarding traffic signs. Junking these regulations is aimed at helping state governments that are running low on cash. Meanwhile, Congress is being urged to provide continuity for road construction projects nationwide by not holding up funding.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood reports that the U.S. Department of Transportation is considering a rule to allow communities to replace street signs as they wear, rather than mandating a deadline for periodic replacements. The new changes could potentially toss out more than 45 federal traffic control regulations.

The replacement of traffic signs and other traffic-control devices is meant to help prevent car accidents in Illinois and elsewhere throughout the country. State and local governments are held responsible for keeping roads in effective working order. Inoperable street devices and worn signs increase the risk for accidents.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys understand there are many possible causes for an accident. Inoperable or missing street signs or signals, defective roads, missing guardrail and overgrown vegetation are just a few of the common causes. An attorney can help you to analyze all aspects of your accident to ensure that all parties are held responsible for the damages.

At the beginning of the year, Obama requested that the government reexamine the regulations that are currently in effect. The goal of the reexamination was to help point out rules and regulations that could be changed or removed because they were out-of-date, unnecessary, too costly or burdensome.

“A specific deadline for replacing street signs makes no sense and would have cost communities across America millions of dollars in unnecessary expenses,” said LaHood.

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) came up with idea to create a deadline for the replacement of these traffic and street signs. The devices regulated under this deadline include traffic signals, streets signs and markings on roadway pavement. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has been publishing the manual since 1971. Updates are made periodically to help to accommodate new transportation needs and to address the ever-changing safety technologies, traffic management techniques and traffic control tools.

According to FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez, local governments after better judges than federal agents in determining when these devices need to be replaced. The new regulations aim to put that responsibility with the state and local governments to help them to better disperse tax dollars.

With this responsibility lying in the hands of our government officials, it will be their duty to make sure that these devices are being properly maintained. Traffic accidents can be caused by a number of conditions in addition to road signs. They can also be caused by road conditions and construction. If you've been involved in an accident, contact an attorney to help you to assess the situation and determine who is truly at fault.

Continue reading " Was Your Car Accident in Chicago the Result of Road Defects? " »

An odd Chicago area auto accident has occurred in unincorporated Will County, according to the Chicago Tribune. On Saturday, a Lockport area home was struck by a neighbor's vehicle, resulting in the death of a resident who was home at the time of the accident.

The victim, a 28-year-old man who lives in the 400 block of Conner Street, was trapped under the vehicle after it drove through the front of the house and finally stopped at the back of the house. The vehicle's driver, a 63-year-old woman who resides across the road, was trying to back her 1995 Mercury Marquis down her driveway around 12:15 PM. At that time, she claims that her gas petal became stuck, which in turn caused her to reverse that a high rate of speed across the street and crash into the house. Neither the driver or passenger were seriously injured.

The victim was reportedly in the front part of the house when the accident occurred and was found under the automobile when emergency crews arrived after receiving a 911 call a couple minutes later.

While this type of fatal accident is somewhat rare, here is where the story takes a strange turn. As emergency personnel workers were searching the home to see if anyone else was there who might have been hurt, they broke down a locked door. On the other side of the door they found approximately 30 marijuana plants, each about 3 feet in height. There was also indoor grow lights and a watering system, according to the Will County Sheriff's Department, who is the authority handling the crash investigation.

The house is reportedly owned by a relative of the victim's roommate. No charges have been filed yet in relation to the accident or the marijuana plants. The Sheriff's investigation is still ongoing, and a decision on criminal charges will reportedly be made over the next few days.

Police have not been able to remove the car from the home, as there was a concern that the house could collapse the automobile is moved.

After the accident, the driver was taken Silver Cross Hospital as a precaution. There was no indication as to whether alcohol or drugs played a role.

As far as a civil claim is concerned,it has not been reported if a Chicago pedestrian accident attorney is involved in the case yet or if a civil lawsuit has been filed.

Even though the facts in this case are uncommon, it is not that unusual for a vehicle to strike a building in the Chicago area, causing injury to people inside. Our office was recently involved in a settlement where an elderly driver drove into a downtown eatery, striking several people having lunch inside. Another restaurant (that I eat lunch at often) has been on the wrong end of taxicab accidents on three separate occasions over the past few years.

In case like the one reported in the news above, the victim's family will be able to pursue a wrongful death claim against a negligent driver. If the motorist happens to have no insurance, the family can pursue an uninsured motorist claim against the victim's own auto policy.

According to MSN, more than 5,000 children in the United States are hospitalized every year after falling out of a window. A quarter of these injuries are serious enough to have the child be admitted. These statistics haven't seen much of an improvement either. Researchers report that there has only been a slight decrease in the number, making it a significant cause of child injury in Chicago and elsewhere over the last 19 years.

“We continue to see this problem, especially in younger kids, despite the fact that we know how to prevent it," Dr. Gary Smith at the Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

Our Chicago premises liability attorneys are aware that there have been nearly 100,000 children under the age of 18 treated in hospitals in the U.S. because of injuries that were sustained after falling out of a window in recent years. This means that about 7 injuries are sustained for every 100,000 children. These accidents can easily be prevented with proper supervision -- particularly when the appropriate precautions are taken by building owners and landlords.

Most of these falls occur from a second-floor window. About half of the children who are injured sustain injuries to their head and face. About two in every 1,000 incidents is fatal.

Toddlers are the most vulnerable for these types of accidents. The young children account for about two-thirds of all of these accidents. This is most likely because they're so curious and can oftentimes be found wandering around and exploring the unknown and because they've got such a high center of gravity. This means that toddlers oftentimes fall head first.

“As they lean over, their high center of gravity will make them topple,” says Smith.

Dr. Smith is encouraging his researchers to look further into the problem. He wants more cities and more locations to be included in the data.

He goes on to encourage parents to take the proper safety precautions to help prevent these accidents from happening to their child or at their home.

Dr. Smith's safety tips:

-Make sure that kids do not have access to any windows in your home, no matter which floor they may be located on.

-Keep furniture away from windows. This will stop children from climbing on it to gain access to any window nearby.

-Consider window stops or window guards. Some cities already have these guards mandated. In New York, for example, all apartment buildings are required by Health Code to have guards on every window in the home if there is a child under the age of 11 living in it.

-Don't rely on window screens. Window screens should never be used as a substitute for a window guard. Screens are oftentimes not strong enough to prevent a child from falling out of a window.

Continue reading " Children Falling out of Windows -- A Preventable Child Injury in Illinois and Elsewhere " »

As Illinois bicycle crash lawyers at Abels & Annes informed you last week, we recently filed a lawsuit against a negligent motorist who struck a teenager riding his bike.

Since that time Abels & Annes, working with co-counsel, have filed two additional bike accident lawsuits. In one case, a bicyclist was injured on September 5, 2010 when he was doored by a taxicab passenger.

The colliison took place on Diversey Street in Chicago in the westbound lanes. The taxi driver failed to pull over to the side of the road and stopped in the middle of the street. Without warning, the passenger then swung his door open to exit into traffic. Our client crashed into the cab door and fell off his bike onto the pavement.

Immediately after the collision, the bicycle rider started to experience pain and discomfort in his right knee, right thigh, left hand third finger, and his left shoulder. He was transported by ambulance to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.

When he arrived at the ER a history was taken, he was examined and diagnostic tests were performed. Physical examination showed bruising to the left upper arm area, and obvious deformity to the middle finger, and significant right knee swelling. X-rays taken revealed a comminuted fracture of the middle phalanx of the middle finger of the left hand and right knee effusion.

The plaintiff was given pain medication, his finger was splinted and he was given a brace to immobilize his knee and crutches to ambulate. ER physicians referred him to a hand specialist for further care.

Our client saw an orthopedic specialist several days after the accident. The physician determined that surgery was necessary and performed a closed reduction, K-wire fixation of the left middle finger. Temporary pins were inserted into his finger and removed about a month later.

The client's doctor later prescribed a course of occupational therapy to complete healing of the finger, and he continued to follow-up with the physician.

The bicyclist also had further treatment for his knee and shoulder with an orthopedic surgeon in north suburban Evanston. The physician prescribed additional physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication and recommended continued use of his knee splint and crutches, to be weaned off slowly.

Due to the accident, our client incurred just under $35,000 in medical bills, plus $760 damage to his bicycle.

A lawsuit was filed because when we started to attempt to negotiate a bodily injury settlement on behalf of our client, we had two insurance companies pointing fingers at each other. The insurance company for the taxi driver was blaming the passenger for the accident, while the passenger (who has his own auto insurance policy) was blaming the taxi driver.

Due to this issue, our client agreed to proceed with a lawsuit to maximize his financial recovery against both defendants.

In another bike accident case, our client was injured when a driver of a 1994 Chrysler Concorde failed to yield while pulling out of an alley. The plaintiff was riding his bicycle in a northbound lane of traffic on Central Park in Chicago, just south of Harrison Street, when he was struck by the vehicle.

The Chicago Police Department responded to the scene of the accident. After an investigation, they placed the defendant at fault.

The bike rider was treated shortly after the accident at West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park. He sustained back, neck and left ankle injuries in the accident.

Continue reading " As summer ends, Chicago bike accident attorneys file two more lawsuits " »

School is back in session and young students are waiting on street corners for the big, yellow bus to come pick them up. As students lace up their new shoes and head out to the bus stop, it's time for motorists to be watchful to help prevent school bus accidents in Chicago.

Our Chicago injury attorneys ask that all motorists use caution on our roadways throughout this school year, but especially through schools zones and residential neighborhoods. Remember that there are a number of laws in our state that drivers must abide by while sharing the roadways with school buses.

Road laws pertaining to school buses, provided by the Illinois State Board of Education:

-If you see that the lights on the bus are flashing red and you see the stop arm extended, then you're required to stop. These signals mean that students are either getting on or off the bus. You can earn yourself a $150 fine if you neglect to stop for these buses. Do it more than once and you can face fines of roughly $500. In addition to the fines, state law says that drivers who neglect to stop for these buses will have their license suspended for three months on their first conviction and a year for their second.

-When a bus stops to pickup/drop off children on a two-lane road, drivers are required to stop at least 20 feet away from the bus. This will help to allow students to cross the road safely.

-When a bus stops on a four-lane road where two of the lanes travel in the same direction, then only the vehicles heading in the same direction of the bus are required to stop.

-On one-way streets, all motorists are required to stop.

-According to Illinois state law, drivers of school buses must stop at all railroad crossings. They are required to do so even when there are no students riding on the bus.

-Drivers should hold off on using their cell phones while traveling near a bus. As of January 2010, all drivers in the state of Illinois were banned from using a hand-held cell phone while they're traveling in a school zone. Drivers are still allowed to use hands-free devices.

-Don't speed through school zones. If you're busted for having a lead-food in a school zone then you could earn yourself a minimum fine of $150.

The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that approximately 25 million students use a school bus to get to and from school each year. Unfortunately, a number of students are injured and killed in school bus-related accidents every year. In 2005, the NSC recorded more than 130 deaths resulting from school bus-related accidents on U.S. roadways. They also recorded another 11,000 injuries from these incidents during that year.

The number of these injuries and deaths can be reduced with an increased effort from motorists throughout the state. Remember to follow state ruled regarding travel around our schools buses and to be extra cautious when passing through school zones.

Continue reading " Drivers Urged to Help Prevent School-Bus Related Traffic Accidents in Illinois " »

As the school year gets underway, we can expect a large number of students to be walking to school this year. More than 40,000 children in the northwest suburban School District U-46 relied on school buses to get them to and from school each day. But more and more of them will be forced to make the journey to school on foot. As a result of drastic budget cuts, $14 million to be exact, all high school students that ride a bus will be required to walk to the nearest elementary school or middle school to catch a bus ride the rest of the way to school, according to ABC 7. Increasing the number of walking students near our roadways increases the risks for Chicago pedestrian accidents.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys understand that this plan is expected to save more than $1 million for each school year it's in effect, but hopefully saving school budgets won't put any child's life in danger. Although officials of the school district encourage students to either walk together or to carpool, much of their safety relies on motorists in the area.

"When you're making these changes, it's very difficult. This was a last minute change because of a last minute action that affected funding," said U-46 safety coordinator John Heiderscheidt.

To help keep our students safe, talk with your child about the following safety recommendations for walking to school, provided by the National Safety Council:

-Make sure you walk to school in a group.

-Make sure you always use a sidewalk if one is available.

-If there's no sidewalk for you to use, make sure you always walk facing traffic.

-Make sure you always cross the street at either an intersection or at a street corner.

-Make sure that no child under the age of 10 walks to school without an adult.

-Look both ways to make sure no cars are coming before stepping off a curb to cross a street.

-Continue looking left and right as you cross the street.

-Always walk across the street. Running makes you more likely to trip and fall.

-Never run out from behind a parked car. Oncoming traffic may not be able to see you.

For students who choose to make the journey by bicycle, follow these safety tips:

-Make sure you always wear a helmet when riding your bike to school.

-Never ride in traffic. Again, travelers under the age of 10 should not bike without a responsible adult.

-Make sure that you ride in a single-file line with your friends and in the same direction as traffic.

-Come to a complete stop before you cross the road.

-Wait for a driver to signal to you that it's okay to cross the street before doing so.

-Get plenty of biking practice so that you're more confident while riding.

Budget cuts are also effecting school worker salaries, cutting office jobs, reducing health insurance benefits and cutting funding for school supplies.

The district would like to point out that if there isn't a school within a mile and a half of your student's home or if there is a hazard then the district will find a way to make a neighborhood stop for them.

Continue reading " Budget Cuts sending more Students to School on Foot Increasing Risks for Child Injury in Chicago " »

According to the National Safety Council, based out of Itasca, Illinois, approximately 400 people will die because of car accidents in Illinois and elsewhere this Labor Day weekend. The NSC also estimate that another 38,800 people will be injured because of these traffic accidents. Over the last six year, Labor Day weekend has seen an average increase of about 15 percent in the number of traffic accident-related deaths compared to other similar non-holiday periods.

From now until the end of the Labor Day weekend, Illinois State Police will be keeping eyes on the road in search of drivers who aren't abiding by the law. Officers will be on the lookout for drivers who are speeding, distracted or not wearing a seat belt. And, of course, drunk drivers will be a primary target through the long holiday weekend.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys ask that all motorists be extra safe and cautious during this last holiday weekend of summer. According to CBS Chicago, nearly 2 million people are expected to be on Illinois roadways throughout the weekend. Even though gas prices are up about dollar this year from last year, more than 27 million motorists across the nation are expected to hit the road for a weekend vacation.

The expected 27 million travelers illustrates an increase in the number of road travelers from those on the road in 2010. Nearly 90 percent of holiday travelers will be driving this year, partially because of the increase in airfares.

Here are some safe driving tips to help keep you safe during your Labor Day travel:

-Get some rest. Never drive when you're tired or drowsy. Drowsy driving decreases your ability to react to traffic hazards.

-Buckle up. Make sure that everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seat belt.

-Don't tailgate. Keep the two-second rule in mind. Keeping a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you will help to reduce your risks of a serious accident.

-Look around. Make sure you check your surroundings at all times, but especially before changing lanes or making a turn.

-Obey the signs. Always follow traffic signals and posted speed limits. Officers will be on the lookout for drivers who are driving by their own rules.

-Stay sober. Officers throughout the state and the country will be looking specifically for intoxicated drivers.

-Don't drive distracted. Distractions slow a driver's reaction time and increase their risks of a serious traffic accident. Distractions include text messaging, using a cell phone, operating a GPS system and interacting with other passengers.

-Be prepared. Know your route before you leave the house. Having a plan helps you to avoid confusion.

-Spare time. Leave for your destination with plenty of time to spare so you're not forced to rush.

-Defensive driving. Always be ready for the unexpected maneuvers of other motorists.

We would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Labor Day weekend and ask that all drivers remain cautious and alert while navigating roadways packed with holiday travelers.

Continue reading " Nearly 2 Million Expected to Travel in Illinois this Labor Day -- Increasing Your Risks of a Chicago Car Accident " »